The Accidental Hero

by Matt Myklusch

  Jack ended up spending the day walking around the city. He didn’t get any rest in, but he really couldn’t have slept if he had tried. His brain was too wired. He had a lot on his mind and he was having a hard time with all of it. He wound up in SeasonStill Park and circled through the seasons, just walking and thinking. For a guy whom all of Empire City was calling the greatest hero since Legend, he was having a pretty bad day. In all fairness, it wasn’t every day you got your best friend killed because he went along with you on some harebrained scheme. It also wasn’t every day you found out that you were going to grow up to be a mass-murdering supersoldier who would be forced to fight alongside your greatest enemies and kill everybody that you cared about. It certainly wasn’t every day you had to save your own life by setting your future self on fire while he swore to come back and kill you the first chance he got.

  It might have been easier if Jack could talk about the whole Revile situation with someone, but he couldn’t tell anyone about it. Especially not now. People kept coming up to him in the park and telling him how amazed they were by what he’d done. They were in awe of him. They all said they were sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusions about him. What was he supposed to say? Don’t be! Turns out you were right! One day I’m going to turn into a Rüstov supersoldier and destroy the entire planet! Obviously, Jack didn’t tell them that, but just smiling politely and accepting people’s praise made him feel phony. The more people congratulated Jack, the worse he felt. Every time it happened throughout the day, Jack thought that he would rather be anywhere else, even back at St. Barnaby’s. No matter where he spent that day, he couldn’t find peace. Nothing felt right. There just wasn’t any place there for him.

  When Jack arrived at Hero Square that evening, he found it even more packed and louder than it had been on Rededication Day. Once again, the crowd parted like the Red Sea as Jack approached, but this time the atmosphere was one of deference and respect rather than fear and anger. The crowd didn’t quiet down this time either. It roared. Jack had no escort this time, nor would he need one. The slayer of Revile did not require such things.

  Outside the sphere, Skerren, Allegra, and Blue were waiting for Jack. Blue could tell that Jack was depressed. Knowing nothing of Jack’s connection to Revile, Blue naturally assumed that Jack’s mood was entirely due to Jazen’s death.

  “I was just thinking that Jazen would have walked me here today,” Jack admitted. “If he were still here, I mean. I got him killed, Blue.”

  “What happened to Jazen wasn’t your fault,” Blue told him. “That was the Rüstov’s doing, not yours. And I know Jazen. If he had to do it all over again, he would do it in a heartbeat, no matter how it turned out. He was a hero, and he died making a difference. Don’t forget what he told you, Jack. Making a difference is what being a hero is all about.”

  “Blue’s right,” Allegra said. “And you made the difference against Revile. You have to admit some good did come out of all this.”

  “Exactly,” Blue said. “It looks like Jazen was right about bringing you here too. I think everyone here finally sees that,” he added, motioning to the crowd. Again, Jack didn’t quite agree, but he couldn’t talk about the reasons why. Not here. Not with Blue or anyone else for that matter.

  “It’s true, Jack,” Skerren said, perhaps sensing Jack’s skepticism. “I can see it now too, and I have to apologize for the way I acted toward you before. I hope… I hope you can understand. It was never personal.”

  Jack appreciated the thought, but really, it was the last thing in the world he was worried about at the moment. “I’m over it,” he told Skerren. “Seriously. If I had gone through what you did, I probably would’ve hated the sight of me too.”

  Skerren looked confused.

  “Hovarth told us what happened to your parents,” Allegra said to him.

  Skerren looked away. “Hovarth shouldn’t have said anything about that.”

  “I’m glad he did,” Jack said. “I’m sorry for what happened to you. We both are. Looks like the Rüstov turned all three of us into orphans.”

  “I guess so,” Skerren said.

  Lightening the mood a little, Allegra apologized to Skerren as well, telling him she was sorry she had had to use her powers on him and basically kick his butt. Skerren turned quickly. “You didn’t kick my butt,” he said, getting all defensive. “What are you talking about?”

  “I seem to remember going all indestructible on you when you tried to kill Jack,” Allegra said.

  “Kill Jack? My heart wasn’t in that!” Skerren protested. “That’s why my blades didn’t cut. Smart had me all worked up, but I knew something was wrong. I knew.”

  “Sure you did,” Allegra said.

  “I did!” Skerren said. “Let’s try again if you’re so not afraid. I bet I could cut you this time.”

  Allegra laughed a little at that. “I don’t think so!”

  Jack allowed himself to laugh a little too, despite his mood. With Allegra toughening up and Skerren loosening up, it felt like everyone was finally getting along. The way they were arguing, they almost sounded like friends.

  As the sun began to set in the distance, Jack saw a platoon of Valorian Guardsmen flying in from Wrekzaw Isle. As far as everyone was concerned, Revile had been thoroughly vanquished by Jack, but prudence demanded that the Inner Circle make sure things stayed that way. Revile had been dead before. During the day, the Inner Circle dug into the burning wreckage as deeply as they safely could, but found no traces of Revile. It was decided that for safety’s sake, the Infinite Warp Core engine would continue to fire in a slow, controlled burn, and a Valorian Guard post would be established on Wrekzaw Isle at Revile’s grave. The Guards stationed at the mothership would be on watch twenty-four hours a day, keeping the fires burning to make sure Revile never reemerged from the flames. Blue said that Prime’s men would want to debrief Jack on his encounter with Revile, and would be glad to hear anything he could tell them about the Infinite Warp Core engine. Jack said that was all fine. He just needed some time. He wasn’t up to going back to Wrekzaw Isle just yet.

  “What was it like?” Skerren asked Jack. “Facing Revile all by yourself?”

  Jack swallowed up every feeling he could about Revile before answering. “It wasn’t what I expected,” he said finally. His words hung there in silence as a cold wind blew in from the ocean. An icy sea spray from the falls coated the square, spritzing everyone.

  “The Imagine Nation is headed south,” Blue said, shielding his face from the mist. “Looks like stormy weather ahead.”

  “Yeah,” Jack nodded. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

  “We’d better go inside,” Allegra said, motioning toward the sphere. “It’s time.”

  Blue agreed and ushered the three children up the staircase below the sphere. They rose up into its base on the pedestal’s floating platform and passed into the liquid metal sphere. As before, the sphere ran over Jack’s skin like thick metal syrup. The children disappeared inside.

  Inside, the sphere was as big and empty as it had been the first time Jack was there with Jazen. This time, the members of the Inner Circle were all there waiting when Jack and the others arrived. Jack stood in the same place as before, in the pit below their elevated round table.

  The Circlemen welcomed the children into the sphere and explained what was about to take place. They would each now cast their votes for the record, officially endorsing or rejecting each child’s nomination to the School of Thought. The ceremony would be followed by a great festival, an event that the people in the square were already assembled and ready for. Chi announced that it was time for the voting to begin.

  “A formality,” Hovarth said with a wave of his hand. “Most of us have already made our decisions known. As for the rest,” he added, eyeing Stendeval and Smart, “these children stood their ground against Revile. This boy defeated the monster himself! I should think they’ve more than passed our tests, no?”

  “Yes, Jonas,
” Virtua said in a clever tone. “Before you vote, I feel obligated to remind you that voting against the boy who defeated Revile in full view of the entire city might be interpreted by some as the act of a Rüstov sympathizer. I’d hate to see you being investigated by your own Peacemakers, but if you were to cast such a vote, the people might demand it. Of course, that is just my opinion. By all means, vote your conscience.”

  Smart looked at Virtua like he’d just eaten two onions and then washed them down with a tall glass of turnip juice. She was enjoying the moment immensely. “Thank you, Virtua,” Smart said sarcastically. “I am well aware of the city’s newfound appreciation for young Jack. I assure you, I will not stand in the way of his education,” he forced himself to say.

  “You did say that if Jack passed all your tests and you deemed him safe, he’d have your vote,” Skerren said to Smart.

  “I remember,” Allegra added. “I was there too.”

  Smart squirmed while the other Circlemen stared at him, waiting for an official, affirmative statement on Jack’s status. “The boy has my vote,” Smart finally said, looking away from everyone, especially Jack.

  Skerren and Allegra flashed victorious smiles at Jack. He humored them with a halfhearted smile of his own. He appreciated their support, but it still felt wrong.

  “In that case, I believe the only vote left in question belongs to Stendeval,” Chi announced to the group. All eyes turned to Stendeval, who was sitting quietly in his chair with his hands folded before him. “Are you ready with your decision?” Chi asked him.

  “I am,” Stendeval said as he rose from his seat and floated down to join Skerren, Allegra, and Jack at the lower level of the sphere. “Hovarth is quite right—these children have been tested more than enough. When we first met in Cognito, I told them that I would not test them—life would. I don’t think anyone here will disagree with me when I say that life decided to present them with greater a challenge than any of us ever imagined. For my part, I am now sure, more than ever, that these children are our future. I will welcome them into this school with open arms and go as far into that future with them as fate will allow. In the end, however, the decision to make that journey is theirs as much as it is mine.”

  Stendeval reached out his hand toward Allegra, as if presenting her to the Circle. “Allegra of Galaxis,” he said, addressing his peers. “Born into bondage in a Rüstov body farm. Raised in fear on a refugee ship hiding in the shadow of the Rüstov Armada. She found, within herself, the courage that Valorians are named for. On the roof of SmartTower she called upon unshakable courage and indestructible strength. She did it to save the life of a friend. This is what heroes are made of. Allegra, I hereby grant you a seat in the School of Thought, with all the privileges and rights that honor conveys. Do you accept?”

  Allegra said yes before Stendeval even finished asking the question, and then a few times more for good measure. The Circle applauded her and her skin rippled with excitement.

  Stendeval moved down the line. “Skerren of Varagog…,” he began, “whose parents were taken from him by the Rüstov before his very eyes. That experience has driven this boy every day of his life. It has driven him to be a stronger, better fighter and the master of his unique abilities. It has also driven him away from friendship, brotherhood, and happiness. Afraid to get too close to anyone, this boy’s only friend has been his anger. But this morning on the rusted plains of Wrekzaw Isle he found the compassion a hero is measured by. He learned to put aside his anger and believe in others. Skerren, I hereby grant you a seat in the School of Thought, with all the privileges and rights that honor conveys. Do you accept?”

  “I do,” Skerren said solemnly. “With all my heart, I accept.” Stendeval shook Skerren’s hand and the Circle applauded again. This time, they continued their applause as Stendeval approached the last student in line: Jack Blank of New Jersey.

  “Finally… we come to Jack,” Stendeval said as the Inner Circle settled back down into their seats. “Jack, whose life we know so little about, has been tested more than anyone here today. In the School of Thought we seek to train students to be the greatest of heroes. To create a better tomorrow. Jack has already begun this by ridding us of the worst villain of all time. We called him Revile. That was our name for him. We know not how the creature thought of himself. For us, Re was taken from his constant regeneration whenever destroyed, and vile from the fact that he was the most foul and base villain we ever encountered. Put together, it is a fitting name for one who will be cursed throughout history as the most ruthless killing machine ever known. It is said that Revile claimed more lives for the Rüstov Armada than any soldier who ever fought in all the years of their infinite war. Our assembled might could not put a stop to his merciless onslaught, but Jack… Jack did what we could not. Just imagine what he will do tomorrow.”

  “Here, here!” Hovarth shouted, setting off a premature smattering of applause for Jack’s accomplishments. It was to be expected. Jack was the hero of the day. Still, every word Stendeval had said about Revile was like a red-hot needle poking Jack in the gut. Especially the part about what Jack would do tomorrow.

  “Jack Blank, I hereby grant you a seat in the School of Thought, with all the privileges and rights that honor conveys. Do you accept?”

  Jack took longer than either of the others to answer Stendeval’s question. He looked at the smiling faces of the Circlemen and those of his fellow students. For their sake, he shook his head and told Stendeval no.

  “I can’t,” he said. “I can’t do this. I don’t belong here.”

  Without another word, Jack jumped down through the liquid-metal base of the sphere and exited the room with a hurried, melancholy retreat.

  The crowd cheered Jack again when they saw him emerge from the sphere, but it was the last thing Jack wanted to hear. He took one look at the crowd and walked in the other direction. Blue was surprised to see Jack come back out so quickly, not to mention all by himself.

  “Jack? What is it? What’s wrong?” he asked. Jack just waved him off and kept walking down the bridge that led out over the edge of the city. He walked past the Rededication Day headstone and all the way out to the very tip of Empire City and the Imagine Nation.

  If anyone were to ask him where he thought he was going, he would have said he didn’t know. He was walking toward a dead end that hung out over bottomless waterfalls running down to the depths of the sea. He just went as far as he could go. As far as he could get away from people in general. He stopped at the end of the path in front of the giant monument to Legend. The blue flame that Chi had lit on Rededication Day was still burning in the statue’s palm.

  Jack stared up at the monument. This was a real hero, he thought. This was the man who twelve years ago had stopped Jack before he had killed everyone in the city. Twelve years ago, Legend had ended Jack’s future life for the first time. Jack shook his head. There was no way around it. Legend was dead. He had been killed by Revile, killed by Jack’s future self. That had to mean it was real. The future was hard to deny once you’d seen it face-to-face and it had tried to kill you.

  Suddenly, red energy particles began to swirl about and Stendeval materialized, floating in the air with his legs folded. Jack didn’t turn around to look at him. He just told Stendeval that he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t go back in there. Stendeval didn’t argue. He nodded and lowered himself down to the ground. He stood beside Jack, staring up at the monument of Legend. “So, that’s it?” Stendeval asked Jack. “You’re leaving?”

  Jack nodded. “Yup.” He actually hadn’t thought that far ahead, but it seemed like the thing to do.

  “I see,” Stendeval said, disappointed. “Just like that? I can’t change your mind? I thought you wanted to stay and find out who you are.”

  Jack let out a gruntlike laugh, like Stendeval didn’t know what he was saying. “I already know who I am,” Jack said. “I don’t need you to tell me that anymore.”

  “I see,” Stendeval said,
nodding. “However, I don’t recall ever saying that I was going to tell you who you were. I believe I told you to have patience,” he said. “I seem to remember saying that one day you would tell me the answer to that question.”

  Jack remembered. “Right. Whatever. The point is, now I know.”

  “So? Tell me, then. Who are you?”

  “I… it’s complicated,” Jack stammered. “I just know I don’t belong here. I’m not meant to be here.”

  “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. A young English songwriter once told me that.”

  “Well, he was wrong,” Jack said bitterly.

  Stendeval shrugged. “Most people would disagree. That songwriter and his friends became quite popular. They did very well for themselves.”

  Jack wasn’t paying attention to Stendeval. He already had his mind made up. “I don’t belong here,” he said angrily. “Your school is a place for heroes. A better tomorrow, you said. I’m not going to be a hero.”

  “Really?” Stendeval asked. “You know this for a fact?”

  “Actually, I do.”

  “How interesting,” Stendeval replied, rubbing his chin. “Well, if that is what you think, then you are probably correct. It is your decision, after all. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret, Jack. There’s an entire city behind me that thinks you’re a hero right now.”

  Jack looked back at the crowd that filled Hero Square. He was not moved by it. “They’ve been wrong before too,” he said. “You really want to know what I am? What I’m going to be?” Stendeval waited. Jack tried to tell him, but he just couldn’t seem to spit it out just yet. “I’m… I’m exactly what you were describing in there. I’m a villain! The worst villain ever!”

  “You know, a wise Mecha once told me that ‘hero’ and ‘villain’ are words that get overused sometimes. That some so-called villains are just people who are misunderstood.”