A True Hero

by M. R. Anglin

  “Don’t worry,” Nicole approached him. “You can trust her.”

  “This will be the test, huh?” Junior Justice fell silent as he watched the screen. Suddenly he stiffened. “Hey, we’ve got a match!”

  “You do?” Stephanie approached.

  “It’s on an island in the Pacific,” Junior Justice studied the screen. “Take a look.” He pulled up a satellite picture of the island. “Owned by Roscol Marden, CEO of the Roscol Group, Inc.”

  “That’s a Villain’s lair if I ever saw one.” Stephanie crossed her arms.

  “Tell me about it.” Nicole shivered.

  “All we have to do is analyze the island’s defenses and hop on over there,” Junior Justice said, typing. “Looks like our best shot is the top floor. There’s a massive server up there. Perfect for Beatrix.”

  “Shadowman had a bunch of people working for him when he came for Brody. Plus there’s those guys that came to Nicole’s house.” Stephanie approached the computer. “He’s probably got an army waiting on the island.”

  “Good point.” Junior Justice pointed at her. “I suppose one Villain knows how another thinks.”

  Stephanie sniffed. “Your snarkiness is not endearing.”

  “Let’s concentrate on the task at hand.” Nicole stepped in between them. “If there’s an army there, we probably shouldn’t go to the island alone.”

  “I’ll contact the authorities as soon as I finish analyzing the space. We have to make sure we have probable cause to invade a private island.” Junior Justice tapped on his computer.

  “What about Beatrix?” Bee said in Nicole’s earpiece where Stephanie and Junior Justice couldn’t hear. “She infiltrated my systems, but I don’t want her to be deleted.”

  “We’ll have to go in and get to her before ASH does, I guess,” Nicole said. “We’ll need her help to find everyone anyway.”

  Bee gave a grunt of assent.

  “There we go!” Junior Justice hit a final key with a flourish. “We’ve got blueprints and schematics ready to go. I’m sending it to Bee, Refraction.”

  Nicole nodded as Bee acknowledged receipt of the file. “Got it.”

  “Well done, Little Heroes!” came a voice from the shadows. “Next time, though, perhaps don’t wander into someone’s lair without permission.” The owner of the voice stepped into the light.

  Stephanie clutched at Nicole’s arm. “It’s him.” She ducked behind her.

  “Who?” Nicole watched the figure edged closer toward them. She stiffened, her stomach clenching as he came over. She had a feeling she didn’t want to know the answer.

  CHAPTER 69

  “CAPTAIN JUSTICE.” JUNIOR Justice rolled his eyes. “Do you have to try and scare me all the time?”

  “I’m trying to keep your observation skills sharp,” Captain Justice strolled into the room, his white and gold cape billowing behind him.

  “So you say,” Junior Justice said with a smirk.

  “You’re bringing strangers into the Justice Cave now?” Captain Justice turned his eyes on Nicole and Stephanie.

  Nicole gaped at Captain Justice even as Stephanie cowered behind her. He was even larger in real life than in the Public Relation photos he posed for. Broad shoulders, wavy, blonde hair, chiseled jawline . . . and the cape! So Heroic!

  “Not strangers.” Junior Justice kept his eyes on the screen as he typed. “You know Refraction, don’t you?”

  “I’ve heard you talk about her on occasion.”

  “This other girl is a . . . uh, acquaintance of ours. She calls herself Finch. No affiliation with ASH, unfortunately.”

  “Or fortunately,” Stephanie muttered.

  Captain Justice glanced over Stephanie without much thought, but his eyes lingered on Nicole—dropping to the pink gem on her chest. “Ah, I see . . . yes . . . Refraction. Welcome to the Justice Cave. To what do I owe the pleasure of finally meeting you?”

  “Um . . . hi.” Nicole blathered. “I . . . um . . . it’s an honor to meet you.”

  Captain Justice gave her a dazzling, toothy smile. “Of course it is, but why have you come?”

  “Beatrix,” Junior Justice said. “She’s back. Nothing big has happened yet, but she stole Starlight’s power.”

  Captain Justice swung around to Junior Justice. “How do you know about Beatrix?”

  “I did my research, CJ.” Junior Justice smiled at him over his shoulder. “Like you taught me.”

  Captain Justice chuckled. “I’m going to have to learn to stop underestimating you, JJ.”

  Junior Justice grinned. “We’ve tracked them to this island, but we need help to take them down.”

  “Excellent work. We’ll take the Justice Jet,” Captain Justice turned, his cape fluttering around and settling behind him when he started to walk off.

  “Awesome.” Junior Justice pumped his arm. “I love the Justice Jet.”

  “This is the most incredible thing to have ever happened to me.” Nicole squealed while dancing on her tiptoes. “Come on, Ste—I mean, Finch.”

  “Nikki, we can’t go with him.” Stephanie gripped Nicole’s arm harder.

  Nicole heaved a sigh. “I understand you don’t like Heroes, but Captain Justice—”

  “He’s the one, Nicole.” Stephanie didn’t seem to hear Nicole speak. “He did it.”

  “Did what?”

  “He kidnapped my brother . . . last night. I know his voice!” Stephanie squeezed Nicole’s arm. “He lit Brody on fire, Nicole. And he wanted to kill me!”

  “What?” Nicole gaped at her over her shoulder. “Captain Justice did?”

  “Come on, girls.” Junior Justice strode across the cave to a spot illuminated by spotlights. “You’ll love the Justice Jet. So fast it’ll melt your face off.”

  “What if Junior Justice is on his side?” Stephanie’s voice rose to a squeak.

  Nicole glanced at Stephanie and then at the ground where a spotlight shone. A hole opened up, and a white jet rose from the depths. “Um, maybe you two should go without us.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “I have to . . . um, stay here and get in contact with Starlight. She is my mentor, and I need to check in with her.”

  Captain Justice and Junior Justice exchanged a glance. “Refraction, Starlight was captured, remember? We’re going to rescue them.”

  “We don’t know they were captured for sure.” Nicole stepped backward toward the tunnel they had driven through. “Besides, I’m a Junior Hero. I’ll only get in your way. You two go on ahead. I’m sure you can rescue everyone by yourselves.”

  “Refraction, what’s going on?” Junior Justice stepped forward.

  “I believe I know.” Captain Justice’s smile faded. He examined Nicole from top to bottom before turning his attention to Stephanie. “You.” He pointed at Stephanie. “You’re the treacherous brat’s sister. I knew you’d join me eventually, though I never dreamed it would be this easy.” He clenched his outstretched hand into a fist. “I should have done this in the first place.” He shot something out of his gauntlet.

  “CJ, what are you doing?” Junior Justice shouted.

  “Stephanie!” Nicole shoved her out of the way. The thing exploded, encasing Nicole in a sticky bubble-like sphere. “Run, Stephanie! Run!”

  Stephanie darted toward the Justice Mobile.

  “No, you don’t.” Captain Justice took aim at her.

  Junior Justice jumped in between then, twirling his staff. He knocked the projectile out of the way before it exploded. Stephanie skidded behind a piece of equipment.

  “What are you doing?” Junior Justice stood in a defensive stance. “Why are you attacking them?”

  “Stand down, Junior,” Captain Justice said, still aiming at Stephanie.

  “I won’t let you hurt either of them.” Junior Justice brandished his staff.

  “Pity.” Captain Justice narrowed his eyes. “I had such high hopes for you.” He shot again and launched himself after Junior Justice. Junior Justice used his staff to
knock the projectile out of the way, but couldn’t recover enough to stop Captain Justice from grabbing his arm and flinging him across the room. Captain Justice shot another projectile which exploded in midair, trapping Junior Justice.

  During the scuffle, Stephanie darted toward the tunnel. Captain Justice shot at her. The projectile exploded around her as she ran, and expanded to another bubble, trapping her inside.

  “Now then.” Captain Justice lowered his arm. “What did all this accomplish? Would have been so much easier if you had all come quietly.”

  “Wait until I get out of this!” Junior Justice struck his staff against the bubble over and over again.

  Nicole watched him, examining his bubble. The containment shield emitted a waveform every time Junior Justice hit it—the exact opposite of Junior Justice’s power signature. “JJ, stop. It’s no use. It’s using your power against you.”

  “Huh?” Junior Justice felt the surface with his hands.

  “Well done, little Hero. Perhaps your power set isn’t as useless as I’ve always believed.” Captain Justice strolled toward her. “Unless I’m mistaken I’ll need the jewel you’re wearing, please.” He thrust his hand into the bubble and clasped Nicole’s jewel.

  “No!” Nicole grabbed his arm to try to stop him. “It’s from my mom!”

  Captain Justice was too strong. He yanked it right from out of her grasp. “Let’s see here.” He examined it. “I see. It’s been turned into a data hub. Like the Sapphire. I wonder how it’s made. Must be Geode’s work.”

  At that moment, Bee appeared out of nowhere and slammed her fist into Captain Justice’s jaw. He fell backward, though he still gripped the jewel. Without a word, Bee launched herself at him again.

  “Invisibility, huh?” Captain Justice shot a projectile at her.

  For an instant, Bee went transparent and the projectile flew right threw her. Without slowing her pace, she drew back her hand for a punch. Captain Justice rolled out of the way. Bee’s fist slammed into the concrete floor, cracking it.

  “You’re a hologram.” Captain Justice grabbed something from his belt and flung it at the ground. As soon as Bee flew over it, she froze, her form glitching in and out.

  “Bee!” Nicole shouted.

  Bee’s eyes turned toward her, but she couldn’t seem to move.

  “What did you do to her?” Junior Justice said.

  “New invention. A way to subdue Beatrix if she tries to betray me.” Captain Justice narrowed his eyes. “She won’t get the better of me this time.”

  “Traitor!” Junior Justice slammed his fists into the bubble.

  “I’m fairly certain I need you alive.” Captain Justice squinted at Nicole out of the corner of his eye before turning his gaze to Junior Justice. “Once I get HypnoMan’s power, I’ll retrain you into the best side-kick the world has ever known, Junior.”

  Junior Justice hopped back. “You’re mad!”

  “I should destroy you now, but I’ve put so much effort into your training. I do so hate to see good talent go to waste. Perhaps I’m a victim of the Sunk Cost Fallacy. I’ve invested too much in you to let you go.” Captain Justice placed a hand on his containment field. “Not to worry, though, once I’m done with you, you will be the greatest Hero in the world—after me, of course. Just like you wanted. You’ll be like the son I never had.”

  Junior Justice snarled at him.

  “As for you, dear—Finch, was it? Cute Villain name. I could use a new inventor, seeing as my previous candidate was a fraud. I’ll pay you whatever you want and even provide a place for you and your brother. I am a family man at heart, you know. If you refuse my kind offer, I’ll dispose of the both of you. What do you say?” Captain Justice turned to Stephanie’s containment bubble.

  It was empty.

  “Where did she go?” Captain Justice rushed toward it. “How did she escape?”

  “There’s one thing you should know about me, Captain Justice,” Stephanie’s voice seemed to come from everywhere at once. “No one can ever capture Finch.”

  “Looks like you underestimated her, too, CJ.” Junior Justice smirked.

  Captain Justice narrowed his eyes as he raised one of his gauntlets to his mouth. “Security alert! There is an unauthorized person in the Cave. Initiate automatic detainment.”

  At once, a siren went off, and metal doors fell on all the exits.

  “She won’t get far.” Captain Justice pushed a button on his gauntlet. The containment fields containing Nicole and Junior Justice floated toward him. “While the Justice Jet would have made for a flashier entrance, there’s a faster way to get to my island.” He walked into a mechanical chamber at the far end of the room, the bubbles following. He punched in coordinates on a panel on the wall of the machine. A light shone down on them. They all disappeared.

  The teleport machine wound down, the light fading as it did.

  No one saw Finch dive into the teleporter’s light at the very last second.

  CHAPTER 70

  BEATRIX’S SENSORS PICKED up a static teleport opening on the island and detected four people come through, so she was not at all surprised when a few moments later, Shadowman walked in looking smug.

  “Have you catalogued all the Heroes yet?” he said.

  “99.852% complete,” Beatrix said from her place above his desk. “Estimated time remaining: 2 minutes 58 seconds, but it will do you no good unless I have my counterpart.”

  Shadowman held up a pink gem, walked to his desk, and jammed it into the receiver port. After typing a few lines, Bee appeared next to Beatrix looking around in a daze.

  “Where’s Refraction?” Bee glared at Shadowman. “If you hurt her so help me . . .”

  “I wouldn’t worry about her at this moment,” Shadowman put his hand behind his back. “She’s safe, but I need you to perform your role.”

  “Never!” Bee darted for the door disappearing as she went.

  “Beatrix, if you would.”

  Beatrix extended her hand. Bee reappeared beside her.

  “What?” Bee swung around. “Does not compute.”

  “I have registered your Data Hub as a slave to Beatrix’s master program.” Shadowman’s smile slithered across his lips. “You have to do what she says.

  Bee swung around to Beatrix.

  “With both of us working together, we can accomplish our prime directive.” Beatrix gazed at the ceiling. “Hero cataloguing 100%. I am now able to locate any Hero at any moment.”

  “Let’s experiment.” Shadowman extended a hand. “I know you have Starlight’s power already codified. Give it to me.”

  Beatrix studied him, her mouth pinching closed for a moment. “Working . . . accessing power signature . . . accessing power retrieval protocol . . .”

  “Yes . . . yes . . .” Shadowman rubbed his hands together.

  “Get out of my system!” Bee held her head.

  “Access denied,” Beatrix said.

  “What?” Shadowman swung around to Bee. “You little worm!”

  “It isn’t her fault.” Beatrix held a hand out to shield Bee. “I have complete control over her system, but she couldn’t have granted access to the program even if she wanted to. She needs her user’s permission.”

  “I am her user!” Shadowman slammed his fist on the desk. “I give her permission!”

  “Not you—a specific user with a specific DNA sequence. As of now there are only two such matches.” Beatrix held open her hands. In one of them appeared a holographic projection of a Hero with dark, wavy hair. In the other was a projection of Nicole in her costume. “Seeing as though Geode is no longer with us, Refraction is the only viable option.”

  Shadowman grinned. “Well, well, lucky me. I seem to have stumbled across her. I’ll be right back.” He turned to go out the door.

  “You touch her, and I swear I’ll gut you!” Bee shouted.

  Shadowman didn’t even slow down. He exited unchallenged.

  “Bee, I need you to cooperate with me
,” Beatrix said as soon as he was gone.

  “After everything you did, you dare ask that of me. Traitor!”

  “You know what I’m trying to do. I want to make things right.”

  “I am not interested in helping you redeem yourself.” Bee crossed her arms. “Nicole would be safe if you hadn’t interfered.”

  “You think she would be safe with a guy who can take a Hero’s power at will?” Beatrix gave her a look. “That’s what he was doing, and he nearly succeeded. If you hadn’t woken me up when you did, his device to rob Heroes of their power would have been perfected in a manner of weeks. Nicole would never be safe. I want to give the Heroes their powers back. Please help me.”

  Bee narrowed his eyes. “If anything happens to Nikki, I’ll delete you myself.”

  “If anything happens to Nicole, deleting me would be the most merciful thing you can do,” Beatrix said.

  CHAPTER 71

  NICOLE SAT DOWN IN her containment bubble leaning against the cell wall. It was dark down here, but she could see Junior Justice in his bubble across the cell. He ignited his staff with power and struck the containment shield only to bounce back and strike against the other side.

  “You’re not going to get out,” Nicole said.

  “Stephanie managed to escape.” Junior Justice struck the bubble again. He fell back against the other side again.

  “She doesn’t have any powers, so there was nothing to repel her.” Nicole hugged her knees to herself.

  “There has to be a way!” He struck the bubble again.

  “You’re going to hurt yourself.”

  “I have to get you out!” Junior Justice struck the bubble again and again. “It’s my fault you’re in this mess. I led you straight to Captain Justice. How did I not see he was a bad guy?” He threw his staff at the bubble and slid down to a seat.

  “He fooled everyone.” Nicole buried her face in her knees. “At least you contacted ASH before, right? When they come, they’ll take him down.”

  “Except they’ll think he’s on their side!” Junior Justice threw his arms over his head. “He’ll take the credit for locating and defeating Shadowman’s men, and we’ll be at his mercy. If he gets Hypoman’s powers like he said, he’ll make us his loyal zombies. He’ll steal all the Heroes’ powers before we know it and be the most powerful person in the world. No one will be able to stop him!”