by Wesley King
The teens had gotten little sleep that night and had been woken up early to prepare for their official introduction to the media, which they’d just returned from.
James stretched his hands over his head. “Well, that’s the end of it.”
“They sure had a lot of questions,” Emily said. “And all the pictures. I could barely see anything.”
“They are journalists, to be fair,” James pointed out.
Lana glanced at Sam. “I can’t believe they asked if you were in second grade.”
Sam scowled. “That guy was a jerk.”
“You should have made him take his clothes off and dance on national television,” Hayden remarked.
“Thunderbolt would have loved that.” James shook his head. “He was already angry that you wore a cape with your suit.”
“The cape is going to be my signature,” Hayden protested. “I’m incorporating it into my uniform. Speaking of which, have you all thought about yours?”
Lana rolled her eyes. “We all get the same uniforms—”
“I was hoping to do an all-black jumpsuit,” Emily cut in, “with shiny black boots and the silver visor and shoulder mount. It’s the name I’m having trouble with.”
Emily had attracted a lot of questions about her lack of superpowers during the news conference; one reporter had asked if she felt safer staying close to her superpowered friends during the battle. But Hayden had jumped in and said, “Actually, we try to stick close to her,” and she’d been beaming ever since. Combined with the fact that she was being publicly credited with capturing Leni, Emily was finally feeling like a full member now.
“I have a lot of name ideas,” Hayden said, sitting up eagerly. “Sam, you’re going to be Kid Kinetic. Lana, you’re Lynx. Emily, you’re the Black Arrow. And James, you’re—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” James interjected.
“The Gladiator.”
James looked up, surprised. “That’s not bad.”
“And what’s your name?” Emily asked.
Hayden got to his feet and swelled his chest. “I am Handsome Hayden, he of the—”
Lana chopped at the back of his knee, and he toppled to the couch.
“Or, I was thinking the Hand,” he mumbled, rubbing his knee.
“Do you realize we’re all going to live together now?” Emily said, excitedly.
James sighed. “I don’t know if I can deal with Hayden every day.”
“I was thinking about going out tonight,” Hayden said. “We’ve been working hard for the last two weeks, and we’re bound to get free stuff, being superheroes and all—”
The lounge door slid open, and Thunderbolt came in.
“I hope you enjoyed your rest,” he said. “We’re back to active duty, and we just got a call. There’s a hostage situation in the Lower East Side, and they need help. We have to let the world know that the League is back. I’m sending you on your first mission.”
“So much for that,” Hayden grumbled. He stood up. “I’m on my way, boss. I’ll have the bad guys—”
“Sam will be coercing them out of it,” Thunderbolt cut in. “The rest of you are the security.”
“I see,” Hayden said.
Emily jumped up, pulling a white-faced Sam along with her. “We’re on our way!”
“Great,” Sam added weakly.
Thunderbolt nodded. “Good, take the Mediator. I’ve already transmitted the coordinates. It’s time to become superheroes, kids.”
Hayden stuck out his arm. “Hands in?”
Everyone groaned and hurried toward the roof.
“Fine, don’t blame me when we come out flat!” Hayden called after them.
“Think we can trim this group to four?” Lana suggested.
“Yes,” James agreed emphatically. He pushed open the repaired roof door, and they emerged into the brilliant daylight. A cold wind was whipping in from the river, sending their hair flapping around them. As they walked toward the Mediator, James smiled. He was a superhero. And better yet, he had his closest friends at his side.
They all settled in the cockpit, James in the pilot’s seat, Emily beside him, and the others gathered behind. James powered up the ship and heard the engines thrum to life.
“Time to show the world what the Feros can do,” Emily said.
James glanced back. “Ready?”
“Ready,” they all said confidently.
James nodded and gripped the throttle. “Here we go.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks as always to Brianne Johnson at Writers House, who really does everything but write the first draft. It was a lucky day when you picked up my first manuscript. To my wonderful editor, Shauna (Fay) Rossano at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, who brings structure to my world of superheroes. To Jen Besser at Putnam, who continues to give her support and guidance to this series, and who helped give it wings in the first place. To Dana Borowitz at United Talent Agency, who is taking this story to the bright lights of Hollywood to try and find it a home. To Greg Stadnyk for designing these great covers, and to the entire team at Penguin Young Readers Group for helping me get this story to readers.
Thanks to my parents, Tom and Carol King, who continue to give me their unwavering support as I embark on this uncertain adventure. To my brothers, Adam and Eric, who provide me with bitingly intelligent views on the world and no small amount of humor. And to the rest of my extended family and friends who have been there every step of the way and who probably have no idea how much they mean to me: thank you all for everything.