by R. J. Ross
I shake my head, only to wince as he tightens his hold. I feel like I’m going to break from his hold. Angrily, I nod, hating him more by the moment. He jumps up onto the roof of the nearest building, carrying me like a child. “Massteria, I got her,” he says. “Come on, I need her silent for the trip.”
I go still, looking around as much as I can with him holding my head in place. It seems like forever before a skinny, weasel looking fellow jumps onto the roof, a sheepish look on his face. “Sorry, D.B.” he says. “I had to use the toilet.”
I feel the hold tighten for a second and barely refrain from squealing in pain. “Don’t do that next time,” the guy holding me says, “otherwise I’ll just have to kill you ahead of schedule.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Massteria says. “So this is the granddaughter?” he asks, walking up to me and looking me in the eyes. “She’s pretty useless at this age, isn’t she?”
“She’s plenty useful as bait,” D.B. says, looking at him a bit strangely, “which is what we were out to do in the first place. Now… we need to find a television.”
I start struggling harder, trying to scream from behind his hand. It’s a pathetic little sound, but we’re supers. SOMEONE might hear it, right? I have to believe that Mom and Grandma are coming after me!
“She’s too noisy,” Massteria says.
“Then do your thing,” Deathblow says.
“I could, but what if she screams louder?” Massteria asks. “Knock her out, it’s the safest bet.”
“You’re…” Deathblow starts out. “Fine,” he says after a second. I feel a blow to the side of my head and the world goes black.
***
“You told me to find Massteria,” Rocco says, looking to the two men standing next to him. “Here he is—at least he’s the strongest psychic type around other than Mastermental and Max. I know both of their energy, so I wrote them off. Another psychic is in Louisiana right now, but I’m pretty sure that’s that Rochester guy. And this one…” he frowns, poking the unconscious man. “He’s not giving off ANY energy right now. He was, though, I swear he was! It was only like, five minutes ago, before we went into the Shadowlands.”
Nico steps forward, pulling Massteria’s eyes open. One of his fingers starts sparking, and he holds it up so he can look at the eye. “Mimic,” he says, closing the eye again.
“What?” Bombastic asks. “What do you mean, Mimic?”
“Haven’t you thought about it, Boombastic?” Nico says, looking at him. “They’re going after each other.”
Bombastic looks startled. “What? Why?”
“Probably because it’s too risky to go after a big name right now,” Nico says. “And another reason is that we spent all those years bottled up together. How much time did you spend wondering who was in the other wings? What they were doing? Could you beat them, if you got the chance?”
“Did you wonder that?” Bombastic asks him.
“Of course not, I knew all of it,” Nico says. “But they didn’t. Think of it as a passing thought that quickly becomes an obsession. If you listened hard enough, maybe you could hear the others breathing.”
“Then why aren’t they going after you?” Bombastic asks.
“We’ve found Massteria, send a black suit to pick him up. Mimic got him, so he shouldn’t be too much trouble,” Nico says, touching his earbud. “And I didn’t say they weren’t,” he goes on, looking at Bombastic. “But the smarter ones will make sure to level-up before they do a head-on attack. I like to think of myself as the… final boss,” he declares arrogantly. “You can be the next to last boss,” he says graciously.
“What about Atlanti and Badmoon?” Bombastic asks. “Can we expect them to just show up somewhere?”
“I don’t know,” Nico admits. “They’re not like this group.” He looks up as he feels cars heading for their position. “The suits have arrived.”
“I didn’t think Massteria was, either,” Bombastic says, scowling.
“Nico? Nico, we have a problem,” Malina says over the earbud Nico’s wearing. “Keliah’s disappeared.”
“She slipped out the bathroom window,” Falconess says grimly. “She was just going to call Carla, so I’m not sure what happened. Whatever it was, though, we’re searching for her—”
“But we thought Rocco could find her faster,” Malina says. “Rocco, are you there?”
“I’m on it,” Rocco says, already standing on one arm in his “traditional dance of finding.”
“Thanks. Tell us when you find her,” Malina says.
Rocco goes perfectly still. “Nico?” he says silently. “Turn off the earbud.”
Nico waves a hand, indicating that it’s off. “What is it?”
“She’s not alone,” Rocco says. “We’ve got two really impressive powers with her.”
“They’ve got her,” Bombastic says, his hands clenching and turning black.
***
I was knocked out, right? But right now I’m sitting on a building, and I have no idea how I got here. I look out over the city, seeing the revolving restaurant not too far away; Downtown KC, my mind supplies. It’s the only thing it’s supplying. I look down, staring at the cuffs on my wrists. Those are Mom’s cuffs. Well, at least they look like them. I look closer, seeing that the right one’s actually one of the com-bracelets that Nico made us.
“Falconess,” I hear Trent say over the com. “Are you ALIVE? Because you’re missing the show.”
“Tr—Trent?”
“Liberty,” he corrects me. “If you’re late for another show, Falconess, I’m going to have to write you up. You’ve been messing up too often.”
“What? But I’m not—”
“It’s bad enough that you can’t even fly,” he goes on. I can practically see him shaking his head.
“I’m NOT Falconess!” I snap. “Where do you get off calling me—” I slow to a stop as I look at my cuffs again. “Why am I dressed like this?”
“Ask questions later, right now I need to cover for you. Again,” he says before hanging up on me. I don’t understand. I mean, the last thing I remember was going to lunch with Mom, Grandma and Malina… but maybe it was a dream? No. I don’t think so—
I hear someone scream and I turn, racing toward the sound without thinking. Someone is in trouble! I need to help—I pull to a stop as I reach the edge of the building, realizing abruptly that I don’t know how to fly. I grit my teeth and try to think happy thoughts. That’s how Peter Pan summons his wings, right? Wait… does Peter Pan even HAVE wings?
I don’t have time for this, the screaming is getting more urgent! I have to save them! I’m—I’m Falconess now, right? I need to be as brave and as powerful as Mom and Grandma were when THEY were Falconess. And if I’m wearing the uniform that means I should be up to their standards, right?
I HAVE to know how to fly. I step up onto the ledge of the building, looking down. Wow, this is a really tall building, isn’t it? You know, if I’d gone the sexy archer route I wouldn’t have to do this, I think as I step off the ledge.
All of a sudden, as I’m plummeting to the ground, praying for my wings to work, I remember the conversation I had with Trent and Carla all those years (I think?) ago. Who’s going to catch me?
“Keliah.” The word makes me jerk, looking around wildly. “Chicklet, you are a Falconess from the soles of your feet to the top of your head.”
“Grandma?” I say, looking around. The words are swirling all around me, echoing in my head. “Grandma, I don’t think you’re right—I can’t fly! I’m trying, but I can’t—”
“You were born to fly, sweetheart. Just like your Grandma,” I hear Grandpa say. “Now spread your wings!”
I spread my wings.
***
“What the hell?” Deathblow says, jerking back unconsciously as the girl he’d been carrying sprouts sharp golden wings. They cut through the jacket he’s wearing before he gets far enough away. “When did she grow wings?” he asks, staring at her with a
mix of irritation and curiosity. She’s floating, still unconscious, and he dares to poke at the wings that are holding her aloft. The girl goes spinning with the touch, until she runs into the side of a building. “Hey, Massteria, she’s doing something really weird.”
“I…” the girl says, only to trail off.
The two men look at her blankly for a moment before Massteria reaches for her—only to get his hand slapped away, hard. “I AM A FALCONESS!” the girl yells, her eyes opening. They’re glowing gold, just like her wings. “I’M GOING TO SAVE YOU!” she bellows, taking to the air with a flap of her wings and racing away.
“Did that… did that just happen?” Deathblow asks Massteria.
“That just happened,” Massteria says.
“But who—oh forget it, she’s getting away,” Deathblow snarls, taking to the air and chasing after the girl. Massteria stares after him for a moment, a curious look on his face before he starts to walk away.
As interesting as Deathblow’s powers are, he hasn’t had the chance to play with Massteria’s enough, yet, Mimic thinks.
***
"Okay," Rocco says as they step out of the Shadowlands. He looks around and then stops, staring up with a look of confusion. "I didn't know Keliah knew how to fly," he says after a second.
"That place stinks--" Bombastic starts out, only to stop as he hears what Rocco just said. "She can't," he says, following Rocco's eyes. He stares blankly for a moment before he sees someone following his granddaughter. "Deathblow," he snarls, letting out a curse and shooting through the air.
"But--" Rocco starts out.
"You're coming with me to get Mimic," Nico tells him, his expression dark. "I think the council will understand if Boombastic brings in D.B. instead of Massteria."
"Oh, um, okay," Rocco says, still looking worried. "But shouldn't we get Keliah out of there? I mean--"
"Boombastic can handle D.B. I think," Nico says, his voice lowering slightly on the second line. "Where's Mimic?"
"This way," Rocco says, starting to run. "He's on the move, so we need to hurry."
Nico nods, right on the teen's heels.
***
Faster! I have to go faster--if I don't get to the falling person in time they're going to go splat. I can't even imagine how terrible that would be. They probably have family and friends and loved ones--no, I'm not going to mess this one up.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY GRANDDAUGHTER!" The shout echoes through my mind and I jerk, shocked to hear Grandpa's voice at the moment. The world that I'm seeing seems to shudder, and I blink a few times as I wake up, trying to figure out what's happening. The scream is gone. Was it ever there?
Wait... am I flying? I wobble dangerously as I realize that I'm several miles off the ground. "Grandpa?" I say, looking around. "Grandpa, where are we? I--I'm not sure--" I let out a squeal as I start to fall. The golden wings that I'm wearing shimmer, disappearing and reappearing erratically. "HELP!" I scream.
"I'M COMING--"
Someone grabs me, and for a second I'm relieved--until I realize that I know this hold.
"Hello, little Falconess," Deathblow says, next to my ear. "Seems like it's a big day for you, huh? I didn't realize you had your wings already."
I jerk, fighting as hard as I can to get free of his hold.
"Don't worry Keliah, I'm here," Grandpa says. "He won't have you for long."
"Really, Boombastic, do you think you can save her? You're no match for me. We both know it."
"You're full of it, Deathblow," Grandpa says. "You're just a two-bit killer with a big ego."
"Do you really think you should be saying that when I'm holding your precious granddaughter hostage?" Deathblow asks, tightening his hold on me.
I barely blink before Grandpa is right in front of me, reaching over my head and grabbing Deathblow by the throat.
"Let her go or I blow your head off," Grandpa says. I can see his skin start to change--it's getting really hot. At any moment his hand is going to turn pitch black and I can only grimace at the image of what would happen next. Sure I’d TALKED about it, but the idea is frankly nauseating.
"Since you asked so nicely," Deathblow says, grinning maniacally as he drops me. I plummet down, trying to get my wings to appear again. I have to fly--I can't hit the ground, I WILL go splat if I do.
“Come on, wings—” I say, gritting my teeth and completely failing to get even a flicker of a feather in return. “WINGS!” I shout, as if yelling at them will make them show up. I don’t want to go splat! I don’t even want to bounce—you know, if that’s an option. Okay, I think I’d take the bounce over the splat--
"Aren't you going to save her?" I hear Deathblow say with amusement. I hear Grandpa let out a curse and I see him let go of Deathblow, starting to head for me--
Deathblow's hand shoots out as he grabs Grandpa by the ankle and spins, throwing Grandpa flying through the air. I hear Grandpa shout, but I can't do anything. I'm too busy looking down at the concrete that's rapidly coming up to meet me. Splat or bounce, anyone want to take bets?
***
“Keliah,” Bombastic breathes, catching himself in the air and turning, racing for her. Will he get there in time? He had been careless. He knows that, but he doesn’t care right now. He can curse himself AFTER he saves his granddaughter. She’s not even screaming, he thinks as he sees her. She’s just staring at the ground with a hint of rebellion in her eyes. He swoops down, grabbing her mere feet from the ground. “Gotcha,” he says.
“Grandpa!” she says, hugging him tightly. “I was taking bets.”
“Bets?” he repeats blankly. “Tell me later, sweetheart, right now I want you to go hide,” he says, dropping her on the ground. “Technico, come get my granddaughter,” he says, touching his ear.
“I’ll send Rocco,” I hear Nico says. “I’m going to take down Mimic.”
“Understood.”
I head for the nearest building at a run, glancing over my shoulder as I hear Deathblow laugh. “Oh no, I’m not letting her go that easily.”
He flies straight for me and I stumble over a rock, almost falling on my face.
“I don’t think so,” Grandpa says, moving between me and the other man.
“She’s making you weak, Boombastic,” Deathblow says. “Big bad Boombastic, I’ve never dreamed that you would be this pathetic in real life.” He slams into Grandpa, driving him into the ground and creating a crater mere feet away from me. I get my balance back and race away. I want to help Grandpa, but I’m totally out of my league. I hate being thirteen.
“Technico you big idiot!” I yell. “You said you had my back!”
“Yo,” Rocco says, stepping out of the shadow in front of me. “Time to go.” He holds out a hand and I stare at it, turning to look at the fight behind me.
“I don’t want to leave him. I was just going to hide where I could watch—and help if I could,” I say. “Can’t you help him? Do your shadow thing, Rocco!”
“This is his fight, and if he needed help Nico would have come, right? Come on, Keliah, you’re making it harder for him just by being here,” he says.
I glare at him, feeling the urge to yell that he’s just being a jerk and that NO ONE wants to abandon a family member in a dangerous situation— "If you’re safe, he can go all out, right?” he says.
I hesitate before taking the offered hand. He pulls me into the Shadowlands.
“Wow, this place STINKS.”
He turns to me, looking me in the eye. “Now,” he says, “do you really want to help him? Because there’s something you can do. It’ll be a bit dangerous, but…” he shrugs, “we can do it.”
“I’ll do ANYTHING,” I say, grabbing his hand urgently. “What are we waiting for? Let’s do it!”
“We need to find Malina,” he says, grabbing the hand holding his and dragging me along. “She’s got it.”
***
Deathblow growls, racing right past Bombastic and slamming a fist through the wall that Rocco and
Keliah just went through. “Oh no, you don’t,” he bellows, stepping through the hole he just created and—looking around blankly. “Where did they go? I wasn’t done with her!” He turns, only to be hit so hard in the solar plexus that he goes flying a mile into the air. The next hit comes from above, where Bombastic is already waiting for him with his hands clamped together. The massive blow slams down on Deathblow’s head, burying him in the ground a mile below him.
“NEVER TOUCH MY FAMILY!” Bombastic roars as he tackles the other man, burying him yet deeper into the ground. He keeps punching Deathblow with rapid fire blows that seem more like one continuous heavy hit, they’re so fast.
It takes Bombastic several minutes of beating on the other man to realize what’s wrong. Deathblow is grinning from ear to ear, even as he’s being beaten. “What’s so funny?” Bombastic asks, grabbing his shirt with one hand and lighting up his opposite fist. “TELL ME!”
“You don’t know my powers,” Deathblow says, looking as if he’s run into the funniest joke yet.
“You’re a tank. It’s obvious.”
“Yeah, but have you ever wondered what TYPE of tank?” Deathblow asks, grinning wider yet, if it was even possible.
“I don’t care.”
“You should,” Deathblow says. “Do it, I dare you,” he says, nodding at the glowing fist. “No, I BEG you. Do it, Boombastic. You know you want to.”
Bombastic hesitates, wondering what the man is up to. “If I hit you with this, you’ll die,” he says.
“That’s what you think,” Deathblow says. “What’s wrong, Boom? Too afraid to become a murderer? Oh wait, you already are,” he says. “Involuntary manslaughter or something like that, right? What’s the matter, too scared to do it voluntarily? You chicken.”