by R. J. Ross
"Adanna," I correct him. "That's an illusion, isn't it?" I go on, pointing at the desk. He's got his feet kicked up on it, but I'm still positive it's an illusion.
"This?" Blackjack asks. "Kid, I'M an illusion today," he says, yawning loudly. "There's a poker championship game downtown today, so you get a... I suppose you could say substitute."
"No way!" Sunny says, heading to the desk and poking it. His hand goes straight through it. "Holy crap he's good," he says. "All the way from downtown?"
"Yeah, now pretend like you're learning something before Banshee catches me," he says.
Trent's laughing again. I glance back at him with a little grin, seeing the humor in this one. Especially when Banshee walks into the room, a dark expression on her face as she heads straight for the illusion and swipes a hand through his head.
"That annoying monkey," she mutters. "I swear we should fire him." The illusion disappears, leaving her standing in front of the class. "Now give me a minute, I'll go get him back--"
"No thanks," Sunny says. "I say we let him win the poker game and then make him pay us to keep our mouths shut instead."
She looks at him. "Are you certain you're going the hero route?" she asks.
He grins at her shamelessly. "I'm going the elementalist route."
I raise my hand, seeing as class is pretty much canceled anyway. "Banshee, is it true that you used to be my papa's nemesis?" I ask.
Her expression turns bright and she grins at me, sitting on the air and crossing her legs like she's on a desk. "You heard about that?" she asks. "It's been forever, but I was. Your papa was a heck of a lot of fun to go up against, you know. He never pulled the same trick twice on me."
"He's a good super villain?" I ask, eager to hear new stories.
"He's the best," she says. "He's got style, tons of it. Honestly, he's better than most of the heroes that go up against him, but he's polite enough to make sure people don't know that they've been beaten like a drum after he kicks them to the curb. I've seen a ton of heroes just starting off come back and check the news obsessively for the next week."
I feel my grin pull so hard that my face hurts, but I can't stop it. "Nico says that if he really wanted the heroes dead, several of them would be."
"Oh, absolutely," she says. "Your papa's been doing this since he was a few years older than you are now--he's a seasoned vet at the brawling game. And of course, if it's a public display he always makes sure to lose gracefully. I'll tell you a secret," she goes on, leaning forward, "I'm part of his fanclub."
The entire room bursts into laughter, other than Morgan, who looks stunned. Banshee reaches into her suit, pulling out an ultra slim wallet and a card. "Fanclub member 19," she brags. "I was there when they started it, in civvies, of course," she adds. "I'll be sending a few of you up against him when you get older."
"Can you tell us," Trent starts out, "why they hired Blackjack? He's not really interested in the whole math class, you know?"
"Oh, he's probably here for Emily," Banshee says. "We don't have any duplicators in the Hall--but he's an extremely strong illusionist. He should be helping with her training, but Nico hasn't started that part of her training yet."
"So each of us has a specialist in our skills?" Trent asks.
"No, of course not," Banshee says. "Just a few of you, the ones that have more difficult to manage powers. Now, since this class is a bust--I suck at math, honestly, why don't you tell me what happened yesterday?" She lounges as we tell her, not even looking that surprised by the raid on the zoo. "I've heard rumors about Collector," she admits. "But I didn't realize he was in this area."
"He needs to die," Morgan says darkly.
"He's a norm," Banshee says. "A twisted little man with a sick obsession with supers. There's lots of them in this world, really, but he took it too far. We'll take care of it."
"It should have been taken care of before this," Morgan says. "We were in there for months--some of us were in there even longer. He's a monster."
"You're right," Banshee says, stepping onto the floor and walking over to her. "As a representative of the Hall, I apologize for what's been done to you and the others. Have you talked to your parents?"
"They... I never met them," Morgan admits, although there's something in her tone that makes me glance over. I don't think she's telling the truth, exactly. "I didn't realize I even had powers until I turned fourteen and touched a kid in school that was hiding his abilities--I started hearing peoples' thoughts--" She shivers, hugging herself. "I couldn't turn it off. I thought I was going crazy. I ran away from school, then--then Collector must have found out about me somehow."
"And the kid? Do you remember who it was?" Banshee asks.
"Yeah," Morgan says. "I still remember his name. It's Chris. Chris Goyle."
Banshee nods, then leans forward slightly, looking Morgan in the eyes. "We'll train you," she says. "And then when you're in control of your powers, I'm going to give you a very specific job."
"What? How can you do that?"
"I'm Banshee," she says bluntly. "I've been in this game since Max's dad was second in command. He and I have been through thick and thin together, and if I say someone needs to do a certain job, he'll agree."
"Oh. Okay... but what job?"
"Ability hunter," she says. "You're going to find the kids we don't know about before creeps like that do. Do you think you can?"
"I don't know," she admits.
"It won't be easy," Banshee agrees. "It'll be a lot harder than getting revenge on a single norm. But you have a lot of potential, I think with work we can get you to that point."
"And what will happen to the kids I find?" Morgan asks.
"We bring them here to be trained properly."
To my surprise, Max and Trent start cheering, followed by the others, who reach out and pat Morgan's shoulders, careful not to touch the skin. Morgan flushes, looking at me with an expression that is screaming, "Help??"
"You have a very big responsibility ahead of you," I tell her. "You'll be the hero of heroes."
"I just hope I don't run into more shapeshifters," she says, making a face. "How can you stand being so tiny?"
"It has its perks," I say. "Especially when I get older. I won't be tiny, then."
"I'd hope not," she says. But there's a look in her eyes as she turns forward again. I could almost swear it's excitement. She likes the idea of her future job, I think. She likes it a lot.
I don't blame her. Honestly I wish I had a set goal like that. It's so much more satisfying working hard to a specific goal... but I can't take Cubby's name, regardless of what Nico says.
So what am I supposed to become?
***
"This is your own fault," Star says as she taps on the computer. There are wires hooked to Distort's body, covering half of the exposed skin--and he's wearing only a pair of boxers. "You knew you were supposed to be resting! But no, the moment you see the system is down you race over," she complains, knowing that he won't be able to reply, not when he's like this.
His eyes are empty, his body much like a puppet at the moment. Drugged is such an ugly word, she thinks, but it's what it is. She stares at the readout, cursing both him and herself. "Not good," she says. "Not good at all..."
The phone rings. She turns, staring at the cellphone on the counter, wondering when she'd put it there in the first place. She looks at the computer again, expecting the phone to stop ringing, then lets out a growl as it starts up again.
"WHAT?" she demands as she grabs it, barely refraining from crushing it in her hand.
"I'm calling to make a proposition," a man says.
"We're not interested," she says sharply.
"I'm Collector."
Her hand hesitates. Funding is running low, and Collector is basically money with a voice.
"I'm listening," she says. "But my partner is in the middle of a little... health problem at the moment, so I hope you're patient with us."
"I'm willing
to compromise," he says. "As long as I get them back."
"Them?"
"My collection. They stole my collection and it's all that man's fault!" he snarls. "Technico's fault. I hate him SO MUCH!"
"You know," Star says, sitting down on a rickety stool and crossing her legs. "I think you and I will work very well together, indeed. Now, shall we talk price?"
***
"We need to talk," Sunny says as we start up the steps out of Death Canyon after school. "If you really want me to stop bugging you--if you want me to stop--"
I stop, I look at him. "If I really said to stop, would you?" I ask.
"It--I don't--yeah," he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I mean, it's not easy for me, either, you know? Getting rejected? I don't want to be."
"So you're going to give up?" I say. "Just like that?"
"Ye--No? What am I supposed to say to that?" he demands.
"You're giving up, so I don't have to worry about coming up with an answer anymore," I say, starting back up the steps.
"Wait! Does that mean you were seriously having trouble with it?" he asks.
"I don't think I need to tell you, now," I say cattily. Yes, I'm enjoying this moment far too much. That happens when I get the better of Sunny, okay?
"You said worry! That means you were having trouble!" he says, chasing after me. "That means you might like me back!"
"I don't think I need to tell you that, now, either!" I know my answer now, I think, grinning widely as he stutters for a second before chasing me up the steps and grabbing my hand. But I'm not about to tell him.
"Tell me," he says in a serious tone. "Please, Adanna? Because I wouldn't be surprised if your parents are waiting right outside for you and the moment they come you'll be getting kissed on the lips by your little brother--"
"I don't ask him to do that!" I yelp, turning bright red. "He does it all on his own!" He's grinning and I realize he got the upper hand that easily. The brat. "He's only three! Don't tease me about the fact that my little brother loves me," I say.
"He took your name, though," he says seriously. "Do you love him?"
I look him in the eye, having thought about this ever since that talk with Nico. "More than my own name," I tell him. "I love him more than my name."
He gives me a little smile, scratching the back of his head in a sheepish manner. "So... if you're giving up your name, you don't plan on being a super villain?"
"I still could be," I say.
"But you don't have to be," he says. "You know, I'm going to go to a lot of different countries, see a lot of forests and rainforests and--you know, places that have a lot of cats, right? Maybe... if we're still friends then... you could come with me? Make sure the cats are safe, stop poachers, stuff like that?"
I stare at him, my eyes widening as I realize how big of an impact that could make for wild cats everywhere. It's just as important as the sanctuary is--maybe even more--
"Sounds good?" he asks. "I mean, you could do that without me, too, I guess, but we could work together really well. We'd both be going to the same places."
"Who knows if we'll still even like each other by that time?" I ask.
"I don't know," he says. "But I'd like to try. At least it'll be something to work towards, right? You don’t want to steal your little brother’s position as the next Panther, right? Well you will if people see you--I mean, you’re going to be awesome as a grown panther. And people will always be comparing Cubby to you--“
“Which isn’t fair,” I admit, feeling a bit cornered. Then again, Sunny has always had this way of getting me stuck up trees. “But you’re going to be dressed up as a--“
“Nope,” Sunny says. “Not a pair of tights to be seen. I’m going to go in in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or something, do my work, and get out. No brawling, no smack talking, none of the stuff Trent and Max enjoy so much. Of course I might have to help with bigger stuff, like earthquakes and all that, so maybe a pair of tights, then, but not on a daily basis,” he adds thoughtfully.
I nod, seeing his point. Sometimes the best heroes are the ones you never see. The ones that do the dirty work behind the scenes, doing things that don’t get them applause or limelights, but save lives, or saves nature, or saves so many other things that people don’t usually even think about. It’s just I’ve never heard of a super wanting to be that sort of hero. Usually they’re extremely showy and glory hogs when they aren’t actually saving the day. I mean, look at Max.
And Trent. And Mega, absolutely Mega, and Liz--Liz is definitely a glory hog--
Er, well, you see what I mean, right? "Why?" I ask after a second of staring at him. "You could be seriously famous, you know."
"I really hate the idea of wearing one of those stupid uniforms all the time," Sunny says. "Plus, if I do it that way I can pick my own hours!"
"I should have known it goes back to sleep," I say, throwing my hands up in the air.
"So--will you tell me?" Sunny asks.
"Tell you what?"
"You do like me, right?"
"I..." I say, evilly letting it draw out until he's starting to look nervous again. "Might."
"Might?"
"Maybe!" I start up the steps again, trying not to laugh as he lets out a loud groan.
"Adanna!" he yells.
"What?" I ask over my shoulder. I blink as he appears right in front of me, pressing his lips to mine for a brief second.
"Maybe your brother's got a good idea," he says with a grin before racing up the steps.
I stand there, stunned. I'm pretty sure he just won this round.
***
He's right. I don't want to hear "I told you so" though, so I ignore him as I see my parents and little brother standing in front of the entrance of Death Canyon. Papa's not in uniform, in fact he's in a suit and tie. They must have come straight from the airport. I run forward, throwing myself into Papa's arms and hugging him tightly. "Did you get the cat?" I ask as I pull away to grin at him.
"We did. She's being shipped to the sanctuary now. And how are you?" he asks, looking me over closely. "You've had a rough time while I was gone, I know."
"I'm fine," I say, leaning my head against his chest for a second before Mama tugs me from his arms and hugs me as well. Someone's tugging on my shirt, so I turn, looking down at Cubby.
"Danna, Danna, Danna!" he says, tugging more.
"What, what, what?" I ask.
He points down in a demanding fashion and I sigh, crouching down in front of him. His arms wrap around my neck tightly as he hugs me. I barely have to support him as I stand up, he's clinging so tightly. I hug him back, letting out a sigh. I was right, you know? He can be annoying, he can be clingy, he can get into my things and make messes like you wouldn't believe, but... I don't think there's anyone I'd be more willing to give my title to in the universe.
"You've gotten chubby while you were gone," I tease him, poking him in the side. He pulls back, grinning at me.
"We had ice cream," he says.
"You did, did you?"
"Uh huh." Then he does it again, leaning forward and pecking me on the lips before leaning forward again to rest his head on my shoulder and yawn.
"He's had a very long flight," Mama says, wrapping an arm around my waist. Papa is heading for Nico, and we watch him as the superhero teachers hover all around us. They move close together, speaking so silently that I can't hear them from where I stand. Papa nods after a second, then glances over at Banshee, nodding at her, as well, before coming back to us.
"Nico's invited us to his apartment for dinner," he says. "But there's something I need to take care of this afternoon, so why don't you three head on with them and I'll come when I've finished." He kisses Mama on the cheek and pats Cubby on the head before turning to me. "You don't mind, do you, Adanna?"
"No, I'm fine with that," I say as he kisses me on the cheek as well. Then he's gone, leaving us and the car in front of Death Canyon, and me wondering what, exactly, he's goi
ng to go take care of.
***
"So, are you two official yet?" Summer asks as she dishes out potatoes. I almost choke on my drink as the rest of the group look at me expectantly.
"We're unofficially official," Sunny says, holding out his plate for potatoes.
"Sunny!" I say.
"What? She's constantly giving me a hard time about 'might, maybe,' stuff," he complains, looking at me. "So I'm going to say we're unofficially official."
I stare at him. He grins at me. "I think she should be my partner, like Emily is Trent's," he says. "Since it'd be a good job for her, going out and dealing with poachers and endangered animals, right? Well I'll be going to the rainforests and places like that, where they live. I think it makes sense, right?"
"It's an intriguing thought," Mama says, looking at Sunny thoughtfully. "Adanna, what do you think?" she asks me.
I look at my plate, blushing brightly. "It sounds... good," I admit. "I mean, there's only so much we can do for the cats brought here illegally--but what if we stop them before they're brought? We could save them without having to take them from their homes, right? I'm willing to admit that he's got a good idea," I say, not daring to glance at him. "And since Cubby took my job as a super villain, I can do it, right?"
"Oh, honey, I know--" Mama stops, thinking for a second. "I know that you think you want to be a super villain, but there's so much more to this life--I mean, of course you could help the big cats like your papa does, if you became one, but leaving would be difficult for long periods, you need to watch your base for new supers all the time, and you're constantly worrying about your secret identity interfering--"
"It's fine," I say, stopping her completely. "I mean, I love Cubby, and he'll be a good Panther, won't you, Cubby?" I ask him.
"Panther! Panther!" Cubby cheers from his high chair between me and Mama. He cheers so hard that he flings potatoes across the table. That had absolutely been on purpose, I think, but don't say a word as Nico dodges it casually.