John calls the Doc again.
Darren: WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHY AREN'T YOU IN CLASS?
John in his head: Aw shit, I forgot It's Thursday.
John: Wait doc, just listen, it's not me there's something wrong with Sera.
Darren: What exactly?
John: We don't know, that's why we called you.
Darren: Okay then, meet me at the Infirmary in a half hour. You should be in school.
Darren said bitterly, only agreeing to do what John asks since another student is involved.
John: Wait, how do you know I'm not in school right now?
Darren: Because if you were you'd be in my office right now.
30 minutes later.
Darren: Aw jeez, everything seems normal, but I've never seen a drug that can suppress abilities before. Anyways, I'll get back to you once we get the test results. If this is like some normal drug, you should be good in four days. If your ability is still gone then come in and see me. Oh, by the way, have you told the Headmaster what happened?
John: Arlo and Elaine are there right now.
Darren: Good, I would keep this incident to ourselves, if this gets out of hand people might get hurt.
Darren gives John a look, as if to say don't make my job any harder.
Darren: Alright, you kids are free to go.
John: Alright, thanks doc!
Darren: Become a school nurse they say, easy hours and weekends off they say, buncha bull...
John and Sera walk out of the Infirmary and head back to the dorms.
Sera: Hey John, this whole situation just seems, I don't know.
John: Yeah, I hear yeah. You shouldn't worry though, four days of being crippled should be easy. I had to do it my whole life.
Sera: Yeah but you have something to fall back on, I just, well...
John: Hey now, don't overthink it, we'll be crippled together. I won't ever leave you, I promise.
John says reassuring Sera.
Sera in her head: That's right, no need to worry, my abilities will recover.
Meanwhile in Headmaster Vaughn's office.
Vaughn: Thank you two for informing me, this calls for some serious action, I will have to double up the security in Wellston. Anything else I should know.
Arlo: That's all sir.
Vaughn: Thank you, now if you excuse me I'll have to do some work on this pressing matter.
Arlo: Of course.
Arlo and Elaine walk out of the Headmasters office and through the halls.
Elaine: I still can't wrap my head around this. You three are the strongest in the region, and we get overpowered by a van and a knife.
Arlo: Yeah, ridiculous am I right.
Elaine: Arlo, what if we lost?
Arlo looks at Elaine funny
Elaine: All I can think about is where they were gonna take her, do to her? It-
Arlo: Stop, don't let those thoughts run around in your mind. You're already under enough stress!
Elaine: Yeah, you're right.
Arlo: Besides, He and Keene are powerful, they can take care of it.
Elaine nods, not knowing what else to say.
Arlo: Alright, I'm gonna head back and rest, you should too. You spent a lot of time healing us all. See you around.
Elaine: Uh, yeah.
Arlo: Don't worry, nothing is going to change.
Elaine: Right!
Elaine in her head: Yeah, he's right, Arlo and Remi are still Kind and Queen, John still acts like a cripple, Sera will still keep to herself, Nothing has changed, and nothing will change.
Elaine didn't know how wrong she really was.
In time, it couldn't be farther from the truth.
The next day at school everyone acts normal, Arlo convinces John to help him with his royal duties. Sera keeps relatively to herself. People gasp as Sera walks back into Wellston.
Sera in her head: What the hell, why are these buffoons so interested in my life. Why are the powerful observed so much? It's quite strange, why observe something you want, that's all people want in society, power, yet when they don't get any, they just look at it like an expensive item they can't afford.
John and Arlo are walking down the hallway discussing their next move.
Arlo: Listen, I know you have Cecile to deal with, but I don't want you to do anything yet, wait for her first move.
John: Wait, why...
Arlo: Just trust me grease ball!
John: Hey I worked hard for this hair!
Arlo: And you should stop, seriously you look like that Italian kid from Grease.
John: Yeah isn't he sick or...
Arlo: No. Just no, you're not him. You're not that guy.
John sighs with disappointment.
Arlo: Anyways, we have our suspects, obviously there gonna be the top mid tiers.
John: Their names?
Arlo: Wenqi, Blonde hair, 2.4, speed, Illena, Dark red hair, Strength, 2.7, Tanner, purple hair, regeneration, 3.1. and our little friend Krolik, pink hair, Lazor, 2.5.
John: There's definitely a couple more of them around.
Arlo: Yeah well, meet me after school in the courtyard by the alleyway, I got a plan.
John: Yeah, what is it?
Arlo: Part of the plan involves you not knowing, trust me on this.
John: Great,
I'm looking forward to it.
John in his head: Oh shit, that reminds me, I gotta stop by the Headmasters office.
Later that day.
Knock knock!
Vaughn takes a sip from his coffee before setting the cup down.
Vaughn: Come in.
John walks in the office.
John: Uhh, hello sir.
Vaughn: Ah John, good to see you. What brings you here today? Have a seat.
John: No thank you actually, this won't be long, I wanted to talk about the notice I was sent today.
Vaughn: Ohh, what about it?
John: Sir with all due respect, you can't move me onto campus. I'm doing fine as I am.
Vaughn: John, this isn't negotiable.
John suddenly feels Joker poking through his soul.
Vaughn: I've already made arrangements for your room.
John: Please, I really don't wanna be around the others!
Vaughn: OH I DON'T GET YOU! I really don't. You're God compared to them, show them who you really are.
John just stares at Vaughn, telling him silently he crossed a line.
Vaughn: After school, you'll pack your belongings and Keene will help you bring them to where you'll be staying. Here you'll be under the protection of the staff.
John just scoffs as he glints his eyes.
John in his head: If anything I protect the staff every damn day.
Vaughn: Again, John this isn't negotiable. After school, you'll pack all your belongings and Keene will help you bring them to where you're staying. Here you'll be under the protection of the staff. That's final.
John: Sir, but.
Vaughn: John! That's enough. You're dismissed.
John in his head: Dammit, this guy only knows about my power. He doesn't know who I am, all my hero stuff is in there, I can't move a giant super computer.
John: But sir I can take care of...
Vaughn: Myself? That's what you were gonna say right? Well not sure if that's a valid claim, especially after what happened Thursday. They have your house marked, How long do you plan on fighting them off?
John sighs.
John: Alright then.
Vaughn: Relax son, this will be good for you. I'll arrange you with Blyke, that way you can be with your friend while you play cripple.
John: Yes sir.
Vaughn: Keene will be at your house in an hour, you're dismissed.
John walks out of the office and walks home. He turns the front door and heads inside. He opens his secret door in the house that leads to a soundproof room, in there are the two goons from Sera's abduction attempt. All cut up badly, bruised beyond recognition, arms and legs broken in several areas.
John: Alright you sonofa bitches, today's your- what the?!
The two goons don't make any noise, they remain lifeless in their seats. John looked at their faces, a smile was cut into their mouths, almost separating the lower half of their faces.
John: That's funny, I don't remember cutting anything into them that deep, this is kinda fucked even for me. Oh God, are they dead?!
Joker: Does it really matter?
John, startled by Joker turns 180 and looks at the demonic entity with surprise.
Joker: Aww common, don't act like I'm the monster, you were the one torturing them, I simply tried to put a smile on their face, the one you so desperately tried to turn upside down.
John: What the hell do you want?
Joker walks by John and slices the two corpses in half, they catch on fire and disintegrate before they even get the chance to bleed.
Joker: I don't know how you were gonna hide two bodies within thirty minutes, but you're welcome.
John: Why would you help me?
Joker: Because, when the time comes I want to kill you last, but I can't have you rotting in a cell until then.
John: I got people to cover me for that, but I'm not that twisted.
Joker: Yeah well, I just made your day easier.
Joker fades out into dust as the doorbell rings. John goes to answer it, he sees Keene standing in the front door.
Meanwhile at school, Remi is putting up Flyers with Blyke and Isen.
Arlo: Hey Blyke, what are you doing?
Blyke: It's Remi man, she's been acting strange lately, making Isen look out for Ember, printing posters. I told her this kinda stuff is for John but she won't listen.
Remi is seen in the distance handing out some flyers to a group of students. She runs up to Arlo.
Remi: Arlo, can you hand out these flyers?
Arlo: No, I'll pass.
Remi: Suit yourself.
Arlo grabs Remi's shoulder as she tries to run away.
Arlo: Remi, what the hell do you think you're doing?
Remi: Warning students the danger of Ember.
Arlo: Don't you think John is on to this, besides...
Arlo whispers in Remi's ear.
Arlo: Cecile might be on to us if word gets around.
Remi: Well then how else will we help keep people safe.
Arlo: Remi, you're just scaring students, you're literally telling them that they are gonna die, besides, high tiers are the targets of these attacks. Telling the student body won't help us in any way.
Remi: Well, I gotta run.
Arlo: Remi wait!
Remi: Yeah?
Arlo: Let's grab a drink later today, you too Blyke.
Blyke: Nah man, John's moving into my dorm.
Remi: It's about time!
Arlo: I know right.
Blyke: Yeah well, he's kinda pissed about it, thought I would help him settle in.
The three depart and head their own ways.
Meanwhile with John and Keene.
Keene: So, are you excited to be moving in the dorms?
John: No, why would I, didn't even get a choice.
Keene: Yeah well, at least you don't have to walk thirty minutes every day.
John: But I like walking, it's mental prep, helps me...
Zeke slams John's back.
Zeke: Yo Mr. KEENE! What brings you around?
Keene: Well I'm helping John here move in the dorms.
Zeke: So, Johnny boy is finally joining us, what a pleasant surprise.
John: Looking forward to it.
Zeke: We'll be super careful with him.
Zeke and John exchange looks before parting ways.
Keene and John make it to the dorms.
Blyke: Oh hey John, looks like I finally won.
John: Yeah well that's only because the Headmaster made me.
Blyke: Yeah well, it's about time.
John: I'm not trying to fight everywhere I go. That Zeke kid made himself very clear that he runs things.
Blyke: Dude, I'm literally the Jack, you're good, just stick with me and we won't have any problems.
John: Hey, do you have any locked drawers?
Blyke: Yeah, what for?
John: These.
John puts down some files of Devil Tier convicts.
Blyke: Oh yeah, I'll find a place.
John: Don't let anybody see that.
Blyke and John unpack for the rest of the evening.
Meanwhile with Remi.
Remi: Crap, I lost track of time, I'm almost late.
Arlo sits in Wobba Bobba. Flashing back to when he and Rei last talked.
Rei: Wow, hard to believe that I'll never come back.
Arlo: Why did you call me here?
Rei: Come on, I'm just having one last word with my successor, come on sit with me.
Arlo: No thanks, I take joy in looking down on others.
Rei: Well aren't you just prince charming. So how does it feel to be King at second year, that's the youngest king ever at Wellston.
Arlo: I don't know ,what do you want me to say?
Rei: Just make sure you don't lose it, people will be gunning for you, this is the time where people's abilities fluctuate the most. Don't get dethroned to quickly now.
Arlo: I won't, I plan on being King as long as I am here.
John flashes in his mind, the battle between them only lasted several minutes. Chills go up Arlo's spine, he zones out as if trapped in this vision, He sees John looking down on him, his whole body turning into a silhouette, his eyes glowing gold, his mouth growing sharp teeth, his smile like a jack o lantern.
Remi: Arlo, Arlo?, Arlo!
Arlo snaps out of his vision.
Remi: Sorry.... I'm... Late, lost track of time.
Arlo: What happened?
Remi: I was just watching TV, more Ember attacks are appearing.
Arlo: You seem invested in Ember, especially since they don't have anything to do with you.
Remi slams her hands on the table.
Remi: Oh yeah, I guess Rei's death didn't affect me, all those superheroes that are getting killed, were someone's daughter, someone's son, someone's sister or...
Remi pauses.
Remi: Someone's brother.
Arlo: Remi, I know how much Rei meant to you, he was like my brother too, I miss him...
Remi: Then help me find them, they took his life unfairly!
Arlo: Remi, you're just a high school student, there are authorities specifically trained to investigate this.
Remi: Yeah, well so is John! but you don't see anyone or thing holding him back.
Arlo: John is...
Arlo pauses.
Remi: What, different, unique, special?! I don't buy that crap, we all are strong, stronger together, stronger united, why don't we work together?
Arlo: Because Remi, not everyone has this much free time to investigate a criminal organization, I have responsibilities you know!
Remi: Yeah well this is my responsibility, FOR REI!
A lady with Pink hair spills coffee on Remi.
Melody: Give it a rest, super hero this, super hero that, shut the hell up already! Only morons look up those maniacs.
Remi's eyes start to glow, her eyes glowing a shade of red.
Melody: Yeah right! You're the one ruining our date with your mumbo jumbo. Be grateful you haven't kicked your ass.
Arlo: Hey, she's right, what you did was uncalled for.
Pink Hair: Hmph, let me make this clear, Do you see these uniforms, we're from Agwin high school.
Arlo: Oh, how's your Queen, heard you guys had to get a new one. Not a good look for you guys to have your royalty involved in terrorist activities.
Arlo's eyes start to glow.
Arlo: "Oh, I'm shaking".
Remi: I still want my apology.
Pink hair: You're still here? Give it a rest princess and get lost.
She shoves Remi but gets shocked by her lightning.
Pink hair: You bitch, you wanna go?!
She activates her ability and throws a punch at Remi, Remi shocks the girl and sends her to the ground.
Green haired boy: Mels, are you alright?
Melody: Come on, let's go.
Arlo uses his barrier on the two.
Arlo: Hey!
The two look back at Arlo.
Arlo: I want an apology, now.
Melody: We're sorry, really we didn't know...
Remi: It doesn't matter if you knew or not, you shouldn't go around acting like you own the place just because you go to a nice school. You shouldn't use the efforts of your peers to get ahead in life.
Especially if you didn't do anything with yours.
The two quiver and apologize before they leave the restaurant, Remi walks out mad that her clothes are covered in coffee.
John was walking out of class. He texted Arlo.
John: Hey, where are you?
Arlo: Heading to Wellston right now, I told our mid tiers where you were.
John: YOU WHAT?!
Arlo: Yeah, get ready to fight them.
John: Why are you doing this?
Arlo: Because, we're gonna see how they fight?
John: You wanna see me use my ability.
Arlo: Bingo!
John types in another message when Rouker, Wenqi, Tanner, and Illena show up.
Tanner: Ha, this kid thinks he can talk to the King like an equal.
Tanner shoves John.
John in his head: Aw fuck Arlo, your such a snake!
John: Don't touch me asshole!
Tanner: Woah, you got balls for a cripple I'll give you that. But don't forget who the strongest one here is.
Tanner throws a punch.
Tanner: I call the shots! AND I'LL DO WHATEVER THE HELL I WANT!
John doges Tanner and grabs his arm, he twists it and slams Tanner to the ground, he pulls upwards and breaks Tanner's arm.
John: I said, DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME YOU PIECE OF SHIT!
Tanner cries out in pain, his screams could be heard across campus, Rouker, Wenqi, and Illena power up. Wenqi and Illena charge using their super speed and strength at John, Rouker stays back and charges up his missiles.
Wenqi: HEY, LET HIM GO.
John looks at the three all ready to fight.
John in his head: Ever since I came out of those correction classes, I've worked my whole life to help the helpless, to be the hero that the people didn't need, but wanted. I worked so hard to maintain my identity, and after all of that, my peers refuse to see me as an equal. They beat me down like some punching bag. well no more. It's time for the world to see what I really am. Arlo, you sonofabitch, what happens to these kids will be in your hands!
John's eyes glow as Joker takes control, ready to spill blood.
To be Continued....