Troy silently followed behind his uncle. Uncle Chris was always jovial. Even after the death of Jayden, and his sister in law, Carla, he was still jovial. His solemn vibe now was beyond unusual.
After passing countless cool and breathtaking hero costumes that were placed in glass containers, they both arrived before a giant screen. It was the whole length of the room, from floor to ceiling.
Without a word, Uncle Chris began playing footage from the screen. It was an almost vertical birds eye view of the Silver Mansion. It was coming from the CCTV of a taller building that was beside the mansion.
Unlike Troy had thought, it was ultra clear. Not looking like the ones the TV portrayed. It made him wonder what else was a lie.
He watched as Uncle Chris entered the mansion. A few moments later the mansion crumbled under its own weight, as if God had pressed down the mansion, or as if the gravitational force around the building had been multiplied, which was what actually happened. Even the CCTV camera recording everything went offline as the building also collapsed. A lot of people died that day. Now that place was a few thousand kilometers of nothingness. A constant reminder of the power of an enraged powered individual, even though that individual was a kid.
"This was eleven years ago, Troy, about a year after your powers manifested."
Troy nodded. That day had left a void in his heart. It was devoid of any emotion. Everything he did was just for show. Deep down, he couldn't feel happy, or sad. Not even hate. It was all nothing. But he always smiled and acted happy, following his uncle's teaching: fake it until you make it.
It worked. Somewhat. Now he could laugh, and smile almost genuinely.
Almost.
That day, eleven years ago, was the day after his parents' death. He remembered feeling sad that they had not come for his birthday. The only people that showed up were people who were expert bootlickers. All they wanted was to be in the good books of the world's greatest heroes. When their deaths were announced, he saw none of them ever again. Not even the kids he had considered as 'friends'.
Uncle Chris swiped the air, and the footage switched to a photo. It was a picture of a muscular man. He was white, and had golden hair, and a beard. He also wore a golden armor. It was the man famed to be the strongest hero when powers first manifested, some hundred years ago. Goldstar.
Goldstar's ability was the ability to control light. He was invincible during the day. He could make light sharper like a knife, stronger, like a shield. He could fly, and enhance his body using light, giving him superhuman strength. That didn't mean he was weak at night. It just meant he had a little bit over half of his power. Because even at night, light shone. But he just vanished. No one knew what happened to him. As an energy manipulator, he could live longer than the average powered individual.
Another swipe from Uncle Chris made the photo change. Now, Goldstar was holding a black woman. She had white hair, and a beautiful smile. Her eyes were also blue. Troy had no idea who she was.
The picture changed again. This time, it was just the woman, and some kids. She was sitting on a golden sofa, surrounded by the kids. They were all black, with different colors of hair. A male and two females.
The one who looked like the oldest had red hair. His pinkie finger had a flame on it. The second was a tall girl with golden hair, like her father, Goldstar. She had a golden orb of light in her palm. The third was a petite young girl with white hair, like her mother. This girl had a ball of water on her palm.
"Who is she?" Troy asked, pointing at the woman, the mother. He had a weird feeling about her.
"She wasn't a hero during her time, even though she had one of the most powerful abilities of that time. But just before Goldstar's disappearance, she had divorced him, and she wasn't heard from again either."
"So they both disappeared?" Troy asked, unimpressed.
Uncle Chris nodded.
The frame switched to another picture again.
This time , it was a grown up version of the petite last born from the previous picture, Amanda Star. She had chosen the path of a hero, and was based in Japan, until he was killed by unknown assailants. Icestar. That was her moniker. She had no children, and no one who knew her intimately. It wasn't much of a surprise as she was still young, according to new world standards.
The picture showed the other female, Sheila Star. Lightstar. She had a successful hero career, and two kids. The kids were weak, and had no destructive capabilities. One was able to create arrays, while his sister was a healer. They both went on to be freelance heroes. The female became a doctor for powered individuals, while the male became an array engineer. Both occupations weren't glorious, but highly paid. Lightstar on the other hand had to be imprisoned. After her younger sister's death, she had gone on a rampage, killing villains left and right.
The third picture made Troy gasp.
"Grandpa!"
The third picture was of the first born son, Jayden Star. Also known as Flamestar. Flamestar was still very much alive, but retired. He retired, not because he was old. Well he was old, but not that old. He retired so that he could coach young heroes. He created a hero agency called The Stargazers. Under the Stargazers were a couple of hero teams. I was like a record label. They'd scout out young heroes with potential, and they would sign them for a few years.
Flamestar had three kids. These three were actually very famous and successful heroes. The first, Kayla Star, also known as Superstar. She carried a guitar on her back. She had the ability to manipulate sound energy. The second was…the second was Uncle Chris! Chris Star. Popularly known as Blackstar. The official news was that he went missing after his brother's death. But only Troy and a very few others knew the truth. He 'retired' so that he could look after his nephew.
The third was his father, Jayden Star, also known as The Fury.
"But…my name is Silver?" Troy said. The fact that he was a descendant of Goldstar was shocking enough.
"Jayden, your father wasn't like us. He couldn't manipulate any energy. He had super strength, super speed, and was very durable. So my father, your grandfather, disowned him. That's why he changed his name to Silver."
"But how come no one mentioned it?"
"It's a past that no one wants to remember. Flamestar regretted his actions, but Jayden wasn't willing to forgive."
Troy sighed. Flamestar was a jerk. Disowning his own son just because of his ability.
Uncle Chris touched the frame. It shifted, revealing a secret training room.
"It is time to know the truth about your abilities, Troy."