"Pencils down everyone!"
The instructor called out to the auditorium jam packed full of students. A scurry of last second stealing of glances toward those who may have a better answer occurred. Those desperate to get one more point than what they could earn was a process hurriedly rushed as several teachers ensured to pass through the columns of seats forcing the students to turn over their exams. The mid-year exam had just taken place with the devastated gazes as well as shell shocked expressions which were created by such harmful injuries upon the soul. For each of the six required classes, students were required to complete an exam in the middle of the year then at the end eventually coming to a header in the fourth and final year of instruction where a cumulative test stretched their knowledge to the boundaries. This particular exam was especially important as those who scored decently well could be scouted and participate in organizations controlled by the licensed Heroes.
This high reward meant that the questioning wasn't a breeze to clear. In fact, Jacob and Claire sweated bullets so thick they puddled in their pits and back. By the end even Kage seemed to have lost a part of his soul along the way with blurred eyes and his tumbling steps taking him to his next class. Along his misguided steps he fled to his locker where an energy drink had been stuffed inside.
Having just survived their exam for English the subsequent warfare would take place in Mathematics. The mere mention of the word sent chills down the spine of Jacob, who had made it his mission to ignore the last three weeks of class as part of a confused message of protest toward Principal Risie.
The group hobbled along, Kage, aided by Isaiah, dragged Jacob by either shoulder as he pouted and wailed about an impending death brought by such torturous devices. Claire stood the furthest away in a downtrodden mood as her remaining brain cells had been drained as demonstrated by her frizzled hair and overcast expression. Meanwhile, Gan maintained his position as the barrier between Kage and Claire, a situation he observed with an odd scrutiny that remained when he took stock of the noticeable distance enforced by either candidate.
As Gan was about to question this odd behavior, Jacob gandered to the window of the skybridge only to make a remark, "Some awfully large storm clouds are rolling in. Thought it was supposed to clear today?" Kage drifted to the sky as well, analyzing how the burly gray clouds lapped over one another, coveting the last ounce of clarity transforming the evening to dark visage illuminated solely by far off streetlamps. During the period of exams, classes had been extended by two hours creating a rather loose amount of time to complete the material. Therefore, causing the days to roll ever longer forcing their departure from the premises at four o'clock. These long winter nights had become ever colder, taking shape as the sky had darkened naturally; however, the newfound image was like a blanket of tenebrosity that ate away all the light.
It was unnatural…
"You think they'll just let us go for the day? City won't be safe if it's already getting this dark in the day." Claire commented with a hopeful sigh at the imagined thought. She was nearly at her limit with the work as well as the uncomfortable atmosphere that now persisted wherever she encountered Kage. Rest would set her straight as an arrow.
Isaiah scrutinized the clouds further making out a flash of lightning and subsequent booms of thunder emitted from the dark mass. However, these natural events were conjured with a striking force that gave great power to the acts. The lightning blew out the generators to the school all for but a moment as the back-ups soon kicked in. Then the thunder echoed out despite it having occurred miles away. The lightning was localized at a specific point with a clear direction unbefitting of its natural state. At first, Isaiah thought it was just something rather odd but then out of the corner of his eye he saw the clouds quickly shift with purpose into an ovular shape above Manchester Park which lay just below the hill of the academy.
"Kage?" Isaiah looked to his friend who was already aware of the connotation. His eyes warped into a predator's gaze while a hidden fear usually tempered was flaring out for all to see. "Is there an Evolved that can control the weather?"
Notwithstanding a second to pass, Kage succinctly answered, "Yes, plenty. But none should be here. They should all be residing in-"
Just as Kage was about to speak a realization dawned over Gan as the reason was all too clear. Several Evolved could manipulate the weather but the Agency kept constant tabs on them to ensure they never went rogue or strayed from their territory. That territory being the Black Queen's abode.
Kage pointed to the cusp of the transforming clouds where the bolts of lightning shot down from pelting the city in their majestic might. "The specificity and control of those strikes can only be conducted by a single Evolved." Shivering at his own knowledge wishing for it to be untrue, he made his guess. "It's the Black Queen's second commander, Breakthrough." Isaiah's eyes almost bulged from his face as the veins to his forehead pumped with a fearful adrenaline. The same process wormed its way through the others. While their peers were commenting in hushed tones on the abnormality of the weather, some in shock from the dramatic loss of power to the building, the same question rushed through their minds.
Gan turned to face Kage asking, "Why would they be here?"
"I have no idea." Kage firmly stated allowing his usual brave composure to sink as the gaunt look of worry actualized.
Gan stepped in front of them glancing at the spot where the clouds were converging. 'That's too close to the school. It's too close to be a coincidence and it's definitely being controlled. But…'
"If it's a Villain… why hasn't the Oracle Alarm System gone off? Could it be broken or something?" Claire held strongly to Gan's sleeve threatening to tear it if he made a wrong move.
The four of them looked between each other, none with an answer to this obvious question in which no obvious explanation could be given to quell the rampant thoughts. A rattling hail mixed with the tides of rain crashed against the windows startling Gan to his knees subsequently sending Claire into his lap. Each pellet of hail was near the size of a tennis ball leaving the pattern of a spider's web on the glass. Other students were getting closer to the windows, their curiosity piqued by the sudden rush of knocks on the glass. Several poked their heads outside ensuring to keep their heads covered with either arm to avoid extensive damage. Below the skybridge on the solid concrete of the academy water was flooding down the hill washing away the leftover pockets of snow and dragging loose objects from their fixtures. Anything not tied down sunk into the grand power of the rain which stole everything it could.
"What the hell?" "Is this for real?" Worry swept over those in the hallway. Then a broader epiphany hit them all at the same moment. It was an attack of Villains. The silent and deprived students were suddenly caught into the mob of a horde filled with thoughts of survival. Several students were crushed beneath the stampeding feet of children dashing for the safety of the deeply rooted bunkers on the bottom floor of the building. They bounced off each other with many thrown to walls or beaten to the tide as packed sardines ran to their net.
'BRRRRRAAAAANG! BRRRRRAAAAANG! BRRRRRAAAAANG!'
The sirens from the O.A.S. system had finally commenced yet were all but unnoticed by the crowd which was already aware of the approaching danger. This bell rang approximately seven times to guarantee that the majority of citizens in the city would hear the message at the end. A click of a button was preceded by a feminine voice speaking over the intercom, "This is not a warning. This is not a warning. A number of organized Villains have been spotted actively using their powers near the vicinity. The current estimated number of evolved humans is thirty-two under a mile and rapidly approaching the PETELL ACADEMY GROUNDS… Heroes are enroute to assist. All staff have been advised on the following procedures…"
The woman had finished her spiel with the responsibilities handed over to the principal. A hoarse voice from a rather frazzled Michelle Risie came next "Excuse me." Her sluggish attitude was a byproduct from having been forced awake from an evening nap, yet this recent turn of events gave her a shot of awareness. "As you have all heard there is quite a big incident occurring nearby that we may end up being a part of. There is no need to worry… we have some of the most capable staff at this school who will protect you and ensure your safety. Currently we will have first and second years-" Her next words carried no weight as the students screamed their desire to swiftly seek cover. The instructions were not heeded, requiring teachers to flee from the classrooms and wrangle together the mob approaching the bottom floor. Even in acknowledgement of this transpiring event, Risie continued her monologue, "We have been notified from the several Heroes coming that the residential area in which the perpetrators are located has sustained heavy damage and many have been injured. They require help from all Evolved. They need anyone they can get right now. All students in their second year to seniors are allowed to aid in the Heroes by helping those caught in the devastation. First years are to be guided to the bunkers first while the rest can enter after the first years have been seen to. If you are willing to provide aid to those injured, we ask that you make your way to the gymnasium at once where you will be guided with helping the on-scene Heroes."
Her voice wavered as a shocked gasp caught her by the wayside. Her sight flickered with a decrepit horror that flew across the lands. Risie stood in her office gazing across the city scape which should be alight with the stale falsity of man-made light. This was not the case.
Kage noticed how the principal ceased speaking. Confused, he stomped back to the window where out of the corner of his eye saw the devastation that lay ahead of them. The artificial woods of the park lay brightened by the oozing coil of flames burned in blue totality. In the distance, he was sure that the harrowing wails of mangled people gave rise to a gleaming smile.
The fire has returned to Kage. Beckoning him, it wished for him with mellowed lies to embrace it once more.
Risie composed herself, finishing out the instruction, "Please remain calm and follow the established safety procedures."
A palpable heaviness filtered through the building suffocating those inside. Students jittered as the news was slowly processed in their minds and to their limbs. Even in this academy of scholars and the best of the best admitted on ability and intellect they had all captured the mindset of a fleeing prey. Their pupils became beady, narrowing to observe their fellow man waiting for a hint of retaliation to fight them off as their goal steadily approached. The freedom of safety deep underground.
Gan jumped forward into the center of the group that stood on the skybridge calling out to them all, "Everyone, stay together and listen to the instructions we have to make sure people don't get hurt or pan-"
"Fuck that shit!" A gingered girl with red blotches across her face had tossed her things to the floor. "We haveta get the Hell out of here!" The kid then dashed past Gan bumping him in the shoulder which kicked him to the side. This one girl's manic decision to forget rationality infected the others who were initially settled by Gan's words. In minimal time an onslaught of hundreds of boys and girls came crashing upon the four of them who were forced to join the tsunami. The few who had retained their sanity after the initial reality of the situation now became beasts like the rest.
It was pure unabashed terror that embraced the flock of children. The Villains had arrived to dine, bringing havoc upon the land to sate their bloodlust.