Hours passed as one by one each person had their information written down. Raelyn, Elian, Derek, and Lindsey sat quietly in a small office-like room.
"That took way longer than I thought that would," Raelyn said sounding exhausted. "Agreed," Elian said. "What's next?" Lindsey asked looking towards Raelyn. "Now we have to go through them and decide who to test based on both power and class" Raelyn Answered.
"Alright, I'll go first," Elian said. "Mark Marino, 30 years old, can teleport and is considered a class 4," Elian said. "That would be a good power for rescue operations," Derek said. "Agreed," Raelyn said. "Amelia Watson, 15 years old, she is a class 4 and she can control technology," Lindsey said next. "I'm sure that's an amazing power but I think she's too young," Raelyn said. "I agree we should have an age limit set in place" Derek cut in "No younger than 17 years and 6 months," Elian said. "That's specific" Raelyn replied. "It's smart it gives them time to think and they're basically considered a legal adult by that time," Elian said. "Plus it's how old we are" Elian whispered. "Ok," Raelyn said.
"Jason Avery…"
The conversation went on for a few more hours. One by one they went through the list and decided who they would test before sending anyone into potential danger. 75 people were chosen. But not all 75 would get the chance to be part of the first generation of those who could be considered real-life superheroes.
The next morning Raelyn Lindsey Derek and Elian stood outside as the 75 people lined up.
"Ok, Who's ready?" Raelyn asked. One by one each person used their unique abilities. The test was simple, take every leaf off a tree without destroying the tree itself.
"It's more difficult than we thought," Lindsey said simply as she crossed her arms and watched as one by one trees became Damaged. "It's not supposed to be simple" Raelyn replied. "If They can't do this without harming a tree then how can we trust they can safely save someone from danger without injuring them" she told Lindsey. "Plus this can also teach them better control" she added. "And how do you know that?" Derek asked.
"It's how my mom taught me to Control my telekinesis," Raelyn said. "Of course, things became more difficult when I started hearing everyone's thoughts" she added. "So how long do we give them?" Derek asked. "Until they…." suddenly Raelyn was cut off by an explosion. "Damn it!" someone yelled as Raelyn checked a name off the list. "Better luck next time Emma" Raelyn yelled as the girl stomped away.
It went on and on all day long. One by one another person was disqualified for destroying the tree, until finally only 5 remained. They weren't perfect, but in reality, who was? They understood that although they needed to get the job done fast the biggest priority was the safety of the tree.
"I would like to congratulate each of you on this accomplishment," Raelyn told them. "But unfortunately it only gets harder from here" she added. "I know it seems weird and probably even cringy but if we play our cards right… they could start to see us as actual heroes" Raelyn told them. "So take this chance and come up with your hero name before someone else does" Lindsey cut in. "Tomorrow is the day it all begins but don't worry I'll make sure it is something easy" Lindsey added with a wink. Everyone turned and walked away leaving Derek, Lindsey, Raelyn, and Elian alone together.
"Hero names?" Raelyn asked turning to Raelyn. "If we don't come up with them someone else will," Lindsey said Nonchalantly with a shrug of her shoulders.
"So what are you gonna call yourself?" Lindsey asked leaning into Raelyns shoulder. "I have no clue," Raelyn said with a chuckle. "I think I'll go with Tricity," Elian said. "That's certainly something," Lindsey said turning to Elian. "Oh I know," Lindsey said turning back to Raelyn. "You read minds to right?" She asked. "Yeah?" Raelyn said questionably. "Can you do anything else with that?" She asked. "Um, well… if I concentrate enough I can make them see what I want them to but I'm not very good at it yet," Raelyn said. "Your name should be Psyche" Lindsey told her.
"I don't know…" Raelyn said unsure. "It's perfect and misleading" Derek cut in with a smile. "D-do you think" she asked. "Definitely," he told her. Lindsey couldn't help but smile at the two of them. To her, it was so obvious that they liked each other.
"Ok enough flirting what should my name be?" Lindsey asked Raelyn. Raelyn thought for a moment. "Veil," she said simply. Lindsey's eyes lit up. "I love it," Lindsey said. "What about Derek what should his name be?" She asked. "Oh no way," Derek said. "What do you mean?" Raelyn asked. "I won't survive a day as a hero the first reason being I don't use my power enough and the second is I don't have the guts," Derek told them awkwardly.
"What is your power anyway?" Raelyn asked. "I can control minds," he told her. "Oh," Raelyn said. "Yeah I honestly don't like using it it makes me feel all icky when I do," he said honestly.
Raelyn walked over to him and smiled. "I understand that no one will force you to use it so don't worry ok…" she told him. "I'm sure there's a way for you to help from behind the scenes or something. Same with everyone else" Raelyn said turning to Lindsey and Elian.
"Wait I just realized something" Elian froze. "What is it?" Derek asked. "We're gonna be superheroes but we don't have super suits," Elian said. "Oh I already took care of that," Lindsey said simply. "Of course, you did," Raelyn said amazed.
"You don't think I would let any of us go out there as superheroes and not get us suits do you?" Lindsey asked. "That is a very good point" Raelyn replied.
Though she was happy she was still concerned. What if this wasn't a good idea? What if they got hurt or killed or what if someone else did? Was there another way around this that she didn't think of? The questions didn't stop filling her head yet her hope that this would work overwhelmed her. This has to work.
TO BE CONTINUED