Kara:
After spending my day sparring with the other kids in the facility. I'm tired. Not because they actually put up a fight. But because Elaine got mad at me and made me fight her.
Ugh. It's so frustrating. Nobody here can actually keep up with me. And the only ones here that do outclass me. Can't there just be someone like Bayani and me, but actually on my level?
I'm lying in my bed while one of my many vinyls plays in my record player. I close my eyes and allow the smooth jazz to wash over me.
My rest is very short-lived when there's a panicked knock on my door. "Kara! Open up, now!" It's my brother. I let out an audible groan and walk over and open the door. "Whaddya want, Bayani?" I say with an exasperated sigh. First, it's Elaine nagging at me; now I bet Bayani is here to do the same. Hell, I bet if Ironhide were here, he'd do it too.
"Turn on your TV!" He commands. "Alright, alright," I grumble as I walk over and pick up my remote and turn on the TV in my room.
The screen turns on and flashes to the evening news. The headline reads: "IRONHIDE IN DEADLY BATTLE WITH YOUNG VILLAIN"
What?!
"That's the East Parlay Parking Garage, right?!" I shout frantically.
Bayani nods, and I immediately open my window and jump out, landing with a roll as I dash in the direction of the parking garage. When I make it past the WWSHA HQ Building, I'm met with Elaine.
"And where do you think you're going this late at night?" She asks me.
"Out," I reply succinctly.
"Your mentor specifically asked me to set up camp outside of HQ just in case you pulled this tonight." She explains.
"Move, Elaine! He'll thank me later for showing up!" I shout.
In an instant, Elaine is in front of me, her left palm touches my shoulder, which slows my movements.
Damn you, number three!
Elaine, the strongest in her age group. The Number 3 Hero at age sixteen. Having the ability to heal, which is already rare. But she can also buff and debuff herself and others. Making them faster or slower, making them hit harder or weaker, making them more impervious to pain for a period of time, or more sensitive to it. The ultimate support, and the best at hand-to-hand combat out of all the rankers, even Paragon.
"Go back to your room. Now." She demands.
I use my own power, piercing her left leg with iron needle-like objects. "No." I snarl.
Elaine goes to knock me out, when suddenly, some strings wrap around her and restrain her. From right outside the entrance doors, it's Bayani. "Go, Kara!" He shouts as he yanks Elaine away, knowing that she'll break out of his restraints any second.
I take the opportunity to run. I run through all of the vibrant night city lights, and they become a blur as I rush toward the parking garage. Coming across two alleyways, one on the side of the street that I'm on. And one on the other side. I know the one on the other side is a shortcut to the parking garage. I run over there, as I bump into a taller man at the entrance.
"Cain?!" I exclaim, looking up at the battered man. "Kara? Can you do me a favor and fuck off?" He snarls.
"No! And why don't you tell me why you're abandoning the fight?!" I shout.
"I don't care. I already lost Klein. The other heroes are as good as dead. And Ironhide is probably dying to that Chameleon brat as we speak. Why should I die for them?" He explains to me with a condescending tone and a deadpan expression.
"You selfish prick! How about I-" I try to tell him off, but he shouts at me, knocking me into the alleyway on the opposite side, a complete dead end. By the time I stand up, Cain is gone.
Screw him. I need to get to Ironhide. He would never lose a fight to this "Chameleon," but I know my uncle. He is too kind. He's going to let his guard down and let Chameleon get an advantage before taking him seriously. If Chameleon is as cruel as the testimonies say, he will capitalize on it. I can't lose family. Not again.
After running through the alleyway, cutting through the dark corners, I arrive to see a collapsed parking garage. And next to the rubble, I see a mountain of mangled corpses. And within the gory array, I see a very imposing woman with a chameleon tattoo on the back of her neck. And in front of her is the one from the news. Chameleon.
And if that's Chameleon… Then the woman must be…
Claire Davis?!
All of the legends of her that I've heard flood into my mind. Paralyzing me in fear. Images of a near-future me being mangled and tortured are playing repeatedly in my head.
My trance is broken by Claire walking up to Chameleon and asking if he won. He replies succinctly, as my worst fears came true, "Yeah. I did…"
I pull out my phone and the first thing I see are notifications. Emails, socials, even some texts, all of the same article, "Ironhide dead. Is Paragon next?"
Without hesitation, I run forward. Chameleon just took everything… Everything!
I deliver a kick to his head. Shocking the boy. He turns around to face me. He's injured from his fight with Ironhide. I can tell from his posture and stance. I also have faith that Ironhide wouldn't leave without doing something to him.
I take another swing at him with my opposite leg. But a clone appears beside me, and Chameleon takes its place, delivering a counter to my stomach.
It's true. I think I remember a D rank with that power. So this Chameleon really can copy powers.
Before the fight can continue, Claire steps forward, gently motioning for Chameleon to step back. He listens very quickly. He seems to obey her. Out of respect? Fear? Grooming? Knowing Ironhide. He wanted nothing but to save Chameleon…
And that monster just killed him.
"Hey, Kara, right?" Claire says.
My eyes widen. How does she know my name?!
"Ironhide has told me about you before. How adorable you are… Well, I suppose you would've been two when he and I had that conversation." She says with a soft smile. Somehow, that's the scariest part. Claire Davis. The Wraith. She's smiling at me? I don't know what to do or say. She leans in close, "You're lucky I don't harm children. Or else I would have offed you the moment you touched my injured little Chameleon." She says, keeping her smile.
Before I can respond further, I feel strings wrap around me. I hear Bayani's voice, shouting behind me. "Kara! That's Claire Davis, we need to run!"
Damn it, Bayani! Obviously, I knew that!
Knowing that I'm being dragged back, I decide to scream the only thing on my mind, "Chameleon! I don't care how long it takes! The next time I ever see you! I swear that I'll kill you! You hear me?! I'll kill you!"
Shortly after, Bayani drags me away. We retreat to base. The rest of the evening is a blur. It doesn't feel real. It can't be real. Bayani and I give statements to Elaine. And I'm escorted back to my room by both of them.
I collapse on my bed, and Bayani inserts my favorite vinyl into my record player. It doesn't do anything for me. I can't allow myself to enjoy it, to let it calm me. All I can do is stare up at the ceiling.
Chameleon. That monster. That devil! He-
Interrupting my train of thought. Bayani hugs me.
"Ironhide is…" He says, unable to finish.
"Yeah. He is." I say, trying to hold back tears. I imagine Bayani is doing the same. I return the hug. And we stay like that for a while.
He pulls away and stands up. "Uhm… See you in the GTF tomorrow. Not sure if I'll go to breakfast. I think I need to just be alone in my room for a little while." He says solemnly.
"I think I need the same," I reply.
"Yeah… Well, when we're ready. We can talk about it." He says, waiting for my acknowledgment. When I nod. He nods in return and leaves the room.
I collapse back onto my bed. Ironhide dead. Dead. I'll never see him again. I'll never get to spar with him again. No more missions with him. No more full family meals…
Empty… It'll all just be… empty…
Chameleon… That demon! How can someone be so cruel? Ironhide wanted nothing but the best for everyone around him. Taking me in when I was four. Taking Bayani in when I was six and he was five. Fighting for Sonar to face rehabilitation instead of execution.
Everything that man did was for others. Chameleon…
Some people don't deserve mercy. Redemption. My stupid uncle got himself killed because he was trying to rehabilitate the irredeemable. He left me all alone because he made the mistake of wanting to see the good in the devil.
Kill… I will right those wrongs and kill Chameleon myself. Some villains don't deserve redemption… Some of them deserve to die.
I let this feeling of maliciousness fester inside of me, as my record player comes to an automatic stop.
I roll off my bed and walk over to the record player and flip my vinyl to the other side, and let it play.
I lay back in my bed…
Sleep. I need to sleep. Ironhide would always nag me to stop staying up late and waking up early. I think tonight, I'm gonna get a full night's sleep. Just for him.
Tomorrow is another day after all.