The words I heard were muffled.
Jim…
I could hear his voice…
I had never been hit that hard in my life.
THE NEXT DAY…
Violetpool and I sat against the damp concrete wall of the tunnel. Water trickled past our boots.
Footsteps echoed.
Two workers turned the corner and froze for half a second before relaxing.
Violetpool stood instantly, blades sliding free.
I placed a hand over hers.
"They know me," I said calmly.
One of them — Chris — gave a stiff nod.
"What's up, B?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "That your girl?"
I shook my head.
"No. Just a—"
I hesitated.
What does she even see me as?
Violetpool answered before I could.
"I'm his partner," she said flatly. "Not romantic. We just know each other from work."
The workers exchanged a glance but said nothing.
9 MINUTES LATER…
Silence filled the tunnel. Water trickled through the narrow channel while the workers continued scraping at rusted pipes, pretending not to listen.
Violetpool watched me instead.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Her voice was quieter than usual. "Did something happen to that human girl?"
That tone was new.
I kept my eyes on the concrete beneath my boots.
I shook head.
"Nothing happened to her."
My voice came out lower than I intended.
"It's just…"
I close my mouth for a moment, jaw tightening. When I speak again, my voice is steadier.
"I thought Earth would be different."
Water drips somewhere behind us.
"I've never been happy on Nexyrr. Not really. The only decent thing I had there was… Whitepool." I pause. "And even he wasn't exactly a good influence."
Violetpool tilts her head slightly, studying me.
"So," she says flatly, crossing her arms, "the human broke your heart.".
I nod.
She huffs.
"Pathetic." Her voice sharpens. "You let a human do this to you?"
She steps closer.
"You're a NullPool. The second strongest among us. And you're going to let some Earth girl shake you?"
Her jaw tightens.
"What does that make you?"
Silence stretches.
She's right.
I shouldn't let a human affect me like this.
I'm stronger than that.
…Aren't I?
But does strength mean I'm not allowed to feel anything at all?
Is that what Nexyrr expects?
Is that what being a NullPool requires?
"What should I do then?" I turned toward her.
She didn't hesitate.
"We eliminate the humans and wait for extraction."
Cold. Matter-of-fact.
The workers froze mid-motion.
Tools clanked against concrete.
"But… why?" I frowned. "My chest hurts, sure. But why kill all of them? They didn't do anything."
The words felt strange coming out of my mouth.
Questioning extermination wasn't like me.
Violetpool stared at me — almost unsettled.
"Because that's protocol," she snapped. "If a species becomes aware of us, we erase it. Those are the rules."
I studied her face.
"You're scared," I said quietly. "You're scared Purplepool will execute us if we don't."
Her jaw tightened.
"You can't seriously be afraid of him."
I crossed my arms.
She stepped forward.
"It's easy for you to say," she shot back. "Like I said, you're ranked second in the Null Regime. I'm eighth. If something goes wrong, I'm disposable."
Her voice cracked — just slightly.
"You think I want to die?"
Silence settled between us.
Then I asked…
"Then how come when we fought; you gave me permission to kill you when I had you on the floor?" I tilt my head.
"What changed?" I kept my eyes locked on hers.
She scoffed.
"Did you really think I wanted to die!?" She grabbed my hair and yanked me to my feet.
"Of course I didn't! It was the only way to avoid something worse. Do you even know what Purplepool does to soldiers who fail?"
Her lips trembled.
"He doesn't make it quick…" Her voice cracked. She looked away, swallowing hard. "Don't you remember what happened to Pinkpool after she failed against Pan Man?"
Pinkpool was a rookie. Pan Man was stronger. Everyone knew it.
"Yeah," I said quietly. "He made an example of her."
That was putting it lightly. He stripped her of rank. Of dignity. Of movement.
I never felt bad for her. At least… not back then.
She didn't deserve that. Not for losing a fight she was never meant to win.
"Weren't you close?" I asked carefully.
She nodded.
"Like the sister I never had." A faint smile crossed her face — fragile, almost painful.
One of the workers behind us speaks up.
"Hey, uh, sorry to interrupt but… our boss is coming to check on our work and, well, you know…" He rubs the back of his neck nervously.
Their boss hates me.
I sigh.
"It's fine. I get it. See you guys later then." I cross my arms. "V… will you?"
She nods, half-lidded eyes now.
She teleports us outside the sewers, at the back of a shut-down taco shop.
I glance around. Empty streets. Quiet. I wonder what Ashley's doing.
MEANWHILE… 20 SECONDS EARLIER, SOMEWHERE ELSE…
I haven't slept all night.
I don't know what I did wrong.
All I did was answer his question honestly.
I don't want Ben to stop being my friend over this. I don't even know why he's upset. He says he's not, but he clearly is.
The only reason someone would be mad at my answer is if…
Oh.
"Why does this always happen…" I whisper to nobody as I curl into a ball on my bed.
Is that really how every guy sees me?
Just a future partner?
Why do they always have to want me romantically? Why can't they just want to be my friend and nothing more?
I thought maybe this time it would be different. I thought maybe he'd just… like me for me. But no. I'm just another option. Another "maybe someday." And it hurts more than I want to admit.
Sometimes I wish Blackpool was more evil.
Just so he can kill me first time i seen him up close.
I'm tired of living this miserable life.
20 SECONDS LATER,THE PRESENT…
I finally walk out of my room. As I head toward the kitchen for a glass of water, I see my stepdad, Philip, smooching my mom.
I always hated Philip. He was always so weird around me. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.
Philip finally breaks the kiss with my mom and walks toward the kitchen. Right behind me.
He reaches over my shoulder and grabs a cup from the top cabinet.
Just go away…
"Hey, Ash? Heard you got grounded, huh?" He says smugly, his eyes staying on my face. "What'd you do now? Got caught making out with boys or somethin'? You dirty little mutt."
I could tell he was checking me out. That's what I hated about him. And this wasn't even the first time.
I wish my mom would believe me. Why am I always the "attention seeker"?
"Yeah… I did get in trouble…" I mutter, avoiding his gaze. "It wasn't because of that though… it's nothing." I had to be careful with what I said.
He chuckles.
"Sure it wasn't. A pretty girl like you should know better." He keeps smiling. "You remember what happened last time you forgot that, right?"
His voice lowers.
My stomach twists.
I let go of the cup before it's even filled.
"Yeah…" I swallow.
I step back and try to walk back to my room. My balance feels off the whole way until I finally make it inside and lock the door behind me.
I'd rather be dead then spend another minute dealing that damn creep my mom calls a saint.
The things I'd do if I had Blackpools powers.. I'd..kill all of the people who make me feel so small. I can't live like this anymore.
I just can't.
MEANWHILE…
"Alright everyone," I shouted, "today's the day Blackpool dies! Enough bullshit! I'm the best FBI agent out there, so I'm not going out as a fraud anymore. Even if I'm going up against a whole alien—NO! Not even a whole alien, but TWO WHOLE FUCKING ALIENS!" I slammed my fist on the table.
I huffed loudly.
"We're not letting those aliens beat us anymore. Their weakness is electricity. While you've all been sitting around doing nothing, I had scientists make two bullets specifically for Blackpool and his girlfriend! Or sister… I don't care what he sees her as, but I need both of them dead, now!" I crossed my arms.
The agents and officers stared, mouths open, then erupted into cheers.
"You son of a bitch! Always showing why you're so damn efficient!" One guy slapped my shoulder, grinning.
A female agent sashayed up, cheeks red. "Your intelligence is so hot, Kurt… I've never met someone so handsome, tall, and soooo smart… mmm!" She bit her lip.
I groaned. Every time I do something smart, they have to react like that.
Holy shit…
I forgot to tell my son I'll be busy today…
DAMMIT! I can never be a responsible father, can I!? God, I hate myself!
"Quiet! Everyone quiet!" Jim barked, asserting authority over the chaos.
"All of you track down Blackpool. Get him distracted. Our brand-new sniper—PATRICK!!!—will take care of the rest!" He pointed at a man with dark purple straight hair.
Why do I get a bad feeling about this guy? Whatever. I'll save my intuitions for later.
12:00 A.M., 1 HOUR LATER…
Me and Violetpool walk through the suspiciously empty streets of L.A.
"Where are we going?" she asked, dry as ever.
I shapeshift into human form and grin.
"I'm gonna tell Ashley everything!" I said with full confidence.
Violetpool smacks me across the back of my head. "AGH!"
I rub my head, wincing. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?"
"That's for being an idiot," she snapped. "What makes you think that human would ever accept the real you? You already got hurt from her indirectly rejecting you, why are you trying to make it worse by getting ACTUALLY rejected?" She raised an eyebrow.
I sigh dramatically. "Obviously because humans love superheroes! Listen, I know she indirectly rejected me… or maybe… she didn't? Maybe she was just shy! Maybe she said she couldn't feel attracted to anyone because she was too nervous to confess! That's human nature. Totally fine!" I put my hands on my hips and grin wide.
She scoffs, arms crossed. "She's definitely gonna reject you if you smell like sewer rot. Oh wait… you do!"
"Don't you mean we do? You slept in it too!"
She narrows her eyes. "Yeah, but somehow you make it smell worse."
I shrug. "Talent."
She groans. "I swear, if this ends badly, you're cleaning every inch of this city yourself."
I laugh. "Deal. But only if you admit I look good while doing it.", I flick my hair back.
"You know, it's been weird seeing you show more emotion than you have on Nexyrr. But, it's also kinda nice… since i always seen you as a weirdo, no offense…" she shrugs, grinning a little.
I can't say I blame her for thinking that. After all, I hang out with weird people all the time.
"None taken" I shrugged.
We finally reach Ashley's house. Everything feels… off.
"Hey, B… this area feels a little off," Violetpool said, suspicious.
I turn to her and nod. "I was thinking the exact same thing… probably nothing though! After all, who can possibly defeat me? The strongest life form on Earth!"
I skip toward Ashley's side of the house above the front entrance.
Violetpool shakes her head in annoyance.
From the house across the street, Kurt and the sniper watch us.
"Alright, I think it's better if we shoot the Violet one first, and once you do that, the soldiers will sneak up and stab her heart. That should solve it!" Kurt said, smiling sinisterly.
The sniper glances at him. "No. I think I'll take the lead here. After all, I know what I'm doing," he said coldly.
Kurt rolls his eyes and huffs. "Fine, whatever!" He crosses his arms.
I tap on Ashley's window. Her head snaps toward me, then quickly wipes her cheek and eyes. She strolls over and opens it.
"What do you want…" she asks, glancing down.
I tilt my head and grin. I hop inside and put my hands on her shoulders. "Ashley, I'm a superhero. Not just any kind of superhero, but the best one." I wait for her reaction.
She looks more annoyed than impressed.
"And uh… I stopped a bank robbery! A few weeks ago… was it a few weeks ago? I can't keep up with time, but I DID do it!"
She sighs. "Okay." She says it with a hint of irritation.
"Are you mad at me for that…?" I raise a brow.
She steps back, crossing her arms. "No, I'm actually mad at you for being like everyone else. You sick pervert!" She snaps, pushing me slightly, but I don't budge.
"Huh? What are you talking about!? I'm not a pervert! I literally saved you from weeks ago!" I snap back.
Her head jolts back, a slow realization spreading across her face.
"Only Blackpool… saved me from someone like that…" she muttered to herself, glancing down.
She steps back, her breath beginning to shake.
"You're… Blackpool?" she asked, praying it wasn't true.
"Uh-huh." I nod proudly.
I shapeshift back into my actual form.
"See? It's me! The greatest hero in the world. I haven't been saving or stopping crimes lately since I've been busy dealing with the government and all that," I say, hands on my hips again before smirking, "especially hanging out with my future queen."
She shakes her head immediately
"No! What the hell!? You're disgusting! Why would i ever want to be YOUR queen!?" She stomps the floor, "Just get out of here you sick fuck!".
Tears start to well up in her eyes.
"What did i even expect at this point…" her voice shivers with hurt, "my life is always gonna be a mess. No matter what, I can never be happy… all people ever do is talk to me so they can get something out of me!"
She wraps her arms around herself.
I don't get it. Why would you not want people to depend on you? That literally opens doors to be the best hero ever.
It makes no sense to cry about it. Unless…she's crying happy tears? No no no… because then she wouldn't call me disgusting and a sick fuck.
She also said she can never be happy…
Maybe i can fix that as long as she submits to me!
"Then submit to me!" I put my hands on her cheeks with a wide smile, revealing my sharp teeth. Her body goes to stiff and her eyes widen from my physical touch, "if you do, you'll never worry about all that again! Ashley! I can give you the universe! THE MULTIVERSE—".
CRACK!
The window glass was on the floor.
Blood splattered on the ceiling and walls.
My eyes widen.
I look down at Ashley's body. Half of her skull blown up into pieces.
"…"
she said nothing.