Argentios

Argentios

By Nico Jao

Part One - Fall

Part Two - Rise

Part One: 

Fall

Prologue

Watch him,” she said. “Andy West. Seven years old. Grade two. His first class in his new school.”

The boy is being introduced by the teacher. The teacher welcomed him first, then started telling everyone about him. 

“Now, remember, everyone be nice to him. His father just recently passed away, and he’s going through hard times.”

“How did he die?” a kid asked, and some other kids started snickering. 

“Colton! You don’t just ask that! And it’s hard to explain,” the teacher said. “He was going through depression, and he committed suicide.”

“What’s that?” 

“It’s when someone is really sad, so they choose to leave the world by jumping off a building, or another way.”

“Or maybe it was so he could stop seeing his son’s face?”

Then the whole class bursted with laughter, and the boy blushed. He already didn’t like his peers. 

“No, Colton. Now everyone, pipe down. We’re starting a lesson.”

“Now watch this. First recess of the day. See how he stands up for her. It’s good. I think he’s perfect.”

The boy is confronting someone. A bully, same age, and the same one who made fun of him in class. One’s on the floor, hurt. A girl, also same age. It’s happening at recess, when everyone is out and watching the fight. 

“The boy seems to be losing. What makes you think good of him?”

“It’s not if he wins the fight. Look at what he does.”

The boy gets punched in the face. But he refuses to cry. It hurts, but he knows he can take it. 

“Stay away from us, freak! You’re the new kid, aren’t you?” the bully said. “You’re the sad little kid whose father left him. Why do you think he left, huh? Was it because he hated you? You only make things worse for everyone. Don’t be that guy.”

Andy nodded. “You’re telling me to not be you.”

Everyone started laughing. The bully got angry.

“You better stay away, kid! It’s for your own good! Leave, like your daddy!”

Andy felt like crying, but he resisted. “You think I’ll let you hurt more people? That’s not right.”

“See how he’s brave, and he stands up for people, and he does what is right?”

“But he’s weak,” he said. “I don’t know, really. We’ve seen this scene many times before. I don’t know what makes you believe this is any different. If anything, the bully would fit a better role. He’s aggressive and strong.”

“You told us all to find the qualities of a hero, not a villain. That kid is going to end up a criminal.”

“Shh,” he said, continuing to watch.

The bully left. Tired of them, he had told Andy. 

“Where is he going?” the girl on the ground asked, while Andy helped her up. The crowd had left, too.

“He said he doesn’t want to fight a weakling. I

think he just wants to find other people to annoy.”

She laughed. “Thank you so much. Before you came he would beat everyone up, including me. Nobody cared. Maybe they’re too scared to stop the fighting, who knows. Nobody in this school is good.”

“I am,” Andy said. “All I do this keep things the way they are. That’s what we’ve been taught.” 

“He believes he is good, and he enforces that idea,” she said. “There is no better person.”

“We’ll keep an eye on him, for his whole life. See what he does next. 

“What’s your name?” Andy asked the girl. 

“Paris.”

“Cool. I’m Andy. What were you doing being alone in front of that bully? Where are your friends?”

“Well, um, you see… I’m new too. Just one month before you.”

“You don’t have any friends?”

She shook her head. 

“Wrong,” Andy said, smiling and holding out his hand to shake.

“Touching,” he said. “I’ll be in the Hall, if you need me.”

He left the room. She stood there frozen, still watching. 

“He’s perfect,” she said. “Has all the qualities he asked for, and more. He protects the weak and helps out to carry the job of doing what’s right. If his stupid principal and teachers don’t want to help him stop the bully, he’ll do it himself, whatever it takes.”

She watched as the two new friends, both new students, shared jokes and laughed for the rest of the recess, with bright futures ahead of them both. 

First

Andy couldn’t save them both. The feeling of knowing that you have the chance of saving someone, but failing, was devastating for him. 

He was fourteen years old. Starting high school. He was told there were more bullies there, and worse ones too. Whether they would be the ones who bragged all day and made rumours of someone, or the ones who actually hated you enough to beat you up. 

“What high school are you going to?” he asked Paris. 

“The same one as you, I think.”

“That’s great! Although I heard Colt is also going to the same one. Most likely all of us. You know how he brags so much about how smart he is, and he always aces everything.”

“Yes,” Paris said, “I know. He was ‘apparently’ born with supernatural intelligence, but I don’t think so. We’ll see how he does in high school. So anyway, it’s nice that we’ll still be together. Oh! I’ve got to go, see ya around.” 

That was a conversation with Paris he remembered having before summer started. Now he was in the backseat of his car in December on a road trip, enjoying the heat of the inside, while through his window his only view was snow. A blizzard had struck his home city, and it was terrible. Entitled as one of the worst ones of the century, all he could hope for was that him, his mother, and his twenty-year old sister wouldn’t get stuck in the heavy snow on the road. Meanwhile the two couldn’t stop arguing. 

“It’s not safe out here, mom! I think we should go back. Look, the snow’s so thick in the windshield, I can barely see the other cars’ lights.”

“We already made it this far, Evie. When we get there we’ll get blankets and hot chocolate. We’ll make it.”

“Preferably alive,” she muttered. “You never listen to me.”

“No, you never listen to me. And I’m always right. So you should.”

“I have to agree with Evie on this one,” Andy said. “We should find a place to stay in or something while the blizzard gets better.”

“Okay, right when we get off this road,” his mother said. Right now they were on a cliffside road, where it was very dangerous and slippery. Andy had a panic attack whenever the car got shaky. They were so close to the edge of the cliff, it made him scared. The worst part was that Evie was right, the windshields were almost buried with snow, with the wipers working as hard as they could, and they could barely see a thing. 

“Well, I better start writing my will,” Evie said, taking out her phone. 

“Don’t you talk like that. We’re going to live�"”

Then Andy felt the car slip. It slid through the road fence blocking the cliff, and went right over. He never felt such fear in his life as the car plunged straight down, and all three of them started screaming. When the car’s front found solid ground, all the glass shattered. 

“Please, please, please, I don’t want to die,” his sister said, as the car fell over and began to roll down the snowy cliff. 

“Get out of the car!” Andy’s mom said, but with the car rolling, Andy was the only one who could push through his door and jump out. 

He landed in cold snow, and watched as the car kept rolling down the steep cliff, and fell through a gorge. Andy rushed to the edge, and looked straight down, finding his mother and sister trapped in it upside down, with a lucky landing on a rocky ledge. They had stopped screaming. 

No, he thought. He was so frightened. If only his mom had listened to his sister! She’d been talking about turning back the whole trip! 

I need to do something! But what can I do? There’s nothing I can do!

The ledge started cracking, and it was soon going to break off the side of the cliff. Andy couldn’t do anything but watch. He wished so badly he could do something. They were his only family left. If he lost them then he was alone. 

Please, don’t do this to me, he thought, his eyes watering. “Someone help! Please!”

Then he felt a surge of power, somewhere inside him. He didn’t know how, but suddenly he began to fly. He didn’t think much of it, and only used it to get down there so he could grab his mother and sister and save them. 

But with the heavy snowfall, he couldn’t see a thing. He had lost the car and the ledge, with his family inside. It was hopeless, until suddenly his eyes sharpened, and he instantly found them.

Flying down there slowly, he tried to open a jammed door, so he could get them out quickly, before the ledge collapsed from the new weight that landed on it. At first he couldn’t, but then he found the strength and ripped the door out, a feat no regular human could do, but again, he didn’t think much of it. 

“Mom? Evie!” he cried. 

“M-mom,” his sister said, with cuts all over her face, “I think she’s�"she’s dead…”

“That can’t be,” Andy said, looking at his mother, perfectly still and not breathing. 

Before Andy could do anything, the ledge broke off and started to fall. He grabbed his sister quick, who had went unconscious, but was too late to save his mother as the car fell along with the rocks, and she fell along with it. 

“Mom! No!” he yelled, his voice echoing through the blizzard. He was holding onto a little ledge in the rocky wall with arm, carrying his unconscious sister with the other, and watching as the car fell down the deep, dark crevasse. 

She was dead anyway. His eyes were filling with tears now, and he wondered how he could do all these feats. How am I doing this? he thought. I’m stopping Evie and I from falling with only one arm. 

He was able to save his sister, but her only. He lost his mother, and now he and his sister were orphans. He didn’t know what to think. Everything happened so fast. His vision was blurry, with the tears and the blizzard raging on. It felt much colder than before, and he noticed the snowfall got so much thicker. 

He pulled him and his sister up and over the ledge, as he collapsed on the snow. Both of their cuts bled all over the snow, making it red. He felt drained, even with his newfound abilities. 

“Tell me,” he said, looking up into the dark sky, into the 

heavens, “why do I have these?” He looked at his hands. “These don’t belong to me.”

A light shone, and ten beings appeared, in front of him. He stood up. 

Wearing robes, they looked like supernatural beings. Godlike. Five men, five women. The one in the centre, the tallest man, spoke. Andy thought he was the leader. 

“Hello, Andy. Allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Aldin, a Sage. The leader of the ten of us Sages. We are beings from another realm. You are wondering why we gave you powers. Isn’t it obvious? To save your family.”

“I couldn’t save them both.”

“Yes, but you saved your sister,” a woman next to him said. “We helped you do it. We gave you the exact powers you needed to accomplish your task.”

“The ability of flight,” Aldin said, “to gain the power to be anywhere you want without any sort of scaffolding, so you could get to the car. Enhanced human senses, so you could find the car through the blizzard. Enhanced human strength, so you can open that jammed door. Regeneration.”

“Why did you give me that?” he asked. 

“You’d be unconscious or dead right now, if you didn’t have it. And you’d be cold, too. But your body’s regeneration speed has been increased dramatically, to even fight off extreme temperature. Feel your face.”

Andy touched his cheek. The bleeding cuts on his face from the shattered cuts were gone. No scars, too. He was amazed. 

“And most important of all,” Aldin continued, “the power of extreme luck. The ledge just barely held on to the weight of the car, giving you enough time to find it and save your sister. Then right after you did, it fell. That wasn’t coincidence.”

“But why did you give me these abilities?”

“We’re not heartless, Andy,” the same woman beside him said. “And we picked only you because you deserve it. We know everything about you, because we’ve kept an eye on you.”

“From birth?”

“No. From that very moment you stood up to Colton to protect your friend, in that one recess in grade two. You may not remember it, for it was long ago.”

“With every deed comes a price,” the leader said. “You must repay us. In return for giving you powers, and saving your sister with them, you must follow us now, as we give you tasks you have to complete.”

“Okay,” Andy said, agreeing. If they were nice enough to help him save his sister, he thought he had no other choice but to follow them, or else it would be rude. 

“Keep your abilities secret, between you and your sister, and we’ll give you a disguise to use whenever we send you on a mission. You can even design it yourself.”

“Why? Am I a superhero?”

“No, you’re not. You’re not meant to be. You’re only to follow our instructions and needs when we tell you. That is all we have to say.”

The woman Sage told Andy, “If you keep walking east in this path you’ll find a town, which should have a hospital. Good luck.”

“Do you have a name?”

“I am Veva,” she said, and he nodded. 

They began to leave. One by one, they disappeared in a 

flash of light. Before Aldin was about to go, Andy said, “Wait! Thank you. For saving my sister. And for the powers.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry for not giving you enough time to sea your mother, but she was already gone before she fell into the gorge.”

“I know,” Andy said sadly. 

“Child, I have something to tell you,” he said. “About your extreme luck. It’s your most powerful ability. Part of why we chose to give it to you is so another tragedy will not happen to you again. We know what happened with your father. From here, your life will be a mix of ups and downs. Your sister will take care of the both of you, but no matter what, don’t abuse your extreme luck power. Never abuse any of them, in fact.”

“Okay, I won’t.”

“Are you ready to take on this role?”

He thought about it. “Yes.”

He nodded, approving. “Good. Remember everything I’ve told you.”

The Sage left, joining the others to wherever they would go. Andy didn’t know, and he wanted to find out, but right now he had to get his sister to a hospital. 

Andy brushed snow off of himself, and heaved his sister over his shoulder, and began the long trail through the thick snow to the path Veva showed him to find civilization. 

It was long, but he made it. And when he got there the last thing he saw were people seeing him and his sister and rushing over to help. He saw them finding a phone and calling for an ambulance, as he collapsed. 

Second

Half a year later

With spring almost ending, Andy was anxious for a mission. He learned more about them. All their names. The men were Aldin, who was the king, accompanied by Kytro, Sevin, Chronus, and Segador. Then there was Veva, the queen, with Junie, Celona, Amer, and Matera. All of them were Sages, exceptionally powerful beings from another realm who only cared for the good of earth. 

And Andy worked for them. He liked his powers, and being in his disguise, and he felt free during a mission. He had kept them secret, and only talked about them with his sister, who had witnessed him using them herself. 

His sister became his new guardian when their mother died. She cooked, had a job, did chores, anything to keep them both alive. Andy felt bad for her, so he tried to help out as much as he could around the house. 

But I’m always busy with the Sages, he thought. “It’s not fair, Paris.”

“Life isn’t fair. Anyways, stop the chitchat. We have to finish this before Wednesday!”

He was in Paris’s house, working on a project with her. But he didn’t feel like doing any work. It was boring, tough work. He just kept spinning his pencil around with his fingers, slumping on the table and doing nothing. 

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t drool on the table.”

“Haha. My dog will.”

As if on cue a golden retriever barked and showed up. He started jumping at Paris, panting. 

“You had to bring your dog Molt,” she said. “He’s going to eat our work.”

“I hope.”

“Why do you have a dog anyway? Isn’t it just more work for Evie and you?”

“We’ve had him for a long time, and we can’t just abandon him. Plus, he’s loyal. Right boy?” 

Molt barked in response. 

“I think you and your sister are fine, man,” she said. “Maybe it isn’t fair that you two are by yourselves, but you’ll definitely get by. Your sister’s awesome. Smart, pretty, mature with those glasses…”

“I always thought she was more nerdy to me.”

“Sibling hate. Typical. Anyways, fine, if you don’t want to work, we can do something else.”

Andy sat up. “Finish our movie marathon! Bike around the city! Go get ice cream! Oh, the possibilities!”

“You choose,” she said. “C’mon then.”

“Wait,” Andy said, “but I did promise you that we’d finish this today, or tomorrow.”

“Then we’ll finish tomorrow. I’m just as bored from this as you.”

“No,” Andy said, deciding. “We can’t. We have to.”

“We have to go, you’re right,” another voice in the room said. Andy recognized it. Kytro’s. Aldin’s right hand man. He turned around and saw him, just appearing there. 

Whenever he was needed for a mission one of the Sages would always appear, giving his task, but he was the only one who could see them. That’s their way of contacting him, while keeping his secret safe. 

“There’s a convoy traveling across the atlantic. They’re transporting more than just goods. There’s a man onboard  the biggest one, who is your target: Jacob Martinez. He needs to be assassinated, for many crimes. He’s escaped his prison and boarded the boat disguised as a worker, trying to escape his sentences and wanting to start a new life in a new country. We need him dead. Swiftly and quick. I trust you’ll find the location.”

Then Kytro disappeared. 

“What are you looking at?” Paris asked him. “You’ve been staring there for like a minute.”

Andy met her eyes. “I have to go.”

“You always do this, Andy,” she said. “No. Not this time. I don’t know what’s up with how busy you are, but we have to finish this project. You said it yourself.”

“Please Paris, you know how I’m always busy doing errands ever since my mom passed away,” he said, which was his cover up line every time he had a task to do, given by the Sages. 

“You’re going to abandon me again?” She covered her face. “C’mon Andy, not again. Please.”

“Hey,” he said, standing up. “I’ll be back soon. Or maybe tomorrow, this might take the whole night. But I promise we’ll finish it. See ya!”

Andy headed for the door, calling, “C’mere boy!” for his dog, who followed closely behind. When they went out the door, it was already turning dark.

Andy’s home was an old apartment in the middle of the city. He was used to the tight space that him, his mother and his sister lived in. When he got there, Evie was watching TV. 

“You got home early,” she said. “Task?”

“Task,” he said, going upstairs. In his room he lifted the mattress of his bed with one hand, and found his suit. Well, it was more like a costume, which was what he always thought. Like a superhero. It even had a red cape. The costume was black and red, his favourite colours. 

He quickly changed into it and went out into the balcony. He looked outside at all the bustling streets and the honking cars. His home. 

Gripping his fists and adjusting his footing, he blasted out into the sky with a boom. He always did that, because he wanted to get into the sky quickly, so nobody would see. It was pure luck the media hasn’t spotted him yet, which he thought must’ve been his power.  

He had learned to control all his powers. But not mastered, not yet. But he learned to control the speed of his fight, and all of its other aspects. He could get to the atlantic in no time. 

In two minutes he was already soaring over the coast. Everywhere he looked was vast ocean. But he believed in Kytro telling him that he can find it himself. He knew how fast he could go in flight, and how far his eyes could see. And all it took was a little luck from his extreme luck power, and he could find it. 

And it turned out he was right, when he found it in about two minutes. It’s unbelievable how fast he could find things, and how fast he could get to a place in the world. 

Finding the biggest ship in the fleet, he landed slowly and quietly onboard. Nobody saw him, he hoped, which was probably true. He was already used to his extreme luck power. It was very useful in combat, too. Sometimes he barely had to move to dodge bullets, they just missed. Or maybe when he was chasing someone down the person would run into something, making it easier for him. When it came to his most useful and most powerful ability, it was definitely his extreme luck. Andy found it a bit too overpowered. Aldin was right, it needed to be kept in check, and it shouldn’t, for one second, be abused, because the power was too great. 

Anyway, he was onboard already, hiding around a corner, thinking, another assassination. It seems like most days now I’m killing someone, again.

He hated assassination missions. Not only they’re too easy and fast, but he doesn’t like killing. On his first one he regretted it, but he knew that this is what he had to do. The Sages basically saved his life. They saved his sister, who was his only family left, the only one taking care of them both. If he had to kill to keep Evie, he would. And that’s about as dark as Andy’s life could get.

Two armed marines were just patrolling around the ship, talking. They were coming up around Andy’s corner. He could tell just by hearing them how close they were, with his enhanced senses. 

When they appeared Andy surprised them. He left them unconscious on the floor as he continued on his way.

He found a door that led inside a room filled with crates. Kytro said they weren’t transporting just goods. He decided to check one of them, just to prove the conspiracy. 

All he found were shoeboxes. Strange. Maybe he just didn’t find the right ones that carried illegal items. He thought he had his extreme luck power fully understood throughout, but he guessed he was wrong. Maybe I’m already trying to abuse it, he thought. 

It didn’t matter. He had a mission. He found a few people inside the room too, and he hid himself from them by ducking behind a crate. 

He listened to their conversations for a while. This job is boring and I wish I was back home with my family and all that. He needed to interrogate one of them, at least one. 

He started taking them out one by one. Hiding behind crates all over the room, he worked like a ninja. He sniped one in the head with a wrench he found on the floor, knocking him out cold. He didn’t have to worry if he would miss. The wrench out of nowhere scared them all. 

He snuck behind one of them in the shadows and covered his mouth so he couldn’t scream, dragging him behind a crate while his friends weren’t looking, and then knocking him out. 

He distracted one by tapping on a crate to attract him with the noise. As he came around the corner, Andy made him unconscious. 

There was only one guy left, and he was in the centre, trembling. He tried to run for the exit but Andy flew high up above all the stacked crates, and descended upon him, landing his feet on his back and slamming him hard on the floor, his cape flowing down slowly. 

“Please,” the man said with fear in his eyes as he was pinned to the floor, which was covered with blood from his nose. Sometimes Andy could be so cruel to people on a mission. “Don’t kill me! What do you want!?”

Andy got off of him and grabbed his shirt, pinning him 

to the wall. “Jacob Martinez. You work with him. Where is he, on this ship? You’ve been working with a criminal.”

“What?” he said. “I didn’t know! Please! He’s my friend! Whatever he’s done, it’s behind him in his life. He’s good!”

He’s good? Andy was confused by this. Everyone was tricked then. That must be it. He’s hiding himself, as a criminal. Nobody knows the real him on this ship, because whatever country he boarded this ship in the crew members don’t know he’s a criminal. Maybe he killed someone on this boat and stole the uniform?

“Tell me where he is!” Andy yelled. 

“Who are you?” he asked. “Some sort of masked vigilante in a costume? How did you get into the air and get on me so fast? Like you flew…”

“That’s not important,” Andy told him. “What’s important is that you value your life, so I suggest you tell me before I snap your neck!”

His voice was so deep and loud, it echoed through the room, striking the man with fear. 

“Okay!” he said, as Andy pinned him harder. “He’s on the lower floor, working as an engineer. Sector twelve!”

Andy threw the man to the floor, and spared him, when he could easily hit him hard enough to forget the incident. But he didn’t want to. It made him question who he really was. He didn’t know. 

I kill, but I don’t want to, he thought. And when I want to, I don’t. He’s right. Who am I? Just a masked vigilante in a costume thinking he’s doing good? 

Andy found the lower deck stairs, and used his senses to find Martinez easily. He was alone, in a secluded area, humming a tune as he worked. In the shadows, too. Andy liked the shadows. The darkness gave him a sense of safeness, of security. He liked it when nobody saw him, and his black and red costume in the shadows made that easier. 

Andy stopped the man’s humming as he slowly crept up behind him silently, and quickly snapping his neck. 

He fell to the floor, dead. He was done here. 

But he couldn’t leave. For the hundredth time, he just stood there, just like all his other assassinations, and stared at the person he killed. Hanging his head. Regretting. But then also remembering he had to do it. 

Suddenly a light flashed, and Kytro appeared again. 

“Good job, kid,” he said. 

The Sages barely appeared again to congratulate him. Andy should’ve known Kytro was different. He cared about the boy, and not many of them did. They just gave him a task and didn’t think much of him when he was done. They didn’t care to think how he felt about the tasks he was getting. There were only a few of them that did. Veva and Junie, who were very nice to him. Veva was almost acted like a mother to him, always feeling sympathy for him and giving him arms to run into whenever he felt terrible for what he’s done. The Sages had to realize that he was only a kid. He wasn’t used to the dark and violent atmosphere of the world he was sent to many times a week by the Sages. 

Andy wasn’t sure if Aldin was one of the ones who cared about him too. He was almost like a father, one that everybody liked and was good hearted like his own father, who nobody knew deep inside he had depression. But he was way too serious and he always treated Andy like a grown man. He took things literally and had strong opinions and skills in leadership. He wasn’t a Sage you’d enjoy if he 

went to your party. But still, Andy always thought of him as  a caring father, even though he didn’t return the sympathy. The Sages practically raised him ever since he lost his last parent. 

Kytro sighed when he saw the body. “I know it’s hard, kid, but it’s for the greater good, trust me. We have very, very specific reasons on why we trust you to kill every one of these men. But we can’t tell you.”

“Who am I?” Andy asked, hanging his head. It seemed like an odd question to Kytro, but Andy wanted to know. “I mean, who am I supposed to be? I don’t have a name.”

“You’re Andy West.”

“But Andy West is my disguise. This�"” he gestured to himself, “this is my true self. Andy is a mask. My true self doesn’t have a name.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he said. “Aldin wanted to name you Argentios, for, specific reasons that again we can’t tell you.”

“Argen,” Andy said. “So I’m Argentios?”

“You’re the Argentios,” he said. “It’s more of a title. But that’s who you are. Don’t forget.”

He disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Andy alone with the dead body on the floor. 

He didn’t know why, but this time it was different. The man was just doing his work, humming. He didn’t seem like an evil criminal, even though he was obviously just hiding it. He didn’t like the sight of death, and he resented killing. He hated it, so much. He wished he never got a new target ever again. But he knew he would. Again. And again. Over and over until to him it becomes murder, instead of assassination. 

Veva never gave him a target. Never. Always something else. Because she knew how Andy felt, and she respected it.

Just as Andy was wishing she was here, she appeared next to him, in a flash of light. 

“I can’t do this anymore,” he said, as he went into her arms. 

“I know, child,” she said. “I know. It’s okay. They don’t understand you’re just fourteen. A mature age, but not mature enough. At your age you should be playing sports and dating, or something like that.”

“But I have to,” he said. 

“I know you do. Because you owe us a favour,” she said. “But you know, a returned favour doesn’t last forever.”

“I wish that were true.”

“Yes,” she said. “Because it is not. At least for Aldin, it’s not.”

Third

He’s only a kid, Aldin,” she said. “Andy. You shouldn’t be so hard on him all the time.”

“Me?” he asked. “You’re blaming me? He thinks of me as a father.”

“He’s thinking wrong.”

“You’re the one who saw strength in him, when we all didn’t. Now you’re telling me you’re wrong? I knew we shouldn’t have picked him.”

“He does have strength. How many kids survive being bullied in school to the point of depression? All the blows he’s suffered, just to protect kids who get bullied like him? Every time he tries to confront Colton it’s when he’s about to punch someone else. All his life he’s been fighting for what’s right, because he’s faced many tragedies. His father died from suicide, and you expect a child to recover easily from that? Do you not understand how sad that can be to a seven-year-old child?”

“I understand, Veva,” Aldin said. “But it is you that does not. Does not understand the opinions of others, mainly mine and all the Sages.”

“We’ll see who’s right. In time.”

“Oh, yes. In time we will.”

.  .  .

Andy went home, exhausted. Changed quickly and fell on his bed. He was so tired. He felt like his tasks were getting much more frequent, and sometimes he got them through consecutive days. He had no choice. The Sages did him a favour. As long as he kept completing tasks he keeps his powers, and his sister. 

“I have night shift,” Evie told him. “You’ll be fine, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Andy said. “But are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been meaning to ask. You’re so busy and tired all the time, ever since mom died. And I feel like I’m not helping enough because I have the tasks that the Sages give me. I don’t think it’s really fair for you.”

“I’m fine, bro. Then maybe you should think of getting a job, too.”

“You know I can’t.”

“I know. You’re way too busy.” She sighed. “But you have to think about what’s more important. Doing work with the Sages, working, or doing your work.”

“What do you mean by ‘doing my work’?”

“School.”

“Oh, no!” he said. “I forgot about our project!”

“She’s your best friend but you always leave when she needs your help on an assignment.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ll apologize. First I’m walking the dog. And doing the laundry. Speaking of Molt, did you know Paris doesn’t like owning a dog?”

“Why?”

“She thinks it’s wrong to have a pet when we can instead adopt a child that needs a family, or something like that. It’s like you’d rather have a dog than help an orphan.”

“Well you can tell Paris that she’s too nice.”

“Are you kidding me?” he said as she was about to leave through the door. “We’re always making fun of each other.”

“I know,” she said as she closed the door. 

Andy was left alone. Until his dog came and started whining at him, wanting to go out.

“Okay, let’s go,” he said, succumbing to his pleas. 

.  .  .

Aldin, we may have a problem.”

“What is it, Sevin?”

“Three of our bombs have entered the planet. Unknown locations. We’re not the first ones to know. The enemy are after them too.”

“Send everyone to find them. That’s our most important priority, right now.”

“You know, we can send Argentios.”

“Not yet. He’s not ready. At least, he’s too valuable to expend on this task. Eventually, I will decide if he will do this or not.”

“You’re afraid Megalo is stronger than him.”

“I do not. Andy just needs more practice. Megalo was born before him.”

“He’s beginning to dislike his tasks.”

“He’ll learn sooner or later. The boy can’t even hide himself well. Witnesses have seen him, during his most recent activities. He has to learn to not depend on his extreme luck. I have to talk to him. You have a job to do right now, Sevin.”

.  .  .

When Andy got home with his dog, he found Aldin in the living room,

“Aldin,” he said. “Do I have another mission?”

“No,” he said, and Andy felt relieved. “We know you need rest. I have something else to discuss with you.”

It was there that Andy finally believed that maybe Aldin did care about him, after all. “So, what do you require?”

He looked at the TV. “Turn on the news.”

Andy did as he was asked, and he didn’t liked what he saw. 

“Witnesses claimed to have seen a mysterious figure flying out of a building in the central city of Bluewell. The figure was seen flying into the sky, then off to an unknown location. Witnesses even claimed they have real video footage.”

The screen played a video, where Andy saw himself in a blurred and distorted image in the sky, flying fast. 

“Oh no,” he said. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I know this was a mistake, but please�"”

“Quiet, boy!” Aldin said. “I forgive you. You just have to be more careful. People know you know. At least, they know the real you. I will not get mad at you if the media keeps on pressing on this case, eventually find and name your masked identity, but the one thing I don’t want to happen is them finding who you really are. Play the superhero part all you want. Just don’t get caught. Your extreme luck was the only thing that made them not find out the exact building you flew out of.”

“But I don’t want them to find out!” Andy said. “I don’t want them to find out me, or even Argen.”

“Argen?”

“I mean Argentios. It’s just shorter. But anyway, what do I do?”

“Then you must fly when you’re not at home,” he said. “Your disguise must be packed in your bag, or under your clothes, whatever you want. Not your locker. If people see…”

“I understand,” Andy said. “If they find out, then they find out.”

“When,” he said. “The police and media are definitely going to try and figure out who this super-powered figure is first, then either claim you a superhero or a vigilante. Then, whichever they pick, they’re going to try and find out who you are. You can’t let that happen. This time you must keep lower profile. If friends ask you about this, you do not give into the temptation to tell or give a hint that the figure is you. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I’ll be more careful, I promise.”

“Remember, I don’t expect you to keep it secret for long. Eventually, sooner or later, they will find out, and you have to act the part that you’re a good guy.”

“That’s only if you give me missions in the city.”

“Believe me, I have many future tasks to give you within the city, child. Don’t worry, it’s okay. It’s about time you let the world know about you. It’s impossible to hide it, I know. You’re just a kid, and you can’t possibly do every job you have perfectly.”

“I can’t talk,” Andy realized. “If they’re recording. They’ll track me down by voice.”

“You’ll be a silent hero, protector of the city,” he said. 

“So I’m a superhero?”

“You’re not, child. You’re not meant to be. You’re not meant to fight evil, you were only created to serve our needs, and that’s all you will be.”

But what if I want to fight crime? “Okay.”

“I know you have a desire to fight for what’s right, which, we have a lot of evidence of, but that’s not the reason you exist.”

“Evidence?”

“You know we’ve been watching you for a while. Well, every so often.”

“Am I the only one you’ve watched?”

“Yes. You are. You’re the only being on this planet with enhanced capabilities. That makes you special, but keep in mind to not use them for fun. They’re not tools, they’re weapons. And they’re privileged, too. I have to go now. Remember what I’ve told you.”

Aldin left, disappearing in the usual flash of light. 

Andy sighed, sitting on his bed. He wished his sister was here to comfort him, or, anyone. Paris, his mother or father, or even another Sage. He may not have as much responsibilities as his sister, but he definitely had bigger ones. He wanted more support. He felt alone on this one, even though the Sages tried to help him as much as possible. 

“It’s confusing,” he said, continuing his thoughts. He stared at a picture of his complete family taken long ago. “Mom and Dad, I’m a masked flying figure now. I’ve killed, and Evie doesn’t even know. I’ve flown around the world. I can do many more things with my abilities, but yet I still feel human. I love you, both.”

Andy’s father was his a superhero to him. He was caring, 

and there wasn’t one person who met him that didn’t like him. He was probably the most happy any person could get, but still nobody knew he had depression. When the day he committed his crime of suicide, Andy felt broken. He hated him for doing it, he thought he left them for good. But he learned over time to forgive him, because maybe he really couldn’t fix his depression. People think it’s easy to get over, and they should just toughen up and forget it. But it’s as hard to get rid of as a disease, because that’s what it was. An illness; a mental one. People don’t understand what others with depression are going through. So when Andy finally did he forgave his father.

He still remembered the night, though.

“Mommy? Where’s Daddy?” he asked one night, when there was a miserable feeling in the air. 

His mother was crying. “He’s… he’s in a better place now.”

“What happened?” Evie asked, curious. Mom’s mood was making her and Andy both fearful.

“He’s gone…” their mother said. “He’s… he’s gone.”

“What?” Andy asked, beginning to cry. 

“The window was open in my room,” Evie said. 

Andy ran there, dreading what he would find. 

“No! Get back here, Andy!” his mom called for him. 

He looked, and he wished he didn’t. 

Andy remembered that tragic day. So well. He looked at the city lights and the dark sky outside in his room. 

“Mom, Dad, I miss you both,” he said, bringing tears to his eyes.

Fourth

Don’t you feel bad for him?” Veva asked Aldin. “He doesn’t know what to do. He even has an identity crisis.” 

“How do you know?”

“He asked Kytro yesterday, ‘Who am I?’ I think the stress we give him is breaking him. Bit by bit.”

“Well then you’re admitting that you’re wrong about him.”

“What I meant about his strength was that he had the toughness to survive all that. It doesn’t matter how hard he can punch, only how much he can take. At least for me, that’s what defines power. He’s suffered so much, especially since we’re giving more for him to stress about.”

“He has the right qualities. All the ones I asked for, but yet, he’s not the right person for the job.”

“Well then you’re missing a quality.”

“What could it be?”

“Perseverance. He can do everything we ask him to, but he can’t persevere. He needs lots of support. He needs to learn to be self-reliant.”

“What do you think I am supposed to do?”

“Help him. Well, if you do not want to, then I will.”

.  .  .

The following Monday was rough for Andy. As usual. 

Colton harassed him, as he did with a lot of other kids, but mainly him. A nemesis is what Andy would describe about him to someone, if they asked. 

“I bet you didn’t get any work done on the weekend, huh?” he said as he pushed him. “What? You want to fail school?”

“Shut up,” Andy said. “Not today, please. I’m tired.”

“Excuses,” he said, as he walked away with his buddies. 

One of them, Mason, stayed behind. Andy always thought of him as a friend, even though he was part of Colt’s friend group. They’ve done a lot of stuff together, and Andy felt comfort whenever he was around. 

“Why do you still stay with him?” he asked him. “I mean, do you see yourself?”

“Okay, I know he’s mean, but you’ve got to be fair to him. He’s had a bad childhood.”

Andy raised his eyebrows. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I thought you knew. I mean, everybody knows. He’s an orphan, he’s going through tough times, all that stuff. The way to make his aunt and uncle happy is to do good in school. Which, as you know, he has no problem at all with that. He’s like the smartest one here. But yeah, the only way he feels better is when he spreads his hate to everyone else.”

Same, Andy thought. “I never knew. He seems like the guy who doesn’t have problems.”

“That’s because you’re seeing his identity at school,” Mason said. 

That’s also me, he thought. Nobody knows my real identity. Andy West is my mask, not Argen. whenever I’m in my suit and I’m free to use my powers, I feel like I’m me. Whenever I’m wearing Andy, I’m not me. I’m just a regular human. 

“I don’t really know,” Mason said, “just�"if he bullies you, understand it’s for a reason. He feels like all his life he’s been always forced to try to please people, and he never gets to be himself. Anyways, I have science class. See ya.”

When Mason left, Andy still didn’t feel any more sympathy for Colt. 

If he’s had a bad childhood, then he can change. They’re not permanent, and you can recover from them. Look at me, I’m nice and I also had a bad childhood. But it’s because of it that I learned to be a good person. I didn’t have it easy either, but I pulled through.

Andy went to his homeroom, math. Which had the person he hated most in his life, Colt. But it also had his best friend, Paris, which he sat next to when the lesson started. 

“It’s due tomorrow,” Paris whispered to him during class. “And we’re like, only halfway done!”

“Relax,” he whispered back. “I’ll do it, if you want. You’ve been carrying me for group projects lately.”

“Are you kidding? Stop being so stupidly good. You’re going through way tougher things than me. I just want you to help, that’s all. It’s a group project.”

“Evie said you were the one that’s too nice.”

“If we finish, we can do something,” she said. “You just can’t leave again.”

“I won’t, promise.” But Andy couldn’t promise. His secret life was way more important. He had to do the tasks given by the Sages, no matter what. When Evie told him he had to decide the most important thing in his life, he chose his Argentios identity. Because they’re the ones who gave him his life. He had to return the favour. 

I’m sorry Paris, but I’m most likely going to have to take that back. There’s no telling when I’m going to get a mission. If only I could tell you.

“Now stop whispering in class, before we’re caught,” she said. 

“You started.”

“Whatever,” she said, smiling. 

When the lesson started, Andy tried his best to listen, but he couldn’t. He was so focused on his thoughts. His life was a mess, and he didn’t know how to clean it up. Things took over others, even though they were equally important. And more important things took over things he wanted to do, like relax and spend time with friends but not being able to because he had a task. 

That’s the one thing in his life he didn’t have. Balance. It was important, but he didn’t have it. He wanted to equal everything out. Homework and school, having time to have fun, helping out with chores for his sister, his tasks given by the Sages, even a soccer meet after school because he made the team. 

Uh oh. I completely forgot about that. I have to hope the Sages will give me a mission during that time, and then I’ll call Evie to tell the school I have an appointment or something. 

But Andy argued with himself. But wait, that’s giving more work for Evie. She’s tired too. But then she’ll say it’s okay, because she knows I’m busy too, with the missions I do. Oh, it’s all so hard!

“Mr. West?” the teacher asked him. “Are you even listening? What’s the answer to number two?”

Andy was about to make a complete fool out of himself. He already imagined the class snickering when he would say, Uh…, but then Paris came through for him. She tapped his foot with hers four times. 

“Four,” he said. 

The teacher raised his eyebrows and said, “Correct.”

He sighed and gave Paris a thankful look, and she smiled back, saying no problem, Andy. You’d do the same for me. 

But Andy knew the help wouldn’t matter anyway. He was already going to answer four, and get it right because of his extreme luck. But just the thought that Paris helped him made him feel not alone in his problems.

.  .  .

At lunch, Andy and Paris found a table. They finished their food quick so Andy started playing on his phone. 

“You’re so good at that game,” Paris said, looking over. “How’d you get all that stuff? No way, that’s impossible!” 

Andy shrugged, smiling. 

When a fly came over to their table, he slapped it in the air and got it first try. 

“See what I mean?” she said. “You’ve got some really good luck, man. You should try to win the lottery or something.”

Andy froze when she said that. Of course he’d already thought about that, well, more like his sister did. It would really help out in their lives. They were so low on income, and so high in debt. Evie spent every second of her life working, and Andy spent every second of his life at school or during a mission. 

But that was the exact thing Aldin didn’t want him to do. That would be the very definition of using his powers for his advantage, for his own good. He didn’t want to be selfish. 

He thought having them in video games or making a lucky shot in a sport was okay, because those were unintentional and out of his control. He didn’t mean to, it just happened. 

“Have you ever tried or thought about it?” Paris asked. 

“Yes,” he said. “No luck there.”

He remembered his sister saying one time, okay, maybe if you can’t buy it, I still can. I don’t have powers. So she’d always be the one to buy the ticket, because there wasn’t any rule broken in that. 

Then Andy remembered something. “I never got to apologize to you, for ditching the project.”

“Sorry, I was thinking about myself,” she said. “We both know you have no time to do it. Tough income times. It’s okay. If you want, I’ll even do it by myself.”

“Really?” 

“Yeah,” she said, punching his arm. “You already do so much for me.”

“How?”

“Kidding!”

“Ha ha. But seriously, I’m gonna help you tonight. I think I only have three to five to spare.”

“But I have volleyball practice.”

“Oh wait,” he said. “I just remembered I had something 

there, too. So then after five. But I have something planned there…”

Suddenly Andy saw Junie at the doorway, like she was always there, and he knew he was doomed. 

“Wait!” he said, to both the Sage and Paris, but mostly to Paris. “I just remembered I have a, uh, a dentist’s appoint-ment. Right now, after lunch.” 

“Seriously? You didn’t call the school yet?”

“I will,” he said, realizing he couldn’t. “I mean, uh…”

“Hey,” she said, touching his arm. “Leave it to me. I’ll tell them, and I’ll finish the project. Don’t worry.”

He nodded, feeling guilty. Then he went to the hallway to talk to Junie.

“I’m sorry we had to give you one now,” she said. “We know you’re missing a lot of school and we’re doing the best to�"”

Andy just sighed. “Just tell me.”

“Crime organization in a basement of the tower ten blocks down here. They’re meeting up.”

“Target?”

“Every single person you find there. Don’t leave anyone you see alive, or let them escape.”

Andy put his forehead against the wall. 

“I know, I’m sorry. But it’s what Aldin ordered. Do it as fast as possible, no mistakes. You have about two hours to do it, before they disband into the streets again. This is the perfect chance to group them up in one spot.”

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” Andy said. “Accepted.”

“Good,” she said. “Oh, one last thing.”

She grabbed Andy’s phone out of his pocket and put it in 

his hand, moving it to his ear. “Good luck. Even though we both know you won’t need it.”

She disappeared right when a kid came around the corner. Andy instantly understood what Junie did. He pretended to talk on his phone to someone, and the kid didn’t suspect a thing.

When the kid left, he went on his way to exit the school. He had to trust Paris that she’d tell his school he had an appointment, or else he’d be leaving without permission. 

He had his bag with his disguise, and he was glad to see it still there when he opened it. He found a dark alleyway where nobody could see him and quickly switched clothes. He hid his bag somewhere, and blasted off into the sky. 

Six hours, he thought. Also, I hope I remember that spot. My stuff’s there. 

As he flew over the streets of Bluewell, he realized this was his first mission in his home city. Not anywhere around the world. It never occurred to him that this could happen. He had no choice but to show himself, then. Aldin said they would find out anyway, sooner or later. 

He also didn’t mind that the task was here. He knew that Bluewell was a very crime-filled city. Cops were busy keeping them in check. He only hoped that when they found him, they’d realize that he was on their side, and not another one to keep in check. 

He already heard the conversations from down below, from the people who saw him. They were far down, but that was no problem for Andy’s ears. 

What is that? Is he flying? Does anyone else see this?

He ignored them and just kept going for his destination. 

That was until one time he heard a cry for help.

He stopped in his tracks, hovering and listening. 

Somebody help! Help!

He found it. In an secluded alleyway, a gang of thugs with firearms were advancing towards a person.

Andy wondered if he could help. But that wasn’t his purpose. Plus, he didn’t have time. 

Well, two hours should be enough time, he thought. 

Andy was just too good of a person. He had to do it. If it was going to be a murder, he had to. 

But wait, he said. I promised Aldin that I’d keep a low profile. And that I’d only use my powers for the tasks he and the Sages give me. 

But then he remembered Aldin telling him that he didn’t expect him to keep his true identity forever. And his true identity was Argentios. So if he was going to be him, then now was the time. 

When one of them pointed his gun at the man, as he cowered in the corner, he made his final decision. 

He landed hard in front of him, so fast it cracked the concrete, right as the bullet was fired. 

Bam.

Andy groaned, but he stood still. It had hit his side. His extreme luck couldn’t save him, but he wasn’t dead. He’d regenerate. He always would. 

“What the…?” the thug who fired said. 

Then they all fired. But Andy stood in front of the man, determined not to let any pass. They all hit him, and he suffered each one, but he was slowly advancing to them. And they were slowly moving back, scared. 

Then they were out of ammunition. It was Andy’s turn to strike. He dashed at them incredibly fast considering they’d all wasted their rounds on him. He fought with all his strength. He pushed one hard, which made him fly into the air, landing on his back, screaming in pain. He threw a fist at another that tried to block it, but instead broke his arm. 

“Agh!” he yelled, cursing at him. 

Two tried to take him on from behind him without him knowing, but they accidentally crashed into each other. When Andy turned and saw them on the ground, he knew his extreme luck saved him. 

His next foe drew a knife and slashed at him from behind. Andy felt the incredible pain. 

He turned around and gave him a threatening look. 

“You should’ve stabbed,” he said as he flew up into the air and landed on him, crushing his ribs. But he didn’t mean to. It just happened. 

The thug screamed in pain so loud it hurt Andy’s ears, since they picked up more than usual. But he felt pride, not guilt. 

“Stop!” the man in the corner said, who he was trying to protect. “What are you doing? Don’t hurt them like that!”

Andy turned to him. “You prefer death, then?”

“Who are you?”

Andy turned to the gang, which the rest had disappeared. They were scared of him. He had made his decision to reveal himself to the public, and now they were going to run off to tell everybody they knew, and soon it would become a media rumour. 

He looked back at the man. “I don’t know,” he said, through grimacing at his injuries. 

“Are you some kind of superhero?”

Andy was surprised. After everything he did to the gang 

members around them groaning, the last thing he would think of was him being a hero. 

“No,” he said, “I’m not.”

“A crime fighting vigilante?”

“I’m not that either. I’m not meant to help people.”

“Do you have a name?”

Andy thought about it. If he was going to be revealed to the public, he wanted it to be in the right way. 

“Argentios,” he said. Then he blasted off. 

But it hurt him. He felt weak to carry out his mission now. He flew for a few seconds, but then he had to land somewhere and rest. He found another secluded spot, and he stayed against the wall, holding his side and groaning. 

He had holes all over his body, through his suit. Gashes, bruises, cuts. A huge bloody one in his back. It was so painful, he began to tear up.

I’ll heal, he thought. I’ll heal. 

But Andy wasn’t just crying because of the pain. He had failed the Sages. He did what he wasn’t asked to do, and had injured people doing so, including himself. He didn’t know what the consequences were, but he just hoped they’d be nice and leave his sister alone. He was so tired of this, and he just didn’t know what came over him. 

He just wanted to help that man. Because he knew nobody would, because nobody had the power. But he did. He was the only one that could do it. 

But he spoke. He told Aldin he wouldn’t speak, to hide his voice. And he wouldn’t get distracted from his tasks.

Now he didn’t know how long his injuries would take to heal. His cuts and bruises would definitely disappear in a few minutes, but his gashes were big. He didn’t have to worry about his suit, because the Sages told him it would magically repair itself after every mission. But he didn’t even know if this counted as a mission. He also didn’t know if he had enough time to heal and complete his real one. 

He remembered that he was always being watched, too. Especially on missions. What was he thinking? Did he forget that?

I’m not meant to help people, he remembered. I was created with the purpose to return a favour. As long as my sister lives and I have a life, and my powers, I have to do tasks for the Sages. It’s only fair that way. I wouldn’t be able to do anything I could today if it weren’t for them.

He sat there against the wall, with tears, because he knew that his life was a mess and he’s never fix it up, because he’d have to do missions for the rest of his life. 

.  .  .

That’s it,” Aldin said, very angry at what he just witnessed. He was throwing a tantrum in the Hall, where all the Sages were accounted for. “We’re done with him. What was he thinking? He can’t follow a simple order!”

“Calm down, Aldin,” Veva said. “You mustn’t be angry. He’s just a boy, and he makes mistakes. He’s not perfect. If we chose a grown man, would he be perfect too?”

“He’s crossed the line, Veva,” he said. 

“But it was for a good cause. He saved a life.”

“He stupidly got himself hurt, and now he can’t do the task we gave him. This is one of the most important times we need him! And he got distracted because he wanted to beat up thugs.”

“He chose to because it was the right thing to do,” Junie said, defending him. 

“No, Aldin’s right,” Segador said. “He’s the wrong person. We’re leaving him.”

“Give him one more chance!” Veva said. “Plus, if he can pull off these things and do our missions, what harm is there in that? Look at him right now, he’s sorry. He knows he shouldn’t have done that. If we tell him that he was right to do that, he’ll feel a whole lot better. And if we keep letting him do that, he’ll know that we trust him. We can’t control his life. He’s got other things to do, and you know that.”

The boy was resting against the wall with tears in his eyes. He was in so much pain, but he held it back. 

But he gets up. In all his suffering, he gets up, because he knows he has a job to do. He knew he wasn’t done yet, and the pain was far from over.

“See?” Veva said. “He’s strong enough to pick himself up off the floor. He’s going to do his mission.”

“But we still need to talk to him,” he said. 

“To tell him that what he did was right, right?”

Aldin stroked his chin, deciding. He grumbled. “Fine! We’ll let him think it’s a good idea.”

“I’ll do it,” Kytro said. “I’ll volunteer to talk to him.”

“Go,” Aldin said. “Make sure he does his mission.”

 

Fifth

Andy stumbled. He didn’t have the strength to keep going. It was ironic, having all his great capabilities, but not being able to get up after a beating. 

Especially since he’s had it so many times in his life. From Colt. But they’ve never been this bad. Colt never used weapons, just fists. 

But still, whenever Colt attacked him, it felt like a bullet all the same. 

You’re a loser, and you should remember that, he had said. You’re nothing right now, you’ll be nothing when you’re older. You’re stupid, and everyone hates you. even your father. And your mother, because she drove off the cliff just to kill you, or herself, whichever.

The things Colt said to him were very dark, but still he didn’t believe them. Andy knew he was loved. He didn’t let anyone change that thought. 

I hate bullies, he thought, thinking of Colt and the thugs who attacked him. 

“Andy.”

He turned around, seeing Kytro, and feeling so relieved but dreadful at the same time. 

“I failed you all,” he said. 

“No,” he said. “You didn’t. You did what was right, and Aldin was proud of you.”

“Really?” he asked, thinking that the behaviour Kytro was talking about wasn’t really, well, Aldin.  “Yes, very. He loved your idea. Keep doing it. But only as long as you keep doing our tasks. But after them, you can do whatever you want in the city. Make sure to be in your suit whenever you use your powers, though.”

“You’re allowing me to fight crime?”

“Yes.”

“But… with this and my missions, and with school and home, I’m never going to have enough time to do anything!”

“Your chose Argen as your true identity, did you not?”

Andy nodded. “I did.”

“Then be him,” he said. “Be him more regularly than Andy. You are who you choose, and if you choose Argen then there’s no shame in that. If you choose to live as him your whole life then do so.”

“I’m not going to quit school.”

“Seems like to me you already have.”

“No, Kytro. I haven’t. I promised Paris that we’d work on our project.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t lie to me. You told her that you were busy, didn’t you? She’s going to do it all by herself.”

“Well then she’s not,” Andy said. 

“You can’t. You have a task to complete. Aldin wants you to do it. It’s one of the most important ones.”

“I will, then. How long will it take for me to heal?”

“Less than thirty minutes. In fact, you should be good right now.”

Andy felt his back. The pain definitely disappeared, and he didn’t even notice. That was fast. 

“Don’t underestimate yourself,” he said. “But most of all, don’t overestimate yourself.”

When Andy blinked he was gone. 

He gripped his fists, and his strength came back. He remembered how powerful he was. He could do this. He had enough time. Gathering the rest of his strength, he blasted off into the sky. 

Finding the location, he descended near it. He found a door at the back of the building and went inside. 

He couldn’t use the elevators. People might see him. he had to hope nobody was on the stairs, too. With his extreme luck, that was no problem.

He descended down each flight of stairs quickly with his flight, and soon reached the basement level.

Two guards blocked his path to the door. He quickly flew at them, effectively surprising them and snapping their necks. 

After they fell to the ground he bashed through the door. He heard yells and orders to attack him. They started firing their guns, the bullets coming in quick. With luck most of them missed as Andy dove for cover. Some hit him, but he accepted the pain.

They were still firing at him, but he was safe behind his cover. He ascended into the air really high, fast so they didn’t notice him, and in the shadows he flew at one of them. 

He tackled him in the air, bashing through the wall with the man’s body and killing him. 

As a blur he fought the rest of them until they were all dead. Slashing knives and firing guns, they tried their best to take him down, but he was just so hard to kill. Any shots or blows that hit him barely fazed him. He destroyed everyone he could see. 

One came at him with a knife and he grabbed his arm, twisted it, and forced the knife through his heart. Then he took the knife and chucked it at another. Of course he wouldn’t miss. It cut straight at his heart, too. 

He was about to throw a punch at one’s head, with enough force to kill him, but he said, “Wait! Who are you? Some kind of demon?”

Andy held his fist in place. “You are the demon that deserves to die, for your crimes.”

“Please, just send me to jail,” he said. “I admit, I’m a bad person, but instead of being slain by a demon I want to die off in prison.”

“I can’t do that,” Andy said. “I have no choice but to kill you.”

“Why?” he asked. “Who’s making you? Can’t you make decisions for yourself?”

Andy thought about that. Why did the Sages want every last one of them dead? Wasn’t the right way to send them to jail?

“There’s no hope in tricking me,” Andy said to him. He threw the punch. 

The blow knocked his head back so hard and fast that there was no hope of him still being alive. His brain collided with his skull, and even the skull itself was cracked. 

Andy’s fists were covered with blood, but he didn’t care. He needed to complete the mission. If he had to kill, then so be it. He wasn’t going to feel any remorse. 

Sometimes it made him wonder if he was more of a villain than a hero.

He listened for more enemies he would need to kill. 

There was another floor, down, where he heard people talking. But there were no more stairs. There must be a secret way to get there. He didn’t need to find it. 

He lifted into the air and crashed down on the ground as hard as he could, and his senses didn’t fail him. 

He crashed through the ceiling into a huge chamber in the sewers. Where his enemies were. They were all secretly gathering here. The first room were just a bunch of guards. 

“There he is!” one of them said. “Kill him!”

But as usual, he dispatched them all quickly. There were no problems. He flew around the whole chamber, killing any person he could find and destroying everything. There were some of them on higher grounds than others, manning stationed turrets. He ripped them apart, and left no survivors.

Below there were many of them firing their pistols at him in the air. He dodged all of them luckily and flew down to them. Splashing in sewer water, he fought until he was out of breath, and there were pile of bodies in the dirty water. 

He listened some more. More echoes throughout the whole sewer system. He knew they were enemies. 

Don’t leave anyone you see alive. 

He flew through the sewer tunnels, and whenever he found a couple of enemies he quickly dispatched them and moved on. He worked like this until he found no voices in the tunnels left. 

They were all dead. 

He decided to rest against a wall. He was sweaty, dirty, and tired. And hungry. He needed to go go home. 

He was done here. 

.  .  .

What is this, chief?” a cop asked. “There’s a whole bunch of dead bodies in this part of the sewer system, over here.”

They were in the sewers, four of them, looking around with flashlights. One of them was Darren Carson, the chief of the police department of Bluewell. His master detective skills have bought him the title, as he never left a mystery unsolved. 

“Show me,” he told the cop. 

He brought them to the place, and they investigated. 

“A whole bunch of dead criminals, all down here,” he told Carson. “What do you think?”

He scratched his head. “A whole crime organization was secretly meeting here. Some sort of vigilante took em’ out.”

“Whoever did this could’ve told us about it, and let us handle it,” the cop said. “What? The person doesn’t think we can handle this?”

“That’s the whole point he did it, maybe,” Carson told him. “He thinks the authorities are not efficient enough to handle the crime in the city.”

“You think so?”

“There’s more over here, chief,” one said, exploring more of the tunnels.

“What I think is that he was smart enough to find out there was a whole crime organization under this area of the city, right under our noses, and we didn’t know. And he knows how to deal with them. We should respect whoever did this, and we should try to find him, too.”

“But why did he kill them? This can’t be justified 

homicide. We don’t have enough details yet. But all we know for sure is that the men killed were criminals, and someone came and took them all out. For all we know, he could’ve planned it, too. And then we need to arrest him.”

“That’s if we catch him first,” Carson said. “Tell me, do you believe in superpowers?”

“I have no reason to,” he said. “Or not to.”

“Do you think this could be the same figure who pedestrians saw flying in broad daylight?”

“Maybe. What makes you think so?”

“If that figure is real and can fly, what makes you not think he may be able to do other superhuman things? I have a feeling it is the same person. And if we are going to find him, then we need a lead. This is our only one. Other than the video pedestrians took which was posted on the web, but we can’t find any evidence there.”

Suddenly Carson’s radio crackled. He pulled it out. 

“Chief, you may want to come here, quick,” a voice said. “There’s a citizen who claimed he was attacked by a gang, and some sort of masked vigilante with superpowers saved him, or something along that. He knows a lot. We need to question him.”

“Roger. We’ll be there,” he told him. “Right away.”

He looked at the cop beside him. “This may be our first real lead,” he said, smiling. 

.  .  .

Andy came home exhausted. He hid his suit in the usual spot: under his bed mattress. Evie wasn’t home, so he had 

to eat leftovers for dinner. He didn’t care, he was hungry. 

He sat on the couch and turned on the TV while he ate. It was already late at night, and he also wanted to take a shower. But he wanted food first. 

His phone had a few unanswered calls from Paris. He decided to call her then. 

“Where were you?” she said. 

“Do you need help with the project?”

“What? No! I finished it. Why didn’t you answer? Your dentist appointment doesn’t take the whole afternoon. At least, I hope not.”

“Oh… um…”

“That’s not important right now. Have you checked the news?”

“I’ll do it right now,” he said, switching to the channel. 

The reporters talked about how a man was saved by a super-powered figure while he was attacked by a gang.  Then he told the authorities and it spread all over the city. Andy wasn’t surprised. 

“He called himself Argentios,” he said, looking scared. “He… he crushed their bones so easily. He fought with superhuman strength. And�"and he could fly. Unbelievable. Wherever he is now, I don’t know. But he saved me.”

“Would you like to thank him for his actions?” the interviewer asked him.

“Well, you’d think I would,” he said. “But the way he hurt them so quickly… I don’t even know if he’s a villain or a hero. He sure seemed like he wanted hurt them real bad. I don’t know what happened to them, but they’re in the hospital for sure, maybe their whole lives.”

“So are you trying to say he’s good or bad? Both?”

“I really don’t know,” he said. “I have no idea what his intentions are for this city. He does good things but fights and hurts people like he’s a bad guy.”

Andy sighed. He was already hurting his reputation from what he wanted it to be. He remembered how easily he crushed the man’s ribs when he landed on his chest, instantly regretting it. He wanted so badly to hurt him for nearly killing that man, that he didn’t keep his powers in check. He didn’t want to be seen as a vigilante. Only a hero. 

“Are you seeing this?” Paris asked him.

“Yeah. Weird guy, right?”

“You don’t care that he has superpowers? Isn’t that amazing? I’ve always dreamed of having them when I was a kid.”

“What do you think of him?”

“Well, I don’t know. I believe that he thinks he’s good, but really he might be clueless.”

Great. Paris accurately depicted what Andy was. 

“I think he’s good,” he told her. “Well, that’s my opinion.”

The reporter continued talking about how the police found a bunch of dead bodies in the sewer system underground. They assumed there was a crime organization down there, and the same vigilante took them all down.

Andy saw the chief showing up on the screen, talking about the case. 

“We need more information about this figure,” he said. “We need to catch him, too. You can’t just go kill a bunch of people, even if they’re criminals, and do it just because you think it’s doing good.”

“What do you think of him?” the interviewer asked.

“Well, there’s not much to say, but I do show respect for him,” he said. “People know me as a good detective, but yet this one may be better. He was the only one to know there was something going on underneath our streets. Bluewell city is huge. I want to understand how this person�"hero or vigilante�"knew where this organization would meet, and especially where it was, out of all the places in the big city. And he knew it was underground.”

“Do you think he is trying to help?”

“I like to believe so. There is a lot of crime in Bluewell, and knowing that the police department is not alone on trying to take them down is a great thing.”

Agreed, Andy thought. 

“Cool,” he told Paris.

“I know, right? But you know the city’s kind of scared. I mean, who knew things like this could be real. And to think that he killed the criminals rather than take the investigation to the police, or bring them to jail. I mean, I know every one of them down there has committed at least one crime, but is that really the right thing to do?”

Andy exhaled, feeling kind of angry. I would’ve chose not to, but the Sages forced me to. If only I could explain to the media that, but of course, they can’t know.

“I think he’s a superhero,” Paris said. 

“Really?” Andy asked. 

“Yeah! Or at least he’s trying to be. He’s kind of neat. Don’t you think so?”

“Well, yeah,” he said. 

“Okay. Well, I’ve got to go. Sleep, I mean. It’s pretty late. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“G’night,” Andy said as she hung up. 

Molt then showed up, jumping onto the couch and nuzzling against Andy, sniffing him.

“Ha, I know, I need a shower,” Andy told him as he scratched him behind his ears. “Especially since I was in the sewers.”

He rested there for a while, enjoying the company of his dog. 

“What do you think, Molt?” he asked him. “Do you think Argentios is a superhero?”

Molt just stared at him. 

Andy smiled, turning off the TV.

“Well he’s not. At least, he’s not meant to be.”

Sixth

He’s been revealed,” Kytro told Aldin. “He’s shown his true self.”

“Yes, and I do not know if this is bad or good.”

“Well, we know he has to sooner or later. Megalo is going to reveal himself too. And he’s advancing in finding those bombs. He’s closer to them. It’s dangerous, and we have to do something.”

“That’s why Argentios was born, Kytro. We all know that. That’s why he needs to be the perfect person for the job, or else…”

“Well, he needs to be ready,” he said. “Veva and I are the closest ones to him. We know what he’s actually going through. Pain and suffering. He’s lost his sense of right and wrong. And again, he’s beginning to dislike his tasks.”

“As long as he doesn’t suspect them, Kytro, it’s all good. You know the very reasons we give him these tasks.”

“Yes. And when Andy asks we tell him they’re chosen with ‘very specific reasons.’ I think it’s time we tell the truth.”

“I think it’s not,” Aldin said. “And I am the leader, so I choose when we tell him.”

“It was just my opinion, Aldin.”

“And it was just my reminder to you that I am the one in charge. Not Veva, or you. You both may want to help him as much as you want, but those are your jobs. Mine is to see if he is strong enough to do what we ask him to do. And for now, it’s not looking so great. We had to lie to him that I was proud of him for protecting that man. Even though it may seem cold I am truly not, I still think he shouldn’t have done that. It has messed his knowingness of what we want him to do, and it’s messing with the public. Look at all that’s happened because of it.”

“Those cops in the sewers found the dead bodies either if he protected that man, or not. And that was on us, because we gave that mission. I think it was inevitable that he would get revealed. Plus, it’s too late to say he should stop saving people. I told him that he could.”

“I told him that he could play the superhero role he wants if he wanted to, but as long as he does our tasks, no matter what.”

“Has he failed in doing that?”

Aldin grumbled. “No. At least for now, he has not. Very well. He’s still the Argentios.”

.  .  .

Andy walked home with Paris the next day. 

“What did we get on the project?”

“Bad,” she muttered. 

“Really?”

“No,” she said, laughing. “I’m kidding. I’m the one who did it, after all.”

“Ha ha.”

“An ‘A’. Just that. No plus or minus.”

“Thanks, Paris.” “No problem. Look, I know it’s hard for you with everything going on. I’m sorry I asked you to help me out. I mean, I don’t really have any financial problems, and I’m not busy all the time. Like you. Why are you busy all the time, anyway? You go out of school like three times a week.”

“Nothing,” Andy said. 

“Are you sure? You can tell me.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Oh,” she said. “Well that hurts. Anyway do you want to hang out this afternoon?”

Andy remembered that he wanted to train as Argen today, at that very time of the day. “Uh… I can’t.”

“Of course,” she said, let down. “Well, okay, it’s fine. I’ll hang with my other friends then… you know I find myself being with them more than you. But they don’t understand me as well as you do. They’re sometimes mean to kids, too. I don’t even know why I’m their friend.”

“Look, I’m really busy this time of the week. Maybe the weekend.”

She sighed. “Okay. I’ll see ya.”

They got to her house, and she said bye as she went in her house. 

Andy took the subway to his apartment. When he got there, Evie wasn’t home again. He left her a note that he might not be coming back until twelve. The Sages told him he had a lot of work today. It seemed like the longer he went through his life, he got more and more missions. 

He dropped off his stuff and wore his suit under his clothes. Then he left the building and found an area a bit far away, secluded as usual. Aldin told him he’d have to fly away from his home now, or else he wouldn’t be safe if someone saw him. He didn’t mind. He had found many spots around his building anyway, and he’d be using them a lot more often now, since the Sages allowed him to fight crime. 

He blasted off into the sky, and started to fly around the city without care of being seen now. He looked around for crime, so he could practice his skills. He wanted to get better at being his true identity. 

He found a lot. Not surprising. Crime rates were the highest in Bluewell, and you never got disappointed in trying to find it. It’s what made citizens fearful of living in the city. It wasn’t safe. Pickpockets roamed the streets, massacres happened every so often, suicides happened regularly, and robberies and murders were the most common. It was truly a big city, and it seemed that it wasn’t left alone by crime. No big city was. 

But when Argentios had shown up, the people of the city felt safer. He seemed to be everywhere, since he was so fast at getting to places. People found their things being stolen? Argen was instantly there, catching the pickpocket and returning your things. Getting beaten up in a corner? Argen landed in front of you and scared the attackers away. About to get murdered in a parking lot because they want to steal your car? Argen would find you when he hears your scream for help, and he’d block the bullet and take the guy to jail. 

Andy found himself doing everything that day. He saved a child inside a burning building. He brought a cat down from a tree. He even helped an old lady cross the street. He really built his reputation well, and the city started to see him as a great hero. For a while, they could forget that he could’ve been the same guy who killed a bunch of criminals down in the sewers yesterday. No, Argen wasn’t the type of guy to do that.

Except he was the guy who did that. When Andy got a mission from the Sages, he did as he was asked. When he had to kill, he did. 

At the end of the day, when Andy felt like he helped out a lot with the city, he relaxed on top of a building, enjoying the sunset. 

The city was finally meeting him. Meeting his true self. from this day forward, Argen would make sure the streets were safe for people.

“You’re younger than I thought. But you’re tall for your age.”

Andy turned around, hearing the voice. He stood up. He recognized him. It was Carson, the chief of police. 

“You’re better at your job than I thought.”

“It seems like I’ve found you.”

“Are you going to cuff me?”

“No, I’ve been wanting to meet you,” he said. “You’re amazing, kid. I don’t know where you got your abilities, but you’re doing a good job keeping this city safe.”

“I’m just doing what’s right.”

“You asked me if I was going to cuff you,” he said. “That means you were the one that killed all those criminals in the sewers, I assume?”

“A true detective, huh?”

“Not as good as you. How did you find out about that?”

Andy shrugged. “Why would I reveal that?”

“And why did you kill them?”

“Isn’t it justifiable?”

“I’m just asking why.”

“I have very specific reasons.” Andy said, just wanting to mock Kytro. “How did you find me?”

“Why would I reveal that?” he said, mimicking Andy. “Anyway, were you the one that broke in that very top-secret lab, too?”

Andy didn’t know anything about that, too. “What? No. What happened?”

“Very late at night. Someone broke into this very classified lab somewhere where I won’t tell you. But you already know, don’t you? You probably did it. The scientist witnesses said he had a costume, too, but different colours. And he had incredible strength. He stole something very secret from the lab, and they said he flew off into the sky to escape.”

“I told you, I didn’t do it,” Andy told him. “He had different colours, too. I don’t know who it is.”

Carson studied him. Even though Andy wore a mask, he said, “I can see it in your expression you’re not lying. Well then, that means we know there’s two of you in this city.”

Two of us? Andy thought. That can’t be possible. I have to speak about this with the Sages. They’ll know about it. 

“Well then I’d like to work with you to find him, too. He’s way more secretive than you. I was able to find you easily, right now.”

“I’m not keeping a low profile.”

“That too. You’ve been flying around the city, so I guess tracking you all afternoon was easy.”

“I’d like to work with you too, to find him, I mean.”

He nodded. “I’ve already started on the investigation. So then I need to know more about you. For starters, what does that clover symbol on your costume mean?”

He looked down at his suit. He realized everyone who saw him must’ve wondered that, too. His suit, designed by him and weaved by Matera and Amer, consisted of red and black. His costume was mainly black, and his mask, too. The cuffs on his wrists were arrow shaped, and were red. His feet had them too. They looked like red boots, covering up to his knee. 

His mask had two sleek, sharp fins that protruded from the top of his head, at an angle to the sides. They curved to sharp tips that pointed behind him. And only his mouth was visible when he put the mask on. Then he had a cape. A long, glorious red cape, that hung over his neck and covered the area around it.

But then, there was that big clover symbol in the middle of his costume, which was on his chest. It was green, which didn’t match anything else in the costume. 

“Why do you have it?” 

“It’s because my most powerful ability is extreme luck.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m not. It’s hard to see because you can’t see it. I can get by without anybody noticing I have it as a superpower. But I do.”

“What else can you do?”

“Enhanced strength. You probably know. I can fly. I regenerate wounds faster than a regular human being, and because of it I can take a lot more things than a usual person can, too. I can survive bullets, or extreme temperatures. But it doesn’t make me immortal. I can still die.”

“That’s all?”

“I also have enhanced senses,” he finished. “See, feel, hear, smell, taste everything stronger than a regular person.”

“That’s a very useful detective power, you know.”

“I’m not going to be your police dog, Carson.”

Suddenly Carson’s radio got a signal. “Bank robbery at east-avenue street. Civilian casualties.”

“Looks like I have to go,” he said. “You know there’s crime I always have to fight every hour. Anyway, it was about time I’ve met you. It’s a pleasure. You know, I’ve always wanted to be a superhero growing up, when I was a kid. I’ve always thought they weren’t real.”

“Well they still aren’t,” Andy said, going to the edge of the roof and looking down below. “The public still thinks I’m a vigilante. And from what you think of me, killing those men in the sewer, I still am.”

“Correct,” he said. “But you can still change, and become a hero.”

“Maybe,” Andy said, about to take off. “But you have to tell that to the other guy out there, too.”

Carson nodded. “Are you going to help with that bank robbery?”

“I have somewhere else to go.” And with that, Andy blasted off, leaving the chief on the roof. 

Andy flew to an abandoned warehouse near a beach that surrounded the city. The Sages gave him this exact location, but he didn’t know why. He just followed orders. 

It was hard to find in the dark, since the beach barely had any of the city lights nearby. There were cliffs and rocky shores, with waves crashing against them. And there in the sandy beach, was a dark, old, worn down and abandoned warehouse. 

And landed in front of it and went in without question. He found a light switch and flipped it, and bright lights illuminated the area, but they flickered every few seconds. He found it weird the Sages would want him to go here. 

He waited. Only a minute passed until a Sage appeared. It was Chronus. One that barely gave a task to him, but Andy knew him well nonetheless. 

“Chronus,” he addressed. 

“Andy,” he said. “You’re here.”

“Why did you pick this spot just to talk to me?”

“I can’t tell you. But it’s important, trust me.”

“In time, will you and the others ever learn to trust me and tell me why you give the tasks you give me? Or why you pick these spots to meet in?”

“Maybe,” he said, “in time. Andy, there’s been this very important thing Aldin has wanted to tell you, and it might give you a lot more weight on your shoulders. More responsibility. Less time to do other things. It’s basically another task, but this time, this is the most important one you’ll get. Are you ready to hear it?”

Andy nodded. 

“Something very big is happening in our realm right now,” he said. “I can’t tell you any details, but we’re kind of having a civil war. The armies were careless to keep their weapons in check, and through all the ruckus and mayhem, three bombs slipped into your planet. They’re not of this earth, I’ll tell you. They’re extremely dangerous.”

“What do they look like?” 

“They’re huge. The size of maybe a street block. They’re metal, and you’ll know it’s it when you see a symbol of three red dots on it. They’re designed to hide, so they’ll probably be hidden, like under grass or maybe in the ocean. There extremely devastating. They’ll clear a whole chunk of rock off your planet, country sized. Your task is to find them, as quickly as possible, and you are to report to us. You have to guard them, for as long as we can get help to retrieve them.”

“Guard them from who? You said they were hidden, and unknown.”

“From others who know about it, too. They’re out there. So there’s three of them, scattered across the globe. Even one of them is too important to let go. You’ll have to locate them through clues and leads. That’s your most important mission right now. We’re going to give you very minimal tasks until you do so, so you can focus on it.”

“Hold on,” Andy said. “I want answers. You said others know about them, but how? How do they know about them, but not about you, the Sages? And I met the chief of police, and�"”

“Carson? Oh, that’s right. Yes, it’s about time you’ve met him. He’s great at these types of cases too.”

“Yeah? And you know what he told me? There’s another person like me out there, with similar abilities. he stole from a secret lab or something. I want answers.”

“You’ll get them, soon.”

“Tell me!” Andy said. “No lies, Chronus.”

He sighed. “Fine then. But you can’t tell anyone that I’ve told you. Not any of the Sages, not even Aldin. Nobody. Just me, and you. If you speak about this or act like you know this to any of the Sages, I swear, they’ll kill me.”

“What is it?”

“You’re not the first one to have powers on the planet.”

“Aldin lied to me?” “We all did, Andy. There’s someone before you. Way before you. And he kept his secret longer than you have, so you don’t know anything about him. It was just coincidence you two were caught and revealed to the public nearly the same time.”

“Who is it?”

“Hm, I think I’m regretting my decision,” he said. “Fine! I’ll tell you, but only his name. I’ll only allow his name. And not his real one, his masked identity one, like yours.”

“Argentios?”

“Yes. His name is Megalo. And he’s after the bombs. I can’t say anymore.”

“Chronus, wait, why are you telling me this, when Aldin might be watching us?”

Chronus looked at the ceiling. “That’s why we chose this warehouse, kid. There’s something that happened here long ago, that I can’t tell you, that made this place secret and as soundproof as any place could get. You can hide here from anyone, and nobody can hear you here. You’re silent, even to Aldin. But he wasn’t the reason why we came here. We came here because of Megalo. He knows this place too, but he doesn’t know we’re here right now. He has ears and eyes all over the city. Believe me, anywhere in the city, even your home, is under his radius of detection. He’s allied with the criminals here, so he has friends everywhere. This is the only place that’s hidden from him, and the only place we can talk about this type of stuff. But when we give you a regular task, we can still do it anywhere.”

“But why? I thought when you guys appeared nobody else but me can see you.”

“Connect the dots, kid,” he said.

Andy did. “He can see you too, because he’s like me.”

He nodded. “I have to get back, Andy. Aldin will be suspicious that I’m taking too long. He knows we’re in the warehouse because we have to hide from Megalo, and he gets suspicious when we take too long. It upsets him because he can’t see or watch what we’re doing here.”

“Okay,” Andy said. “Chronus, thanks. For risking your life to tell me, I mean.”

“Not one word to anyone,” he said. “You’re not supposed to know about this yet.”

He disappeared in a flash. 

Andy shut down the warehouse lights and walked out, taking one last look at it before he would go. 

Safe haven, he thought. 

Then he blasted off into the sky to fly back home. 

.  .  .

Why did you take longer than planned?” Aldin asked Chronus when he came back. 

“He was a bit slow, asking a lot of questions,” he said. 

“You only told him about the mission? Nothing else?”

“Aldin, why send us down there when you don’t even trust us?” Chronus said. “If you do not trust us, then why not go down there yourself?”

“Hmph,” Aldin grumbled. “Very well then. He’s after them now. We have to hope he gets there before the enemy.”

Chronus was about to leave before Aldin said, “Chronus, you know the punishment for lying to me, do you? You realize the very realness of the idea and concept?”

“Of course,” he said. “Everyone does.”

He left the Hall, and Aldin was still left suspicious.

Then Sevin came in, having news for Aldin. “Megalo is going to wreak havoc, soon. He’s been raiding labs and storages for parts he needs for something he’s building. I have a feeling it’s not good.”

“Why are we dealing with this? Isn’t Carson on that case? He’s trying to track him down. And he already did with Andy, and he’s allied with him, too.”

“Yes, but why can’t we just send Argentios?”

“He’s not ready.”

“He’s on the case too, you know. He’s trying to locate Megalo too.”

“Yes, but with the new tasks we gave him, it’s going to make him forget. We told him that these bombs are the most important priority right now.”

“Not Megalo?”

“No. The bombs are way more important. They’re destructive. They need to be retrieved. They don’t belong in that world.”

“Maybe we should’ve told Andy to tell Carson about them, so he could be on the case, too.”

“No, that would reveal more about Argen to him,” Aldin said. “That would reveal that Andy takes orders from people, who are us. He’s still trying to get more information on him. Plus, he’s already trying to find Megalo. Andy’s not ready to fight Megalo.”

“If you say so,” Sevin said. “But Megalo might be ready to fight Argentios.”

“Well then we’ll hope for the best.”

Seventh

The next morning, Andy didn’t feel like going to school. It was just the middle of the week, and he felt exhausted. He wanted it to be the weekend already. 

“Did the Sages give you work until you dropped dead?” Evie asked him. 

“Yes,” he said, sleepy. “Well, not really. They just gave me a huge mission to do. I did a lot of work myself.”

“What do you mean?” she asked. “Oh, that’s right. I saw you on the news. You’re helping people now.”

“Well it’s gotta stop,” Andy said. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m not a hero. I can’t help people out there. It’s a waste of time, on top of the things I’m already doing. I’ve got huge missions from the Sages, exams coming up in school, tournaments, and no time to have fun or relax.”

“Well, that’s the same with me,” she said. “I’m busy. We barely have any money. And what do you mean you’re not a hero?”

“I’m not,” he told her. “People think I am, but I’m not. You know what I am. Just a creation of the Sages, because they saved your life by giving me powers to do it, and now I have to do their work, even though I don’t like it.”

“If you don’t like it, then why don’t you tell them?”

“Shh,” he said. “I can’t. I’m scared they’ll take away my life back.”

“You were forced to kill, huh?”

“What? How did you know?” “News. Assassinated people all over the world. Some-times on cargo ships, so people are left wondering how one person snuck on board and left. Also those criminals in the sewer. That was obviously you. I know now, Andy. It’s fine, I’m okay with it. I have a little brother who’s killed people, and how he hasn’t broken down yet is amazing to me.”

“Well then you’re lying to yourself,” Andy said. 

“Come here,” she said, hugging him. “It’s okay, bro. You’re the toughest person I know. You’re so nice, too. You asked if I needed help, when it should be me asking you.”

“How would you help me?”

“Anything,” she said, pulling away. “Anything, and I swear, I’ll do it.”

“Even homework?”

She laughed. “Yes, that’s easy high school stuff. University, where I am in, gets way tougher. Trust me.”

“Okay,” Andy said. “But I also want to find time to do stuff that I want to do, like hang out with Paris or something. You can’t give me that.”

“I can if I take away your chores,” she said. “Until next week. Deal?”

Andy thought about it. “That’d be a whole lot more work for you.”

“I’m not the one with assassination targets, bro,” she said, smiling. 

“Deal.”

.  .  .

Colt’s not here today,” Paris told Andy during class. 

“What a relief.”

“Well I find it weird because he usually has perfect attendance, but I guess today is different. Maybe an appointment or something. Anyway, class is starting.”

“You’re going to have a big project, everyone,” the teacher said. “In groups of two.”

Everybody started looking around the room, eyes meeting with their friends.

“Don’t get excited everyone,” the teacher continued. “It’ll be alphabetical, by your last name.”

“Uh oh,” Paris said. 

“Ms. Autrey,” he said, looking at Paris. “with Mr. Castelo. Well, he’s not here today.”

Colton Castelo. 

Everybody started snickering as Paris put head in her arms. “Oh no…”

“One of our brightest students with one of our smartest,” the teacher said. “Shouldn’t be a problem.”

But it was. There was no way they were going to get along together. In fact, there was no way Colt would get along with anyone else besides his friends. 

“I’m sorry,” Andy whispered to her. 

“It’s okay,” she said. “Maybe everyone doesn’t like him because nobody understands him. I’ll try to work with him. Even though he might just do it himself and not let me help.”

Andy waited until the teacher went to the bottom of the list. Of course, he didn’t have to worry about getting anyone he barely knew. He got paired up with Mason.

“Yes, my boy Andy!” he called across the class, and he smiled. 

If only Paris had extreme luck like me, he thought. 

At lunch, Andy and Paris found a table in the cafeteria again, as usual. 

“Curse the alphabetical order of our last names!” she said. “Oh well, I’ll make it work. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Andy nodded. “It’ll be fine. You can get started today by yourself, since he’s not here.”

“Are you sure you’re going to do good with Mason? Not to be rude…”

“Hey, he may not be that smart but he works hard,” Andy said. “Like me. Two hard-working people can do it.”

As if on cue Mason appeared. “Hey, partner!” he said to Andy, sitting at their table. “Our table gets really boring when Colt’s not here. Mind if I join?”

“No,” Paris said. “Go ahead.”

“You’re so lucky you’re paired up with Colt,” he told Paris. 

“That’s what you think,” Andy muttered. 

“Well that’s not nice,” Paris said. “You have to remember he’s had a bad childhood.”

“Does nobody remember my bad childhood?”

“Relax, Andy,” Mason said. “We get it. You’re jealous.”

“What?”

“I’m kidding. Hey, the soup’s really good today.”

Two of his friends defending his lifelong bully. Has the world gone crazy or what? Does nobody remember when Colt would beat up everyone at recess, in elementary school? A lot of the kids in his grade were from his old school, so they certainly would. Well now if Andy got beat up by Colt, which still regularly happened, he would regenerate his wounds quickly. It seemed fair, considering he had to play the part of being a weakling to his school because he’d always been treated like that, and just because he had powers now it didn’t mean he could use them. The Sages would get furious. 

But he still imagined what it would be like if he could use them. No more problems in school, that’s what would happen. He would hear Colt’s footsteps around the corner of the hallway from a mile away. He’d be able to block his punches. His extreme luck would make sure rumours didn’t spread about him.

Well, that one he couldn’t really control. He always found himself using it whenever he didn’t want to. One day he wondered if he might actually accidentally win the lottery. The Sages would kill him for sure. Only Evie could buy the ticket.

“The project’s the biggest one of the year,” Mason said, groaning. Also the exams are coming closer. But, don’t forget summer is coming.”

“Yes!” Paris said. “Imagine biking around and getting milkshakes or something, huh? Andy, what do you think?”

“Sure,” he answered, not really listening. 

“What’s gotten into you?”

He was watching a TV on a wall that played the news.

“Man murdered in a cargo ship that docked yesterday. He was identified as Jacob Martinez, an engineer worker on board that was found dead while he was working. It was confirmed as a murder as his neck was broken, but it’s still leaving us to wonder who might’ve did it? The suspects are brought down to the crew members on the boat.”

Then it switched. “Breaking news! Scientists have found

out that three unidentified massive objects have crashed onto the surface of the planet, two of them at unknown locations. One of them has been found near the city of Bluewell. It is so big that it looked like one of the many cliffs surrounding the city, but it actually is the cliff. The police department are all over it, studying it, and keeping anyone clear of the unknown object that doesn’t seem to be of this planet.”

One down, Andy thought. And it’s on the news. Now Megalo knows about it. We’re going to have to race there. It was a good idea that Carson kept it safe.

“Huh,” Mason said, as all three of them watched. 

Without saying anything to his friends Andy got up and left, heading out of the school. There wasn’t even any time to tell the school he was leaving. Argentios had to be there, and now.

“Andy, where are you going?” Paris asked, following him into the hall. “Don’t do this again!”

Andy ignored her. He just found his bag in his locker and continued to the exit. 

“Andy, wait!” Paris said, grabbing his arm and turning him around. “What are you doing? You’ve been like this for months now. And it’s getting worse. That’s it. You have to explain.”

Andy sighed. “I don’t have time.”

“Are you kidding? We have the whole lunch period. What is going on with you? You’ve been leaving school so frequently. Don’t you take it seriously?”

“But this is more important,” he said. “Trust me. There’s something I forgot to do.”

“Stop making excuses. Can you just tell me what’s going 

on? Or just where are you going? You’ve been abandoning me all the time, now.”

“I don’t have time,” he said. “Please, Paris, this means the whole world to me if you just let me leave right now.”

She growled in frustration. “No, Andy. Not this time.”

“Well, you can’t stop me,” he said. “I gotta go. I’ll be back!”

He left quickly, before Paris could stop him. 

“Come on, Andy!” she said, angry. “Why do you have to do this?” She turned around and wiped her eyes, walking back to the cafeteria. Andy stopped at the end of the hall and looked back, feeling sorry for a moment. But he regretted it and continued to walk for the exit.

.  .  .

Argentios was in the air a few moments later. He streaked across the sky in a blur, racing to the area of the city he saw in the news. 

He found it in no time. Police had taken over, putting yellow caution tape everywhere, and having scientists study the giant metal thing hidden deep under the grass. 

Looking at it from on top, Andy could see that the whole bomb was a cliff. You wouldn’t see it if you weren’t looking for it. But somehow the police found it.

He saw Carson somewhere on the ground and landed in front of him. Andy was about to speak before he held up a hand, stopping him.

“Me first,” he said. “Did you kill Martinez?”

Andy was thrown off by the question. “What?”

“You saw the news,” he said. “Mysterious murder in cargo ship. Snapped neck. My guess is no person on that boat knew how to do that. And when we question them they all seemed to tell the truth. And there was no evidence, like the person who did it was extremely lucky.”

“I may have,” Andy said. “But that’s not the point�"”

“Why did you murder an innocent worker?”

Andy was about to say something, then stopped himself. “Innocent?”

“Yes, innocent. Why did you kill him, then? Don’t you want to be a hero?”

“No, you’re wrong,” Andy said. “He was a criminal.”

“Where on earth did you get that information?”

Andy remembered his conversation with Chronus. Aldin lied to me? We all did, Andy. 

What’s there to say that the Sages didn’t lie to him all the time? And how Chronus gave up his honesty and integrity to tell secrets to him, like he’s done it before. Were the Sages expert liars? Why would they lie to him?

Andy began to question all his tasks. Every assassination target he got. Every shipment he destroyed, every building he crumbled, every mission he ever did. Were they all because he killed criminals? 

“I trusted you,” Carson told him.

“There’s a lot going on here that you don’t know,” he told him. “For instance, what you’re standing on.”

“Do you know what it is?” 

“I do, but I can’t tell you.”

“I’m not playing your games,” the chief of police said. “What is it? Every detail.”

“Let’s make a deal,” Andy said. “I will tell you if…” He 

wondered how long he would take to find the other two. “If you keep this safe from anyone that comes to it for about a week. Then I’ll explain everything to you.”

He studied him, thinking. “Deal. I don’t know what it is, but it must be important to you, enough to tell me to protect it.”

“You’re going to need more than this,” Andy said, looking around at the group of people all working around them. “This isn’t going to be just bullets and knives.”

“So you know about the second fugitive.”

“Yesterday I didn’t, so don’t think I lied to you.”

“You reminded me of our subject,” he said. “Why did you choose to kill that cargo ship worker? And there have been other assassinations around the world, too. I don’t understand your reasoning. I thought you want to be good. The things you are doing are making you a villain.”

“I was never a hero to begin with,” Andy said. “I never reached that title.”

“Well now you’re not a vigilante either. If you do anything like this one more time, I’m afraid I’m going to have to cuff you, for unjustified crimes.”

“You couldn’t cuff me if you tried, Carson.”

“That’s why I said I’m afraid to do it.”

Andy thought about it. The Sages said they’d give him minimal tasks until he found all three bombs and reported back to them, anyway. It shouldn’t be a problem. He had to hope his extreme luck was powerful enough to even change the Sages’ wills, so that if they did choose to give him a task, it wouldn’t be an assassination or anything like that. 

But if his extreme luck wasn’t even powerful enough to not have a bomb land near his home city, then he didn’t think it could stop the Sages. It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t let Carson get in the way of doing his tasks. 

“Okay,” he said. “Fine. Now, I have to stay here and protect this bomb. At least for the rest of the day. I’m expecting a visitor to come here, if at this moment or not. You’re lucky I’m still here, or else you’d all be dead if he came to you guys like this.”

“Is he as powerful as you?”

“Maybe. I’ve never met him before.”

“We’ll call backup, then. We’ll wait here and guard this spot until he comes�"”

Suddenly a powerful blast exploded in the distance, so loud and powerful, it shook the very ground Andy and Carson stood on.

“What in blazes,” Carson said as he stumbled. 

Andy covered his ears, pain ringing in them.

“You hear it more clearly than us,” Carson realized. 

Andy cleared his head. “I’m fine.” He looked at the direction of the explosion. It was central downtown. Some sort of bomb. And something told Andy that whoever did it wasn’t done yet.

Carson got his radio out. “What’s going on?”

There was a crackle, but a cop answered back. “There’s a whole planned terrorist attack, chief. We need all the backup we can get. Every free cop in the city. Auburn Lane. It’s bad.”

“Roger.” Carson switched channels. “I need every free and able unit to move in to Auburn Lane, now. Terrorists wreaking havoc. I repeat, every free and able unit, get to Auburn Lane as fast as possible.” When he finished he looked at Andy. “We’ll need your help.”

“I’m on it,” Andy said. He blasted off the cliff, flying to the street in danger as fast as he could. 

He landed near the battle, cracking the concrete floor. All around he saw cops behind their cars fighting back against masked soldiers in bulletproof vests, each side firing heavily at each other. Buildings were destroyed and there was fire everywhere. A bomb had blown up here. Andy saw a few people dead on the ground, in ashes, and most were running for their lives, the cops cover firing them and helping them get to safety. 

Andy could see the effect when he came into the scene. Both citizens and cops saw him and felt hope. The cops fought back harder, and the people cheered for him. 

He immediately went into action. He flew in front of citizens to tank bullets from nearly hitting them, he dashed towards enemies and brought them down, snapping their necks or breaking their arm first and whacking across their heads hard enough to kill them. 

With his extreme luck barely any bullets hit him, and none of the cops firing behind him shot him either.

Andy saw some of them on the rooftops with rocket launchers and snipers. One of them was about to shoot a cop. He grabbed a stone chunk of rubble on the ground and went in front of him, blocking the shot. Then he threw the chunk at the enemy, breaking his skull. 

He flew around and cleared every enemy on the rooftop he could find, dragging them towards him so they would die in their fall, or grabbing their guns and quickly firing a shot at them. 

Soon they were all cleared, and there were just a few enemies on the ground left. retreating. Andy didn’t let a single one do it. He flew down and wreaked havoc among them. When they tried to punch, he grabbed their arm and twisted it. When they tried to kick him, he broke their leg. When they tried to shoot him, he dodged it and with his extreme luck the bullet hit another one of them.

They had no chance. Soon there were a pile of their bodies on the ground. 

Behind him, the people cheered. 

But Andy knew he wasn’t done yet. Someone landed in front of him, across the street, cracking the concrete floor. His suit looked a lot like his, but with a different colour scheme. Orange and blue. And he had three pointed curves on the top of his mask. He had a die as his symbol on his chest. Andy knew who he was, and he gripped his fists.

“I’ve been waiting to meet you,” he said. “It’s about time, Argen.”

I have to act like I don’t know him, he thought, for the sake of Chronus. But he knows me.

“Who are you?” Andy asked him. 

“I’m just like you,” he said. “But I was created way before you. So you don’t even know the full expanses of you powers, but I do. I am Megalo.”

“What do you want?”

“What do I want?” he said. “Did you really ask me what I want? Isn’t the true question what you want?” 

“You’re a villain. You stole things from places, for something you’re building. You planned this attack, right here. What is it this time, world domination? Destruction? You want me dead?”

“None,” he said. “I just want to show the Sages who’s in charge of our planet.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“Well, first… three, two, one.”

Things happened all at once. A fire hydrant bursted near Andy, and a horizontal blast knocked him sideways. It happened right when an explosive detonated underneath him. A land mine. 

Andy fell the ground, wet, but alive. Pure coincidence. 

“Okay, it’s been confirmed,” Megalo said. “Your ultimate ability is extreme luck.”

“How did you�"” Andy caught himself. He looked at the symbol on his costume. “What’s yours?”

“That would ruin the surprise, wouldn’t it?” he said. “The first thing you want to do when meeting your enemy is understand his strengths and weaknesses.”

“I’m guessing it’s chance,” Andy said, looking at the die symbol on Megalo’s costume. 

He laughed. “You really are clueless, are you?”

Andy blasted towards him in a sonic boom, his fist raised. Megalo simply flew to the side and Andy missed, crashing into a building. 

“Still a rookie,” he said. “Well, one of your weaknesses is that you get angry easily. Now I know.”

Andy got angry. “What are you doing here if you’re not going to fight?”

“Well, think about what else I could be doing. C’mon, you can figure it out.”

Andy tried to remember what Megalo’s goal was, at least right now. 

His eyes widened. “The bomb. You’re distracting me.”

Without another thought Andy blasted towards the sky, trying to get there as fast as he could, but he was stopped. Megalo had grabbed his leg, not letting him go. Then he pulled down and made Andy crash onto the ground. 

“Ergh,” he said, spitting blood. He couldn’t let the people down now. He could see them far back, watching his fight against Megalo, seeing him fail. He could hear their whispers, from far away.

“Now to figure out the rest of your powers,” Megalo said. “We’re not done here yet. You’re not going anywhere.”

“You have a team taking over the site right now, don’t you?”

“Yep. And Carson told everyone to come here, including himself. They’ll be coming any moment, and the site will be free. Game over, huh?”

Andy tried to escape again, but Megalo didn’t let him. 

“Let me go!” he said. “You’re endangering the city! You don’t need to do this to get revenge from the Sages! What did they ever do to you, anyway?”

“Everything,” he said. Once again he pulled Andy back down to the ground, and he punched him in the gut.

Andy groaned in pain. 

“The cuts on your head are healing,” Megalo said. “Regeneration like me. Check.”

“Well that’s all of them,” Andy said, trying to trick him. He had one more power: his enhanced senses. But he would try his best to keep that to himself.”

“Maybe so,” Megalo said. “By the way, I rigged one of the cops’ cars, the ones coming here any moment. As soon as they reach this area… boom!”

“You really planned everything,” Andy said.      “Yes. You have to if you want to beat an enemy. All my free time goes to being me, after all. What about you? Do you have a life?”

Andy tried to get up, but Megalo put a foot on his back.

“It seemed like you’ve been defeated,” he said. 

“Not yet.” With all his remaining strength, he flew up into the air, breaking Megalo’s hold, and hooking him right in the nose. 

“You hit hard,” he said, grabbing his now bleeding nose. He hit Andy back, on the chest, and he couldn’t stop the force from knocking him back into a lamppost, breaking it.

He got up and grabbed the lamppost, whacking it against Megalo, but he stopped it with his hands. Instead Megalo pulled on it, making Andy go forward as he tried to hold onto it, and then jabbing it at Andy, making him stumble once again. 

Andy was on one knee, trying to get up again. But he couldn’t. Megalo was powerful. His luck wouldn’t save him this time. 

The cops tried to help him by shooting at Megalo. He stumbled back from the fire, grunting from the pain.

Then more cop cars showed up, and Andy didn’t have the strength to yell to them, watch out!

As soon as they touched the street one of them exploded, killing citizens and cops. It was the last thing he saw before Megalo whacked his head, knocking him out. 

Eighth

Andy woke up in the same scene. His head hurt, but he knew it would soon go away. 

“Argen!” he heard Carson yell, coming to him. 

“What happened?” Andy asked him. He was glad that it wasn’t Carson’s car that was rigged to blow. It was his extreme luck. 

“We chased him off,” he told Andy. “He’s badly wounded, but he escaped. We tried to shoot as many rounds into him as possible.”

“That’s good,” Andy said. “I know where he’s going. The place we were just at. He lured us here to get us away from it with this attack, and now barely anyone was protecting it there. Now he’s taken it over.”

Carson nodded. “We have to take it back then.”

“No,” Andy said, coughing. “I can’t. I’m badly wounded, too.”

“But you have to get up, this isn’t over,” Carson said. 

“It is for me. I need to rest. Let Megalo take it over for now. There are two left, after all.”

“But what are they?” 

“I promised answers if you protected it.”

“Which you can see that we didn’t, so now you can tell me.”

“No,” Andy said firmly. “Not yet. I have to… go.”

Andy got up, his whole body aching, and he weakly flew away.

He landed on top of a building, looking at the scene. 

Ambulances had shown up, the police were still every-where, and people were getting medical treatment. He had to leave them for now. He was weak.

I’ve let down the Sages, and the citizens, he thought. I need to rest before I make things right.

.  .  .

When Andy got home, his suit in his bag, he was immediately greeted by his sister, who embraced him.

“I was so scared,” she said. “I couldn’t do anything. You almost died out there.”

“I’m fine,” he said. “I need rest.”

“Andy, you have to stop doing tasks for the Sages if you’re putting your life at risk. What happens if you die? It’ll be their fault. They can’t resurrect you, you know.”

“It’s okay,” Andy said, even though he knew it wasn’t. “I can’t go on strike now, when they need me most. Megalo is still after those two other bombs, and I need to stop him.”

She nodded. “Also, bad news. We’re really low on money. Times are as tougher than ever.”

“I should try getting a job then,” Andy said. “I’m fourteen. It’s legal. And people tell me I look older than fourteen.”

“Are you sure? That’s just giving you another res-ponsibility. That’s going to make your life a bit harder. Why don’t we just… you know, use your luck to get money or something. The Sages won’t know.” 

“They’ll always find out. Plus, it’s fine, we can pull through without my luck.”

“But it kind of seems unfair that you have extreme luck, but we can’t use it to help ourselves. Are the Sages even kind enough to help us with our financial problems?”

“It is fair, Evie,” Andy said, even though he wasn’t sure he believed it. “The Sages gave me my powers, and they’re another responsibility I have. We have to pull through ourselves.”

“You’re calling suicidal missions that they give you fair,” she said. “Okay. Fine. And you’re not getting a job. I don’t want you to.”

“Why?”

“You’re not ready.” 

“I am. I have free time.”

“That’s a joke, right? You need time to be Argen. You need time to finish school, and homework. You have like three tournaments coming up, and you’re never at your practice because you’re being Argen. You have chores. And on top of all that, you have too much stress for a fourteen year old. You need to relax and do something you like. You definitely have no time to do anything.”

“But being Argen is what I like.”

“That’s a lie. I know you hate your assassination missions. And you got beaten up today.”

“So what? I’ll heal. I always heal.”

“Well, not from the trauma you’re going to have when you’re older.”

Andy did remember that one moment in school when Paris got angry at him for always leaving. He felt sorry for that, but he couldn’t do anything. The Sages needed him. There was no turning down their calls, when they saved his sister, and his life. 

But Andy did remember also hating his missions. He’d been taking on a trend lately, on questioning whether or not they were right. They made him murder an innocent person. Carson had no reason to lie to him, and every reason to tell the truth. It was never justified, and maybe he would take his questioning to Aldin himself. 

What about every other assassination he got? Were they actually criminals? Innocents? Or when he had to destroy something. What was the reason? 

He was told not to question his given tasks, but he couldn’t help it. He was going to ask Aldin himself, whether  it got him in trouble or not. 

“Okay, it might be true that I dislike my missions,” Andy said, “but that’s like an employee hating his job but having to do it still, right? And I’m not lying! I really like being Argen. I feel powerful and problem-free. I can do anything I want as him.”

“Well, I still don’t know what to do. It’s hard without Mom or Dad, you know,” she complained as she fell on the couch. “You know every time someone in university brings up the topic of my parents, I have to break it to them that I have none. I’m a guardian of myself, and a little brother that by the way, is a superhero.”

“I’m not,” Andy said. “And I’m sorry to hear that. Meanwhile everybody already knows I’m an orphan in my school.”

“Why do you keep saying you’re not a hero?” she asked. “You fight crime and save people. Just today you stopped a terrorist attack.”

Carson asked that too. “Because I’m not!” he yelled, trying to get it through her head, and anyone else that might be asking him too. “I’m not a superhero. I can tell when Kytro lies to me, okay?”

“What did Kytro say to you this time?”

“When I saved a man in an alleyway from my own will, and got hurt doing it, he appeared and told me that Aldin was proud of it and that I should do more of it. But I know he’s not. It’s so obvious. And they thought they could trick me! They don’t like it when I use my powers for good. They only want me to do their stupid assassination missions! So I’ve chosen to stop doing it already. I’m only going to do their missions if that’s the only thing they want from me. I wasn’t created to be a crime-fighter, and people don’t get that!”

“But you are,” she said. “Also, I think you need a bit of rest.”

“Yes,” Andy said, wanting to cool off from the stress. He went to his room, shut the door, and fell face first into his bed. He regretted saying the things he said. he might’ve made his sister feel worse than she already did, and most of all Aldin for sure would get so angry at him. He might already be at the point of taking away his identity of Argen.

It was only a minute until he heard a voice in his room. 

“Aldin’s furious.”

Andy looked up and saw Matera, who had appeared silently. 

“That’s great, Matera. Tell him I don’t care.”

“You know the only thing keeping him from blasting you to dust is Veva. Sometimes Kytro, too. You should thank them. It’s not easy standing up to Aldin.”

“It’s not easy to kill someone,” Andy said. “Have you killed anyone, huh, Matera?”

“Well I’m about to if you don’t start respecting us,” she said. “When I made your suit, I imagined making it for someone the complete opposite of this. Listen, I’m helping you. If you don’t shape up this instant and be the person you’re meant to be, Aldin won’t have mercy on you.”

“So you made it for a killer.”

“You want to know a fun fact, Andy? I don’t choose your tasks. I’m the only one out of the ten of us that don’t use you for my personal needs. I never made you kill.”

“Well you never protested either,” he said. 

“The point is that it may be true Aldin doesn’t want you to do what you do. Like fight crime or save people. But it’s not because he doesn’t like it when you do, but because there are much more serious matters going on when you do your tasks, and it’s way more important than your minimal doings. When we watched you, he admired the qualities of a hero you had. That’s what made us help you to save your sister. He honestly, genuinely loves you, thinks of you as a child.”

“Is this another lie?”

“No! This is not.”

“Then why couldn’t he tell me that himself?”

“Because he’s too angry at you right now,” she said. “You’re disappointing him. He wants you to be the person he saw years ago. He doesn’t feel like doing that right now.”

“But he doesn’t want me to be a hero.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, because he does. Just, in a different way. The tasks we give you will make you a hero way more than anything you can do by yourself.”

“How? Killing innocent people makes me good?” “There’s far more going on that you understand,” she said, her gleaming eyes looking annoyed. “And don’t ask us to tell you, because you know we’re not going to, for very specific reasons.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t you have schoolwork to do?” 

“A project,” Andy said. 

“Great. Maybe spending time with Paris will help you cool off, and understand that your opinions are wrong.”

“I’m not with Paris,” he said. “The partners were listed alphabetically.”

“So she’s with your worst enemy,” she said. “Worse than Megalo. Well, that’s bad luck for you.”

“Yeah, I don’t get that very often.”

“I know, what was I thinking when I said that? It’s Paris that had the bad luck.”

“No,” Andy disagreed, “She had good luck. She deserves someone better than me. The way she felt after I left her today… again. And how I never help on projects. Seems like she’s kind of glad she wasn’t with me this time. She even defended Colt at lunchtime. I think she secretly wanted this all along, but she didn’t want to tell me or she would hurt my feelings. Evie was right, she’s too nice.”

“You’re telling me Colton is a better person than you.”

“Are you kidding? He’s an orphan too, and he’s taking it way better than me. He’s not depressed, has no real problems, and he’s like one hundred times smarter than me. He aces every test, he’s a star player on a lot of teams, and he’s president in student government. He’s like the perfect student in school, except that he’s mean and he bullies other kids, telling them that they’ll never be like him. But the teachers like him so much that they just pretend that they don’t notice him bullying. It’s disturbing to think of a school as bad as mine.”

“So you’re saying Paris will enjoy being part of a project team with him, when you realize she was also bullied by him in elementary.”

“I may be crazy when I say this,” Andy said, “but yes.”

“You’re mad.”

“Probably. But it’s true that we’re kind of drifting apart, since I don’t really have any time to do anything with her, since you guys give me work all the time.”

“I enjoy it when you complain,” she said. “But, you have to realize that these are problems of yours, and yours only. We didn’t give you these problems.”

“Well you caused them. I have no time since I’m always in the air. I feel like I’m not walking on ground most of the day.” He exhaled deeply and put his face back into his bed. “I wish my life was as easy as Paris’s, or even Colt’s. Except the fact of being a straight-A bully. I can’t stand up for myself because you forbade me to use my powers in my regular life. If only you didn’t, Colt would have a concussion and Evie and I would be rich from the lottery by now.”

“So your desire for them is personal gain,” she said. “That’s not good. Whatever happened to being a hero? Not caring about yourself? Always fighting for what’s right?”

“No, you got that wrong,” Andy said, sitting up. “That’s not what I fight for. I want fairness in people’s lives. When I save people, I do it because one person being dead and one not isn’t fair. And right now, my life isn’t fair. It’s nowhere close. There’s no way to fix it, and that’s what I hate about it.”

“You said that returning the favour of beating you up to your bully and getting lots of money would fix your life.”

“No, they would only help. That’s why I said there’s no way to fix it.”

“So you understand that things you want for yourself won’t fix your life.”

“Of course they won’t. Only make me feel better for a short while. I’ll feel worse in the long run if I do those things. Paris will think I’m selfish and no better than Colt if I beat him up, since obviously I easily can. She’ll say I don’t deserve winning the lottery. And it’s true. That’s why I’m still not allowing my sister to let me buy a ticket. I know it’s not right. It’s not fair that I have extreme luck, and others don’t. It’s not fair that I’m abusing my powers. That’s why I understand Aldin giving me that rule.”

“So you haven’t gone completely berserk,” she said. “I’m proud of you.”

“That must be a lie. There’s nothing to be proud about when you’re talking about me.”

“Yes there is,” she said. “And you know it. Inside, you have a good heart. You just don’t like showing it. But really, you’re a good person. You like helping people, and you like pleasing us. The only reason you still do missions for us is because you know you have to return the favour in us saving your sister. Even if you hate every detail of them, you still do it, for the sake of doing it.”

“Matera…” Andy said, his voice shaking. “You just explained my whole life.”

She laughed, hugging him. “It’s okay, brave one. You’re just a young hero, trying to be a hero, and I understand that it’s tough.”

“But I’m not a hero,” Andy said, tears filling his eyes. “I’m not. A�"Aldin doesn’t want me to be, so I’m going to stop. It bothers him. I’m just going to do my tasks from now on, that’s it. The whole world can go crazy when I disappear for all I care. Th�"they have to get it through their heads that I’m not meant to clean up the crime in their city.”

“But they need you,” she said, ruffling his hair. “Megalo’s still out there. When he wreaks havoc upon the city again, like today, you’ll have to be there. And when the city sees you defending them against him, they’ll still see you as a hero. Because you are.”

“Lies,” Andy said, pulling away and wiping his eyes. “I’m a fraud.”

“How come all of a sudden you don’t want to take the hero role?”

“I’ve finally understood that I don’t fit it,” he said. “Aldin understood that long ago.”

“I don’t know what to say anymore, Andy,” she said. “It seems like whatever I say you don’t care. You don’t agree, and it’s useless for me to try.”

Andy didn’t say anything. He was too tired to talk anymore. He just laid back and rested as he heard Matera continuing to press him, thinking that he was listening. 

He fell asleep before he knew it.

“Rest is good,” she said. “But you won’t be getting much of it for the rest of the week, with Megalo still out there, already having control of one of the bombs.”

She disappeared, leaving Andy alone to dream about all the tragedies in his life, even if he didn’t want to. 

He shivered as he did.

Ninth

I’m determined not to leave today,” Andy told Paris the next day.

She sighed. “I don’t feel like talking to you.”

How is that fair? he thought. Are we forgetting how tough my life has been lately?

“That kinda hurts.”

“Well, okay, I’m sorry for saying that. I just don’t know what’s going on with you. You won’t tell me what’s up.”

“Nothing’s up, I promise,” he said. He was going to cut down his time being Argen to have more time to relax, because his sister was right�"he needed it. Fighting crime around the city isn’t what he did anymore, and it was never meant to be. 

“Our project’s going great, by the way,” she said. “How about yours?”

Haven’t even started yet, Andy thought. 

“That’s right, you left Mason all alone to start on it.”

“He started it?”

“Well, yeah. It’s the biggest one of the year. You have to give it your best effort. And you didn’t do anything yet, in class, or at home. Can you just tell me why you keep leaving?”

“No.”

“You know Andy, I miss the times when we didn’t keep secrets from each other.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“C’mon, we’re best friends,” she said. 

“I can decide if I want to tell you or not,” Andy said. Then the bell rang.

“Well, I guess you’re right,” she said. “But you know, if you tell me, I can help you.”

Not really, he thought as she left. There’s no helping me being Argen.

.  .  .

Andy didn’t feel like having a fight at the end of the day, but it all happened so fast. He helped Mason out on the project at the last period of the day. His friend told Andy to go to the back of the school after the bell rang. 

“Why?”

“Just something. Something cool.”

Andy just shrugged and went to find out. He trusted Mason anyway. 

As he walked around the corner to the spot, he knew he shouldn’t have. There was a trap set up for him. He heard Colt and his buddies around the corner, trying to stay quiet, but Andy heard them as soon as he stepped out of the school, anyway. 

Colt must’ve asked Mason to tell him to go here, so they could ambush him. He could’ve just walked away right there, and choose to avoid it, but he didn’t want to miss his chance. 

“You’re too loud,” he told them, “I can hear you guys, you know.”

They walked out, four of them. “Oh yeah? And how’s that?” Colt asked him.

“Listen, can we not have this today?” Andy asked. “I’m done with this. No more bullying.”

“Okay,” Colt said. “I see how it is. You’re chickening out of a fight.”

“A fight that we have no reason for, you mean. C’mon Colt, just go. You’ll regret it.”

“I’ll regret it? Do you know how unfair my life is? My parents are dead, and nobody could save them. I can’t afford to have breakfast. My uncle is strict and abusive. I basically don’t have a life. What do you have, huh? Everything!”

“I get it,” Andy said. “I know it’s unfair. My life sucks, too. So then you have to learn to suck it up.”

He got angry. “You don’t know how easy it is for you to say that! I was homeless for three months as an orphan once. You can’t just heal from that!”

“You can always heal,” Andy said, and Colt lost it. He grabbed his shirt and pinned him against the wall. Andy let him do it. He could’ve resisted easily, but he played the role of his mask. He chose to stay as Andy, instead of who he really was. 

“You’re going to be dead after this,” Colt said. He punched him once. “Just like me, when I lived on the streets.” Twice. “Everybody deserves to get the pain I received!”

Colt’s friends were about to attack him too, but Andy said, “You’re calling me chicken, huh? When you need three people along with you to take me down. Yeah, four to one. Makes me look like the chicken.”

Colt got furious. He looked at his friends, and they backed up. 

“All right, just one on one then,” he said, letting go of him as he stumbled forward. “You want a fight.”

“I never asked for a fight,” Andy said as he was on one knee, holding his broken nose. Colt was a lot stronger than he thought. But he already felt it starting to heal. In a few minutes it would be normal again. He had to be gone to hide that from Colt, who would wonder why it happened. He allowed himself two minutes to last with him, at the most. Then he had to go.

“Alright then,” Andy said, cracking his knuckles. 

For most of the fight Andy was just dodging Colt, his extreme luck helping him. He would never land a punch, as Andy was too hard to hit. He ducked and went to the side, avoiding his fists and tackles. 

Soon kids started to show up, more and more coming to be entertained by the fight. Before Andy knew it there was a whole crowd watching them, cheering Colt on. None of them were stopping it. Andy even saw teachers walking by, glancing towards the crowd and the two students fighting, and pretending they didn’t see it. They just didn’t care.

“Come, on Colt!”

“Rip him apart!”

“Tear his face off!”

“Break his back!”

Andy smiled at them, because Colt hasn’t landed a single punch yet. He was untouched, always moving and dodging. He would do this for the two minutes he wanted, and then call it a draw after. 

“You seem pretty lucky I can’t land a hit on you,” Colt said, panting. “C’mon,” Andy urged him, even though he knew he shouldn’t. “Land a hit. What, you too scared? You can’t do it? You don’t have the guts?”

The crowd was starting to laugh, but hesitating because they remembered whose side they were on.

It didn’t matter. It made Colt more mad all the same. 

This time Andy let Colt hit him in the face, just to get some suspense into the battle. The crowd loved it.

“Wow, that hurt,” Andy said sarcastically, but it really didn’t. He was tougher with his regeneration. He barely felt a thing. 

“It’s your turn,” Colt said, giving a come on gesture. “Hit me. Your best shot. Go on.”

“My turn, huh?” Andy said. He thought about it. This was the decision that made him who he was. If he did it, his reputation would be broken. There was no way he was going to do it. 

“How about we just call this off,” he told Colt. “You win, how about that?”

Andy began to turn around as the crowd booed him, but he didn’t care. He was smiling the whole time, because he had controlled the whole fight. Colt could barely hit him.

“There’s no way you’re leaving this time�"” Colt grabbed his shoulder to turn him around, and Andy lost it. He turned and socked Colt in the jaw so fast and hard the crowd gasped in shock.

His bully fell to the ground after that one hit, and Andy though he might’ve hit a bit too hard. Colt could be dead!

But it turned out okay when he groaned on the floor, spitting blood, still alive. Andy expected the crowd to cheer for him now, but they did the exact opposite. They hated him even more, for making Colt look weak.

“Hey, that’s my friend over there, loser!”

“Do you even care about other people?”

“What’s your problem?”

Andy got so angry he felt like killing them all at that moment, and for a scary second he thought he actually would. He knew he had the power to. Killing was something that came to him naturally now, and he didn’t find it too harsh of a punishment for these kids around him. He’s killed before, and he wasn’t guilty. Doing it to everyone right now wouldn’t make him guilty either.

That’s what he was afraid of. 

He had made his decision. And he felt so much better. The feeling of returning the favour to his all-time enemy, since elementary, was too good. He loved it. He wanted to do it again, and again, until Colt didn’t have a single breath left. He didn’t care about what people saw him as anymore.

More kids came around to see what the commotion was about, and Paris was one of them. Instantly Andy felt like disappearing. She gasped when she saw the scene.

She didn’t even say anything to Andy. She just pushed through the crowd to help Colt up, and didn’t meet Andy’s eyes. She tried to hide her face too, but Andy knew she had tears. 

He didn’t feel anything, though. It serves him justice, he thought. Nobody understands that what I did today was right.

.  .  .

Andy, I think you finally did something I’m proud of 

today,” Aldin said, as he watched. He saw the whole scene. He loved it, too.

“Don’t you think it was a bit harsh?” Veva asked.

“Of course you’re the one who says that, Veva. No, I think it’s right. It serves Colton justice. Andy needed to learn to stand up for himself. And Colton needed to learn that it’s wrong to mess with him. He’s the one that did something wrong, for trying to beat up Andy. Andy just showed him not to do it again, and it’s going to protect him. So what if it ruins his reputation.”

“You’re not getting the point. He’s done something not like a hero would do. I think all your efforts in pushing him has strained him too much, and he’s changing. He’s turning into Colton, and that’s the problem. He’s not Andy anymore.”

“Well, he never was!” Aldin said. “He chose to be Argentios, and that’s who he is. Not a hero, not Andy. And not a weakling. It doesn’t matter if everyone hates him now, even his best friend. No amount of emotional breakdown will stop him from seeing his mission. He’s supposed to be like this.”

“That’s not what I thought you’d say at all. These aren’t the qualities you asked for.”

“Well just like you said, I was wrong about the qualities I picked. I needed someone more strong.”

“This also isn’t what the old Aldin would say, either. He’d be mad at Andy, furious, or using his powers for himself. How come now you see that this is good, and you’re not angry?”

“Because Colton deserves justice!”

“His anger and hatred has slowly been turning him more into a villain,” she said. “He’s stopped fighting crime. He’s not afraid to kill anymore. He’s becoming worse than Megalo. Your ways are changing him, and it’s for the bad. In the moment of his decision to throw that punch, he hesitated. His old self told him not to, but his new self did.”

“His old self was a weakling.”

“But it’s his old self that made us choose him. He’s on the path to becoming like Megalo.”

“He just gave Colton what he deserved. He’s not evil.”

“Not yet, but I’m telling you, this needs to stop. The reason why we chose him was because he was Andy, and now, that’s the very thing you’re stripping away from him.”

“Listen Veva, I trust Andy in what he does. He makes the right decision, all the time. If he chose to do that, then I support him. Isn’t that what you and Kytro wanted to do?”

“He must learn in the right way. Right now, he’s not. He must learn to be strong and tough during hard times by himself, not by hurting others, and even killing others.”

“Well that’s the hardest way to get tough, so I’d say it was worth it.”

“The toughest way to become strong is doing it yourself, while remaining yourself. Andy was already a powerful person to begin with, which is why we chose him.”

“He wasn’t at all.”

“Yes, he was. And Old Aldin saw that. He saw a kid that was so tough he lived through tragedies and dangers in his life, and thousands of blows and kicks from his bully. And yet he hasn’t committed suicide yet, never even had the thought, and he’s still going through tough financial times with his sister. He gets wrong from those types of things, not from your way. Your way is training him to beat up his bully, making him do the very reason why he hated him in the first place. You’re trying to show how hard he can punch again, but you have to show how much he can take.”

“Strength is defined by how hard you hit.”

“Well then I’m not talking about strength. His ability to withstand, then. Toughness, I think is the word.”

“He’s tough enough.”

“No, he’s not. Your way is weakening him. When he gets home, he’ll be broken again, trust me. Regretful.”

“We’ll see, Veva.”

“Yes, we’ll see that I am right. And when no one is there to be with him�"to support him, to understand how he’s feeling and what he’s going through�"I will be there, to comfort him.”

.  .  .

Chief, we’ve got leads on how to find the other bombs. There’s a criminal who lives somewhere in Europe, who we have heard news of him owning an oil station somewhere in the atlantic to earn his profits, and he’s been using it a lot around the same time the bombs fell.”

“Name?”

“Darius Kellin. He’s a very wanted criminal in hiding. A very powerful one too, with all of his resources, enough to own an oil platform in the middle of atlantic. He may be working for Megalo, and he’s very secretive about his business with the platform. It’s near the coast of North America. It must be near one of those objects that fell, and Megalo might know about it, so he’s after it. Or he might not know about it yet. Either way, it’s strong evidence.”

“How do we find him?”

“There are a couple of people that know where he hides, but only one on our continent.”

“Great. We have to get this news to Argen, he’ll take care of it.”

Ever since Megalo had shown himself to the world, Carson gave up on tracking him and started to work on finding the rest of the unidentified objects that mysteriously landed in the world from out of nowhere. He’d also been busy trying to take control of the first one. Megalo’s criminal forces were holding the SWAT teams he’d called back, and he was ready to call the military. 

But he wasn’t sure if he would, because he still didn’t know the importance of the objects. Were the globally threatening? What did they do? Argen wouldn’t tell him, and it bothered him. He’d have to find out himself. 

“Well, who’s the guy we need Argen to hunt down?”

“Kevin Haggins, a factory worker. He’s in this city, in fact. We know he has ties to Kellin, and he needs to be interrogated.”

“Two down, one to go,” Carson said. “There’s still a third out there. Anyways, great work. But get back to finding the last one. We may not know what they do, but treat them like a ticking bomb.”

.  .  .

Andy felt sick when he got home. He was so tired lately, he thought he was getting a fever. His muscles ached, he shivered all the time�"especially last night, when he felt cold even though he had a thick blanket on him�"he had a headache and overall just didn’t feel good. 

His sister wasn’t home to do anything to make him feel better, so he just lied down on the couch, hoping he wasn’t sick. Believing he wasn’t sick.

I have extreme luck, don’t I? I can’t get sick at a time like this, when I can’t afford to be sick the most. And won’t my enhanced healing keep that away from me, too?

Molt was there to make him feel better, though. He was happy when Andy got home, and he jumped up to lick his face. 

On the way home, when he realized he was lonely on his walk without Paris, he had mixed feelings about what he should’ve done during that fight. He didn’t know if he regretted it or not. By the time he got home, he decided, that he regretted it. The pain of Paris not even looking at him�"it hurt. He knew he shouldn’t have done it, but he did it anyway because Colt deserved it, so much. 

He was too scared to walk to her house, so he just called her, waiting on the couch for her to answer, feeling miserable. He really felt sick, but he chose not to believe that. He had to be the Argentios today. Carson was waiting until he would return so they could take back control of the bomb together. He couldn’t let him down just because he was sick. This was really the worst time it could happen, on top of everything else he already had in his life that made him so busy. The responsibilities were unbearable!

Finally, she answered, but she didn’t say anything. Andy spoke first. “I’m sorry.”

“Wh�"why would you do that?” she asked. 

“Are you crying?”

“No, I�"I’m not.” But her voice shook, and Andy knew she couldn’t lie to him.

“Don’t you think he deserved it?”

“G�"going to the hospital, you mean?” she said. “You know better than that, Andy! Why!? You’d kill him, for all you’d care! You don’t mind if he’s dead!”

“That’s not true.”

“It’s true for you. What�"what happened to you, Andy? You used to be the nicest guy. You used to be harmless. That’s why I liked you, Andy. Because you were different than everyone. You chose to be a good person.”

“I still am.”

“You’re lying! You wanted to hurt Colt. Before, you’d never hurt a single soul.”

“Maybe I didn’t because I didn’t have the power to.”

“Are you kidding? You still think he deserved that?”

“It’d be crazy to say no.”

“Like… we used to be such great friends, Andy. Now you leave me all the time, when I need your help.”

“You mean for projects?”

“No!” she said. “My parents are divorcing! And everybody knows but you! You don’t listen! Because every time I need your company you leave!”

“Well, my parents are dead.”

“You’re still thinking about yourself, huh?”

“Well, nobody thinks about me or my sister! Everyone pities Colt, but not me! Nobody realizes how tough of a situation I’m going through right now, with bullying to deal with too! Nobody cares about me, so I’ve learned to care for myself.”

“That’s because what you don’t understand is that Colt has had it much worse than you. You may think that he has a perfect life, acing school and having so many friends. But that’s the only good thing about his life. He’s going through much, much tougher times than me or you, believe it or not. And everybody who gets to know him will understand. I do now, because he tells me all about it when I work on our project. Why do you think people pity him more than you? Why do you think Mason is still his friend? Because they feel sorry for him! Were you ever homeless for three months?”

“I’ve gotten close.”

“You still don’t understand!”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay Paris? I’m sorry for being a bad friend. I’m sorry that your parents are divorcing, and I’m never there to make you feel better. Maybe times aren’t as lucky as they used to be, but we’ve got to deal with them.”

“Me too, Andy. I’m sorry too, for everything. I’m sorry for being so mean to you, too.”

“That’s an overstatement. You’re too nice.”

“Can we pretend nothing happened?”

“Of course.”

“Aww, I wish I could hug you right now.”

“Save it for tomorrow. See ya!” he hung up and put his face into a couch pillow, still feeling terrible. He knew he didn’t deserve to have such a great friend like Paris. She was just too nice. He wished he could be more like her.

But then he remembered, he was. He used to be a selfless 

person too. He used to block bullets to save people, caught people jumping out of buildings on fire, and don’t forget the time he helped an old lady cross the street, even though he could’ve been doing more serious stuff in the city. He was just too selfless to leave a single person behind, when he knows he has the chance to make their day better. 

He did it because it was fair, and he wanted people to have better lives than him, because he knew he would never get a perfect life anymore. He wanted to give people the happiness that he never got.

But now, he wanted that happiness back.

He didn’t feel like getting up and bringing his fcae out of the pillow, but he had to. First of all, he had chores to do. even though his sister promised him that she’d do it, he wasn’t going to let her, not anymore. 

There’s the old Andy, he thought. Thinking about Evie. 

He had to vacuum, mop, do the laundry, take out the garbage, and wash the dishes. He started as fast as possible, doing as much work as he could.

He wasn't done yet, after he would finish. He promised Mason that he’d do his share of work on the project today, for at least an hour. His whole afternoon was basically taken off. 

On top of that, he had work for the Sages he had to do. He predicted that it’d be around ten when he finished everything, so his mission would definitely go through the night, giving him barely any sleep. But he didn’t care. He had to do it. He promised a while ago that this huge task the Sages gave him�"he would work on it every single day. Try to find the other two bombs, and take back control of the first that Megalo has already. 

The next time he faces Megalo, he’ll be ready. 

I’ll beat him up so hard, he’ll be down in an instant. I’ll ask him about the other bombs too, if he knows anything. 

After a few hours, Andy finally completed all his chores. Even with his extremely sore muscles, he did it all, and he felt proud. He went to his room, with his dog following, to rest for a bit before he worked on his project. 

I can do this, he thought. I may feel dead from all the work, especially since I have more to do, but if Paris says Colt survived through way tougher things than me, then that means I can do this. He isn’t superhuman, isn’t he?

Another hour passed, and Andy worked as hard as he could on the project. His room was a mess, with all the papers, clothes, and cleats and soccer ball on the floor. His desk was unbelievable, too. So much schoolwork was everywhere. His pencils and pens were scattered. 

Andy did as much work as he thought would satisfy his project partner tomorrow. Then he lied on his bed and rested again, for five minutes. He only allowed himself five, then he had to get in the air. 

He looked at his suit on his clothes rack on the wall as he rested.

I’m too tired, he thought, and he really felt his fever come in. I don’t think I’ll be able to this part of the day. I can take one day off, can’t I?

He dozed off unexpectedly, not meaning to. The work overload and restless few hours of sleep he got every night really tired him to the point of exhaustion. 

He heard a voice wake him up, though. “Andy… wake up. You have work to do.”

Andy opened his eyes, and saw his favourite Sage. 

“Veva!”

He roused himself fully from sleep and hugged her immediately. 

She laughed. “It’s good to see you again, Andy.”

“Why don’t you visit me more often?” he asked her, his eyes watering. 

“I’m busy trying to protect you up there, brave one.”

Molt barked, going up to her, sniffing. 

“Ah, yes Molt, it’s nice to see you too.”

“Why? Is Aldin mad at me? Furious?”

“I can’t believe it myself when I say this, but no. He liked how you stood up to Colt today.”

“I knew he would like that,” Andy said, looking up at her. “But I don’t. Aldin doesn’t really like me being a hero, as you know. he barely visits me anyway, too. When he showed up to tell me I needed to try harder to conceal myself from the public, that was like the first time he saw me in like two months, probably.”

“Well, Aldin is very strict, and he’s very busy. He has more duties than you can imagine.”

“Not as much as my sister,” he said, and Veva laughed. “Anyways, what brings you here… oh, I fell asleep, didn’t I?”

She nodded. “I’m not surprised. In fact what I’m more surprised at is that you haven’t yet this week, during class or at home, or during your work.”

“You mean when I’m flying?” Andy asked, and he smirked at the thought of it. 

“You only slept for about thirty minutes until I woke you up. I think your excitement to see me woke you up fully. You’re ready to work again. Megalo still has control of that first bomb, and you need to find the next. One of the Sages told me Carson has information he has for you.”

“But, if you don’t know yet, I’m feeling sick,” Andy said. “And I’m extremely tired. Also, tell me the real reason you came here. You didn’t just come here just to wake me up.”

She sighed. “Ha, you know me so well. I just thought, maybe, you needed someone to comfort you, because you’re feeling terrible about that fight�"”

“I’m fine, Veva. I’m feeling better about that, just not about my fever.”

“Yes, well, I still wished I could’ve came sooner.”

“I’ve talked to Paris, and she forgave me.”

“That’s good. About your fever…”

“I can’t let it stop me, right?”

“Yes. I see you understand. Your healing doesn’t keep illnesses away from you, you know. Only physical injuries.”

“But then what about my extreme luck? Why did it let this fever get in the way of me right now, the worst moment I could’ve gotten it?”

“Because your extreme luck has been making it avoid you,” she said. “Believe it or not, it’s been keeping that fever away from you ever since that night of that terrible blizzard, when you were supposed to get it because you dragged you and your sister through the cold snow for an hour until you got to civilization.”

“What?”

“Yes, it’s extremely powerful. More than you think. Never underestimate it. But it’s not infinitely powerful. That’s why you’re sick, right now. But as I said, you can’t let that stop you.”

“I know,” Andy said. “I’ll get up.”

“You have to. The world needs you.”

“Yeah, yeah. All that kind of stuff. Well, I better get going then. It was good to see you, Veva.”

She smiled and patted his back. “Yes, Andy, it was. Enough rest. Go, go!”

“Alright,” he said, and in the very familiar flash of light she disappeared. Molt started barking again. 

“Yeah, I miss her already too,” Andy told his dog. 

He looked at the suit on his wall, for a moment, before it would soon be on him.

Tenth

Andy stood on the edge of a building, the same one Carson and him met. He knew he would be there, because it was the one place Carson knew he could always count on to find him. 

He watched over the busy streets below, the lights brightening up the cloudy, night sky. The sounds of rushing and honking cars resonating everywhere. It was raining, and every so often Andy saw lightning flashing up in the dark sky. 

He gripped his fists, flexing his tired fingers. He was still aching, and had a headache. All his muscles were sore, and didn’t know if he could even fight. He felt weak, but he knew he could still throw a car if he wanted to. In fact, he never tested his strength to his limits yet. He’d been wanting to, lately. Maybe one time he’d get free time to do it. He’d lift trains as weights or something, and see how many he could stack on his shoulders. Or he’d see how far he could throw a wrecking ball. Or he’d try to punch through all the hardest materials he could find. Aldin never really explained how strong he could get, but right now, he didn’t have limits. His possibilities were unknown. 

He looked straight up into the dark sky, seeing individual droplets of rain falling towards him. His eyes were so good the pupils could enlarge more than a regular person, so he could see more clearly in the night than others. It was almost like night vision. He wondered if he could use that as a tactic against enemies. Taking out the light source and confusing them, and then knocking them all out in the dark as a quick, invisible fighter. 

He waited until Carson would come. Veva told him he had information to help him. It was just until he was beginning to get bored that he showed up, and Andy heard his footsteps far before he came. 

“Ah, you’re here,” he said. “I’ve got news for you.”

Carson told him about his next two targets. Haggins to interrogate, Kellin to assassinate. Well, Carson never told him to kill the second one, but he was going to do it anyway. He never let anyone that tainted this world with darkness stay alive. Anyone who argued with him about that didn’t have the power to stop him from doing it, anyway.

“You’ll need to do this if you want control of that second object. We think Kellin might be working for Megalo. Also, we still need to take back control of that first one. You know it would be so much easier if you just told me what they were.”

Andy had a rule from the Sages that he couldn’t share any of their secrets, but telling Carson wouldn’t hurt that rule, so he decided to.

“They’re bombs,” he said. “And unless we stop Megalo, he’s going to use them. To trigger them, probably.”

“Why hasn’t he done that yet?”

“Maybe he’s still trying to figure out. Or maybe he doesn’t want to blow it up yet. Whatever the reason, they’re dangerous in the wrong hands.”

“I understand,” he said. “If only you’d tell me this earlier.”

“But you can’t tell anyone else.”

“Because it would cause massive global panic, I know.”

“Also, we’ll take back the first one later. It would be easier to find the other two, and because Megalo is going for them right now, too. If we spend too much time taking back the first, he might be onto the second and third already. We need to catch up to him, or else he’d be one step ahead.”

“But the first is near Bluewell. Shouldn’t that be top priority? This one you’re going after now�"it’s in the ocean, it should be harmless to anyone if it detonates. Unless they’re bigger than any bomb we’ve ever built. How strong are they?”

I was told they could rip apart huge rocky chunks of the planet, he wanted to say, but he thought it would reveal too much. It might bring Carson to wonder where they came from, and that was something he couldn’t tell.

“Big enough to cause a lot of problems,” he said. “I’m going to find Haggins right now, so we can find out where Kellin is. I’ll come back here to bring you the news. Then I’ll fly to Europe and find him, and interrogate him for the location of his base in the atlantic. Then I’ll go there myself and find out what they’re up to.”

“He has a whole base and army there. You might need backup.”

“I’m Argentios,” he said. “I don’t need backup.”

“Suit yourself. You’re going to do all of this tonight?”

“If I have to,” he said. He thought about it. He’d be even more tired if he did, and he was already sick. But he had to win this battle against Megalo. 

And with that thought, he blasted off into the stormy sky. 

.  .  .

Andy sneaked through a window near the ceiling, into the factory, the one Carson said Haggins worked at. It was late, but it was still operating. Workers were everywhere, and he didn’t know how to do this without being detected. 

First he had to find the man he was looking for. Then he needed a way to get him to a secluded spot where nobody would see. 

But then he saw a fire alarm trigger on the wall, and he thought, maybe I can do the reverse. Make everyone leave. 

He still had to find Haggins. But he knew with his extreme luck, he could do it with no problem. 

He looked around at all the workers and chose one. He knew with no doubt it was Haggins, because his luck never failed him.

Well then he needed to get everyone out. There was a worker near him, only one, that he knew with certainty he couldn’t get past. There was no way he could get down from his high up vantage point without getting spotted by him.

But it was as if Aldin was watching. The worker accidentally dropped a heavy box he was carrying on his foot, and grimaced in pain. Thank the Sages! Andy thought., even though he knew it was just his luck again. He used that moment to fly down quickly and pull the alarm while he was distracted, flying back up quickly to his windowsill at the top of the big room. The alarm blasted with noise instantly, the sound resonating throughout the whole factory. Red lights flashed around the area.

Workers panicked and rushed straight for the exit. Everyone went for it, including his target. When everyone headed for the doors to escape, he flew quickly to his target, who was coincidently the last one to leave, no doubt his luck once again. 

He followed behind him, grabbing his shirt and lifting him into the air before he left.

“What the…” he said, kicking around. Let me go! Who are you?”

“You’re Kevin Haggins,” Andy said, “and you know Darius Kellin. He’s a criminal lord in Europe, and you’re going to tell me exactly where he is.”

“How do you know my name? And I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“No lies,” Andy said, “or else I’m going to throw you across the room.”

“I don’t know how you’re doing this, but�"”

Andy threw him forcefully. He yelled in fear as he landed into a pile of crates, breaking through them. Andy didn’t care if he hurt him, or even broke his back. He was an ally and trustworthy friend of Kellin, and for that he deserved it.

“Ergh,” he said, rolling off the crate and trying to crawl to escape. 

But Andy went to him and stepped on his back, stopping him.

“Help!” he yelled. “Help! I’m being assaulted!”

His screams were hidden in the loud alarm noise in the background, so Andy didn’t have to worry. “Shut up and tell me where Kellin is.”

“I don’t know anything!”

Andy didn’t believe it. He grabbed the man’s neck and brought him against a wall, choking him until he turned red.

“Okay! I’ll tell…” he managed to get out, and Andy dropped him. He fell down on held himself up with his arms, trying to breathe.

“Tell me!” Andy yelled, his voice powerful.

“Okay,” he said, “okay, you’ve got me. I’ll tell you everything! Kellin’s making a deal with Megalo, that he’d give him control of a station in the ocean around that object that fell there, for a lot of money. He’s going there now, and Megalo’s going to be there too, so he can get paid.” He told Andy the latitude and longitude of the station in the atlantic. “Now please, I’ve told you everything I know.”

Perfect. Now he had one less place to go to. 

As for Haggins, Andy didn’t feel like letting him go. He didn’t even feel like letting him live. 

“Wait, now I recognize you,” he said. “You’re that hero that I’ve seen on TV. Wh�"why are you doing this? Aren’t you supposed to be good?”

“There’s a lot going on that you don’t understand,” Andy said, quoting the one line the Sages told him all the time. He realized that he couldn’t let this man go, because he was going to tell the public what happened to him. He’d never get his reputation back.

Might as well make it look like a murder.

Andy grabbed his chin and neck, putting him in a lock. 

“No, please don’t do this,” he said, closing his watery eyes. “You’ll never be seen as a good person.”

“I can be if nobody finds out.” He pulled both ways sharply, killing him. 

Suddenly he heard a voice around the corner, hearing it easily even with the alarm in the background. “Kevin?” A man entered the room. “Kevin!”

It was too late, he was spotted. The man’s eyes widened, 

seeing everything, and he ran off before Andy could fly to him and kill him too. He was running low on time, anyway. He needed to get to the ocean. He had no choice but to let him go. 

He blasted out of the factory, flying in the rain back to Carson, with tears in his eyes because of what he just did. 

.  .  .

He flew back to Carson, landing on top of the building where he was waiting. 

“That was fast,” he said. “It took about fifteen minutes.”

I don’t need to tell him what I did in those fifteen minutes. “Kellin’s meeting up with Megalo right now.” He told him the coordinates. 

“You’ll surely need backup. The last time you fought Megalo by yourself, it didn’t end well.”

“I know, you’re right. I’ll need help.”

“I’ll send a SWAT team or something.”

“Good enough. I have to go as quick as possible, to try and stop Megalo from having two of the bombs.”

“Good luck,” Carson said, even though they both knew he didn’t need it. 

Andy blasted off once again, flying straight into the atlantic once again. He’d been past the vast ocean many times, and he’d had many missions on ships going across it, too. 

In a few minutes, he was already soaring over the waters, on the lookout for an oil station in the middle of nowhere.

He flew in the darkness, rain pounding on him, making him wet. He couldn’t see anything for miles, and all he heard was the heavy rain, dropping into the ocean. It was a very stormy evening, and thunder boomed in the distance. 

He listened for any sounds, and watched out carefully for any lights. He flew for a long time until he finally found something. Lights in the distance. Approximately the coordinates he was given by Haggins, the man he killed. 

He still felt guilty about it, and he didn’t know if it was the right decision. It just hurt his reputation even more, which was ironic because he did it to save it. Now he would be viewed as a murderer, when that guy that saw him will reveal what he did to the public. Bluewell would go crazy over it. Carson would be forced to put a bullet through his skull the moment he finds out, and so Andy knew that just a few minutes ago when he saw him would be the last time he’d ever see him. He’d get shot at first sight. 

Or maybe Carson would be smart enough to know that he did it for a reason, just like how he killed every single criminal he found in the sewers instead of bringing them to prison. He’d try to protect him, but his cops would be forced against his own will. Maybe he’d be overthrown. 

Andy knew that was the most likely thing to happen. Carson was an expert detective, and he was smart enough to understand that Argen had his own rules when it came to the law. 

He was nearing the oil station, which was huge. The massive structure was supported by four colossal pillars that stretched deep into the water. Big lights lit up the area for everyone, who were all criminals in worker suits. Cranes were positioned at the sides, lifting things, workers rushed around, and a giant drill was in the centre of the whole thing, going deep into the ocean’s waters, straight into the bed where it would dig deep.

Andy was amazed by the whole thing. But he had a mission to do, so he couldn’t waste time. He flew stealthily down to land on the station, making sure he stayed in the shadows. 

He sneaked around the station, avoiding the workers to stay hidden, and he did that the whole time until he found the room where Kellin was meeting Megalo. 

He found an open window in the ceiling, where he saw Megalo standing down there. 

Andy was lucky�"no surprise�"to catch the exact moment when Kellin entered the room. 

“Give me my money,” he said, as he walked in with two bodyguards. “You’ve got control of the station, don’t you? Now how about it’s time I get paid, huh?”

“You know who you’re talking to, right?”

“Yes, I do. And I’m not scared of him. He owes me a lot of money, and he’s been delaying his payment. I gave you control of the station. What more do you want? One of my tankers? A few more men? Give me my money!”

“You’re tone’s bothering me.”

“You think I’m afraid of you?” Kellin told him. “You think that just because you’re enhanced you think you can get away without paying me?” 

Kellin pulled a gun out and pointed it at Megalo’s head, but he didn’t even flinch. “You’re going to die if you don’t pay, and you’re going to lose everything I gave you! On the count of three!”

“You think this is going to hurt me?”

“One!”

“Go ahead. Shoot me.”

“Two!”

“By the way, I never had the money to pay you.”

“Three!” 

Kellin fired, and Megalo stumbled back. But he didn’t die, of course. He was still standing. Kellin continued to shoot him, and Megalo absorbed it all. 

When Kellin stopped, Megalo was bleeding everywhere, but he was quickly healing, his growing skin pushing the bullets out of the holes in his body, and they clattered onto the floor. “I never had the money to pay you, because I was just going to kill you instead. Much easier. And now, it’s my turn. You’re going to die.”

Megalo flew at him, and now Kellin looked scared. The bodyguards brought their weapons and he decided to go for them first. He grabbed their heads and smashed their skulls together, hard enough to kill them both, with lightning speed. 

Then he grabbed Kellin and choked him, holding him against the wall until he died. With his iron grip, it didn’t take long. 

Andy saw the whole thing. He let it happen because he was going to kill Kellin too anyway. Why not let someone else do it for him? He was a criminal beyond his limits. 

Only when he died he flew into the scene, when Megalo was still healing and was still weak from the bullets. 

He came in kicking his back, making him stumble forward. 

“Ah, Argentios. Come to ruin everything again, I presume?” he said as he turned around to face him. 

“There’s no time to talk,” he said. “You’re not winning this one this time.”

“And what makes you think that?” he said. “You couldn’t beat me alone last time, and here I have an army.”

“We’re alone right now.”

“Well let’s turn the odds then!” he said, running out the door. Andy chased him, trailing closely behind, but his muscles were still sore, and he could barely run to catch up with him. Soon he lost him.

He made it outside, in the pouring rain, where he saw Megalo flying in the air, with his men all holding guns pointed at him as soon as he ran out the door. 

Megalo had control of the whole station, and Andy didn’t know how many people that worked for him here followed his orders now. For such a big station, there had to be at least a few hundred. He didn’t know if he could fight them all. 

They all fired at him, but Andy’s extreme luck made them all miss when he ran. He flew at them and tackled one, knocking him down. He quickly punched him in the skull, cracking it, and moved on to the next, and the next, and the next, breaking all their bones or killing them. They came at him with knives, but he grabbed one their arms and pushed down, making him stab his own knee, screaming in pain. Then he grabbed his knife and stabbed it at others, swiping and slashing. He grabbed one of their guns and released all its ammo until it was out. He grabbed them and threw them, broke their backs, blocking punches and counterattacking with his own. 

One went behind him and put him in a headlock. They all used that moment to pummel him. They slashed at his knees, making him fall. Shooting him, making him weak. But Andy easily got out of the situation with his strength. He pushed up and hit his head against his holder, breaking his nose. He yelled but didn’t let go. Andy grabbed the arm that was around his throat, choking him, and snapped it in two. The man holding him yelled even louder, in so much pain, and Andy pushed him off of him. 

He dealt with the rest, punching each of them swiftly and moving in a blur, breaking their bones and sweeping them off their feet with his hands. 

Soon there was a pile of dead bodies on the floor, their blood being washed away by the rain. Andy was weak, but Megalo had watched him fight the entire thing, so Andy pretended he wasn’t hurt. It was hard to hide his pain, though, when all over cuts had ravaged his body.

“Impressive,” his nemesis said. “Hmph. Fine, I’ll deal with you then.”

He flew down, throwing a punch, but Andy blocked it with both hands and pushed with all his strength left, making Megalo fly backwards into the air, landing on his back on the wet metal floor. 

“Why didn’t you help them attack me?” Andy said, but he was barely audible in the loud, pouring rain. 

“I wanted to take the time to study you,” he said, getting up. “You’re just someone in my way, that’s all.”

He flew up into the air, and Andy did too, chasing him. He soon caught up and tackled him in the air, both of them crashing into the side of the station.

They went inside, but Megalo quickly got up and flew back out. Andy followed, wherever he was going. 

He chased him for a while, circling the platform, as the 

raging storm continued to strike its lightning and have its big waves crash onto the pillars that held the station up.

Everywhere he flew workers fired their guns at him, but they never landed a hit. He kept following Megalo, determined not to lose him in the darkness of the night. 

His nemesis stopped and grabbed a large crane on the station, pulling it until he broke it off its base. He swung it at Andy, and the force knocked him back, crashing into the station. His impact shook the whole thing, and workers on it stumbled as it got unstable. 

Andy got the idea. He would destroy the whole thing. The whole station. Drown a few hundred men, so what? He was used to killing, and they were all criminals anyway. They deserved it for helping Kellin, and now following orders from Megalo. 

He stopped fighting Megalo, ignoring him and flying down to the bottom of the station, where rain didn’t pour. 

“Where are you going?” Megalo asked him, and he followed, dropping the crane into the ocean. 

Andy found the pillars, and he picked one. He started punching it, putting all his force he could muster. 

“No!” Megalo yelled, flying at Andy. But he just knocked his nemesis aside, buying time. He kept punching the pillar, trying to destroy it. 

But it was too thick, and he had to do it to at least two to make the whole thing fall down. Plus, Megalo was already back, and he couldn’t delay him forever. 

He remembered the crane Megalo dropped into the ocean. How powerful it was when it struck him. When he came at Andy he dodged him and flew straight into the ocean’s waves. 

I must be crazy right now, he thought. But he still did it. He flew at high speeds, zipping through the water while he held his breath. It was so cold down there, but he was determined to find that crane. 

He found it on the ocean bed, sooner or later. He grabbed it, heaving up with all his strength, and pulling it until he rose out of the water. 

When he was back out of the water, holding the giant crane, Megalo was still there, blocking the pillar.

“Move,” Andy called to him over the noise of the storm. “You’re making this worse. You’re not getting this station. All I know is that you need it so you can control wherever that second bomb is, which is somewhere around here.”

“You don’t know what you’re up against,” he said. “This is my chance to get revenge on the Sages, for what they did to me.”

“What did they ever do to you? And how will these bombs help you?”

“They tore my life apart!” he yelled. “They forced me to do things I didn’t want to!”

He flew at Andy, tackling him in the air and making him lose his grip on the crane. It fell back into the ocean, and now there was no way to break the pillars, unless he got it again. He was going to use it to swing at them, but Megalo kept stopping him. 

He brought him back on top of the platform, throwing him down. Andy tried to get back up, but he was too weak.

“They made me do things I regretted!” he said. “They never cared about me!”

“Me too,” Andy said, hurting on the ground. “I’ve regretted most of the things I did for them in my life. But the things they make you do doesn’t make them evil. It’s us, that do it. I’ve become a villain too, okay? I’ve killed so many, on my own free will, and my hatred has been growing every single day. But you can change, and it’s never too late. You can forgive the Sages.”

“You don’t understand. I’ve had it much worse than you. I’m going to kill you, right here and now. It’s time to end this. You chose to go alone, and you knew you couldn’t beat me. It’s your fault you’re dead.”

“No,” Andy said, coughing up and spitting blood. He slowly got back up. “I didn’t come alone.”

With his extreme luck, helicopters showed up right on cue. There were five of them, and they shone spotlights on Megalo and Andy.

“Stand down,” a speaker on a megaphone said. 

Megalo faced them. They aimed all their guns at him, and there was no way he would win, escape, or survive. He was weak and tired from Andy, and now outnumbered. 

“Game over,” Andy told him.

“You won this time, maybe, but there’s always a way to lose. I might as well do Plan B, then. Blow everything up. And if you survive, well… I made my workers film you as you chased me around the platform. They made sure to only include you in the footage, and they’ve already uploaded you on the web, where the public can see. When this station blows up, which they don’t know about, you’re going to be blamed.”

Andy now realized why he made him fly around in circles. It was devious, and incredibly genius. He was going to be blamed for the destruction of the station, and it would hurt his reputation even more.  

He brought out a controller, and pressed a button on it, starting the countdown. Then, before Andy could stop him, he ran over the edge and dove into the water, the bullets trailing after him.

Andy had to get somewhere safe, or else he’d surely die. The only safe place was the water, where Megalo went, too. He followed him, diving into the water after him.

It was just before the entire station blew up in flames, Megalo killing hundreds of people including the people in the five helicopters that came to Andy’s aid.

He sank beneath the ocean, the currents pushing him, as he watched the sky above him light up in orange. 

Eleventh

Nice move!” Paris told him. “How are you always so good? You’re making me feel bad!”

“Luck, maybe,” he told her. They were playing checkers, in Paris’s house, after they finished school for the day.

“Chill out,” she said, “you already beat me four times. I know it’s your favourite game, but you’re too good at it.”

“Five times,” he said, taking her last piece.

“It kind of gets boring when you lose all the time. Hey, did you hear about Argen again? He apparently lost his mind, and murdered some factory worker in the city. And there’s real footage of him destroying some oil mining platform in the middle of the ocean. The whole thing blew up. It’s making me scared, because he can kill anyone he wants to in this city. Maybe he’s turned evil. Come to think of it, he hasn’t been out helping people on the streets anymore.”

“Well, maybe he has reasons for doing all the crimes he’s done,” Andy said, trying to defend himself. “Maybe he knows what he’s doing, and people just shouldn’t mess with him.”

“Are you out of your mind? He killed an innocent man, destroyed an entire ocean station, and might have been the one that killed an entire criminal organization meeting under the sewers.”

“He didn’t destroy that platform!” Andy said, but then catching himself. “I mean, I don’t think so. I think he was just there and it blew up, you know. For a reason.”

“Andy, there was real footage of him doing it.”

“Well, what if the man he killed wasn’t innocent? And what if he didn’t kill those people in the sewers?”

“Are you trying to defend him? Also, the murder was investigated thoroughly. They identified him as innocent. I trust the police, and the news.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to trust the news.”

“Okay, whatever you say.”

Andy remembered the event clearly, as it was just last night. Megalo had blown up his own station and his own men, just so he could frame him. It was unbelievable, the extents to which a villain would reach just to beat his enemy.

He still didn’t know Megalo’s most powerful ability. His symbol was a die, and that told Andy nothing. Whatever it was, Megalo always seemed to be more powerful than him, and he always won. Maybe it was because he had more experience, since apparently he was made a long time before Andy, but he didn’t think that was the case. Maybe his power was winning all the time?

He always seemed to be too smart for Andy to handle. He planned everything, and always had a backup plan. He might even have backup plans for his backup plans. He was never one step behind, and always two ahead. He was too smart as a tactical and strategic genius. Most of all, he was intimidating. 

Andy couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought about this yet, but if Megalo knew the Sages, then they would know him. The real him. His real identity, or, his side one. Megalo would always be his identity. He decided he would ask them later, or the next time he saw one of them.

“Anyway, it’s tough with my parents now. I’ve been needing time to relax from the stress of it and school and volleyball lately.”

“You’re not alone. I heard a lot of kids in our school have divorced parents, too.”

“Yeah, but it’s really hard for me. I mean, even in my games we keep losing, and we don’t know why. Maybe the mood in our team has dropped, since we keep getting consecutive losses, so we’re not doing so good. I mean before we destroyed every team we were up against.”

Andy wanted to fix that, to make her feel better. There was one trick that his dad did to him when he was little, and it worked on him when he was down, so he might as well try it on Paris. 

“Take this piece,” he said, grabbing the checkers piece that took Paris’s last piece from the board. It was a red token, and it had a chipped side. “It has good luck, trust me.”

She gasped. “But that’s your favourite piece! Your set won’t be complete without it!”

“Well, I want you to have it. It brings me good luck, and it works so well. You bring this in your bag to your next game, and I guarantee you and your team will play better.”

“Really? I mean, that seems hard to believe.”

“Yes. If you don’t believe it, then don’t.”

“Okay! I will. At least I’ll try it. It’s just a checkers piece. It shouldn’t do much.”

“It will, trust me. It’s good luck.”

“Whatever you say,” she said. “I don’t think it will fix anything in my life so far, though. There’s never enough luck to get my parents back together.”

There is for me, Andy thought.

“Or win my games. Or make me smarter in school.”

“Or get you paired up with better people.”

“Shut up!” she said, laughing and punching his arm. “Okay, but seriously, that’s not nice. He’s had a really, really bad childhood. And he’s actually a great friend.”

“Is he yours, now?”

“Well, yes. We’ve warmed up to each other. And by better people you mean you, right?”

“No,” he said. “To be honest, I’m not much help when it comes to end of the year projects. Colt is probably a much better partner for you.”

“Yeah, but you’re my best friend. I’d rather have you and fail than have a random stranger.”

“But Colt’s not a stranger,” Andy said. “If you think he’s good, well then keep working with him. But I’ll never learn to like him.”

“Your worst enemy, your evil nemesis, your childhood school and playground bully, blah blah blah. I get it. Really, I do. I understand why you hurt him, too. I forgive you.”

“I know. Also, I’m gonna go now.” He stood up and called his dog as he put on his cap. Molt liked to roam around in Paris’s house whenever he was there. 

He came around the corner, his tongue sticking out, looking up at Andy. 

“I wish I could be as obedient as him,” he told Paris.

“Leaving already?”

“Yeah, why? My sister’s been very busy working lately, and she’s too tired to cook, so we’ve been having fast food. I’m supposed to pick up some for us tonight. Plus, aren’t you going to work on the project?”

“Well, yeah. You should too.”

“I will. See ya!

“Okay, see ya!”

Andy left, closing the door behind him. He started walking back into the city, Molt following closely. Andy remembered the day him and Evie got him as a pup. One of the happiest days of his life. He’s been with them for so long, and he was so loyal. He would come whenever Andy or Evie called him, and he could follow them without a leash. Sometimes even had tears when his owners were gone. And he was such a good dog. He barely barked, even near strangers. Never got angry or restless. Andy loved him as one of his closest friends. 

“What fast food do you want tonight, boy?” Andy asked him.

.  .  .

They shared a meal together, a thing the rarely happened between them, since his sister was so busy. 

“How are you feeling?” she asked him.

Andy was confused for a moment until he remembered what she was talking about. “My fever? Oh. I’m feeling a lot better. I don’t think I need to stop going to school or anything. My muscles are still sore, but I think it’ll fade. I think I got better from my battle last night.”

“Yeah! I saw that on TV. Why would that make you feel better?”

“The cold rain and waters kind of chilled me, so it took away some of my heat from the fever.”

“How did you survive that cold of a temperature?”

“I thought you knew that I could withstand more extreme temperatures than regular people.”

“No. And stop referring to regular people!” she said, laughing. “You’re making me feel lame. Anyway, they said on TV you destroyed the whole thing, for unknown reasons. They think you’re going crazy, but I know you didn’t do it. Right?”

“Yeah. Megalo was there. We kind of had an epic fight, and then in the end he blew up the whole thing, framing me. I don’t know how he keeps winning. He’s just too smart. He always has a backup plan. Whenever I’m about to win, he takes the crown. At least he doesn’t have the station anymore, so he doesn’t have a checkpoint to go to for whatever he’s going to use that bomb there for. That’s one down, and there’s only two accessible left. And he has control of one.”

“Well he might be onto the third already.”

“That’s the thing! I feel like I have two lives, but Megalo only has his one life. I have to be Andy West, but he can be Megalo all the time, and I always have to show up to stop him, because he’s always making trouble.”

“Yeah, but there’s nothing you can to to fix that. Also, I heard there was some drama of a fight you were in in school. What was that all about?”

Stupid teachers only caring when Colt gets hurt, but not when he hurts others, he thought. They only make me in trouble, never Colt, because they favour him. What a terrible school I have.

It was as if Evie had the same thought. “I know you’re teachers in your school are pretty dumb and completely biased, so I won’t blame you. No excuses, because you’re not in trouble. There’s probably some explanation to it that the teachers didn’t tell me.”

“You’re awesome, sis.”

“I know, bro.”

“We don’t really have a meal together like this all the time. It’s not fair.”

“Yeah, it sucks. But we can’t do anything about it. We need the money. It’s okay, I can handle it.”

“But all day you’re always busy, working and taking classes so you can get a degree.”

“I know. It’s hard, but I can pull through. What about you? Did you take my advice on relaxing more? I mean, you still did all the chores even though I told you I was going to do them.”

“Yeah. I went to Paris’s house, and I walked the dog. It really helped, thanks. I never knew just doing something I wanted to do made me feel so much better. Anyway Paris’s parents are separating, and she wants to spend more time with me because she’s kind of in an emotional and stressful crisis, too.”

“Man that sucks. Oh well, it happens to the best of us.”

Andy remembered the checkers piece he gave her to give her good luck. The one that promised that she would play better at her tournaments. Of course, it was just a psychological trick. There was nothing special about the piece, Andy just liked it because it had a cut it in, an imperfection. To show that even the best pieces aren’t perfect.

“Also, you said being Argen was what you wanted to do.”

“Yeah, it’s fun, but it’s also stressful at the same time when things don’t go your way. But I’ve learned to take on more pain. My tolerance has definitely increased since the first time. Before I got cuts from knives and bullets from guns and felt like I was dead, but now at barely fazes me.”

“Okay, honestly what you just said is not a nice thing to hear. It’s kind of morbid.”

“Well, it’s a good thing, believe it or not.”

“So what are you up to next?”

Andy thought about it. “Focus on taking control of the first bomb.”

“Why? You need to find the third, you know. Megalo might already be on it.”

“Well wherever it is, it’s somewhere around the world. The first one is in my home city, and I’m not going to let him do anything with it if it means it’s going to harm us.”

“Makes sense,” she said. 

“Also, work on my project.”

“Why, have you already been Argen for today?”

“No.”

“Well then you’ve got that. You wanted to be him at least once every single day.”

“But I’ve got school.” Andy didn’t want to tell her the real reason why he was trying to avoid being Argen today. The city might be out for him now, the next time they see him, and for sure the cops are. Carson might be extremely mad at him for committing a crime again, since he told him to never do it again. 

He wished there were no laws for him. The people didn’t understand why he did those things. The Sages ordered him to, and there was no saying no to them.

“Fine,” he said. “I will. The Sages will get mad at me if I don’t.”

“You don’t always have to be afraid of them.”

“Well, I was created just to do their bidding.”

When they finished dinner, Andy went to his room, where he found Segador waiting. He was probably one of the ones that Andy didn’t know well the least, because he barely showed up. All he knew was that Segador was an important one, always so busy, so that’s why he barely gave tasks. 

“Segador,” Andy recognized. “What brings you here? Any leads to the third bomb?”

“No,” he said. “I’m here to talk to you about your reputation.”

“Oh, you mean how it’s going down? Yeah, I can see that already.”

“And how lately you’ve been respecting us less and less.”

“What do you mean?”

“Tell me Andy,” he said, “do you think you’re the same person that we met months ago, in that blizzard?”

“Well, no.”

“You’re changing, for the worst. Your tough life and very serious financial problems are making you arrogant. You think it’s unfair, and it’s making you angry. It’s making you a villain. And that’s what’s hurting your reputation, not us. You don’t think we know you blame us for this? Stop this, it’s annoying Aldin.”

“You made me do all the things I did.”

“We didn’t make you murder Haggins.”

“I had to!” Andy yelled. “If I let him live, my reputation 

would go down anyway! He would’ve told the police! And how did my extreme luck delay the timing of his friend showing up to the scene to see everything, huh? Was that a failure in my powers?”

“Well it’s worse than murdering him,” he said. “A lot worse.”

“What about when Megalo framed me to destroy the oil platform, huh? Was that in my control?”

“Andy, stop acting like a child.”

“I am a child!” he yelled. “That’s what you don’t understand! I’m fourteen and I’ve killed more people than I remember! More than I can count! And you expect me to treat it like an adult would!”

“When you took on this role, you pledged to do everything we say. Even if we wanted you to kill.”

“I never agreed to that.”

“Aldin told me you agreed, back in that blizzard. He asked you if you wanted to take on this role, and you said yes.”

Andy didn’t answer to that. They were quiet for a moment.

“Now I remember what I was going to ask you,” Andy said. “Megalo knows you, and the others. That means you know him. The real him. So why don’t you help me? Tell me who he is.”

“Why would you need to know such a thing?”

“No avoiding the question, Segador. You know. And you know me, what tells me you haven’t told Megalo yet, huh?”

“No,” he said. “We have not told him, and we’re not telling you.”

“Why? Loyal to Megalo, still?”

“There’s no asking questions!” he yelled. “We’ve created both of you, and we have sympathy for both of you. There’s no helping one side. You have to sort this out on your own.”

“You can’t help me? Why, am I not the good side? Isn’t Megalo the bad one?”

“Well, right now child, you’re not acting like it. I can predict that you’re going to end up just like Megalo. Your anger and hatred is turning you to a villain, and you’re going to blame it all on us, for ruining your life. When in reality, it’s you who ruined it. That’s what happened with Megalo.”

“How can I not blame this on anyone but the Sages?”

“The things we make you do are for good, Andy. Don’t believe otherwise.”

“Making me kill innocent people? What’s good in that?”

Segador had a sudden shocked look. “Who told you they were innocent?”

“Carson. Why?”

“Don’t believe him,” he told Andy. “In fact, stay away from him now on. He tells lies. And isn’t he angry at you right now?”

“I don’t know. And he doesn’t tell lies. I trust him. There’s no motive for him to lie to me. So why were they innocent?” 

“Look, I can’t tell you, but�"”

“There’s a lot more going on than I understand, I know. But sooner or later, you have to tell me.”

“Very well. But now is not the time. I have to go. Remember what I’ve told you. Anything we ask of you, you have to do it. Anything. Understand?”

Andy nodded. “Fine. Anything.”

.  .  .

Aldin, he’s becoming angry at us,” Veva said. “This is not what we wanted with him. Look at him right now, he’s angry.”

When Segador left, Andy got angry, and flipped his entire bed. Then after a while of calming down, he sat against the wall, putting his face in his arms. 

“Well he better toughen up.”

“Why are you so mean to him? Maybe this is why he resents us. He’s beginning to question the tasks we give him. Before he just disliked them, now he questions if they’re even right. And maybe they aren’t.”

Segador then entered the Hall. “Aldin, I’m not going to deal with such things anymore. That child isn’t the one we expected to be. I’m done with him.”

“You don’t understand,” Veva said. “He’s acting like this because he’s hurt inside, because of us. We’re putting too much pressure on him.”

“Look at what he is now, Veva. He’s not what we wanted,” Aldin said. 

“Well he hasn’t failed a single task we gave him yet. Not even this one. Megalo might be winning, but that doesn't mean he’s won.”

“But I’m afraid Andy’s going to turn into him, soon. This is exactly how Megalo started. Over time Andy’s been getting angry. At us, at his life, at everything. The tough problems in his life has slowly been turning him into a villain. He doesn’t even know it. Did you not see how disrespectful he acted towards Segador?”

“He needs to change, I understand. But you have to remember he is just a kid.”

“I know, Veva. But you have to realize Megalo is just a kid too, until he matured into an adult. We need Andy to do that too. And he needs to do it while staying good and true to the goodness he stands for. There was a time when he was everybody’s hero, in school, and he allowed Colt to bully him instead of others, just to protect them. That good in his heart is gone. We need it back.”

“Well, what do you think made it leave?”

“The decision to make him kill.”

“Yes. We made him learn to accept it. The reason why he hates himself is because he knows he’s not innocent. He knows he’s committed crimes, and the only reason he’s not in jail is because the cops don’t have the power to stop him. It’s making him feel like he’s cheating. And he doesn’t like cheating.”

“We’re done with giving him tasks after this one, anyway. He’ll be free to go, live his life as he pleases.”

“He doesn’t know that. Also, we’re going to need to tell him the real reason we chose him and created him, you know.”

“In time. He will find out everything, in time.”

.  .  .

Andy landed on the same spot where he knew Carson would find him. He tried to get there unnoticed, as much as possible. He didn’t feel safe in the city anymore. It was just like the old times. He couldn’t be revealed anymore. 

Carson was already there. “Are you crazy? The whole city’s mad at you! I told you not to do anything like this anymore!”

“Listen, I had to.”

“I have to shoot you on sight, you know. But since we both know there’s no way I’m going to kill you, we can talk. Why did you do those things? Why did you kill Haggins when all I told you to do was interrogate him?”

“He recognized me, and if he was let go he’d�"he’d�"” Andy didn’t feel like saying it. It would hurt my reputation. That made him sound selfish. 

“He’d what?”

“Nothing. As for the destruction of the oil platform, I wasn’t the one who did that. Megalo was the one who blew it up.”

“I could tell.”

“So you’re not mad at me?”

“No, because I trust you and everything you do. You have a reason for it, I’m sure.”

“Any leads on the third?”

“No. It’s a quiet world out there, and there’s no signs of anything. You’ll have to find it yourself.”

“Why don’t I just follow Megalo, if he finds it?”

“That’s a good idea. You know where to find him?”

“The first bomb site might be a good place. What’s been going on there, anyway?”

“No progress. There’s like a whole battalion of criminals there, holding the position for Megalo. They’ve even got a tank. I have no idea where in the world they could’ve gotten that. If you’re going to take it back, you can’t do it by yourself, or you’re dead for sure. You’ll need backup.”

“I’m not going to take it back. At least, not now. I have to go for the third.”

“But think about it. If Megalo finds the third, he’ll have two. But if you go for the first while he does that, and take it, you’ll be tied. He won’t be expecting it, too. He’s depending on you to go after the third with him. Because he knows you’ll lose. Every single one, he has a plan. The first one was the one we got to first, but he took it over with tactics, not force. The second one, he had a backup plan if you won, which you almost did. He has a plan for everything, and for sure he’ll have one for the third. Even if you get there first, he’ll have one. If you g attack the first, I’m almost certain he won’t have anything planned there. Plus, the first one is here, in this city. Isn’t that more important than anywhere else in the world?”

“It might be to us, but not for other people. Each bomb, no matter where it is, is just as important as the others. Well, except for the one in the ocean, since nobody’s there. We were lucky on that one. Also, I think you’re right.”

“Yes. But if you’re going after the first and not the third, then how are you going to do it? By force, maybe. And there’s no way to lure them out. The only reason why we got lured out was because we’re attracted to danger, since we have the duty to secure citizens. The enemies protecting the bomb don’t have that weakness.”

Andy remembered something Megalo told him during their first battle. The first thing you want to do when meeting your enemy is understand his strengths and weaknesses. He was basically telling Andy to analyze your opponent’s capabilities, and that was the key to defeating them.

“That’s it,” he said. “I know Megalo’s most powerful ability. It’s so obvious! How could I not see it by now?”

“What is it?” Carson asked him, eager to know.

“Extreme intelligence! Think about it. He knows our every move with flawless predictability. He has a plan for everything. He finds our weaknesses and strengths to use them to our advantage. When we had control of the first bomb, he knew the perfect way to lure us out. That explosion in the city. He knew we’d rush to get there to defend against the terrorists because we’re good. The symbol on his costume, the die, it signifies his ability in strategy, to strategize, to always be two steps ahead of the enemy in thinking.”

“Brilliant how you figured that out,” he said. “So now you know. You can use that to your advantage.”

“One thing I know about Megalo is that you should never, ever, underestimate him. He’s more smarter than you in every way, and he’ll outthink you no matter what. He’ll know we’ll be going for the first. I just know he will. He’ll be there, ready to defend. I don’t think we should go for it. And with my extreme luck, I should be right.”

“So you’re saying we should go for the third?”

“Well, he might be expecting that too. But the thing is, we don’t know where the third is. And if Megalo doesn’t know either, then he’ll be protecting the first if we choose to attack it since he has nothing else to do.”

“Unbelievable,” Carson muttered. “It’s hard to believe you do’t have extreme intelligence yourself.”

“Thanks, but I don’t. I’m just learning how to think like my enemy, which you know my enemy is Megalo, so it’s a lot harder than you think.”

“But we have no other choice. We don’t have any clue on how to find the third.”

“How about we go to the first, see if Megalo’s there. Find some information from him if he knows where the third is, too.”

“Sounds like a plan. But I can’t go with you. Busy things are going on around the department. Crime rates have been increasing lately.”

“Would you blame it on the disappearance of me?”

“Maybe. Why have you stopped fighting crime, anyway?”

“I haven’t. I’m just focused on defeating Megalo. But I’ll soon be back.”

He nodded. “Great. It’s good to have you protecting Bluewell. It makes the citizens feel safe.”

Andy looked up at the sky turning dark. He gripped his fists, ready to take off. His muscles were still a bit sore, but it didn’t matter now. He blasted off the roof of the building.

While he flew, he remembered another thing Megalo told him during their first battle. Something about him getting angry easily was one of his weaknesses. It was true. The Sages thought he was getting too arrogant. He even chose to punch Colt, something he would never have done before. He was just so angry at his life. 

Also, he didn’t know if he was going back to fighting crime. He had told Carson he would, but was he really going to do it? Annoy the Sages again? Evie had always told him that he didn’t always have to do what the Sages wanted. But then Segador reminded him that wasn’t true, and that he did have to do whatever they ordered him to do, no matter what. 

But the thing was, even though he wasn’t meant to fight crime, he really liked doing it. It suited him. Maybe he wasn’t meant to do it, but he had the power to, so why not?

He wondered if the Sages would ever release their grip on him and allow him to live a free, normal life. 

Twelfth 

So you came,” Megalo said, when Andy landed near the cliff, that was actually the bomb near Bluewell city. All of his criminals working for him aimed their guns at Andy. He was severely outnumbered, and they could’ve killed him easily right there and then, but their leader held a hand up.

“I’m not here to fight, Megalo. I just came because I knew I could find you here.”

“So you don’t know where the third is, either? I was hoping you would. In fact, I was depending on the fact that you would. So I would follow you.”

“Funny. That was my plan, too.”

“Well now we’re uneven. I still have one and you don’t. You’re losing the tide of the battle, you know. Before you tell me why you came here, I already know. You want information.”

“What?”

“Don’t act dumb. First you wanted to find out if I knew where the third was, which you found out I don’t. Then you want to know why I’m doing this, what I’m using the bombs for, how I planned everything up to this point, understand my motives against the Sages. Oh, and before you say anything about my most powerful ability, I know you already know.”

Andy was speechless. Then suddenly he remembered something Chronus told him. He has ears and eyes all over the city. Believe me, anywhere in the city, even your home, is under his radius of detection.

“Carson,” he said. “If we were being watched, then he could be in danger.”

Andy was about to blast off, before Megalo said, “No, he’s not. There’s no need to kill him off.”

“Tell me what you want,” Andy said. “And I’ll give it to you. No more of this.”

“You can’t give me what I want,” he said. “Because I want to do it myself. I want to prove to the Sages that we’re better than them. Their creations are superior. And there’s nothing they can do to stop their creations from doing whatever they want to.”

“How do you think you’re better than them if you’re causing all this destruction?”

“That’s the point, Argen. I want to show them they have no control over this world. And that their own weapons from their own realm are their fault. I’m going to detonate them when I want to, and show the Sages that all they’ve brought into this world is trouble.”

“I understand what you want, because secretly I’ve been wanting that too,” Andy said. “But I’m not going to harm innocents while doing it.”

“The Sages are just using us. Think about it. The only reason they did a favour for you was because they want you to return it. All they’ve ever wanted was to use you for their bidding. Why do you think they made you kill Jacob Martinez?”

“I don’t know.”

“Because he was my family!” he yelled. “He was my uncle, and they made you murder him because they’re heartless! They want to make me feel bad, and show me that they’re the ones in charge!”

Andy thought about it. There was no way that could’ve been true. 

“They lied to you that he was a criminal. They lied to you about the illegal shipment in that ship too, didn’t they?”

Andy remembered opening the crates just to find shoeboxes. “No, there’s no way…”

“Rethink everything. Their mistake was me. They made me too smart. I know all their secrets.”

“The Sages are good, I know it.”

“No, they’re not. That’s what I want to show you. Deep inside, they don’t mean good.”

“You don’t mean good. Why are you telling me this anyway? What, you’re stalling me?”

“It’s good that you’re getting smarter. Because I am. I know where the third bomb actually is. And I’ve lied to you to make you stay here.”

“What?” Andy got ready to fly again, but then he remembered he didn’t know a single thing about where it was. Megalo laughed at that. 

Instead he flew to his enemy and grabbed his collar, bringing him into the air. “Tell me where it is!”

His men all clicked their guns, reminding him that they had Megalo covered. The villain himself just laughed even more. “You have three choices to go from here. You can follow me when I go for the third bomb, which I’ll tell you, is near the continent of Oceania. Or you can let me go, and go for the bomb on 70, Fourth Street that I’ve set up.”

“You’ve set another?” Andy said, pulling him closer.

“Oh yes,” he said. “Or your third choice: save the only family you have left in your home. It’s in danger, too. So what are you going to pick?”

Evie. Andy was frozen. Megalo somehow knew where he lived. That meant he might know who he was.

Despite all he heard, there was no way he was going to let his sister die. Even if there was another bomb in the city, and even if Megalo was going to go for the third bomb, which he already knew where it was. 

“What are you going to choose, Argen?” he said, laughing. “Hurry, time’s ticking on each.”

Andy knew what he would pick. He threw Megalo on he ground. His men were about to fire, but their leader stopped them.

“No need,” he said as he got up. He blasted off in the direction of Oceania, meanwhile Andy blasted off the other direction, to his home, not following him. 

I’m being selfish, he thought. And foolish. Megalo is going to kill tons of people while I’m saving my sister. But she’s all I have left. If she dies, I’m alone, and I’ll never forgive myself. I won’t have a guardian anymore.

He got there quickly. He flew to the window, coming in. 

“Evie!” he yelled. 

“Andy?” she said, coming out of her room. “Oh, you’re Argen. Why are you here�"”

“Are you okay?” he said. “Enemies, a bomb, what?”

“Andy, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Suddenly it hit Andy. He was tricked. Lied to. Evie was in no danger at all. Megalo never said the exact location of his home. That meant he didn’t know anything about him at all, he was just speaking generally to trick him.

“Nothing,” Andy told Evie. “I’ll explain later. I’ve got to go.”

“Wait, Andy, what’s happening?”

“I was tricked to come here. There’s no time to explain!”

He flew out the window, going for Fourth Street. He didn’t have time to find and follow Megalo to the bomb now, since he made him waste time by going home. He was just going to find and stop the bomb in Bluewell instead. It was his home city, too. Even if he had the choice to follow Megalo to the third bomb, he’d still choose to save his city. 

He flew around he buildings, remembering where the street was in the city. He shot across the sky, over honking traffic and walking pedestrians. 

When he got to the address Megalo gave him, he landed, looking around. It was a new building, being built. It didn’t make sense to Andy, just totally confused him. If the bomb was in here, what was the point? Megalo wouldn’t kill anyone in a secluded building still in construction…

Then Andy had a panic attack when he realized everything. 

It was too late, when he heard an explosion somewhere else in the city. His extremely sensitive ears picked up the loud noise instantly, and he covered them in pain, dropping to his knees. 

But he had picked up the sound. He instantly knew where it was. When his ears healed he got back up and blasted off again, going to the location where he heard the explosion.

As he flew, he had realized what Megalo had done. First, he lied to him twice, just to get enough time for him to fly off to the third bomb without Andy following him, and blowing up a city block at the same time. He should’ve known Megalo had a plan for when Andy would come to meet him at the first bomb, too. He was an expert genius.

When Andy found the location, he saw the destruction. A skyscraper had its side blown up, with a gaping hole open, smoke rising into the air. 

He saw police cars down below, showing up to the scene. Ambulances and fire trucks came, too. Alarms were heard all over the city. 

With Andy’s excellent vision, he saw Carson down below, getting out of one of the police cars and shouting orders. Of course he’d show up. This was a very serious situation.

He didn’t want to land near him, where so many citizens and were around. He was afraid that if they saw him they’d hate him for what he’s done. He hasn’t been near citizens for a while, ever since he chose to give up fighting crime so he could purely focus on the tasks the Sages gave him.

But how could he be so dumb? How could he be so quick to trust Megalo? And most of all, how could he choose to stay here in the city the he could’ve followed Megalo to the third bomb, which was where he was going right now? That’s what the Sages would’ve wanted. 

Andy decided he didn’t have anything to do here. The damage had already been done. He was also scared to show himself. The city had seen him as a villain, and there was no turning back. He’d chosen to work for the Sages instead of saving people, and that was the most important anyway. He wasn’t meant for this. 

He flew back home. It had turned dark, and still the city was busy. Ambulances kept coming through the streets, trying to get to the site as fast as possible. 

When he flew inside his window, he saw the mess in his room that he hadn’t cleaned up yet. His bed was still upside down. Everything was everywhere. Worst of all, his sister was at the door, looking around at it all.

“When did this happen?” she asked quietly. 

Andy dropped against the wall, taking off his mask. He didn’t feel like answering. 

“Andy,” she said, getting angry. “Tell me when this happened!”

“Before you came home,” he said. “I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up.”

“It’s not that, Andy. I want to know what made you angry enough to do this. What do the Sages keep making you do?”

“Nothing,” he said truthfully. “Trust me, nothing. It’s all me. I’ve messed up everything. It’s just… I can’t take it anymore. Too much stress and pressure, I just released it all at once. I wasn’t thinking.”

She shook her head, tearing up. The disappointment on her face made Andy tear up, too. 

“I don’t know what to do,” she said. “Ever since Mom and Dad are gone, I’m confused. I don’t know what to do. We have too much work on us. But you honestly have it worse. You keep looking like you’ve been beaten up whenever you get home, because you’re out there fighting.”

“It’s just so hard.”

“I know. The Sages really don’t understand the things we’re going through. Come here.”

Andy got up and hugged her. It made him feel better. “It’s okay,” she said. “I’m not mad. We’ll buy a new one.”

“But we can’t. I can still use it.”

“Okay then. I just don’t feel like I’m doing a good enough job taking care of you.”

“You are. Better than Mom or Dad, since you work twice as much and are still doing as good of a job.”

She smiled. “Thanks. Now tell me why you came here before I heard that bomb blow up in the street.”

Andy still heard the sirens of the vehicles speeding through the roads outside his open window. “Megalo told me my home was in danger.”

“But he never told you where, I see. He just made you believe he knew where.”

“But I was scared, because Chronus told me he had ears and eyes everywhere. So he could’ve easily had an allied criminal see me fly out of this building, and he’ll know where I live.”

“Andy, we both know with your extreme luck that’s never going to happen.”

“I’ve learned that some things can’t be saved by luck. I got sick, remember? At such a bad time like this.” He also remembered how Haggins’s friend in the factory came back for him when he realized he hadn’t left the building after the fire alarm, and came back at such a wrong time. But he didn’t want to say that, since he didn’t like the memory of being forced to kill an innocent.

Evie sighed, resting her chin on Andy’s shoulder. “I’ve got night shift.”

“It sucks to be you.”

“Ha ha. Says the one who has to get his butt up every morning to save the city. You know, I’m six years older than you and you’ve already grown taller than me.”

“Thanks.”

“I never noticed, I guess, until now,” she said, pulling away. “Anyway, are you going to be fine here?”

Andy nodded. 

“Don’t let anything control your life, bro.”

“Like the Sages?”

“No, not just them. I mean anything. Live your life how you want to, and don’t let anything stop you. Got that?”

“Sure.”

She patted his back. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, then. Since I’ll probably still be sleeping before you wake up. Or I’ll be leaving for another thing I have to do or something. Also, you need to get some sleep.”

“But it’s too early. It’s the weekend, too.”

“Well, that’s what you think, since you’re Argentios. But this is the time the so called, regular people sleep. And you’ve been exhausting yourself lately. No staying up. Even if it’s the weekend. You need rest.”

“Fine,” Andy said. “Sleeping is boring. I’ll take a shower before I do, then. Just to relax and get my mind off things.”

“Yes, I hope you do.”

.  .  .

It was a boring first half of the day for Andy. Paris was at a tournament and would only came back in the afternoon, so all he could do was watch the news all day, and work on his share of the project with Mason.

Things were getting worse around Bluewell. His battle with Megalo was loss after loss, and he never could outthink him. He didn’t think he was the right person for the job. There was no way he could beat him. He planned everything. 

And he thought, running around causing destruction and mayhem is way easier than trying to contain it. Megalo can blow up any building in the city he wanted, and I would have no clue where it was. And there’s only one of me. What if he blows up multiple areas at once? What am I supposed to do to stop that?

Being a hero was hard. That was the thing. It’s not all fame, power, and glory. There are many challenges they face. There are many laws they have to break. Even if they save the day, there’s always consequences. Like the destruction the leave behind during battles, or the things they have to do in order to beat their enemy. 

Bluewell was in fear. It showed it on the news, with all the fear on their faces. Things were getting way more serious around the city. Criminals were no longer scared once they realized they had Megalo on their side to support them, and the fact that Argentios wasn’t fighting them anymore. Chaos was starting, and there was an uprising of criminals in the city. No streets were safe. 

“Where is Argentios now?” the newsperson said. Andy was working on his project at the moment, and he looked at the TV when he heard it. “Wherever he is, the city needs him more than ever. Trouble has risen higher than it ever has before. Whatever conspiracies the authorities have against him, people don’t believe it. They want him back, to defend the city.”

They want me back? Andy thought. That can’t be. I’m not a hero. 

There was a knock on the door, but Andy was lost in thought. Fine. If they want me back, I’m only going to do it to fight Megalo for one last time. Not for them, but because the Sages gave me the task. I’m doing it for the Sages, not the people. They don’t understand I do these things to defeat Megalo and get this task over with, not because I want to save them. 

Andy thought he was thinking purely selfishly, but he didn’t care. It was the truth�"all he was meant for was to serve the Sages. 

But he wondered, were the Sages really good? Or were they not, like what Megalo said? What about Veva and Junie, Kytro and Matera… they can’t all be bad. Or maybe secretly they were. 

The tasks they gave him weren’t good, even though they told him they were. Plus, Chronus told him once they all lied to him. They must’ve lied to him all the time.

After this, I’m done, he thought. I’m done working for the Sages. They’re being unfair. Evie’s right. They’re using me. I’ve been thinking this wrongly. I keep thinking I have to return the favour because they saved my sister, but the favour’s already been returned. In fact, it already was after I completed my first mission. They can’t just always risk my life to do their bidding, since I’m just a kid. I mean, I’m happy and all for them saving my sister, but this is ridiculous, and it has to stop. I’m only going to fight Megalo one last time, when he decides to use the bomb he has control of, that’s it.

But Andy didn’t even know when Megalo was even going to use it. And he didn’t know what happened with the other bomb, near Oceania. Did he find it? Does he have control of it, too?

“Hey, Andy, it’s me, Paris! Open up!”

I forgot the door, he thought as he got off the couch to get it. 

As soon as he opened it, he said, “How’d you do�"” before he was cut off. 

“It worked!” she said, excitedly coming through the door. “Your lucky piece. I had it in my pocket and we played extremely well, something we haven’t done in a while. And it’s like magic�"one game I left it in my bag instead of bringing it with me, and we lost the game. I don’t know how it worked, but I seem to win every time I have it. How do you do it?”

“Nothing,” he said. “Do you have it?”

“Yes, it’s right here.” She held up the piece.

“I’m taking it back,” he said, snatching it.

“Hey! I need that!”

“No you don’t,” Andy said, which was the exact same thing he told his father when he did this trick to him. “It’s not magic. It’s just you.”

“What?”

“It’s just a piece, Paris. It doesn’t do anything. It’s all in your mind. When you had it you strived to play better, so you did. When you forgot it in your bag, you believed you wouldn’t play as good, so you didn’t. I did this to show you that you have it in yourself to play good, without any training. You just have to believe to achieve.”

“Sounds like an inspirational quote,” she said as she came in dropping her bag. “Anyway, thanks. Nice trick, it really helped.” 

That had to be pure coincidence when you didn’t have the piece and you lost the game, he thought. Maybe my extreme luck? It wanted to make me prove it to you?

“Oh,” she said, stopping when she saw the TV.

“Oh yeah, Argen and all that stuff,” Andy said, scratching the back of his head. 

“What happened?” she said as she sat down. “A bomb?”

“Not the first. They’ve been happening since Megalo appeared.”

“You mean the bad guy?”

Andy laughed at that. “Bad guy? What are you, a child? Sure, you can say that.”

“Shut up,” she said, smiling. “Anyway, things are so bad right now in this city.”

“I know. If only Argen could help.”

“I don’t know what happened to him,” she said. “He was kind of my idol, you know.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Going around the city and saving people, it’s amazing what he does. Too bad he stopped.”

“Maybe he hasn’t stopped yet. I mean, he’s pretty focused on defeating his nemesis.”

“I guess,” she said, a bit quiet.

“What’s wrong?”

“It kind of disappoints me this is all happening. It scares me, too. This is in our city, it’s not too far away. And to think Argen doesn’t do anything.”

“Hey, he does enough!” Andy said. “Well, at least I think he does. You really think he can be better?”

“A whole lot.”

Andy let that sink in. He already made his decision that he would stop saving people, but maybe that could change. 

He exhaled, with that thought in his mind.

“You had a rough week, huh?” She interpreted it wrong.

It was true anyway. “Yeah.”

“Your nemesis Colt, being so busy you’re always leaving school, and a lot of other problems in your life.”

Argen is one of them, but nobody knows that. “Colt is my nemesis?”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

I always thought Colt was a side bully, and Megalo was my nemesis. Well, Paris doesn’t know I’m Argen anyway, and I hope it stays that way. There’s no way she’s going to keep that secret.

“I wish you two could get along,” she said, sighing. “He’s such a nice guy, on the inside. And apparently you’re a tough guy on the inside.”

“Because I hurt him in a fight? I’ve been waiting a long time to do that.”

“Of course you would. Anyway, I have a good feeling for our project.”

“You should. You’re with Colt.”

“What about you?”

“Well�"” Before Andy could answer, his eyes caught the breaking news playing on the TV. Megalo was on screen, speaking. Sending a message to Argentios, and the whole city.

“Andy?” Paris said, but then realized what was going on in the TV too. 

“Come out and play, Argen!” Megalo said, standing on top of a building. “Wherever you are, come here in the next hour or watch me blow up a tenth of the city. I’m finally going to use this bomb, and I’m giving you a chance to stop me!”

I have to go, now. “What’s with Megalo and explosions? 

Anyway, I think it’s a trap. Wherever Argen is, he shouldn’t go. Why else would Megalo tell him where he is?”

“Right,” Paris said. 

“Also, I just remembered I have to go somewhere.” He looked for his bag, which had his suit. 

“What? You’re acting strange. Seriously, why now? At a time like this?”

“I just have to do something,” he said. “Why can’t you accept that?”

“So many excuses! You know, if you just keep having to go somewhere every time we hang out I’m just going to hang out with Colt.”

“Doesn’t bother me,” Andy said, lying. 

“Well, fine then. We’re practically done our project anyway.”

“I have to hurry,” andy said, grabbing his bag and racing out the door. “See ya! Snacks are in the fridge, by the way!”

Andy raced as fast as he could, down the stairs and out the building. Nobody was there, so he flew down them just to go faster. 

He had to get there, and fast, before tons of people were killed. 

Thirteenth

Andy landed near the area he saw Megalo in. People were already running from the scene, and Carson was already there. 

“This is it,” he told Andy. “You can stop him, I know you can. We’ve cleared all the citizens from this area, so you and Megalo have a cleared space to fight without hurting anyone.”

“Good,” Andy said. “But he’s just distracting me again. I have to go for the bomb, and I’ll need backup. The only reason I’m here is because he’s wreaking havoc in the city, and I can’t let them do that.”

“We’ve got the military covering that. The thing is, you’re distracting Megalo too. While you guys fight here, we’ll make sure our squads will pull through his enemy lines and make sure they don’t blow up that bomb.”

“What if they don’t?”

“Don’t worry about that. They will. Just make sure you don’t let Megalo escape this area and try to support his men guarding the bomb. Can I trust you to do that?”

Andy nodded. “I’ll keep him busy.”

“If he does escape, then follow him. You can help us with the bomb, then.”

“Okay.”

“This is important,” Carson reminded him. “The whole world could be at stake here.”

“Can I trust you to stop that bomb?”

“I can almost guarantee it.”

“Okay,” Andy said. “We can do this.”

Suddenly, Megalo appeared, in the air, above everyone. “There you are, Argen. I was beginning to think you’d given up.”

“Never,” he said, standing straight up to him. “I’m going to stop you, once and for all.”

“Once I do this, it’s over,” he said. “Criminals are ravaging the city. You haven’t been back in a while, maintaining them all. You’re only one person.”

“Wrong. I’m not,” He nodded to Carson. “Now get out of here!” he told him. 

“Good luck,” he said. 

“Thanks. I won’t need it.”

Behind Carson, a crowd of people was watching, cheering. Supporting him. Andy was confused by it all. 

The people like me? he thought. I thought nobody did. 

It gave him hope, to see that the city hasn’t given up in him yet. While most would always think of him as a vigilante, there would always be some who saw him in the sky flying and thinking of him as a hero. 

But it came to him, why they liked him. It didn’t matter how bad the news made him look, it didn’t matter about the things he did. They needed a protector, someone capable of stopping Megalo. And with all the crime he stopped in the city, all the lives he saved, he was that person. The people needed him, and they were glad he was back.

He gripped his fists and smiled, looking up at Megalo in the sky. “Looks like it’s you and me, bud. You’re going down.”

“We’ll see,” he said, descending to the ground. He began to walk forward, towards Andy.

Andy did the same. “What happened to the third bomb, anyway? You didn’t have me to stop you from finding it, with all the tricks you set up for me in the city.”

“It was in the ocean, too. With no station or base near it. Oh well, I only need one to kill a vast amount of people. Especially one near Bluewell. You weren’t lucky on this one. But you were exceptionally lucky on the third. Was the you? Your extreme luck?”

“What are you talking about? I thought you were smart. Most of the earth is covered in ocean�"”

“No more of your incessant insults,” he said. 

“Why do you want to do this, anyway?” Andy asked. “Killing people will prove to the Sages you’re better than them?”

“Killing people with their own weapons will prove to them that everything’s their fault. That first, their own weapons dropped into our world, and second, their creation, me, is going to use them. I want to show the Sages that all they’ve caused for this world is trouble! I want to show them that they don’t have the power to stop me, one of their creations. They don’t have power in anything! So yes, I want to show them I’m better than them, by showing that I’m stronger than them.”

“You’re wrong,” Andy said. “They have me to stop you. And I’m their creation, too. Born from a tragedy. So they are cleaning up for their sorry mistakes, by sending me to stop this madness.”

“Foolish, you are.” As he kept walking closer, he grabbed cars with one hand and started to throw them at Andy. He didn’t even have to move, because they each missed. They went over his head, or to the sides.

“Unbelievable,” he said. “Your luck.”

“Impressed? I was impressed by your power, too. I can’t seem to outthink you.” Another car tossed at him. Again, he didn’t move anywhere, just continued to walk towards Megalo. It crashed into pieces behind Andy, who heard it clearly.

Finally, the two were within two metres away from each other. They stood still, waiting for either to make the first move.

“I’ll enjoy breaking your neck,” Megalo said. 

“I’ll enjoy your loss.” Then Andy made the first move. He pushed his enemy, and the force was so powerful he flew backwards, falling to the ground. 

He slowly got up, groaning. He looked around for something to use. He spotted a stop sign. He grabbed it, pulled it off the ground, and threw it at Andy. 

It was accurate this time, and too fast for Andy to dodge. It struck him in the shoulder, coming with so much force it went through him. He held back a scream of pain. Blood seeped out from the area it had entered. 

Andy found a sign of his own and threw it back at Megalo. It hit him in the leg, striking through it too. He yelled in pain as blood spilled everywhere. 

Andy used the moment to advance to him. Megalo regained focus, and threw a series of punches which with luck, Andy dodged each one. He threw one of his own, uppercutting his gut. 

“Ergh,” Megalo said. But then finally he landed one of his own hits, which was way more powerful than Andy’s. It hit him straight in the side of his jaw. It had so much force it cracked his neck. His head faced his right, and he couldn’t move it. He was afraid it would permanently stay there, but he already felt his enhanced regeneration kicking in, mending his bones. It wasn’t a fatal or paralyzing blow, and he’d soon get out of it.

Meanwhile, Megalo snickered at Andy’s stuck head position. Andy landed a blow of his own, on his enemy’s arm. It instantly broke, going limp.

“Ow!” he yelled. 

Then Andy gripped the sign stuck in his shoulder, and with a grunt pulled it out. He then stabbed it on Megalo’s foot, making him yell even more, also pinning him down. he felt the relief of his shoulder starting to heal the hole in his body. 

Meanwhile Megalo had his foot stuck in a pole, which was firmly implanted in the concrete ground by Andy’s strength. His forearm was limp, too. He wasn’t down yet, though. He grabbed a heavy rock on the ground with one hand and bashed it against Andy’s eye. 

His yell was so loud the whole city could’ve heard it. His eye was gone, for sure. But not for long. It would eventually heal, and it didn’t matter anyway. His single other eye was probably just as good as two of a regular person’s, probably better. 

“Enough of these games,” Andy said, grabbing the pole Megalo’s foot was pinned to and pulling it. He swung it wildly, trying to hit him. He couldn’t see anything, since his head was stuck facing the right since his neck was broken, but his luck allowed him to nail his nemesis right in the chest, knocking him back, far down the street. He crashed into a building. Andy’s neck was already nearly mended, which surprised him. He could move it again, and he gladly did so, looking for Megalo. His shoulder was fully healed, too. Only his eye was still repairing itself. 

He flew across the air, shooting towards Megalo who was unseen inside a building, with a gaping hole in it. It was a depot for tools. 

Andy flew to it, and Megalo came out just in time to impale him with the opposite end of a rake he found inside the shop, right in the stomach. Andy had the wind knocked out of him, and he couldn’t breathe from the pain. Blood squirted out from the new hole in his body. 

Megalo then kicked him in the chest, sending him flying out the building, falling to the ground after. Andy spitted blood. He never let so much pain, but he knew he could survive. He already felt his body starting to heal when he pulled it out of him, which hurt a lot. 

On the ground, weak, he looked at Megalo’s condition. Everything he had was healed already. He did it just as fast as Andy.

“There’s no way we can kill each other,” he said to Andy.  “We heal too fast.”

Just as he had said that, Andy’s wound in his stomach was already almost fully healed, and his eye was back, too. “You only understand now. Well, I’m still going to find a way to kill you. An explosion, maybe?”

“Ahead of you,” he said, looking at the rake Andy was holding that he had pulled out of him. It had a ticking bomb stuck on it. 

With lightning reflexes, he threw it into the air, and it exploded without harming him. “Genius,” he said. “Where do you get all these bombs, anyway?”

“That would’ve killed you,” he said, ignoring his question. “You came too close to death. You have a lot more to learn, Argen.”

“I was never meant to fight someone with abilities like me. I was only mean to do the tasks the Sages gave me.”

“Well me too!” he yelled. “But then they made me destroy a city!”

The words shocked Andy. “What?”

“Yes, they did! I was like you, always following orders and obeying them. They thought I was getting too arrogant for them, so they forced me to destroy as much as I could of a city, just to make me feel worse! Just to show me that they were the ones in charge! Just to give me punishment!”

“Which city?” Andy asked.

“I won’t tell you,” he said. “I’m ashamed of it.”

“The Sages made you do it?”

“Yes, because deep down they’re evil! They made us so they can use us, and they force us to do things that we don’t want to. Horrible things. That’s what I want you to see!”

“I don’t believe it. How can I trust you anyway? All you’ve been doing to me is lying and cheating.”

“Because you’re trying to stop me from proving to them that they’re the evil ones!”

“Even if they’re not as righteous as we thought, that’s no excuse to kill innocents to prove it.”

“Oh, but it is,” he said. “How can it not, when they made me do the same? Kill innocents, for whatever reason they have for me to.”

“You should just learn to trust the Sages, and what they make you do.”

“Even if you know deep inside that they’re wrong?”

“Lies. You’re known for lying your way out of things.”

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll have to kill you.” Megalo flew towards Andy. It was too quick for him to react, and he was tackled up into the air. Megalo grabbed him, held him up in the air, and brought his back down on his knee, effectively breaking it. 

Andy yelled in pain. Then his nemesis threw him down into a building, breaking through the windows and concrete. Andy had crashed into an office building, where papers flew everywhere and desks were destroyed. 

He couldn’t move, since there was something wrong with his back. He could feel a bone jutting out of it. 

Megalo flew into the building, seeing him on the floor, unable to move.

“Pathetic,” he said. “If you were sent to stop me, you should have the power to, right?”

Andy growled. He had to stall somehow until his back was healed, but of course Megalo knew that. He stepped over the bits of glass and papers on the floor and grabbed Andy by the hair, pulling him up. 

“I know your plan, you know,” he said. “Never underestimate my intelligence. I see every hidden plan, every variable, every possible outcome. Your trying to stall me so that the military can defeat my forces guarding the bomb, without having me to go through.”

He threw Andy on the ground again, breaking even more bones in his body. 

“That should give me enough time to get there,” he said. “Out of luck, Argen.” He flew out the building, going for the location of the bomb. Andy still couldn’t move, but at least Megalo had left him. All he could do was wait, until he healed, so he could go after him. But he didn’t know how long that would take. 

He waited and waited. Getting impatient, he tried to get up, but failed and stumbled back down. He tried again. Getting on his knee, trying to push up. But he just fell back down. 

I could do this, he thought. I’m Argentios. The city depends on me. 

He tried to get up again. But he was still hurt. But there wasn’t any time left. His back was healing too slowly. 

After a few moments, it fully healed. He felt his back, which no longer had anything sticking out of it. He felt fresh and new. 

He had to get to the bomb site. Megalo was probably there now, helping his forces defend it form the military until it detonated. 

He shot into the sky in a sonic boom, going faster than he knew he could. He flew around skyscrapers, barely missing them at his high speed. 

He got to the site fast, where two sides were fighting. Criminals defending a cliff from military forces, which the cliff was actually the massive bomb. They were giving their lives, Andy realized, since when it blew up they would surely die in the massive explosion. And the soldiers were risking theirs, too. If they didn’t stop it in time, they’d all die, along with some of the city. 

He looked around. With his enhanced vision, he didn’t spot Megalo anywhere. But he did see Carson somewhere down there, in the midst of the military army and their vehicles, accompanied by a few other place cars and cops.

He landed near him. 

Carson was shocked to see him. “Argen! What are you doing here?”

“Has Megalo come here yet?” Andy asked him. There was no way he had beaten his nemesis here. 

“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about. He never came.”

Andy realized he’d been tricked again. Megalo was still somewhere in the city, destroying things and killing citizens. He had to get back. But before he did, he looked around at the battlefield. Megalo’s criminal forces were strong. They had many heavy weapons, including even a tank. They were holding back the military forces, especially since they had higher ground on the cliff and cover. 

He watched as helicopters entered their range of their rocket launchers, and they were blasted to bits before they could do anything. He watched as military forces pushed as hard as they could to break through the enemy barrier, but they were badly losing. 

“Carson, you can’t stay here and help,” Andy said. 

“It’s my duty.”

“But don’t you see? The bomb is going to go off any second, easily clearing this entire field.”

“We’ll stop it before that happens.”

“Will you?” Andy said, gesturing to the losing fight. “Plus, it could detonate any second. I want you to get out of here, as fast as possible. Save yourself.”

“If we retreat, and do nothing, we lose thousands of civilian lives,” he said sternly. 

“There’s nothing we can do. We can’t move the bomb itself, as the big thing is lodged into the earth itself. And Megalo’s forces are too strong to break through. Even if you have me. Their weapons would rip me apart the second I try to fly in. It’s useless. You have to run, better now than later. You don’t have to tell everyone.”

“You’d rather let lots of people die, including the men who fight on this field?”

“Carson, tell me we have a chance at getting through Megalo’s forces.”

He looked around with a hopeless look as he did so, taking in the view of defeat.

“We have no choice. Run while you can. It’s going to blow up, no matter what. Have you began evacuations in the part of the city near this thing?”

“Yes. But there might not be enough time to get them all out.”

“Well then make them hurry up. Their lives depend on it.”

“We don’t even know the radius of this bomb! How much of this part of the city do we know to evacuate?”

“As much as you can,” Andy said, sending dust into the air as he blasted off.

He flew back to the city, shooting through the air at his highest speed. When he got close to a building, he landed on top and closed his eyes, listening around for Megalo, through the entire city. He heard a bunch of conversations. Then he heard a cry for help. He analyzed the location, and suddenly, he knew where Megalo was. He knew where to go.

He followed the direction of the screams. Soon he found his nemesis on top of a building, holding a woman upside down, over the edge of the roof. She was the source of the screaming.

Who knew how much trouble Megalo had caused while Andy out of the city, tricked by him? How many citizens he’s killed?

“Stop this madness,” Andy said angrily. “Let her go.”

He laughed. “Rethink what you said, Argen.”

Andy looked down below, at the base of the building. People were watching. Crowding over three dead people on the ground, dead from a high drop.

He looked back at his nemesis, still holding the woman screaming. “You’re sick,” he said, “and insane. How many have you killed already, Megalo?”

“How many have you?” he said back. “How many have the Sages made you do it to? Want to hear a fun fact? You’ve probably killed more than me, in both our lifetimes.”

Then he dropped her. Screaming her lungs out, she plummeted towards the ground. Andy flew towards her, stopping her fall. 

“Thank you,” she said as he landed on the ground to put her down. But then, unexpectedly, she pulled out a gun and shot Andy in the head. 

The crowd around them gasped. She continued to shoot Andy, already on the ground, each bullet hurting more than the last. He grunted, stumbling back on the ground. He should’ve known Megalo would trick him again. She was a criminal, working for him. 

He couldn’t handle the pain of the shots. But he was still alive. In an burst of anger, he flew right up to the criminal, snapping her neck fast. The people around him moved back from the sudden kill.

Megalo was laughing as he descended down from above. 

“You keep giving me chances to trick you, huh?”

Andy was furious. “How many times have you done it already? Stop it, now.”

He moved towards Andy, who was crouched down, taking in the pain of the wounds. The people started to run when he was there, escaping the area. 

Megalo punched Andy in the back of the head, making him fall to the ground, holding himself up with his hands. He spat blood on the ground. 

“You’re trying to be someone that you’re not. A hero.”

“No,” Andy said, trying to get up. “I’m not a hero.”

“What are you then? You’re no match for anyone, even a couple of men with guns. I keep tricking you, time and time again. There’s no outsmarting me.”

Andy felt himself starting to heal, which was good. “It seems that the amount of times you’ve tricked me matches your IQ level.”

He got angry. “Funny. Trying to wear me down with all your insults.”

“The only thing wearing you down is your intense ego.”

“The difference between me and you is that I don’t get as furious as you,” he said. “I know you’re trying to waste time so you can heal.”

“Why aren’t you attacking me then?”

“Why don’t you tell me how you found me in this vast city in a matter of seconds,” he said. “You knew I was here.”

“I was just flying around and I found you. Lucky, I guess.”

“Luck doesn’t work that way. Stop trying to hide it, Argen. I’m not stupid. I know you have enhanced senses.”

Andy tried to get up. “If I did, you’d know by now.”

“That’s true. But you just hid it well. Now, come on. Hit me. Your best shot. I’m standing right here, and you’re almost fully healed.”

He’s like Colt, Andy thought. Taunting. Overconfident. Too much of his ego. I’m going to do the same to him as the fight with Colt, then.

Andy threw a punch, but it was barely even one. It had no strength, and Megalo easily blocked it with a hand. 

“Cute,” he said. 

But Andy tricked him. He was really at full power, and the punch was a fake. He shot through the air, tackling him. He grabbed his face and smashed it into the concrete wall of a building. It bled, but Andy knew it was just going to heal. He had to keep hurting him.

He ascended even higher, still holding his enemy, then threw him into a skyscraper with so much force, the whole building shook.

Megalo came out injured, but he was still strong. He flew away, escaping. Andy followed him.

They went into a high speed chase around the city, flying past skyscrapers and citizens. Andy didn’t lose sight of his assassination target, trying to fly away from him.

He chased him until they came to open space. The view changed from the bustling city to the giant suspension bridge connecting two major parts of the city, going through a river.

It even had a view of the cliffs in the distance that surrounded Bluewell. One of them was the bomb, and with his extreme vision he could see faint outlines of people fighting there. 

I hope Carson made it safely out of there, before it blows, he thought. 

Megalo had flown to the roof of the tallest building on the edge of the city, overlooking the view of it all. Andy followed him there, landing on top.

“Look at the amazing view,” he said. 

Andy saw the rest of it up there. Everywhere he looked, smoke rose into the air. He heard police sirens going off around the city. It was chaos.

“You can’t win,” Megalo said. “Whatever you do today, it won’t matter. The bomb is about to blow in a minute, in the far end of the city, which you can see over there. It’s going to take down at least a tenth of the population.”

Andy saw the cliffs in the distance, which was so far away from the city. “How big is the explosion?”

“Godlike,” Megalo said. “Yes, it will reach that far and take down those skyscrapers. You haven’t seen anything yet.”

“The city’s in peril, too. Did you do this?”

He nodded. “It’s time I’m going to take charge and control this city. Crime will be everywhere. You can’t possibly stop all of it.”

Andy kept looking at it all with sad eyes. The destruction Megalo had caused all in a day�"unbelievable. He was right: how could he possibly stop it all? He was only one person.

“It’s time to have a revolution!” he said, raising his arms. “We’re overthrowing this city! Nobody can stop us!”

Andy tackled him, pushing him to the ground, raising a fist to hit him. “What have you done?”

“It’s useless,” he said. “Nothing you can do now.”

“You’re wrong,” Andy said. “When it blows, and crime rises all over the city, I will be there to stop it. I will be the one to take charge and make you be the one in fear for once. I will be a symbol of hope for the city, and when they see me in the sky, going around the city fighting all your criminals, they will hope again. They will watch as I take back Bluewell. Take back my city.”

Megalo laughed. “Good luck.”

Then Andy heard a gigantic boom in the distance, so powerful he heard it clearly from his spot. He looked back, watching the nuke-sized explosion engulf a huge area. Megalo had won again. His plans never seemed to fail. 

“You’ve already lost,” Megalo said. “And it’s already begun.”

Fourteenth

One week later

All Andy could think of when it began, was that he had failed the Sages. They gave him one task, and for once, he failed. Something that never happened before.

The city was drowned in darkness and hopelessness. Crime roamed the streets, and nowhere was safe. In the news, Andy saw the damage the Sage bomb had inflicted. It was so powerful it had vaporized a part of the city, and left a giant hole in the ground. Chronus wasn’t joking when he said that it would look like it had ripped a chunk of the planet off. The hole was massive. Skyscraper deep and lake wide. It was a signal�"Megalo’s signal�"to all the criminals in the city to spread chaos everywhere. So much that the police couldn’t handle it. So much that even the mighty Argentios couldn’t handle it.

Andy spent his days feeling depressed that he should’ve done more. He was angry, angry at everyone. At Megalo, at all the bad people in the city, at everyone he knew. But mostly the Sages. He realized that Megalo might have been speaking the truth. They were bad and they made him do bad things. So he chose not to trust them anymore, even the ones closest to him like Veva and Kytro, and stay away from them and the tasks they gave him, if they ever gave anymore.

His hatred and arrogance towards them grew as the past days went by. They had caused everything. They had made Megalo, then made him, then made his life miserable, then turned him slowly into a villain. He was no longer good, even if the city saw him as good. He only tried to protect the city, but really, he’d done bad things on his own will in the past. Like a murder. He realized that the Sages had made him bad, with all the tasks they had given him.

They couldn’t use the excuse that they saved his sister anymore. They were going too far with Andy’s favours. It was time that he’d stop listening to them, and all he would do was fight all the crime he could in the chaotic city to try and repay it for the horrible things the Sages had done to it.

Megalo had proven that the Sages caused all this for Bluewell. He was living proof that even the best creations that they can make can fall, to the point of being so insane and evil that they’d blow up the city. 

Andy was no hero. He was never meant to be, and in the end, he was right, He didn’t have what it took to save the city. Not even enough power to stop all the crime that’s been happening all over the city. Everything was on the news, where he saw it all. All the mayhem Megalo had caused. The reporters in fear, talking about how the city was living through dark and gloomy days right now, and how Argen did his best to clean it all up, but even he didn’t stand a chance. 

Andy’s life went downhill after the incident. Paris couldn’t take it anymore how he kept leaving randomly whenever they were together, so she chose to hang out with Colt more often, which really angered Andy. She told him that honestly, he was a better friend than Andy. 

One day, he was perched on a roof of a building, looking out for crime in the city. It was raining hard, as if the weather wanted to express how terrible Andy’s life was. It was pouring, muddy puddles and small floods forming everywhere. Andy rested, watching the streets, looking for any more crime he could stop to help the city a bit.

Instead he saw Paris and Colt walking together in the rain. He saw them often, walking and sharing jokes and laughing. He usually didn’t care anymore. But it still kind of angered him, how his lifetime bully would become friends with Paris. Doesn’t she remember getting bullied by him, too? And then Andy stopped it? Why does everyone favour Colt instead of him, when all he does is make everyone’s day worse and all Andy does was try to make it better?

Andy ignored the two walking down the street. He had nothing to do with them. Only crime.

It was when they neared a dark alleyway underneath the building he was resting on that they were attacked by thugs. They were everywhere, now. Andy didn’t have a day where he didn’t see them.

He groaned. If Colt was alone, he would for sure just leave him to get his money stolen and get beaten up. But Paris was there, too. And however much they were drifting apart throughout the week, he wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her. It was the right thing to do, anyway. 

He stood up, his wet cape being dragged along by him as he walked towards the edge. He saw the thugs advancing to them, while Colt tried to talk his way out of it. 

He jumped off, landing right in front of them just as the first thug tried to throw a punch. He blocked it, then twisted it, easily snapping it.

“Argh!” he yelled. 

In the pouring rain, Andy fought the rest of them. Their punches did nothing, and his broke a bone every time. They brought out knives, slashing, but Andy didn’t have any trouble taking them down. The rain made it harder to see for his enemies, but for him, it was as clear as day. 

Paris and Colt watched in horror as he fought, breaking their arms and legs, pushing them forcefully into a brick wall. They weren’t used to such violence, Andy understood, or the fact that Argen was right in front of their eyes, saving them. 

As usual, his enemies were no match for him. He didn’t even know why they tried. He just finished them, leaving them with injuries on the ground, and walked past Paris and Colt grunting, “You’re welcome.”

“Hey,” Colt said. “You’re not a hero, you know! Acting like you want to save lives, but murdering some as you do. Destroying properties and shipments, secretly, thinking you can get away with it. Coming back at the last second to try and save the city, after you left us! Not even saving the city! You’re horrible, you know! People hate you!”

Andy ignored him, as he continued to walk in the rain. He heard Paris behind him trying to calm him down. “Don’t anger him, Colt. He’s done everything he could for the city.”

But Colt ignored her. “You failed us! And then you think you can make up for it by saving us? Hey! I’m talking to you!” He grabbed Andy’s shoulder, and Andy turned around and pushed him into a puddle on the ground.

“Go away,” he growled. He didn’t know why he was doing this. He guessed that he was just being Colt; mean to everyone, and scared of nothing. Didn’t he know he could kill him in less than two seconds? Was he not aware, or was he just fearless?”

Colt just got more furious when he landed in the puddle, getting all wet. “How dare you! This is what I mean, when I say you’re not as good as the city thought.”

“Colt, just stop,” Paris said. “I’d like to see you try to save Bluewell better than Argen.”

“Maybe I could.”

“Stop, before you get hurt,” Andy told him.

“I’m not scared of you,” he said. 

“I’m not asking for a fight,” Andy said. 

“Because you’re scared? To fight a regular person?”

“Wait…” Paris said. “It can’t be. I’d recognize that voice anywhere. My best friend since grade two. Andy, is that you?”

Andy sighed. There was no more hiding it anymore. They were secluded anyway, where nobody would see them. He pulled off his mask. 

Paris gasped moving back, and Colt had a shocked look. 

“Yes, it’s me,” Andy said. 

“You’re the Argentios?” Paris said. 

“Andy, huh?” Colt said. “I should’ve known. You actually hurting me in a fight is something that wouldn’t happen, unless you got powers or something.”

“I’ve had these powers for a long time. I just chose not to hurt you.”

“Andy,” Paris said, with tears in her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me… No wonder you’re always busy.”

“I don’t need your sympathy,” he said coldly. 

“Argen or not, you’re still Andy West,” Colt said. “Are you going to hurt me, now? Huh?”

“I wish I could kill you.”

“Why not? I mean, you have killed tons of people before, right?”

Andy got angry. He almost did�"almost. He wanted to, so badly. This was the same person that harassed him for years, and he was tired of it. 

Colt threw the first punch. Stupid decision by him. Andy blocked it easily and hit him in the head hard. He stumbled back and fell to the ground, again. But this time he didn’t get back up. His head was bleeding. 

“Andy!” Paris screamed, going over to him.

“Serves him right.”

“Look,” she said with tears, “I don’t know what’s with you lately, but you’re not Andy. Everything he said about you was true. You came and you left. You’re a villain, you know! You’re just as bad as every criminal in the city!”

Andy didn’t believe that. “Why do you defend him? Don’t you see that he’s the bad one? That he’s been bullying me ever since I could remember?”

“You both deserve much more,” she admitted. “But for you, this is not the way to do it.”

This was complete injustice for Andy. His life was torn apart. Nobody believed in him, he was the only one that knew he was right. Everyone hated him because of what he’s become. 

He looked at his hands, remembering the transition in all of this. When did he become like this? He had turned bad from all the terrible things in his life. Being an orphan, having financial problems, having a bully to deal with, having to kill people, having to deal with all that. It was too much for him. He wanted a refund. 

He looked at the ground. “I’m sorry. I need to make things right. I need redemption.” 

Then his ears picked up something far away. Police cars, coming to them.

“They’re after you now,” Paris said. “You can’t hide what you did today.”

Andy put on his mask. “They can’t catch me.”

“I know they can’t. That’s what bothers me.”

Andy looked up at the sky, the thunder booming and the lightning flashing. He knew where the Sages were. He would find them, and he would get his life back. He would redeem himself. 

He blasted off into the heavens.

.  .  .

The doors to the Hall bursted open from Andy’s hands. He walked in, angry. All Sages were there, watching him.

“This is no time to do this, Andy,” Aldin said. 

“Give me my life back!” he yelled. “You gave me everything I didn’t want! These powers�"I didn’t ask for them! They don’t belong to me! And I don’t deserve them!”

“Hold on a minute,” Chronus said, walking up to calm him. But Andy just pushed him away, him falling to the ground. 

“That’s going too far!” Aldin yelled, his voice booming across the Hall. “You dare assault one of us!? Did you forget that we practically saved your life!?”

“You can’t use that excuse anymore!” Andy yelled, with just as much anger and force. 

“What makes you think�"”

“I’ve already returned the favour! I know that you use me! You take advantage of me, because I don’t have the power to do anything!”

“He’s right, Aldin,” Veva said, but he put up a hand to stop her. 

“You think I don’t now that?” he said. “You think I don’t know all the pain and suffering you’ve had this entire time? We were going to relieve you of your duties after you did this final task! But you failed!”

Andy was frozen for a second. He didn’t know that, and much less expected it. 

“And you chose to be the Argentios!” Sevin said, helping Aldin. “What makes you think we’re being unfair to you?”

Andy felt that same feeling again, that the Sages were always right. He was trapped in that moment where he couldn’t say no to them. They were just taking advantage again. Ten adults all picking and bullying him. He hated it. “Nobody told me the extents this would lead to! I quit! I’m going to stop completing your tasks. I’m going to stop fighting for you. I’m going to hang my cape!”

“You can’t do that,” Aldin growled. “When you’re not done yet. You’re too arrogant. You’re turning into Megalo.”

Junie sighed, putting a hand to her forehead. “It’s happening all over again.”

“You must receive punishment for everything you’ve done,” Aldin continued. “How about I make you do the one thing you don’t want to? Kill more people. Go into the city. Kill at least a hundred people. Go on. Do it.”

Andy felt like he was encouraging him to be what he didn’t want to be. He was furious. 

“How about… I kill you!” Andy blasted towards him, shaking the room. It all happened quickly. He went for Aldin, aiming to choke him, but Kytro stepped forward to defend his leader, blocking Andy. Andy slammed into him, and his friend fell to the ground. 

“You’re going way too far,” Aldin said. “Stop this, now.”

“Take my powers, then!” he yelled. “I don’t deserve them! I hurt people with them! I can’t get redemption for the people that hate me down there if I still have them! Make me human again!”

“I can’t, don’t you understand? Once I give them to you, their yours. Nothing can take them away from you. I wish I could, but I can’t.”

Andy just got even more angry. “Lies!” He kept advancing towards him, and all the Sages went crazy, trying to defend Aldin. The king of the Sages was walking backwards, but still didn’t show any fear. The whole room was chaos.

Then it all happened so fast. Andy flew to Aldin, raising a fist to strike him, but Veva went in front of him at the last second, saying, “Andy, stop!”

His fist struck her instead, the complete opposite person he was going for. The whole room was tense, as some Sages gasped, speechless.

Aldin wasn’t even furious. Just shocked. “Look at what you’ve done, child.”

“Veva, I’m sorry,” Andy said, but she was motionless on the ground. 

Aldin knelt before his queen, bowing his head. “There was a time, child, that we all thought you would become the greatest creation we would ever make. We thought you would rise up to be better than Megalo, our first creation. But we thought wrong. It seems that he may be right, that whatever we try to do to help this world only backfires and causes trouble for it. You say that all you do with your powers is hurt people?”

Andy nodded, looking at the ground with tears.

“That’s your fault,” Aldin said. “You choose what to do with your abilities, not anyone else. You said that you want redemption, too. Well if you’re ever going to get that, from us, or from the citizens in the city below you, then you’re gong to have to change your ways. Rise up. Become the true hero the city needs, and take it back from Megalo. You’re the last hope we have of fixing our mistakes. And you’re the last hope of the people down below. You’re everyone’s last hope. You were supposed to be their beacon of light, to guide them through the dark days of Megalo’s reign. But now, you could just as much replace him, and nobody would notice the difference.”

“I’m not any of what you said,” Andy admitted. “You’re right, I’m no different than a villain. I’m not the right person for this job. I can’t do anything to help the people, only make things worse. I’m done. I quit. Find someone else.”

All the Sages watched him as he left the Hall, wiping his eyes. Sad because they all knew what just happened at that moment. The death of a true hero, even if he himself didn’t believe in it.

.  .  .

Days later

There have been no signs of him for the past couple of days, chief. City’s been scoured for any clues of finding him, but he’s truly gone. How can he be so selfish to abandon the one city that needs him at a time like this, when Megalo has taken control, and crime has ravaged through all the streets?”

“I don’t know,” Carson said. “Even if he didn’t believe it, he was a true hero to this city. He may have had a couple of errors along the way, laws that were broken by him,  innocent people that were killed by him. But that’s the thing�"he’s not a perfect hero. He’s nowhere near perfect, but he’s the most capable person of saving this city. So we need him. He may have committed crimes, and destroyed properties, but when it comes down to it, he’s a hero.”

“But we’re still after him. We have federal orders to shoot the masked vigilante known as Argentios on sight.”

“I know.”

“So what are we going to do? Continue hunting him down?”

“He has hung his cape. I don’t think we’re going to find him. The vigilante’s gone. We don’t have authority to call off the search, but I guarantee, they’re going to find nothing.”

“So, we have no options? The city’s in peril, with crime making every inch of the streets dangerous. Megalo is still out there, waiting to make a move. We have nobody left., since Argen has left us in the dark. What are we going to do?”

“Hope,” Carson replied grimly. “Hope.” 

Part Two: 

Rise

Fifteenth

He’s lost everything, Aldin,” Kytro said. “We should feel sympathy for him.”

“I tried to give him everything I possibly could to make the tasks he does much easier. It’s all coming downhill for him.”

“I guess the path of a hero is impossible. No matter how many times we try, they’ll end up just like Megalo.”

“No, we can’t give up faith on Andy, yet. We have to help him rise up again, to be the hero he needs to be.”

“And how are we going to do that? Have you not seen the destruction he has caused? He has struck down your own wife.”

“By mistake, Kytro. Why, have you already given up on him? You don’t think he can be better and fix his mistakes?”

“No, I believe he can. Just�"how are we going to do it?”

“Well, for starters, he has to apologize.”

“Yes, I agree. But what else? What can make him understand that the things we make him do are good?”

“By telling him the truth.”

.  .  .

Andy, I’m so sorry,” Evie said. 

“It’s fine. I don’t want to be Argen anymore.”

“But you liked him. He was your true self. Now you’ll be living as someone you’re not.”

“My true self was bad, and I’ve let go of him. It’s time I’ve lived a regular life from now on. I’m going to work hard in school, do all my chores, try to help out as much as possible. I know it’s hard for you ever since Mom and Dad left us, so it’s time I’m going to help.”

“You finally have so much free time on you,” she said. “But it’s going to be spent by someone that isn’t you.”

“I told you, I’ve given up. I’m going to ignore any crime I see now.”

“Did you lose your powers?”

“No. They couldn’t take them from me.”

“Well, are you still living by that moral code to not abuse them?”

Andy thought about it. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

It’s been a couple of days since Andy has given up his role as Argentios. The city is as scared as ever, the police trying to deal with all the disasters roaming around. It was hard to go by every day lives when you had a chance to get kidnapped or murdered out on the streets. 

But Andy didn’t care. He didn’t deserve to be out there, saving people. He was just going to be a regular high schooler from now on. 

He had to go to school. Continue working on the huge project that he and Mason had. The end of school was ever so close, and he was glad. He was tired of it, and he needed a break. And since he gave up being Argentios too, he had so much extra time now to help out with his sister at keeping both of them alive. 

Before everything happened, Paris and him planned an exciting summer together. They would go everywhere in the city. He didn’t know if they’d still do that now, since she had been spending a lot of time with other kids than him. 

The whole day, she didn’t talk to him. Didn’t even sit with him at lunch. He felt like he was being ignored too, as he walked by in the hallways. 

At the end of the day, when he’d usually wait for her at the spot they’d meet up to walk home together, she actually showed up. 

“Spill it,” she said. “What’s up. You’ve been avoiding me all day.”

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Andy said. “I thought you were mad at me.”

“I am. Also, everybody’s talking about you! All the girls are like, Argen this, Argen that. It’s driving me crazy!”

“Did you…”

“No, I didn’t tell anyone. Why would I hurt you like that? Also, what were you thinking when you knocked out Colt? Didn’t you notice he wasn’t here today?”

“Well, yeah.”

“You could’ve killed him! He’s in the hospital right now! With a strike like that, I don’t know how he’s even alive. It’s a miracle.”

“My extreme luck, I guess.”

She sighed. “Yeah, I guess. I have so many questions to ask you, Andy. I was so amazed by Argen until I found out he was you.”

“Ha ha.”

She laughed. “But seriously, why didn’t you tell me? Are we not best buds or something? Like, you know I can keep a secret. I even made Colt swear to not tell anyone when he’s done at the hospital.”

“Good.”
“Well, I had another tournament. Without your lucky piece. And…”

“And?”

“You’re right, it’s all in my head. My turn to ask the questions! You like checkers because they’re Argen’s colours, right?”

“What? No. It’s the other way around.”

“Oh. Because your favourite colours are red and black, right. This so explains all the weird stuff that’s been happening with you lately, starting last winter. Unbelievably rare items you get on games. Lucky group match-ups in class. Acing tests, something you never used to do.”

“Hey!”

“You probably guessed the answer and immediately got it right. Also all the other stuff. You always hear things we don’t, and you ask us if we hear it too and we’re always clueless. You can read things way further than any of us at school can. Like, inhumanly far. But none of us thought much about it. Also the fact that you knocked down Colt in a single punch in that fight. It’s all coming together now. I can’t believe I didn’t even suspect it was you.”

“Don’t forget that it’s also the reason why I keep leaving unexpectedly.”

“Oh yeah. You deserve this!” she said as she hooked an arm around Andy’s neck and gave him a noogie. 

“Ow!” he said, laughing. 

“You’re a superhero!” she said. “Andy West, fourteen, crime-fighter�"”

“And you said you’re good at keeping secrets.”

She covered her mouth, laughing. “Okay, I’m sorry. I just got excited there. I also remember when you broke a leg one time, and you got a cast on it. You walked up stairs just fine, nothing hurting when you did it. You were faking it, huh? It was completely fine. Probably the same moment you broke it. You just had to pretend it was broken for a long time since kids at school saw you break it yourself, and they’d be confused to see it being fine the next day.”

He nodded. 

“Who else knows about this? Other than Colt and I.”

“Evie. That’s it.”

“Can you tell me how you got them? Please?”

“No.”

“Were you born with them?”

“No.”

“You probably were. And then you grew up choosing to live a life of fighting crime, to be a hero.”

“I’m not a hero,” Andy said. “And anyone who thinks the opposite puts their faith in a big lie. I wasn’t meant to be what everyone thinks, okay? I wasn’t meant to save people.”

“Then who are you supposed to be?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Something must’ve happened, and you’re just not telling me. Let’s see… all this stuff started during winter. Did it have anything to do with the blizzard your mother died in?”

“I’m not answering.”

“Okay, sorry I brought that up. How about we talk about why you chose to hang your cape.”

“Reasons that I can’t tell you.”

“Why not? You can trust me, Andy. Why do you always act so secretive?”

“It’s a long story. Anyways, we should be going home.”

“Can I stay at yours for a while? I don’t like going to my old home. Or my dad’s new house. It reminds me of what’s happening with them right now. Drama.”

“It should remind you to grow up. It’s a part of life.”

“Ha ha,” she said, as they started walking. “That’s right. I’m talking to a grown up over here. Hey everyone! This guy has killed people before!”

“Shut up!” Andy said, smiling. “Seriously, I’m ashamed of that.”

“You should be. Why do you do it then?”

“I had to. Orders�"uh, I mean…”

Paris met his eyes. “You take orders from someone? Spill it…”

“No. You’re not supposed to know this, anyway. Stop pestering me. You do know I can swipe your memory with a single punch.”

“All of it?”

“Yes, all of it. So I suggest you stop annoying me.”

She laughed. “Annoying you? You think I’m annoying you? Also, I know you won’t do that.”

“That’s what bothers me.”

“So that means I can pester you with questions all I want. So, tell me the reason you killed the people that you killed.”

“I told you, I’m ashamed of it. I don’t want to talk about it. It makes me a bad person.” “Hey, it doesn’t matter if you’ve killed for fun, or because someone ordered you to, you’ll always be a good person to me, and my friend.”

“Aww. Inspirational quotes from Paris.”

“Don’t make fun of me, you’ll regret it. Anyways, the city needs you, you know.”

“More like they want to hunt me down.”

“Even if they find you evil or not, you’re the only person capable of defeating Megalo, and you know that. So tell me what’s up. Why’d you choose to stop fighting for what’s right? Because you’re lazy is not an excuse.”

Andy didn’t want to answer back. It was a personal decision to leave his alter ego. 

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Paris asked, as she always knew. “You feel bad about hanging our cape?”

“Maybe.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” she said, “also, see ya. This is my street.”

“The next time you see Colt, tell him I’m sorry, okay?” Andy said. 

She nodded. 

Andy went home. As usual, his sister wasn’t home, so he dropped his bag and went to his room, falling onto his bed. he still wasn’t so sure if he’d made the right decision. It was wrong to leave the city in he dark, but he was glad he wasn’t under control by the Sages anymore. He wondered if Megalo would ever be stopped by someone else. It was hard to predict the guy. What was he going to go for next? More power? More revenge? He was sure it wasn’t either, because for the past week he’d fought him he wasn’t aiming for anything like that. No, he was aiming for something else. There was no way to tell what it was. 

Andy remembered everything about the last fight with his nemesis. Every object that was stabbed through him, every word they said. It was traumatic, and he didn’t want to go through anything like that again. He didn’t care that heroes had to go through tough times to win. It was so much easier to give up. There’s no way he could beat Megalo. He was too smart, and he could be everywhere at once. Chaos was so much easier to create than order. 

And then he remembered all the missions he’d been on, when he was ordered to kill a person. He still remembered the time when Kytro taught him how to kill with just his bare hands. 

That’s it, he said as Andy practiced the motion. You’re doing it.

I don’t want to be doing it, Andy said back. It disturbs me that I’m learning how to break a neck. 

With what you’re going through, you have to mature quick, kid. Aldin’s not going to be happy. 

Why not? Didn’t he pick me?

No, he chose you. We were the ones that picked you and he accepted our decision. It’s up to us to prove him that we were right in choosing you. And it’s up to you, too. So get up, rise again, and keep learning. There’s always something to be taught, and there’s always more room for improvement. 

Those days were over. From now on, there was no more killing for Andy. He was done, and he’d never come back. He wanted to be a regular kid. 

There was a time where he always wished he had superpowers, maybe to beat up his bully or something. Now he realized being a regular person was better. 

A regular person faces just as tough hardships as a hero, too. Tough life choices, or traumatic childhood experiences. Dead parents. Financial problems. Getting beaten up every day. Doing chores until your back breaks. Andy realized it was just as tough being a kid than being Argen, and that’s why he was having such a hard time. He was having two identities with separate problems. Well, now he only had one.

He shivered under the covers of his bed. It all came back, and he remembered it all. Everything from his childhood. He didn’t want to remember, but it automatically came flooding back. All his bad memories. 

He remembered most of his father jumping out the window. The last thing he ever told Andy: remember, just because you see other kids jumping off a building, don’t do it too.

Why would anyone want to do that?

I don’t know, Andy. I don’t know.

Andy put a pillow to is face, trying to stop remembering. He listened to music. He hit his head repeatedly on the backboard of his bed. 

“Andy, stop that.”

He recognized the voice immediately. He stopped and sighed. “Go away, Veva.”

“That’s not the way you usually treat me.”

“I thought you noticed that back in the Hall.”

“Of course I forgive you, Andy. What happened wasn’t you. You weren’t going for me.”

“Why did you step in front of him?”

“Aldin? I love him. I’ll give up my life to protect him.”

“He doesn’t deserve anyone like you or Kytro.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“That’s what bothers me.”

She exhaled, taking a moment to relax. Taking a seat in Andy’s desk chair. “You’re not making me feel welcome.”

“Tell me why you came.”

“You know we can always see what you’re up to. You need someone to be with, it looks like.”

“You wanted to come here to see if I’d apologize.”

“Ha, you know me so well.”

“I’m sorry, Veva.”

“Thanks.”

“You also want to try to get me to be Argentios again. Not happening.”

“I knew you’d say that, so actually, that’s not why I came. I came to tell you the real reason we created you.”

Andy immediately stood up in his bed. This was something he always wanted to know. “I’m listening.”

“You’ve always wondered why we make you kill the people you kill. Especially when you learned they’re innocent, from Carson. Okay…” she took a deep breath. “The very beginning… here we go.”

Andy shuffled in his position to listen better. 

“As you know, Megalo was created way before you. Years before you. He was our first try at a hero, a figure people in this world could look up to. But he got arrogant, like you. We hoped it would never happen, but he realized the potential of his powers and he began to question our authority. He realized that the favour we did him isn’t an excuse to make him do tasks for us for the rest of his life.”

“What was your favour?”

“Long story. We just saved his bit of his family, gave him 

the powers to do it, brought him out of his homelessness, basically gave him a life. It was when the family we saved for him got sick with a terminal disease and died. He didn’t have extreme luck like you. That’s one reason why Aldin gave you that power, so nothing that happened to Megalo could happen to you.”

“Yeah. I recall him telling me that before. It was given so no more tragedies would happen to me in my life.”

“So, he got arrogant. To this day, we still don’t know why, or what’s the real reason behind it. He may be keeping secrets from us to why he chose to turn on us. After all of these events, Aldin ordered us to find a person with the qualities he gave us. He wanted to create another person with powers, someone who for sure wouldn’t turn on us, and make his sole purpose to defeat and bring justice to Megalo. That was you. Some of us voted against it, thinking that it would just start all over again, but the majority agreed. So for the past six months when Megalo was in hiding, we had a plan to force him out. Most of your assassinations were some of his last remaining family members. All having rough lives like him, not able to make enough money to support themselves, let alone visit him and help him.”

So he was right, Andy thought. He wasn’t lying that time. “That’s horrible,” he said, his voice unintentionally shaking.

“Yes, I know,” she said, a few tears in her eyes. “I just… I demanded Aldin not to do it, but he ignored me. He said it was the only way to bring Megalo out of the shadows, and make him mad at you so you wouldn’t have trouble finding him. You wouldn’t believe me if I said that wasn’t any close to the list of darkest things the leader of the Sages has done. So we had to lie to you that they were criminals, to get you to kill them. So you could get your nemesis after you. He finds out things quick. When he realizes another powered figure like you killed his family, he’ll instantly know it’s by us. It’s our fault, and he’ll be extremely angry at us. More than at you.”

“You wondered why I stopped following you guys.”

“Andy, while you realize the truth of the terrible things we’ve made you do, you also have to understand that this can’t be the end for Argen. The city needs you. It’s not us this time, it’s them. Put aside your hate for us and do it for the city.”

“I told you, I’m done. For real this time. I’m never coming back.”

“The city you live in will rot because of you.”

“At least I can know that it’s not my fault.”

She looked down. “You’re right, it was our fault in creating Megalo. And our fault we brought you into this.”

“Couldn’t you have taken care of him yourself? Along with the help of all the other Sages?”

“You were supposed to be that person to deal with him. You were Aldin’s way of taking care of Megalo. I guess you’re gone, now.” She stood up. 

“Wait, Veva, before you leave,” Andy said, “maybe for the last time, I don’t know. But before you do, don’t make any more villains to try and deal with Megalo. They’re all going to fail and end up like me.”

“I agree. I won’t let Aldin get a second try.”

“This might be the last time I’ll ever see you.”

“I know,” she said, hugging him. “Goodbye, Andy. You are officially relieved of your duty.”

Sixteenth

Seven months later

Thanks for helping me plow snow again,” Paris said, shovelling a pile herself. 

“Nothing to do,” Andy mumbled. It was the middle of winter, in December. Practically half a year had passed since Megalo had claimed his grip on the city. Sirens were something you usually heard around the streets. 

She sighed. “Second year of high school already. We’re only halfway through!”

“We’re already halfway through?” Andy said, as he plowed a pile of snow.

“I can’t believe summer’s already over. Also fall. And still can’t believe you haven’t gotten back up again to take back the city from your nemesis.”

“I told you, I never will,” Andy said, dropping his snow plow and taking out his mask from his jacket pocket. A dangerous move, out on the open, but he never actually left home without it. It was still a part of him. He looked down on it with a regretful look.

“You might as well throw that out now,” Paris said, looking over his shoulder at it. 

“Yeah, I guess I could.” Andy wanted to throw it as far as he could. But something inside him told him he wasn’t ready. Not yet.

“Get back to work,” Paris said, continuing to shovel the snow. “We’re almost done!” 

Andy continued to look at the mask. The eyes staring back at him. It flapped around in the cold wind. From now on, he’d live a normal life. No more use of his powers. And he was never turning back. 

He put it back in his pocket and continued to shovel. “What’s the point of plowing now, when it’s just going to get worse tonight?”

“So we’ll have less snow to shovel the next time, genius. Also, what’s with you not wearing hats or scarves or even gloves? It’s freezing.”

Andy felt the snow fall on his face, but he didn’t feel the temperature. That was why. He didn’t need any of those to keep warm anymore. Not even his jacket, but he wore it to fit in and be normal. He wished he could let go of his powers, but there was no way. He would just promise not to use them. 

“I’m Argentios,” he said. 

“I know,” she said, exhaling.

(unfinished)