******† 02:45 PM. The Morningstar Penthouse, Uptown LA †******
The penthouse was the definition of a statement. Marble floors so polished they looked like standing water, floor-to-ceiling glass that turned the smog of Los Angeles into a blurred gold painting, and silent maids who moved like ghosts in charcoal-grey silk.
Ark stood by the glass, adjusting the cuffs of his white hoodie. He checked the hidden weighted stays in his waistband, the anchors for the two obsidian hilts hidden against his lower back.
A heavy, rhythmic tapping echoed through the open living area. Paragon was leaning against a kitchen island carved from a single block of Italian stone, his armored fingers drumming against the surface.
Paragon: The Union jet is idling at LAX. But it's a five-hour flight to the Atlantic coast. Bureaucracy moves slow, even at thirty thousand feet.
Ark didn't turn around.
Ark: And the alternative?
Paragon: I carry you. We break the sound barrier over the Mojave, hit the sub-stratosphere, and we're at the Dome in under ten minutes.
Ark finally turned, his face flat and unimpressed.
Ark: You want to carry me?. Like a sack of flour across three time zones?. No thanks. I'd like to arrive with my lunch and my dignity in the same place.
Paragon: (Laughing) I figured you'd say that. Fine. We'll do it the hard way, don't blame me when you puke all over.
Ark: What's that supposed to mean?.
Paragon: (smiling deviously) you'll see.
He spoke a quick command into his wrist comms.
Paragon: Warp, this is Alpha-One. I need a point-to-point bridge at my current coordinates. Target, Aetheria Dome. Two passengers.
Ark: really?. Alpha-one??
Paragon: it sounds cool.
A few seconds passed, and everywhere got windy. The air in the center of the living room didn't just move, it tore. A jagged, vertical rift of violet energy hissed into existence, smelling of ozone and ionized copper. A man in a vibrating, silver-threaded suit stepped through the tear. A hero called Warp who had the ability to teleport even to a point he hadn't been to as long as he had the exact coordinates. He also has the ability of opening portals which can transport up to ten people at once.
Warp: This the Anomaly Synapse's been losing his sleep over?. He looks... normal.
Paragon: This is Ark. (Looking at ark) This is warp.
Ark: anomaly?.
Paragon: forget he said anything. (Looking at warp) Ready when you are.
Warp: okay, word of advice kid. Brace your core. Your inner ear is going to feel like someone shoved a hot needle through it. The sub-space shreds your molecular alignment and stitches it back together in a nanosecond. It's not pretty. Most people lose their lunch. Even Paragon here decorated the Moon the first time we jumped to the lunar base.
Paragon: He's not exaggerating. It feels like your soul is trying to exit through your pores. You did chose the hard wa--
Ark immediately went in. He didn't wait for a countdown or a hand-hold. He stepped into the violet screaming static of the rift before Warp could even finish his warning.
******† 02:47 PM | The Aetheria Dome | 60,000 ft Above the Atlantic Coast †*******
They snapped into reality on a circular landing pad made of white carbon-fiber. Below them, through the reinforced glass floor, the Atlantic Ocean was a dark, distant sheet of blue. Above them, a massive, shimmering energy shell curved into a perfect dome, hiding a floating city of sleek white spires and hanging gardens that defied gravity.
Warp emerged a second later, doubling over immediately. He gripped his knees, his face pale as he fought the spatial hangover.
Warp: Agh... damn it. Even after ten years of evolving my ability it still feels like a heart attack and a migraine had a baby. (He looks at Ark) Go ahead, kid. The trash bin is by the pillar. Don't fight it. Your blood pressure is probably hitting the ceiling right now.
Ark stood perfectly still. He wasn't sweating. His face wasn't pale. He hadn't even blinked. He was looking up at the central spire of the Dome, his hands still casually tucked into his hoodie pockets.
Ark: Is that it?. Felt like a static shock. Nothing special.
Warp: (Eyes widening) You... you feel fine?. Your molecules were just disassembled and thrown across eleven thousand miles. You should be seeing colors that don't exist and fighting the urge to scream.
Ark: (Shrugging) I've had worse mornings.
Paragon: (sighs) you impress me every second.
A calm, melodic voice suddenly emanated from the very air around them, vibrating through the floorboards.
A.U.R.A.: Welcome, Master Orion. Welcome master Diego. And welcome, Candidate Morningstar. Biometric scan complete. Detection, Zero cellular stress. Heart rate, 60 BPM. Respiratory rate, 12. Candidate Morningstar, your physiological reaction to sub-space travel is... Really impressive.
Ark: I hear a voice. I hate hearing voices in my head
Paragon: (chuckling) That's the Anomaly Unification & Response Archive. Or like the children call her A.U.R.A. She's the brain and soul of this place. In charge of everything from security to training to simulations to whatever your mind can imagine.
Ark: Where exactly is this 'place'.
Paragon: my bad. We call it the Aetheria Dome. The home and 'school' of our coming heroes.
Ark: and why is it thousands of feet above the ground?, you couldn't find somewhere on land?.
Paragon: it's the safest. This place can't be accessed except you have warp or you know the exact coordinates.
Ark: and what's stopping a villain from kidnapping one of the heroes and getting the coordinates?.
Paragon: first off all, that's some dark thought you have. And secondly---
A.U.R.A: I move around every ten minutes, meaning my exact coordinates are always changing.
Ark: Hmm. I'm in a school building with a principal who's a snitch.
A.U.R.A.: I prefer the term 'Data Custodian,' candidate Ark.
Ark: you scanned my body without my consent. Those are the specs of a snitch. Paragon: Sheesh. Your quarters have been prepared in the Solstice Wing.
Ark: how am I supposed to know where that is?.
A.U.R.A: follow the illuminated path on the floor, it'll lead you directly to your room. And do return back here in ten minutes.
Ark: why?.
A.U.R.A: introduction and training.
Ark: (sighs) training. I hate training.
Ark followed the pulsing white light embedded in the floor. The Dome was too quiet, the air too clean. Every few hundred feet, the hallway opened up into massive observation decks overlooking the training sectors.
He passed Sector 4. Most of the glass was darkened, but one bay was active. Ark stopped. He didn't mean to, but his feet just anchored to the floor.
Inside the pit, the gravity was turned off. A girl was suspended in the center of a swarm of training drones. This was Sloane Vane, daughter of Maya vane. She wasn't wearing heavy armor like paragon. She was in a simple, streamlined flight suit that seemed to shimmer.
She wasn't just fighting, she was glowing. It wasn't a blinding light, but a soft, rhythmic pulse of solar gold that radiated from her skin. As the drones closed in, she didn't punch or kick. She just expanded her field. A wave of pure, concentrated heat, clean and bright. It melted the drones' sensors instantly. She spun in the zero-G, her hair trailing like a comet's tail.
Ark watched her for a beat too long. For 11 years, heat had meant the smell of burning blood and the suffocating pressure. He'd never seen heat look... beautiful.
Ark: (Muttering to himself) Someone actually looks like the sun. Must be nice.
Sloane turned in the air, her glowing eyes catching his silhouette through the glass. She didn't look annoyed. She didn't drop her gravity. She just tilted her head and gave him a small, curious wave before a new batch of drones reset.
Ark didn't wave back. He shoved his hands deeper into his hoodie pockets and kept walking, his chest feeling tighter than it had during the teleportation.
******† 2:55pm. Vanguard's briefing room in the Dome †******
Synapse: And What's your conclusion AURA?.
A.U.R.A: He is in fact as you dubbed. An Anomaly.
Synapse: (sighs) now what do you have to say paragon?.
Paragon: he's different.
Synapse: he's more than different. Diego?
Warp: he's the only one to feel nothing from my warp, the only one, me and paragon included. That's impossible.
Chronos: are we really sure that he's un-enhanced?.
A.U.R.A: Yes master Varma. All scans indicate he is un-enhanced.
Chronos: did we carry any blood test?. Cause I don't remeber us doing so.
Synapse: are you doubting my technology.
Chronos: no Xavier I'm not. But it's better to be at a 100 before we label him. Don't you think so kaeleb?.
Paragon: hmm. I'll ask him to submit his blood. They have training in 3 minutes, how about we watch his performance with the rest of the team.
******† 2:48 PM | The Landing Pad †*******
Ark arrived back at the pad exactly as the timer hit zero. The group was assembled. Kaleb Orion son of paragon. Michael Thorne son of synapse. Leo Varma son of chronos and Jade Thorne daughter of Geos. They were standing upright like soldiers who were preparing to match into war, all except one, Sloane. She looked like she'll rather be anywhere else but here and truthfully she would if she had her way.
Kaleb: you're late recruit.
Ark: I'm right on time. And it's ark not recruit.
Jade: (chuckles).
A.U.R.A: Decorum children. Your parents will be watching this training simulation so I'll prefer you show them your best parts.
Ark: (raising his arm) sorry, question miss AURA. Can I call you miss?.
A.U.R.A: I have no gender so whatever you call me doesn't matter.
Ark: right. So miss then. Now miss AURA I thought there were thousands of children in this school, at least that's what paragon told me, why are there just six of us in this so-called training simulation?.
A.U.R.A: Indeed there are thousands of you guys. But you six are the best of best, the ones who're looking more likely to become the heroes of the next generation. At least, the core six.
Ark: last question. I just joined today, how am I part of this six?.
A.U.R.A: cause you got special recommendation from paragon.
Kaleb: Dad recommended him?.
A.U.R.A: yes Kaleb. Your father personally brought him here. Now ark, is that the last of your questions?.
Ark: for now, yes.
A.U.R.A: Good. We'll be running a hostage situation program.
Leo: (grumbles) again?.
A.U.R.A: Yes Leo.
Jade: We've been doing the same thing every week. A.U.R.A: And somehow you still fail. It's become disappointing. Anyone wanna point out why you keep failing?.
Michael: cause we always let a hostage die.
A.U.R.A: Thank you Michael. You probably already know this, but I'll say it for the other members to know. Yesterday the doctors were finally stopped and over 86 children were rescued.
Kaleb: we all know about this. Dad ended their nonsense yesterday after 3 years.
Michael: except paragon didn't.
Kaleb: uhh.
Michael: our special recommendation here did.
Leo: explain did.
A.U.R.A: Yesterday Ark singlehandedly took down the three doctors and their henchmen and rescued all of the children with no casualty. Emphasis on no casualty.
Sloane: but the official news report says that---
Paragon: says that I stopped them. Yes. But in reality Ark did.
Paragon was floating looking down graciously on the children.
Paragon: he won't hold you guys back. I can't testify to that much.
Kaleb: dad?.
Paragon: (smiling at Kaleb) I hope you guys pass the test this time around. Maybe you can pick some things from him.
Leo: (looking at ark) You took down all three?, On your own.? The reports said the Doctors had tier-3 enhancement tech.
Ark: I don't know what that means, but I know one thing for a fact. They talked too much. Exactly like you guys do.
Jade: (Her eyes glowing green) I see you rival Kaleb when it comes to the biggest ego. A.U.R.A, if he's so special, let's see it. If he rescued 86 kids, this hostage sim should be a joke to him.
A.U.R.A.: Hopefully. But remember the objective, Total extraction. Zero casualties. And your grading will come down to what was achieved as a team. Michael, you are Lead Tactical. Kaleb, you are Point.
Kaleb: (Eyes glowing gold) Fine. I hope you don't hold us back special recommendation.
Ark: (sighs then mumbles) I hope dad's happy with the friends.
Sloane: Gather up everyone. Micheal, plan. I wish to end this today.
Michael: The simulation is... simple. A skyscraper in downtown Neo-Chicago. 100 floors. The goons are scattered all over the building with random spawn point. 20 hostages. 10 at the 50th floor, and the other 10 at the 89th. If a single one dies, we fail. This should have been a simple mission.
Ark: And yet you've have been failing for weeks.
Leo: Because the goons in the sim use 'Void-Triggers.' If they detect a hero, they blow the floor. We can't be that coordinated and move fast at once.
Ark: can I know your powers?.
Michael: (sighs) You haven't had the time to read the files yet?. Kaleb is a solar-kinetic, like his father. He's a tank.
Ark: strength wise, is he at Paragon's level?.
Michael: he's capped around 15% of paragon power.
Ark: hmm. Okay.
Michael: Jade is Tectonic. She's a Geospatial Anchor. She can't coat her body in stone like Geos yet, but she can move any rock or concrete in her line of sight.
Jade: (Smirking) Jade: I can drop a building if I wanted to.
Ark: and paragon says I have dark thoughts. Go on.
Michael: Sloane is Flare. She's our air support and long-range heat projection. She can blind a target or melt a door from a mile away. Leo is Velocity. He's fast, but he's probably around 20% of Chronos's top speed if he's serious.
Ark: (Looking at Leo) If you're fast, why haven't you just ran in and grabbed the hostages?
Michael: Because the AI isn't stupid. Every floor has sub-atomic vibration sensors. The moment Leo breaks the sound barrier or even runs past a sensor, it triggers a "Fail-Safe." The hostages are immediately gassed with neurotoxins. We've tried it three times with different patterns. Leo is too loud for the sensors.
Ark: (mumbles) Three times. Why repeat failure.
Michael: what was that?. Ark: nothing. What do you do, besides talk?
Michael: (Unclipping two short, metallic batons from his belt) I see everything. I study combat patterns. I only have to see a move once to replicate it perfectly. (He clicks the batons together, and they fuse into a glowing tech-staff) And I'm the brain of this team.
Ark: so simply putting it. You're all nerfed versions of your parents. Touché.
Kaleb: you know, for someone who's been asking a lot of questions you haven't said anything about your own gifts.
Ark: there's nothing to talk about, I have none.
Leo: bullshit. You can't tell me you took down the doctors without using any gift.
Ark: they were all weak. And frankly speaking. You guys are too.
Kaleb: say that again.
Ark: (sighs) I didn't say it to throw a jab at you. But that's the hard truth, you are all weak. I mean, you can't even pass a simple simulation.
Jade: then maybe we'll leave you to this.
Ark: yeah maybe. A.U.R.A, single player.
A.U.R.A: I'm sorry ark. But I can't permit that.
Synapse voice over a speaker: permit It A.U.R.A let him try it alone.
A.U.R.A.: Okay master Thorne. Simulation loading. Sector 1. Please step into the translocation gate.
Ark: got you.
A.U.R.A: Creating scenario. Creating criminals. Creating hostages. Creating environment. Creation complete. Now transporting. Please stay safe candidate Ark, and good luck.