'Zero Dawn University'

The very first University dedicated to teaching and nursing powered teens who aspire to be 'Heroes'.

Built 10 years after the first superhuman ever recorded , it received a lot of feedback both good and bad.

Built on an artificial island somewhere on the Pacific ocean. Surrounded by Earth's latest technology.

The island, aptly named Zero Dawn, is roughly the same size as the largest City in the world, New York. The Island is entirely dedicated to teaching aspiring heroes. The moment a student reaches the age of 17, has finished both primary and secondary education, and is qualified to be called a Supe, They are given the chance to try and make it into ZDU.

The School is riddled with not only Dorms ,where everything is provided to the students free of charge. Shopping Districts that are filled to the brim with things a student would need for not only school but entertainment as well, but also facilities that suit each student's needs.

A large collection of pools dedicated to aquatic-type Supes, An artificially built forest for nature-type Supes, and many more to make sure that each student is looked after and is properly trained.

The Teachers are retired if not active heroes who treat students equally. The Students themselves treat each other with respect. A school where ones name does not matter. Truly A place where one can realize their dreams.

That is what Zero Dawn University is...

If you only see and not actually live in it. Behind A butterfly and rainbow filled land Façade, is a school that is brutal to those without influence, Most teachers are not only strict but also very biased.

The presence of rankings that not only clearly shows the difference in abilities, but also states how much 'Credits', the currency exclusive only to the school, A student can receive and is a primary source of bullying.

Although the facilities are free there are differences in qualities. Thanks to the leniency of faculty members to the children of known heroes, The best equipment and location is monopolized by those in power and the left overs are given to those without.

'If that's the case why won't the students affected by the treatment report it?' you may ask, unfortunately they already did, just 3 years after it's creation, and unsurprisingly even as the reports continued to persist it was all simply chalked up as 'students without talent' not being able to keep up.

How is it still the best school then? Simple, because it is. Bias is only restricted to tests, groupings, complaints and anything that requires actual involvement from the teachers. The classes and lessons however are incredibly top notch.

And of course if you have the proper motivation, incredible support, and is incredibly lucky you can get trough the entire thing. Fortunately me for me I have all three.... well had.

See my Motivation was my Big Brother who, a Grade-D Hero, was unfortunately hospitalized due to a Terror Attack. My support was my childhood friend who was with me through quite literally everything. As for my luck? well that ran out the moment I found myself sitting in an interrogation room.

My Brother passed away, the hospital staff said that they tried everything they could and that there was no hope of recovery in first place. But I'm not brain dead, I knew that they pulled the plug on him behind my back because I couldn't keep up with the payments anymore, yeah that's right, all the advantages of being a supe, free healthcare included, only takes affect if you are renowned.

My friend got taken away from me by the same person who was always breathing on my neck, I was already dancing on a very thin line, and that incident thoroughly broke me. Because of that I was forced to do the very thing that would send me spiraling down a path most would avoid, I don't regret it though. The last stroke of luck that I had was that I finally accepted someone that I met ,or rather got, that I had first thought was a disaster.

And so here I am sitting on top of this ruined building relaying the events, the reasons, the faults that had turned me into who I am now. But if you went through my suffering, if you went trough my fate, you would understand.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

The worm beneath me suddenly squirms and as I look down on him I see his green eyes glaring at me.

"Don't look at me with those eyes, I won't say I didn't have a choice because honestly I did. I could have turned him over the moment I found out that he stuck himself to me. Or I could have stopped when I had the chance."

As if not wanting to listen to anything else I say he looks away, and even though he isn't facing me I can see the gears in his head turning

"Tsk. look at this motherfucker. When someone talks you should listen, even if that person is wanted internationally, it's called proper respect."

Lying beneath my feet is a husk of a man one would call the epitome of success. The President of one of the most prominent Supe Company in the world.

"Look at you, trying so hard to escape. Tell me oh-so-high-and-mighty President how does it feel to be squirming, to be crawling in the dirt like a worm, tell me..... how does it feel to be treated worse than a dog on the street?" I ask menacingly with my electronically distorted voice.

As those words leave my mouth I could feel something charging, the hairs on my skin stand not because I was afraid, but because the electricity in my surroundings was rushing past me, as if there was a massive railgun bleeding the Building dry, A railgun with hands and feet. I grit my teeth, tightly grip the phone in my hand  And turn around.

"It's not too late to turn yourself in, If you do so now I can pull a couple of strings and reduce your sentence, hell I can even make it so that you can walk free. Please if you are who I think you are then stop this, Multiple heroes are already on their way here, I don't want to see you get hurt."

The railgu--- the guest says, no pleads. What stands in front of me is the A-grade hero Rebecca Langford better known as "Revolt". Somewhat Ironic since she's a loyal dog of her father's company "Blood Orchid".

Supposedly the name as something to do with the Founder's Ability, which is weird considering his Granddaughter's Ability is Gathering and Emission of Electrons hence the nickname Railgun.

"Revolt, I would say it's an honor but I wouldn't want to lie to such a pretty face." I say even though I am already thinking of a way to lie to her. I hate that I have to this.

"Are you not-- No that doesn't matter. Surrender now you don't stand a chance against me, And unlike you I am not alone!" She says with so much pride.

If only she knew, if only she knew that she is the only true hero that I've seen. 

"Is that so, then I suppose I have to wrap things up no?" I calmly say as I increase the pressure on the worms' chest.

"As if I'd let you do that"

Suddenly she launches a so very predictable punch in my direction. Which of course I dodge with a the slightest margin. Of course knowing her like I do, I know she's up to something. Rebecca isn't one to make such careless actions.

'You could just end this now. A simple Blade, she doesn't know what you can do, She doesn't know she can't stop you.' 'NO!, not her, she doesn't need to die' Instead of plunging a blade into her I opt to deliver a well-placed Spinning back kick. Doesn't make her flinch of course but because of that her flight path was adjusted.

"Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't know you're up to." As expected her goal was to make me move and lose the wriggling worm beneath me.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She says as she prepares for another attack.

This time she's planning on taking me seriously. I kick the worm away from us as I prepare to receive her.

'I need to stall her the files aren't done transferring.' 'All this would have been avoided had you just stabbed her.' 

'I told you not her.' ' You could have just incapacitated her dimwit!' 

I hate to admit it but he's right, Why am I hesitating? I could have stabbed her and avoided her vital organs. Don't get me wrong I still feel satisfaction whenever I beat up these disgusting pigs, but she's different.

'Doesn't matter she still can't beat me in a fist fight.' 'What makes you think she'll stick to a fistfight?'

'She doesn't want to hurt our worm.'

And as anticipated she sticks close to me. A punch here, a kick there, a sneaky elbow. A fight that would have been shamed by a crowd. But she isn't one of those fakes. She's the real deal.  And so we continue this dangerous game of tag.

After a few minutes she suddenly comes to a stop and just stands there. For a good minute all she does is observe me, study me, dissect me, and It makes my skin crawl. The eyes that used to look at me with admiration is replaced with caution. And it hurts, it hurts so much.

"What's wrong? Tired already?" I ignore the nasty feeling in my gut and force myself to talk. It helps sometimes.

"You aren't taking me seriously. You're only re-directing my attacks. and even if you do hit me it barely stings. What the hell are you up to!?" She says with so much raw emotion that it stuns me. 

Always the observant one. Always the smartest one. Always searching for the truth. Maybe I could just tell her, who I am, Why I'm doing this, Why I left her and Eva....

No this truth will break her. It's better for me to carry this on my own. 

"Maybe I'm not as alone as you'd like to think. Maybe I'm stalling for time just like you. You never know I could just be toying with you" I instantly regret it the moment these words escape my mouth. How can I be so careless.

"You-- Who are you?" There's a complicated look in her eyes. Like she already knows the answer but doesn't want to accept it.

"You know who I am, I'm hurt that you would pretend otherwise. Even after all my endeavors am I still a small time villain?"

Stick to the story. Nightmare is known to be a misleading talker. 

"No use talking to you huh, Then let's put an end to this" Through gritted teeth she launches at me again. But it's different this time. She's charging up and I knew just what she intend to do.

A pulse, she plans to forcefully separate me and the worm. 

"Not gonna happen." I say as I will the Liquid in the vials around the building to converge around me and make a wall. Dragging the worm with it.

And through the thick viscous wall I can see her perplexed face, her eyes transition from confusion to recognition to realization to horror and finally to hurt.  She knows now. And I don't know how I should feel about it.

"I knew it! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!" She shouts with a ragged and pained voice. She recognized the skill. Of course she would, we made it together. 

I feel a vibration in my hands and I sneak a peek at my phone. The words Complete flashes on the screen.

"Looks like This is where we go our separate ways. It was nice playing with you Ms. Revolt." I say as I walk into the viscous wall.

"Wait! Please, wait, please. why Lucas? why?" I stop in my tracks as I hear her murmur my name. It's too late now I can't go back. I don't want to go back.

Even though I've made my decision I can't help but feel like I should leave something for her and so I turn around. But turning around means I get to see her looking at me unmasked, unmasked and crying, yet I know I can't just go run up to her and comfort her like I used to do.

And so ignoring the tightness in my chest I detach the lower half of my helm and mouth the words  "See ya Becca, Stay Safe."