Every inch of skin was burning. It was like I was sinking in a hot spring of darkness. The black water ran over my skin and irritated my chest. Suddenly a light flashed from above, and everything faded.

I shot up from my couch and gasped for air, sweat raced down my face, and It was like my lungs were being choked. Once I managed to catch my breath, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest. It was hot and scolding. However, what really took my attention was the light that shined beneath my shirt.

"Ah! What the hell!?" I shrieked and grabbed at my chest.

But the burning didn't stop. I threw my shirt off and tried to get a better look. The light was beginning to fade, and so was the heat. When the light was gone, it revealed a mark. It was a tattoo of the number three.

"What…?" I mumbled.

I jumped a little as I heard a crash come from my sister's room. I didn't even have time to react. She swung her door open and slid on the floor toward me, still in her pajamas and rocking a wicked bed head. I crossed my arm and tried to hide my fresh tattoo from her.

"Hey, you came b—"

She stopped and squinted her eyes at me. I was starting to think Zack pranked me again.

"Hey your face; it looks fixed," she mumbled.

I grabbed my shirt off the floor and crept toward the door. I needed to get out of here…

"Well you know…puberty," I said as I slipped on my shoes..

"What? What does p—"

Before she could even finish, I ran out the door. Thankfully I had passed out in my clothes. I slipped on my shirt and hurried down the steps. Zack's face came to mind, I definitely needed to find him. I need to make sure I'm not crazy. Then again, a magical tattoo just appeared on my chest. Not like I really need another explanation.

I raced down the road to Zack’s and ran as hard as I could. However, once I turned the corner for his street, I went head to head with somebody and dropped on my butt.

“Ah-! I’m so sorry I-”

“Damn dude, what is your head made of?” Zack complained.

I looked up and saw Zack sitting across from me. Our eyes met and he gave a devilish grin.

“So, was that really you I saw last night?” I asked.

He chuckled. “As if someone else as handsome as me could exist.”

I pushed myself up and shook my head.

“We should go somewhere private and talk about this more.”

Zack nodded. “ I know just the place.”

…

We decided to go check things out behind this abandoned factory at the edge of town. It recently got crossed off by the police for a shoot out. So we figured the gang and other passersbys would be hesitant to be back here, or we could totally get mugged. The entire way there Zack just went on and on about how cool his super power was. Saying how it fit his aesthetic just perfectly.

So when we finally made it to the back, Zack leaped ahead of me with excitement.

“And now! The mighty Destroyer of worlds will now blow your mind!” Zack cheered.

I sighed. "Whatever helps you shut up faster."

Zack closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He raised his hand up and held it out to me. As he did, smoke began to secrete from his palms. Then flares of jade embers sparked to life, until it erupted into a huge flame. The smoke consumed the fire and suddenly blew away from the flames, leaving two balls of fire in its place, rotating around in Zack's hand.

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Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! DUDE! You're like the human torch!”

"I know right? As if my devilish charms and smooth voice wasn't enough. I get even better."

"So, it doesn't burn at all?"

"Not even a little. Now, more importantly, show me what you can do!"

“Right! I haven’t checked my card yet.”

They said just think about it right? I closed my eyes and held out my hand. It was almost immediate that something cold began to graze against my skin. I opened my eyes and watched a silver card materializing above my palm. Once formed it gently dropped down into my palm. Zack came close and peeked over my shoulder. The words, ‘Chrono Stasis’ were written in fancy cursive writing on the card. I turned it over in my hand, but all it said was accelerated perception.

“Is that it?” I mumbled.

Zack leaned against me and started to wheeze like a hyena.

“Damn! I guess I really am the cool one!”

I grumbled and shoved him off.

“What does Chrono stasis even mean?” I mumbled.

Suddenly Zack’s laughter stopped. I took a glance and noticed he had his signature ‘I’ve got a bad idea' smirk on.

"Zack…" I said and backed away.

"Stryder, if I'm wrong, you get a free hit," he said with a crazy look in his eyes.

"Zack, don't you d—"

He aimed back his arm like a baseball pitcher and chucked the fireball at me. It was fast! Like watching an actual pitcher throwing a fastball! Zack shouldn’t be this athletic!

My heart raced and my mind went blank. But, something strange happened. The ball that was just racing toward me, was now just hovering toward me. My mind and my heart eased a bit as it came closer. I just stepped to the side and dodged it, Zack hurled another death ball my way and I dodged it just as easily. Once it zoomed past me I relaxed, and everything went back to the normal.

Wow, it was like time slowed down for me…

"Dude! Your eyes started glittering blue. That was cool!"

And as soon as I heard his voice, a flame ignited in me.

"Zack! What if you had been wrong!?"

"Details, details. Sometimes you just gotta take risks."

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. Don’t kill him, don’t kill him…

"I hate you sometimes; you know that."

"You know you love me. Without me, you wouldn't know how to have fun."

"Without me, you'd probably be in jail," I muttered.

"And that’s why we’re soul brothers!”

I smirked."Just imagine, we can change so much with these gifts."

A rush of emotion bubbled in my chest and I laughed. This was totally awesome!

"I can get women," Zack retorted.

"We can fight for justice."

"I can burn that guy who stepped on my jays!"

"Zack, haven't you ever dreamed of being a superhero?"

"I've dreamed of being a superstar, making money, oh and the ladies." He growled like a tiger and I punched his shoulder.

"Zack, people die every day to people like the Red Steel Gang, people who've done nothing wrong. We've been blessed with abilities that can make a—"

"Look, I'm not like you, Stryder. I'm no knight in shining armor. Just because I was blessed or whatever, doesn't mean I owe anyone anything."

"How selfish can yo—"

"But! I can work to make things better for my sister. So when she gets better, she has a place she can explore without fear."

He gave me a big cheesy grin, and I couldn't help but smile. He held out his fist and I reciprocated by holding up mine.

"We can do it together.”

We bumped fists and laughed a little. It may not have seemed like much, but from that point on, I knew things were gonna be different.

Clunk!

Something hard fell over from around the corner. I jumped and looked over at Zack.

"What was that?" I whispered.

"Maybe someone's getting it on in there," Zack snickered.

"Do you have a filter?"

"It is time to test your strength, young heroes," a disembodied voice called out around us.

It sounded familiar, like one of those goddesses.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw three people emerge from around the building, each a Red Steel gang member. I almost forgot to breathe as I saw one of them brandishing a gun. The others seem to have knives in their hands. This was real, this was really happening! We were going to have to fight!

"Who the hell are the two of you!" The one with the gun barked. "Whoever you are, you better get ready for a beat down."

I took a deep breath. This was it. Our first test as heroes. I activated my eyes and charged at the gunmen. He seemed to panic and shot rapidly at me. I dodged it with ease and came in close. He moved to reposition himself, but I snatched his wrist and shoved his arms down to the ground, making him shoot the dirt. Then, I moved my leg behind him and swept him to the floor. As he fell on his back, I stomped on his wrist and made him drop the gun.

"AHH!" I heard agonizing shrieks coming from behind.

I hastily turned around to a shocking sight. There was Zack, holding the 'I don't know pose' while the other two gang members were engulfed in his unholy emerald flame.

"I tried to warn ya. I'm hot." Zack said smugly down at the soon to be Red Steel kabobs.

"Hey! Don't roast them alive!" I yelled.

"Oh crap right!" Zack yelped.

He quickly turned around and held his hands out to them, I guess trying to turn it off. When that didn't work, he tried stomping on them. Then, poof. The fire just magically disappeared. I just gave him a look. The two didn't seem too intensely burned. Maybe he could control the heat level of his fire?

"What, what are you?" The guy I was standing over stuttered.

“We're the heroes.” I said and kicked the guy in the head.