Chapter XII
Changed
Two weeks have passed since the children started training with Hook's group. Winter has arrived.
Blinding white snow covered the land wherever the eyes could see. Piercing cold winds descended from the mountains into Younen village. Like a world frozen in time, not a squirrel in the trees, sometimes a bird chirping. Other than that, just serene silence.
“ACHOO!” A sneeze so loud it could disturb a slumbering bear echoed between the houses of the village.
“How could you catch a cold? Your power is ice with a capital I.” Niel's perplexed rosy cheeks looked at his friend.
“Yeah, and not virus with a capital V. I am still susceptible to a common cold.”
“Just say you are sick! Less syllables!”
“Not as sick as you are of Hook.”
“It’s not Hook. It’s the training. We just exercise and spar. No real fights since the first training day. The next time we get attacked we are going to squat them to death?”
“It is plenty for most of us. Terry, Marco, and Rosa are especially tired after all that training. But how are you? Have you made any progress?” Ren looked at his friend hoping for a positive answer.
“Still nothing. All of you have awakened your powers but me. And nobody enjoys that more than Ken…” Niel kicked a stone as he averted his gaze from his friend.
“Don’t worry about him, you are still on par with him in strength.”
“That’s the weirdest thing. Because that means my additional abilities, my strength, speed, reaction time are all of an overhuman’s, but I have no main power like the rest of you.”
“You will figure it out Niel. And I know you will be awesome with it.”
Niel nudged his friend’s shoulder in a friendly playful way as they arrived in front of the school.
Ren sighed as they looked up at the great building. "One more week and it’s winter break time.”
“One more week of the usual…”
What the “usual” meant for the pair was a hectic amalgamation of tasks they made into a ritual. Exams where Ren would help his friends. Conflict within the team which they resolved with Niel’s brawn and Ren’s brain. And training which sometimes even felt like meditation after a long day of school.
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The first one of these tasks was a math exam.
SLAM! The math’s teacher jumped in front of Niel and tore the piece of paper out of his hand. “So this is how you passed with mediocre grades all this time! Ren just slipped you a note right?”
"No! You misunderstand teach! Just don't open it." Ren tried to bargain with the teacher.
The teacher opened the note to see a picture of a rat smoking a cigar. “What is this?!”
“Just a funny picture I drew. I call him Vincenzo” Ren smiled at the teacher. She was puzzled by the weird drawing and at Ren's reaction, but without any cheating to bust she walked back to her table. What she didn’t know is the other note that Niel got. And though the teacher had every reason to be suspicious, without any evidence she gave Niel the passing grade.
“Yes!” Shouted Niel with unreasonable happiness, as he got a passing grade at the end of the class.
Ren looked around proud as all his classmates passed the exam. The relieved smiles that looked back at him empowered the boy for the rest of the day.
Later that day at lunchtime Terry was ready to dig into his food his mother packed for him but before the first bite Ken grabbed his lunchbox, walked past Faul and slammed it down on his own desk. He looked around to see some disapproving but powerless faces. He sat down and started eating. By the time Niel and Ren entered the room Ken took the final bite. They looked at each other Niel with frustration and Ren with sadness. Niel was ready to go to Ken and fight him, but Ren held him back. “There is nothing to fight for. But I have an idea.”
They both walked up to Marco who was still stuffing his face with something that could only be described as a three-course meal. “Hey Marco! I see you brought a lot of food. Would you mind giving some to…”
“No!” Marco interrupted Rens well-mannered plea. “This is my food! For me! Terry couldn’t stand up for himself that’s his fault.”
“Well I tried the nice way.” Ren took a step to the side so that Niel could lunge at Marco and shake him by the collar.
“Alright! Alright… have all my food you brute!”
“We don’t need that much.” Ren took a ham sandwich and placed some coins on his table. “Thanks Marco you are a hero!” Ren walked away and as he turned Niel took one of the coins much to Marco’s surprise.
“A sandwich doesn’t cost that much.” Niel answered Marco’s questioning gaze as he walked away, slipping the coin back into Ren's pocket.
Ren passing by Terry dropped the sandwich on his desk and left a note that read “Thanks for the test help.”
What had happened with the 'Vincenzo situation' was a culmination of their new-found powers and the fact that they knew the teacher all too well. As she made her way to Niel to scold the young boy. She passed Terry. Who in that instance stood up and activated invisibility. Walked past Ren who had the answers and distributed them among those who needed it. He had to constantly move but the teacher’s own voice blocked out the nervous footsteps. And thus, he made it back to his seat without the teacher noticing.
Ren would've helped Terry anyway, but wnow they owed him for the exam. Mission accomplished.
As Ren left the room a group of younger kids surrounded him from all sides.
“Ren! We were waiting for you!”
“Yeah! You said you’d help with our homework!”
“Sorry guys I had a… thing I had to resolve before meeting you. But hey! Why don’t you all come in to the classroom and-“ Ren’s words were cut short by the kids screams.
“NO! NO! You have to come with us. The others are waiting, and recess is almost over!”
“Alright! Alright!” Ren gave in to the pressure.
They quickly reached the classroom and as they entered, he saw Rosa sitting at a table, surrounded by kids who were all in awe as she explained each and every problem in their homework. Ren stopped in his tracks and stared for a couple of seconds as she leaned over the paper and her hair covered the side of her face.
“I…I think I should go… I mean Rosa is more than enough for your homework.” Ren turned around to see the door closed behind him and Ginna’s pink face duck behind the glass part of the door.
“Oh Ren! Did you come to help the kids too? I can go if you want to do it alone.” Rosa called out to him. Now there was no escape.
“No, no it’s fine.” What do I mean it’s fine? It’s great! Is it? But what if I say something stupid? Ren tried to act cool while the thoughts in his head fought for supremacy. The kids made space next to Rosa and made him sit there. So close! I can feel the warmth from her body. What am I saying? Just don’t be weird Ren! “S-so what are they learning?” Ren blurted out the first thing that wasn't a confession.
“Percentages. More accurately how to make a fraction into a percentage.” Rosa turned to him.
“Oh that’s simple!” Ren suddenly felt a surge of focus. “So a fraction is basically a simple division. Let’s say for example ½ is your fraction. The 2 represents the whole, and the 1 represents the part you have. So if two is the whole, that is the 100%. Now if you look at the relationship between the two numbers one is half as much as two so it’s percentage should be half as well!”
“I get it! So lets say 3/15! A hundred divided by fifteen is 6.67. And that multiplied by 3 is 20! So 3/15 is percentage is 20%!” Said a kid enthusiastically.
“Exactly! You are very smart! You guys don’t even need us here!” Ren joked and turned back to the paper.
“Of course, we don’t you guys are here for a date!” One of the kids declared much to the chagrin of Ren and Rosa.
“What?” Rosa and Ren jumped up, blood rushing to their faces, as they looked at each other flabbergasted.
“Shut it idiot! You weren’t supposed to say that!” A girl slapped the snitch on the back of the head.
“This is not a date; we are here to help you with your homework!” Rosa explained with her hands on her hips scolding the children. "Right Ren?”
“Of-of course! We wouldn’t date in a classroom full of kids!” Ren shrugged awkwardly, trying to affirm Rosa's displeasure.
“Or anywhere!" Rosa looked uneasy at ren getting more and more read in the process before adding to her sentence. "Without agreeing on it before!”
“Right! And let me tell you neither of us knows about this being a date of sorts!” Or anywhere? She sounded so sure! There go all my hopes that she shares my feelings.
“So you’re not gonna kiss? Lame!” One of the girls from the back sat down in boredom.
“Who said anything about kissing?” The two of them got crimson at the idea. Rosa covered her face turning away from the situation.
“That brown haired girl from your class!” Hearing this Rosa turned back and looked at Ren, knowing exactly who it was. “Ginna…”
Outside of the classroom Ginna was giggling to herself leaning on a wall.
“You sure like playing matchmaker!” Luna caught her in the act. “If only you’d put this much effort into studying you wouldn’t have needed the cheat sheet.”
“Like you didn’t need it!” Ginna stuck her tongue out at the criticism.
“I didn’t. Ever since we started training, we’ve had more responsibilities than ever. I don’t want to burden the others. And I don’t like to depend on others anyway.”
“You’re saying I’m selfish for accepting help?” Ginna looked offended by Luna's comment.
“Just implying.” Luna chuckled mocking her classmate.
“Maybe you’d think I’m less selfish if I helped with you with Iiwa?” Ginna tried to get back at her classmate by attacking a known soft spot. Luna slammed her hand on the wall next to Ginna’s head. She leaned in close so she could whisper. “Watch what you’re saying, or I’ll cut your tongue out.” Ginan went pale white like the wall behind her.
“Whatever this is, I support it!” Vhiz walked by almost breaking his neck as he turned to look at the girls. Luna turned to chase after Vhiz, but the door slammed open in front of her, as Ren and Rosa left the classroom.
“As I was saying, Ginna didn’t tell anything to me either. She must be planning some prank on us.” Ren and Rosa turned to the right, completely missing Luna and Ginna on their left.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“When I find her I have some mean words to her!” Rosa's face was slowly returning to her usual color, but some of the frustration was still keeping her face pink.
“Like? Crap or heck?” Ren laughed as he mocked Rosa. “I have never heard you say a single bad word.”
“That’s because you haven’t been spending much time with me lately. All the training and keeping peace among the boys takes too much time.” Rosa puffed her cheeks up showing how displeased she was.
“Well them it’s time to catch up!” The two of them walked away chuckling.
“You see I know how to do matchmaking.” Ginna said proudly nudging Luna on the side.
“And yet you’re single.” Her classmate answered cynically.
“Oh hey Iiwa!” Ginna waved into nothingness. Luna nervously turned around, but Iiwa was not there.
“Touché.” Luna said defeated.
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After the final class the kids headed home. Except for Ren who walked to Dr. Ottoman’s office.
“How do you feel Ren? You’ve been attending these sessions for a while now but lately I see something different in your eyes.”
“Good different or bad different?” Ren asked nervously.
“That is something you should feel.”
“I think it’s good! I feel more confident. We hang out with the whole class a lot. And I feel like I have a purpose.”
“I did notice your entire class hanging out together lately. What is behind this newfound comradery?”
“Is it weird for us to be in good terms?”
“Ren… please don’t act like one of your classmates isn’t Ken Leonnas.”
Ren was caught off guard by the comment made by the doctor. “Yeah, you are right. We really are a lucky bunch.” Ren scratched his nape nervously.
“I am happy for you. But you need to realize at some point that the more secrets you keep, the less I can do for you.”
“No secrets here sir. We still bicker like always, but a common goal brought us together. And that’s all I’ll say.”
“Hmm. Alright Ren! I am happy for you. but if you have nothing to say about them, I’ll ask about your family.”
“Again? My mom works hard, my dad’s not home, and my brother is a jackass. There is nothing new.” Ren adjusted himself in the seat. “Listen doc. I was sent here because I had a little mishap on the roof. But as I said, I feel fine, I am better. So could you write a letter to the principal, telling him that I am in no need of any more of this.” Ren stood up from his seat.
“You might think it is fine, but these sessions are not only to make you feel better, but to keep you that way. I don’t want you to fall back.”
“Like one hour a day will change anything.” Said Ren under his breath.
“It doesn’t matter what made you spend more time with your rambunctious classmates, one thing I am sure of. They are rubbing off on you.”
“If you meant that as an insult I am not offended. They might not all be goodie two shoes like I am, but they are all good. So being more like them is not bad.”
“You recognize the difference in yourself, and the confidence this new you have, but you don’t see why I worry. I don’t want you to mistake change for improvement.”
Ren stared silently at his therapist.
“Oh! I have a game to break the ice that filled this room!” Dr. Marcus jumped out of his seat in excitement. Ren looked at the man with bewildered curiosity. “Let’s have a little role-playing game.”
“Like what?” Ren's concern rose by the sudden excitement from the doctor.
“I’ll be you and you’ll be…”
“You?”
“No! No! That would be a waste of time. You’ll play Ken!” Ren’s face went pale as snow. As the doctor was waiting in anticipation for a reaction Ren’s body went numb and froze. “Don’t worry Ren the game will only last as long as you want to.”
“Then I want the game to end now!”
“We have to start first.” Dr Marcus crouched down to Ren who compressed himself into the wrinkles of the leather sofa. As soon as the man caught a glimpse of the boy’s gaze, he spoke in a soft well-mannered young voice. “Hi… Ken”
Ren looked at the man who was mimicking his expression and even the way he talked.
“Ren it’s your turn to speak as Ken.” The man tried to encourage Ren.
“Sup?” Said Ren looking at the door.
“H-here’s your homework.”
“I don’t do that for him!” Said Ren clearly offended by the assumption.
“What are you talking about Ken? I do this ever since you saved me from that car. You guilt tripped me into doing your homework because you saved my life.”
“Stop it doc I’m not playing!”
“No one plays with me since then. Everyone whom I once called friends found me annoying after a while so now the only affection, I really get is your ‘attaboy every once in a while. My former best friend Niel finds me disgusting and no girl wants to talk to me but that’s fine.”
“I SAID SHUT UP YOU PIECE OF SHIT!” Shouted Ren in a brutish manner similar to Ken. “All you can do is feel sorry for yourself and act like a wounded puppy nonstop! But I know the real you! You want to feel important; you want to feel wanted, but you don’t deserve it! People take when they need something, you feel sick just thinking about taking something for yourself. You are a waste of life!”
Ren stopped screaming and looked at Dr. Marcus confused at his own anger. He ran out of the office without saying a word.
“See you next week.” Dr. Ottoman whispered into the papers.
Ren ran home holding back tears. But not because of Dr. Marco, they were set loose by the realization that he did in fact change, but not for the better. This newfound confidence wasn't in himself, but in the group.
Later that afternoon the children gathered where the school would be in the second reality.
“Okay kids! Now that you all warmed up, here’s today’s assignment!” Sledge pulled out a piece of paper with all the names of the kids written on it. “Medicin will train Niel, Taran and Marco. Blitz will have Sun, Faul and Vhiz. Hook takes care of Ren Ken and Terry, and the girls will come with me prowling!”
“Prowling?”
“Yes! For the first time some of you will leave the village!”
“What! No way!”
“Why the girls?”
“Because you guys want it too much! It’s annoying. The girls reward for keeping it together is being the first to go out.”
“But isn’t that dangerous?” Rosa muttered from the back.
“Of course, it is! But that’s the key to development! Anyway, you shouldn’t worry! Our objective is to ask around. We need to earn money somehow. The gym we have only brings us so much money. So we ask around if anybody needs anything and for the right price we deliver!”
“I still wanted to be in the exploration team.” Sun muttered sadly.
“You’ll have your chance! Now if everyone understands their tasks, run your ten laps as a warmup. Oh and Niel! You were the worst at showing your abilities as always, so you run five more!”
Niel just looked at her with an antagonized gaze as the shame he felt made every word he thought of halt.
The training ritual went like this: Once every week all the children lined up, introduced themselves and showed their power to the others. The most important part was the presentation. To show the Five Champions that they have improved since last time. But Niel had nothing to show.
As they ran the laps Niel slowed his pace down so Ren could keep up with him.
“I’d tell you not to run those extra laps with me, but I know it’s futile.”
“You are damn right!” Ren nudged his friend while they were running. “You really don’t feel anything? When I first used my power, I needed to get in front of Rosa as quick as possible and stop Mantis. My mind thought of it and my body made it real.”
“Nothing like that for me.”
“Sledge said that some people get abilities that are basically just a mutation. Like an extra ear, or two hearts. Maybe you have something like that.”
“Maybe…” Niel zoned out for a second before changing the subject. "How was your session with Dr. Marcus?"
Ren's expression went dark as he picked up the speed. "It was fine! Let's finish the laps."
Luna, Iiwa, Rosa, and Ginna all got into the Five Champions’ van and waved goodbye to their friends.
“Just telling you in advance. Do not expect a long journey. Our city lies right behind the mountain, so we’ll be there quickly.” Sledge clarified as she started the engine.
“But I even brought a camera! And not knowing what to expect I brought a sweater, a knife, sunscreen, chocolate, and a first aid kit!” Ginna showed everyone her backpack.
“Sweater and sunscreen? What kind of weather are you expecting Ginna?” Iiwa asked with her eyebrows ruffled.
“What I don’t understand is why you brought a first ais kit? You are our first aid kit.” Luna asked perplexed.
“Can I get a piece of chocolate?” Rosa asked her friend.
“Sure!” She broke off a piece for Rosa. “Anyone else?”
“No thanks.” Luna turned away.
“I want one.” Iiwa held out her hand. Ginna broke off a double piece and gave it to Iiwa.
“Oh, you gave me two.” Iiwa said surprised.
“Just share it with Luna.” Ginna chuckled.
“Why do I feel like a babysitter?” Sledge held her head as she turned on the radio.
The vehicle went over the mountain to reveal a new scenery to the kids. They poked their heads out the window to see better. The forest abruptly ended at the foot of the mountain. What they saw was fields of crops and lights of cities as far as they could see. The closest one where they were headed had no tall buildings, only houses and an old mine at the base of the mountain. But Luna’s eyes focused on something else. “It’s beautiful!” She said gasping for air as she sat back in the car.
“I wouldn’t go that far. It’s an old mining town, mostly ran by gangs.” Sledge found the compliment weird but thought nothing of it. These children were secluded in a boring village after all.
“No! Not that. The city further down. It’s all white. Every building, even the roads shine so brightly.” The other girls tried to look in the same direction but oly saw something glittering far away.
“You see Whitestone from here? That’s… insane! The only person I know with good enough eyes is Watch, but that’s his actual power.”
“She always had good eyes!” Iiwa said proudly.
“I…I see. You are full of surprises.”
Shortly after they arrived in Uradoori the small neighboring city.
They stopped in front of the bar called the Broken Window. When they got out of the van the piercing gaze of dozens of men and women pressed down on them from the shadows. Sledge looked around fearless, even a bit cocky. “If any of you want something come and I’ll beat the shit out of you. Otherwise mind your fuckin’ business.” The children were shocked by the tone of the woman they met not so long ago. Though she was never the reserved, polite lady type, this version was a step above the casual Sledge the girls knew.
“I don’t like this place…” Rosa pulled her jacket up as much as she could.
“I know it’s probably not what you expected from the outside world, but this is where business is. Maybe one day we’ll make it to Whitestone.” The girls entered the bar. The nauseating smell of alcohol and body fluids spread in the air like a plague. One of the tables was occupied by a passed-out man who chose that table as his bed. The other guests at the inn placed a bowl on the top of his head and placed bets on who could throw the most peanuts in. The innkeeper turned and looked the children up and down before turning his attention to Sledge.
“Well well! If it isn’t the heart- and concrete-breaker of the Five Champions. What brings you here, Sledge? And who are these kids?”
“You know exactly what I want. A bartender’s ear catches a lot of info. And all the scum of my beloved town come here, so I am sure you can indulge me with some interesting stories.” Sledge leaned on the counter with her elbow. “As for the children. They are here to see how an overhuman lives.”
“Then look no further kids. I am no different from a man. If you want to feel special, just join the cleaners, or God forbid the Ever Family. The life of self-proclaimed heroes like the Five Champions is a life of constant hardships, and no gratitude from anyone.” Sam the bartender finished his speech. The girl’s eyes shifted to Sledge with a demoralization painted across their faces. The moment of silence between the adults and the kids was broken by Ginna, who just opened a new chocolate bar and tried to crumple the packaging silently.
“Sam! Info! Now!” Sledge slid some money to her acquaintance. “The faster you give me something the sooner I can take them home!”
“Now this language I understand!” Sam put the money away and leaned closer.
“Hooded ones. Three. They came in yesterday. They nearly drank me dry. Good for business and stories. They talked about some sort of punishment they received from "master". The big one especially looked beaten. They joked around about taking this town for themselves and then they wouldn’t have to pay for my shitty beer. Not like I made the bloody thing, but I was still offended. So I showed them where the exit is. Except for the one that was sleeping. I am not that cruel.”
“This sounds as interesting as a slice of bread. Get to the important part.”
“As I was taking them out, the younger one said something interesting. Why are we here anyway? Anvil never says anything about our mission. When Turtle died, we should’ve destroyed every city nearby in the name of the Ever Family. Instead, we roam these streets like dogs! Should’ve went after the killer when the prints were new!"
“So you are saying that there is someone who killed a hooded one and they are looking for the killer?”
“Seems like it. After that I asked around. Turtle was killed in Karta Forest, and the cleaners are looking everywhere for the murderer. But for some reason the Ever Family is surprisingly still, like they are waiting for something.”
“That’s some good info. If I could talk to the hooded ones maybe we could find out even more.”
“Why don’t you ask him?”
“No way!” Sledge looked Sam in disbelief, then turned her gaze at the man lying on the table.
“Yeah. He’s not dead. I checked, but he is out cold. Looks like he is a lightweight, no matter how big he is.”
“Sledge walked up to the man and shook his shoulder. “Hey! Wake up!” The man snarled a bit but didn't wake up. She pushed him, almost knocking him out of the chair, but no reaction. She got fed up with being ignored so she turned her arm into a small hammer and brought it down upon the man. But before reaching him, the man grabbed the hammer and opened his eyes.
“Wat’s dis? Whhhy are you wakin’ me up?” The hungover man noticed Sledge’s astounded face and out of surprise slammed her against a wall. She grunted as her head whipped back and slammed into the stone surface behind her.
“Who the hell are you?” Sledge moaned as she collected herself from the ruble. An unexpected power rocked the town’s inn, as the kids were about to experience at first hand what an overhuman fight really looks like.