I leaned forward in my seat, enraptured. Usually in Civics I was bored to tears, doodling in the margins of my notebook or just daydreaming. Ms. Krey was a fine teacher, but who wanted to learn about how you were 'supposed to be a good citizen'? Our parents taught us that crap when we were little so this was just a waste of time. Today was different though.

Today the heroes came to visit.

“And then,” Bulwark said, grinning and leaning forward where he sat. “Fusillade fired the most powerful shot I'd ever seen from her! No lie, it was nearly as strong as Scintillator's, but just shy. Took down Mephisto no problem though.” I grinned too. Hearing about the heroes fighting to protect us was exciting!

“Strong enough to singe your moustache,” Fusillade bantered playfully, drawing a comical glare from Bulwark.

“Yes well,” Bulwark, who I noticed didn't have a moustache, grumbled. “It was almost where you should be.” He turned his attention back to the class and the amicable grin returned. “Any questions?” My hand shot up instantly. “Yes, at the back there.”

“I'm just curious,” I began, heart pounding. “Since you were fighting Blackout and all, wouldn't retreating outside and penning them in make more sense? Mephisto's powers don't work well in light, right? And they didn't have any other way to get out of Moderna Plaza right? So why go in?” I smiled, eager to hear their first-hand experience. I knew there had to be something obvious I'd missed.

“Well uh.” Bulwark blinked and I saw Fusillade grin briefly before her expression vanished behind a neutral mask. “That's a very good point, and good observation. What's your name, young lady?”

“Tess!” I replied, a little too loudly. I lowered my voice and tried again. “Um, Tess Franklin, sir.”

“Well Tess,” he said with a warm smile. “With a mind like that, maybe you can join the ranks of the Yeomen when you're older.” I smiled back, my heart swelling with pride. “Now the answer is that you can't give villains a minute to rest. They're clever like rats, if you give them and inch they'll take you for everything.” I nodded firmly. That made sense. “Anyone other questions?” I put my hand up again, and his smile shrank. He pointed at Kevin two seats over instead.

That was fine, I'd just asked a question. I waited patiently as he answered Kevin's stupid question about if Ritters got to keep what they confiscated from villains which obviously no. Dangerous stuff was destroyed, valuables returned or the funds redistributed, and Bulwark told him as much. I rolled my eyes and raised my hand again when he asked for questions.

Again I was passed over and I huffed. For a brief moment, I consciously turned on my power and walked up to the front of the room. I jumped up and down a couple times, testing, before returning to my seat and shutting it off. Nope, definitely wasn't invisible now. I waited for Sally-Anne now to ask Fusillade about being a girl hero, like it was any different. I waited and again raised my hand when asked.

And they passed me over again. I huffed and crossed my arms. It was irritating, but normal enough. That was fine, I was just about ready to debut anyway. Once they knew who I was they'd be looking to work with me instead of passing me over in class. Soon enough. I didn't raise my hand for the rest of class, just in case I was annoying them. It wouldn't do to have them introduced to Tess the 'intelligent but disruptive' kid.

They left shortly before class ended and Ms. Krey passed out the weekend's assignment, a few short-answer questions about the history of the Ritters and their duties today. I wasn't sure what that had to do with citizenship, well not for normal kids anyway. For me it was different I guess, but it wasn't as if Civics was a course only for heroes. Ms. Krey stopped me as I filed past her desk.

“Tess,” she said bluntly. “That was rather rude, questioning Bulwark like that.”

“I didn't mean to be rude,” I said honestly. “I wanted to know why he used the strategy he did. And he answered, right?”

“Still,” she said. “It's not your place to ask those sorts of things. Learning that is part of what this class is about.”

“Yes Ms. Krey,” I replied, suppressing my grin. If only she knew...

I strode jauntily out of class and down the halls. I only stopped by my locker to grab my bag before heading out into the warm, May air. I walked straight past the bus up the road, humming quietly to myself. It had been a pretty good day, despite the usual boredom of class. Now it was about to get better as I got the last thing I needed before my big night.

It had been barely a month since I'd found out I was Empowered. Never in my life had I expected it to happen, but I'd proven it time and again. It made me giddy, made me feel like I could do something. I turned at the intersection ahead of me and glanced up, just in time to see a Duo fly overhead.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

My grin widened. I loved seeing the heroes at work, loved it more now. Of course I'd never be like them, not exactly. Being a Solo meant I didn't have anyone my power worked well with. Considering my power that...made sense. I wasn't going to fret over it though, and there was plenty I could do alone! Just because I couldn't fly or shoot super laser beams or whatever didn't mean I was useless.

“Hey Tess,” Tim greeted me with a wrinkly grin as I entered the little tactical shop that I frequented. He was a great guy, always quick to share a war story. And unlike other adults, he didn't gloss over shit because I was fifteen. “Wasn't expecting to see you today.” I grinned as I strode up to the counter and leaned against it, standing on my toes a bit to get my arms atop.

“It's 'cause I need something,” I shrugged, my grin slipping away behind a worried frown. I lowered my voice, even though the store was empty. “I um, I wanna get a taser.” Tim's face grew a frown of his own, partly hidden behind his white beard.

“Oh?” he said, sounding suspicious. “And why would you need something like that, young lady?” I winced at the comment.

“Look I...” I paused, taking a deep breath. “My place got broken into last week. Mom and Dad...they won't get a gun, and I can't, but I need to do something you know? I can't...can't let that happen.” I held my breath, staring at the glass of the counter. I hoped he'd buy it.

“Look at me, hon,” Tim said sternly. I did, my eyes wide and face red. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “God dammit kid. Look, I close up in an hour. Come back then and I'll run you through how to use it so you don't fuckin' hurt yourself.”

“Wait really?” I blinked, hardly daring to believe. “You'll...you'll sell me--”

“Hell no,” he snapped. “If I sold you a taser I'd have the cops on my ass in a heartbeat. But if some brat happens to steal one, well officer I was robbed. What are you gonna do about it. Got it?”

“Copy all,” I replied with a grin. The two-hundred I saved up by stealing from drug dealers could go somewhere else. Maybe some real body armour...if I could find some in my size. “Hey, your buddy finish with the uh, the thing?”

“The plate carrier?” I nodded and Tim hefted the thing onto the counter. It was pretty vintage, from the 2020s. It had been a steal, since it was too small for anyone else to fit. Ironically it was too big for me, but Tim knew a guy that modified them. Another fifty bucks and he fit it for me. “You know they're useless without armour.”

“I know,” I said with a shrug. “Can't afford that yet though. Besides, I don't really need it til I actually join you know?”

“That still the plan?” I shrugged. “Look, Tess, I think it's cool you wanna join the Yeomen but--”

“Tim,” I snapped. “If you make a quip about my height I'm gonna use the taser on you first.” He smiled and ruffled my short, wavy hair. I slapped his hand away, hard, and glared at him. “Fuck off.”

“Sorry, sorry.” He held his hands up. “Forgot. It's only been a month.”

“I am very aware,” I said, taking a deep breath. “It's fine, just...don't forget. Cool?”

“Cool. Now scram, I got a business to run.”

I forced a chuckle and hopped back from the counter, leaving the little shop behind. My smile quickly disappeared. Tim was usually pretty cool, but that pissed me off a little. Next time he touched me maybe I would use the taser on him...

No, I couldn't think like that. I was going to be a good guy, dammit! Next time I'd just move out of the way, because I'd be a badass hero that could do that and I wouldn't tase an old man. I sighed and paused at a crosswalk, shutting my eyes and enjoying the sun on my face for a minute. I had some time to kill, but no time to waste. I headed further up town, towards a squat, brick building with a massive domed roof.

It wasn't quite Samaris Central, but it was the branch closest to home. I had plenty of fond memories, coming here almost as much as school. Mom and Dad loved it, since I could have my nose in a book for hours while they did other stuff. The librarians didn't mind, even gave me more to read. I sighed, no time for happy memories. I was here for business.

I greeted the librarians by name, as usual, and they did the same. I went to the back, to the research computers, and found the most isolated booth I could. It wasn't too hard really, the place was dead. I logged in with my thumbprint and began browsing. Fortunately I was known to be a bit of a geek about abhuman stuff, so the searches I was doing were par for the course.

I'd been tracking Blackout for a while. Mephisto and the alleged Duo partner no one had ever seen had been on a recent crime spree. The heroes coming today had been a stroke of luck, adding another point of reference for where they were working. I had it narrowed down now to a big hotspot about six blocks across. It wasn't going to be easy, but I figured a fight between Empowered wouldn't exactly be quiet. As long as I was in running range I could get in there and help out. With my power I could get in where no one else could and take both Empowered down.

I went to Mephisto's 'RitterWatch' page again, as well as the unofficial abhuman .wik. They mostly mirrored each other, talking about his ability to generate strange clouds that obscured him and his Duo. They also apparently altered the perception of those within, and a monster basically KO'd anyone that got that close.

My power meant I could get there without him noticing though. Sure my perception would be altered but I would have time to make sense of things, with him unable to see me. Once I did that, it was a simple matter to jab the taser in his side and put him down. Then I'd make my debut as a new Solo and everyone would love it.

Probably. Maybe. God, I hoped people would like me. It felt silly to worry, since I was taking down bad guys to protect people. Who would begrudge me for that? Well, the bad guys themselves probably but they'd be fighting me anyway. Everyone else would be on my side. It would be fine. I took a deep breath and held it for a little while. A minute. Another thirty seconds. Another...

I exhaled slowly. It was a weird habit, maybe, but using my power felt a hell of a lot like holding my breath. It just sort of...calmed me down. I shut down the computer and left the library. It hadn't quite been an hour, but I didn't care. Tim would close a little early if I gave him puppy-dog eyes. I didn't like manipulating my friend like that but...well, I was excited. And it was all for a good cause anyway, he'd forgive me if he knew.

I practically skipped back to the shop, eager to get started on my first real hero training.