For many years, Leland had wanted to break free from stuttering. He always believed it would bring him an indescribable level of peace and joy. He’d be more free, more in control of his life, and not once had he ever questioned the assumption. It was a certainty. Clear as day. A perfect dream.

How naive and idealistic.

He felt nothing of the sort, only numb to everything.

While Leland sat against a tree in his local park, he listened to a random classical song through his wireless headphones, the act driven more by force of habit than desire. The area was busy, filled with dog walkers and runners. Brown leaves danced in the air as trees gradually began shedding one leaf at a time.

Staress was right.

The truth was not meant to be discovered, at least not for him. He had criticised her for cowardice, but why be courageous if the consequences were suffering and holding up a burden no human should bear? Leland tilted his head back, staring at the clouds. You were protecting me. You knew my fate from the beginning and fought it regardless.

Nearby, a familiar middle aged woman sat on a bench and tossed a tennis ball. A dog dashed after it and brought it back, and the woman smiled warmly. Leland remembered her. Several times he had watched her from a distance, trying to muster up the courage to strike up a conversation in order to combat his social anxiety.

Those times felt like a lifetime ago. Now he couldn’t believe how irrational his fears once were. Without much thought or planning, Leland walked up to the woman.

“Hi there, h-how are you doing?”

The woman smiled. She made a sign. I’m deaf. Can you speak sign language?

Leland made a sign back, excitement in his eyes. Yes, I can! How are you? He had once entered a phase of learning British/Australian sign language in order to communicate without speaking. Unfortunately, his friends weren’t committed enough to learn it.

I’m well, the woman communicated. How are you?

Leland sat beside her while the dog came up close, sniffing his shoe. I’m okay… I guess. He hesitated before asking, How do you cope with being deaf? I’m sure it must be frustrating to know that you are missing out on something important.

The woman shook her head, still smiling. I’ve never had to cope. I simply live with it. Usually, people will express pity and concern, but deafness is all I’ve ever known. There’s nothing to miss out on since I’ve never had it in the first place.

Leland’s eyebrows scrunched. He wasn’t convinced. But aren’t you frustrated sometimes that you can’t experience this mystery sense that people talk about? Haven’t you heard others talk about the pleasures of music?

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

The woman grinned. I haven’t heard anything. I’m deaf.

You know what I mean.

I wouldn’t say frustrated. Only curious. Now that I think about it, I’ve never had any negative emotions from what everyone seems to think is a problem. For me, there’s never been anything bad or good about it. It’s my life. That’s all it is.

I feel like we’re polar opposites.

How so?

I feel like I’m the only one who saw my stutter as a problem.

The woman snorted. You’ve been trying to speak to me this whole time and when you finally do, it’s someone who doesn’t speak back. The irony.

How did you know?

You stare too much. At first, I thought you were plotting to kill me.

Leland laughed.

Sorry. I’ll save Earth. That should make up for it.

----------------------------------------

Leland sank through a rain cloud, tasting the precipitation.

Headphones on, he spiralled, half dancing, half letting gravity take effect. Shortly after, Cadell plummeted to his left, Staress to his right, and together they fell through a portal, landing on a Brooklyn rooftop of a skyscraper. It was time.

Staress gripped the crown firmly, avoiding eye contact. Leland smiled sheepishly.

“Listen, Lee I’m—”

“Stars, I’m—”

“You go,” Staress said.

“Don’t apologise. Not for w-wanting the best for me. Here’s the situation as I understand it. Tell me if I’m w-wrong. You both can’t save the day yourselves, not without losing y-your mind in the… p-process or experiencing a-astronomical pain most couldn’t possibly imagine.”

Leland paused for a moment, taking the silence as a yes.

“W-without a choice in the matter, you’ve b-been forced to carry a heavy burden and it’s taken a toll over time. J-just like me, you both have superpowers you never asked for.” Leland took a step forward and gripped Staress’ crown, eyes burning fiercely with determination. “F-from now on, I’ll carry that burden alongside you. We’re in this together now. R-remember what you asked me w-when we first met?”

Staress’ eyes began to water. “Your superpowers could save the world, don’t you think?”

Leland nodded. “Leave the f-final to me. Y-you won’t put that crown on. At least, not today. I’ll protect Earth as best as I can… r-reluctantly.”

“Thank you, Lee,” Staress said, embracing him in a hug.

“Just drop the a-album tomorrow.”

Staress laughed. “I promise.”

“You’ve really become a man,” Cadell commented, closing his comic book. “But could you heal my face?”

Leland winced, even though he wasn't the one injured, before swiftly administering healing. “I’m sorry, b-basketball bro.”

Cadell grinned and shrugged. “It’s okay. To be fair, I could have dodged. Worry more about yourself now. Volengi is waiting for you.”

The name drained a chunk of Leland’s newfound confidence. His heart thumped, but Cadell gripped his shoulder, shaking it gently. “You won’t be alone. I can sync up my mask with yours. Everything you will see, I will see.”

Leland’s eyes lit up. “D-does that mean you’ll be able to—”

“Yup.”

“And then w-we can do the—”

“Yes,” Cadell said, chuckling. “Just like we practiced.”

“G-great…” Leland said, revealing an edge of a smile. “Stars, do you know anything important that might help me?”

Staress raised the crown. “We’ll instantly be aware of any plan you cook up or strategy you want to implement. Like Cadell said, you won’t be alone. We’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“O-okay… I-I’m ready.”

Cadell created a portal and Leland entered it, putting on his superhero mask.

That’s right. You’re ready. You’ve got this.