Mutation (1000+ Views!)

[Chewbacca]

Thank you for stopping by! This is a story I’ve been planning for a while. However, there is still much I’ll be making up as I go along. This story was inspired by NBC’s “Heroes”, as you’ll probably be able to tell. One of the greatest things about this story is that readers may submit their own characters for the story and, if they fit into my plans for the plot and I believe they would go over well, they will become characters in the story. I hope everyone enjoys!

MUTATION
Volume I: AGENCY
Volume II: DESTINY
Volume III: HISTORY
Volume IV: RIVALRY

_ _ _

I am different.

I go to a restaurant and order my meal. The waitress returns 5 minutes later. She asks me if I wanted cheese on my sandwich; she claims to have forgotten. I wonder what could have caused her memory to fail in such a situation.

I call to order a product from a catalog. They ask me my name and address, so I tell them. They become distracted with something in their office for a few seconds. When they return, they once again ask for my name and address. “I deal with thousands of customers a day,” the man explains. “I can’t remember everything!”

Perhaps the woman in the restaurant cannot remember if I wanted cheese. Such a minor detail, it is easily forgotten. Maybe the man on the phone could not remember my name and address. Maybe he can’t remember everything. Maybe neither of them can.

But I can.

Everything I hear, everything I see, everything that I have ever known… I always remember. I can recall anything at will without missing a single detail of the incident.

I try to live a normal life to no avail. It is shocking and rather annoying how many times you see a single person, possibly a complete stranger, during your lifetime. One woman, I know not her name, I have met exactly 163 times on the roads of New York where I live, but I have yet to speak a single word to her. She has no idea who I am and believes we have never set eyes on each other.

I am still a young man with my whole life ahead of me. But how should I spend it with this unique ability? Am I a normal human being with a spontaneous power? Or am I meant for something more? Are there more of my kind in the world, those with abilities like me?

There are many roads that I can take. Which one should I follow? In which direction do I go? This is my story: the tale of Charles Knot.

VOLUME I: AGENCY

_ _ _

Want to create your own character to be in the story? Here’s what you need to include!
A. Character Name (can even be your own!)
B. Physical Characteristics
C. Personality
D. Some Sort of Backstory
E. Power / Ability

[dark-wolf-5]

Nice story. Looking forward to more. And here's my guy!

Name: Vincent Wolf
Physical Char.: Long hair, about 6 feet tall, white, wears a hoodie, has glasses, and is average in strength.
Personality: Sarcastic, loud, points out the obvious at times, funny.
Backstory: Ran away from home for reasons he would not like to discuss.
Power/Ability: uses aura to attack, (kinda like Lucario) and can't quite control it, but at the right time can be devastating.

[Chewbacca]

Thanks for the character and response, first chapter is on the way!

[firealpha]

I'm going to be watching this story. Looks like it should be pretty good.

[Kazooie-Tooie]

Woah, Chewies back! :D

Also: Read a Titles.

[Chewbacca]

Sorry the chapter is being delayed; I'm haven't been feeling too well today. I might get it up tomorrow.

[dark-wolf-5]

Tomorrow, eh? HURRY UP!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!

[Chewbacca]

Very sorry about the delay; I was sick for a few days and then was too occupied to find any time to write. Chapters will be released regularly and timely from now on. Please continue to send in characters, as well. I also appreciate every piece of feedback I can get so please comment and tell me what you think. Thank you, and enjoy!

Volume I Chapter 1
Memories

Charles Knot wandered through the streets of New York, as he so often did, learning everything he could, studying the mobs of people, and listening to what they had to say.

Knot was a strong, hard-looking man. He was about 6 feet tall and had a rather flat face with a slightly oversized nose. He had short, brown hair about the same color as his eyes.

Knot lived in an apartment by himself. His parents had vanished several years ago. Knot and his parents had never gotten along; he gave up searching for them after several months because neither he nor the police could find any trace of them. He had grown up in New York and knew the city like the back of his hand. For a normal human such a feat may not be possible. But it was for Knot.

Charles Knot remembered everything he ever heard, saw, or knew. He knew not from where the ability had come but he did know that he could remember everything after his 13th birthday. This meant that his strange ability had not developed prior to that date. For the past 11 years he had absorbed every piece of information presented to him and discovered that he could recall the strangest things and remember them as if they had occurred yesterday.

A Chinese man, walking in the opposite direction as Knot, passed him without even glancing at Knot. The Chinese man, of course, had no idea who the other man was. But Charles Knot, of course, knew the man’s name was Huang Yang, that he lived on 42nd street, that he had a wife and two kids, and that he was a lawyer. He also remembered one Tuesday afternoon when Yang had purchased a blue sweatshirt and had complained about the price.

This series of thoughts flashed through Knot’s mind when he passed Yang. In fact, a similar series of thoughts, some longer than others, interrupted his thoughts every single time he passed anyone in the streets. Sometimes it was annoying, but most of the time he found it rather entertaining knowing so much about random strangers. Every word in earshot Knot picked up on and could learn an extremely large amount about a person in just a few seconds.

But there was one man today on the streets of New York that Knot did not know; one man that he would soon know much better than before. As Knot passed a narrow alley way, the man in ragged clothes whirled his shovel through the air and slammed it right on top of Knot’s head. Charles Knot fell to the ground, unconscious, as other travelers paid little attention to the incident. To them, the strong, flat-faced man who had gotten hit on the head with a shovel was naught but a vague memory several hours later.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

When you say regularly, how regularly? Also, great chapter! Can't wait for the next one!

[Chewbacca]

By "regularly" I hope to release chapters once a day.

[LoMoNoCrAt]

Is it bad that I read the title as "Titless"? :p

[Siege]

Is it bad that I read the title as "Titless"? :p

Nope. I did it too.

[Chewbacca]

Nope. I did it too.

:p I'll come up with a real title soon then. For now, call it whatever you want.

[Siege]

:p I'll come up with a real title soon then. For now, call it whatever you want.

I'll do it the same way my freinds do EP&MSWLT... We call it Epsom salt.

[Chewbacca]

This one's pretty long.

Volume I Chapter 2
Agents

“Where am I?”

Charles Knot was lying on a simple bed in a well-furnished room. The walls and ceiling were a strange glassy blue; he could see right through them but nothing was beyond but darkness. The floor was the same, a bottomless chasm Knot thought he might fall right through if he stood up. Looking up, he noticed the ceiling was different. Instead of being glassy blue it was plain gray metal.

A woman arose from a leather seat behind a large desk the same mysterious color as the walls and floor. She was rather short and her hair was turning from brown to gray, but her face looked very strict and serious.

“Charles Knot, I presume.”

Knot was startled and quickly stood up to face the woman.

“I am Knot, who are you?”

“From this point forward you will address me as ‘ma’am’,” she answered smoothly.

Knot swallowed. “Why would I do that?”

“Because I am in charge here and you now work for me.”

“I don’t know who you think you are but you will let me out of this place right now,” retorted Knot.

The woman found Charles Knot’s reply quite amusing. “You sure don’t seem wise enough to deserve possessing an infinite memory.”

Her insult caught Knot off guard. “H-how do you know about… that?”

“I have agents everywhere.”

Knot realized his vision was a bit fuzzy and sat back down on the bed. There was also an uncomfortable bump on the top of his head. He suddenly remembered the man in ragged clothes, the shovel whirling toward his head, and a small child crying out in alarm as Knot fell face-first on the ground. Knot started as a large square from the metal ceiling began to slowly descend towards the floor. It was an elevator of sorts and the man riding it was the one previously in ragged clothes, now wearing a suit and tie.

The gray-haired woman turned to welcome the newcomer. “Ah, Stanford, glad you could come welcome the mysterious Mr. Knot. Knot, this is Stanford. He’s an agent just as you soon will be.”

Stanford reached out his hand to Knot. “Hello, sir, glad to meet you. Sorry about that, er, incident we had earlier.” Stanford looked up at the unpleasant-looking bump on the top of the other man’s head. “I hope it didn’t hurt too much.”

Knot ignored Stanford’s hand and instead glared at the woman. “I will not do anything until you explain who you are, what this agency is, and why you brought me here.”

“So impatient!” the woman declared. “Alright, relax and I’ll tell you everything you need to know. You are the underground headquarters of the New York Agency. We just call it the Agency for short. We are several miles under the streets of New York City right now. The government knows nothing, at least as far as we know, about the Agency and we’d like to keep it that way. For generations my family has been dedicated to serving the good of the nation and the world but we don’t want to be bound to the government. If you insist on knowing it, my name is Susan Parker but calling me by either name is unacceptable. ‘Ma’am’ is the only way you are allowed to address me. You, Knot, are wanted because you can remember anything and everything. This makes you invaluable to us. You will be the greatest agent we have ever had.”

Knot was satisfied that he had gotten some answers but still rather confused. “You mean we’re entire miles below New York City?”

“Yes, Knot, we are,” Parker replied. “Stanford dragged you down the alleyway you passed and went through the hidden entrance. There he took an elevator that runs from here to the surface.”

Knot was still skeptical, but he moved on to the next topic in which he was interested. “So, what are my options now?”

Parker turned to face one of the walls and stared into the dark infinity beyond. “Simple. You become an agent, or you die.”

A lot of thoughts and memories crossed Knot’s mind during the next 60 seconds. He thought about his boring life, his desire for something more, his anger at the woman and the man who knocked him unconscious. He considered his ability, whether there could possibly be anyone else like him in the world, and even what his parents would have wanted for him, though he didn’t care much about what their opinion would have been. Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke up. “I’m ready for a new challenge. I will work for you and for the Agency… ma’am.”
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

8D Awesome! Keep it up!

[Chewbacca]

My schedule today is very busy, so Chapter 3 will be released tomorrow.

[dark-wolf-5]

D': But I want!

[Chewbacca]

It may not be out today either, I'm afraid. I had a busy day with homework and band practices yesterday and tonight is our concert. Tomorrow I know I'll have a lot of homework so hopefully Friday? Over Christmas Break I will definitely be on a regular schedule. For now, I would really appreciate new characters. You can make up to 2!

[Chewbacca]

I'm very sorry about the wait, now that I'm on break I'll be releasing chapters once per day or once per two days. This first volume is only 7 chapters long so it will be finished in few days. Please send in more characters so I can use them in Volume Two. Finally, if you're a bit bored with the storyline right now, it is going to get much better in Volume Two. These first 7 chapters are necessary to set up the rest of the plot. Thanks, and enjoy!

Volume I Chapter 3
A Challenge

Susan Parker turned back to Charles Knot. Knot was surprised to see lines of stress and sadness on her face. She had been strict and stoic before but now she let her emotions show.

“Thank you, Knot, I truly do need you. You see, the Agency is not in a very good state right now. Ever since we found you and began spying on you several months ago, our agents have been hunted down and killed in the middle of missions. No one survives these strange attacks and they have occurred in nearly every state in the country. We have no proof of who is behind it but we do have a suspect. His name is Edward Maxwell. He is the CEO of a computer chip manufacturing company based in Silicon Valley, California. Agent Greenhow, one of our top spies, sent us that name by electronic messaging when he was on a mission in Los Angeles. That was the last message we ever received from Greenhow; he vanished and never returned.”

Stanford stood silent in a corner of the glassy blue room and closed his eyes solemnly.

“Edward Maxwell, it seems, is a very mysterious individual. Even with all of our connections, we have not been able to obtain a picture of him. The Agency needs more information, Knot. This is your assignment. You and Stanford will both be flown directly to Silicon Valley where you will attempt to at least catch a glimpse of Maxwell, taking a photo would be best. It would be even better if you could meet with him and find out more about him and his company. Knot, you are a very important part of this mission; I’m hoping that seeing Maxwell will bring back some sort of memory. Maybe you’ve met him before without learning his name.”

For several minutes, Knot paced around the room. Whether he wanted to take up this challenge or not, it seemed he had no choice. He had always wanted to see more of the world; New York was a big deal but he had lived there all his life. With a new-found eagerness for adventure, Knot replied, “When do we leave?”

[Chewbacca]

I need to know how many people are actually reading and interested in this story. Without comments I do not know who actually wants me to continue. If you do want me to continue, I will, but I need to know.

[dark-wolf-5]

WANT MORE!!!!! And when does my character come in?

[Chewbacca]

WANT MORE!!!!! And when does my character come in?

Well I knew you were reading :p. You're character comes in in Volume Two which will be in a few chapters. I believe this first Volume which only has Knot in it is 7 chapters long and I've already done three. As long as there is other interest, I will continue the story. I just find it hard to motivate myself when I don't know whether anyone is actually reading.

[Chewbacca]

Sorry for the double post, I've decided I will finish off Volume 1 and begin Volume Two. Hopefully more people will become interested. Chapter 4 should be up today.

[Chewbacca]

Volume I Chapter 4
Just Like the Movies

“Knot, meet Thompson, the Agency’s equipment manager. He’ll be introducing you to the technology you’ll be using on your mission.”

Charles Knot walked into the room, glassy blue like all the others, and faced a giant, muscular man with no hair and a large scar on his face. After greeting Thompson somewhat timidly, he listened silently to his instructions.

“Oy, Mr. Knot. This here green thingy is your text transmitter. Either use the keyboard or speak what you wish to say using this voice submission button and press “Send” to transmit your message back here. Got that?”

Knot replied in the affirmative. He also alerted Thompson to the fact that he needed not worry that Knot might forget how to use the transmitter.

“Of course. That’s the easiest one to handle. Over here we’ve got a new piece developed only a few days ago. This baby’s a tiny camera that clips onto your ear and films whatever is in front of you at all times. As long as the camera is on and operation, we here at headquarters can view what the camera records as it is happening. It’s basically live streaming. Got that one?”

Charles Knot felt like a real secret agent, just like the ones in the movies that he loved. As Knot continued to listen to Thompson’s descriptions of the various pieces of technology, he noticed that Stanford was being equipped with the same pieces. Stanford nodded to Knot in greeting and Knot nodded back; he had privately forgiven Stanford for knocking him unconscious in the middle of New York.

When Knot had heard and automatically memorized all the information about his new technology, he walked to a corner where Stanford was waiting for him.

“Alright, Knot, time to go.”

Knot followed Stanford through translucent blue halls to a particularly large room. It was, in fact, so large that Knot could not even see the far side of it. He gasped as his eyes landed on the most advanced-looking car he had ever seen in his life.

It was parked in the middle of the seemingly endless room. Shaped much like a giant falcon, the car was sleek and black. It was just like the cars that superheroes and powerful protagonists rode in the movies. Knot had trouble controlling his excitement. Stanford calmly but briskly walked towards the car and climbed into the driver’s seat as Knot took the passenger’s.

“This is how we’re going to get to our private jet, Knot,” Stanford told him.

“What do you call this thing!?”

“The Black Falcon,” Stanford replied. “Not very creative but it does match its look.”

Stanford pushed the pedal to the metal and the car rocketed down the corridor. From Knot’s angle he could not see the speedometer but he guessed that they were going at least 150 miles per hour. After about 5 minutes, Stanford came to a stop in an area where the floor was red instead of blue. They both climbed out of the Black Falcon and climbed into an elevator. Knot took a deep breath, still shocked by the day’s events, as the elevator rose into darkness.
_ _ _

Three chapters left until Volume Two and a whole slew of new characters!

[dark-wolf-5]

<33333

[Chewbacca]

Volume I Chapter 5
Susan Parker

Susan Parker, head of the New York Agency and great grand daughter of the Agency’s founder was sitting in her leather chair behind the large, glassy blue desk. Upon the table was a pile of papers; some were requests, some letters, others intelligence reports. It worked the same way everyday; Susan parker woke up, got dressed, took a shower, and walked from her bedroom to her office, a whopping 20 feet away. There she sat down and faced the looming stack of reports that had been delivered during the night. Some were hopeful, a few showed progress, but most were about crimes and even killings.

But today was different. It was evening and Parker was just now sitting down at her desk for a night of signatures and reading. Today she had finally seen a glimmer of hope. Charles Knot, the one she had heard rumors about for over a year, had finally been found and recruited. Charles Knot, the “normal” man with infinite memory had joined the Agency.

Of course, this could potentially cause more problems than it would solve. Would Knot’s strange ability eventually harm him? Would he turn traitor and ruin the Agency? Would he go crazy from being the only “special” one? Susan Parker could not answer any of these questions. No one could.

Then there was the matter of Edward Maxwell. She was nearly certain that he was the one hunting down her agents. But why? She hoped that Knot would find out, though it was unlikely. He and Stanford were on a very dangerous mission; they would be in enemy’s territory. Privately, Parker had instructed Stanford to scout Silicon Valley while Knot attempted to get information from Maxwell. Stanford, being the obedient agent he was, took the order without any complaint. Susan Parker still felt uncomfortable about the situation and knew she would not feel any better tomorrow.

She went through her papers solemnly, sometimes staring at the telephone on her desk. She knew that Knot and Stanford would now be in Silicon Valley- Knot the one with more than a photographic memory and Stanford… the bait.

Susan Parker attempted to make progress, but kept finding that her eyes had resorted to staring at the telephone. Knot and Stanford would have been in Silicon Valley for about an hour now. She knew that the call would come at any time.

Most of the time, a messenger was sent when there was an important matter to attend to. But when Susan Parker was reading her reports, everyone knew not to disturb her; a phone call was much less dangerous than meeting her in person.

The familiar ring of the phone. Susan Parker had known it was coming all along. Feigning surprise and shock, she told the agent that she would meet him in the Watch. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and realized how little progress she had made during the past hour of paperwork.

Susan Parker, putting on a mask of utter confusion and stress, briskly walked through glassy blue halls to the Watch. The room was a work in progress; TVs would soon be on all four walls. But for now, there were only two. One screen was constantly moving and showed various images of a large building called “AmeriComp Incorporated”. Susan Parker knew that this screen showed her what Knot was looking at; it showed everything his ear camera recorded. The other screen, the one that should have shown Stanford’s vision, was blank.

“Stanford…” uttered the agent.

Susan Parker acted dumbstruck while on the inside she had known it was necessary.
_ _ _

I'm actually going to cut down the last two chapters of this volume into one. The Volume I Finale is next chapter!

NOTE: I have a title! This story is now called "Mutation"

[Chewbacca]

I won't be doing any writing today or tomorrow. Merry Christmas everyone!

[dark-wolf-5]

8D Dang I'm a sucker for anything with superpowers!

[Chewbacca]

Here's the final chapter of Volume I!

Volume I Chapter 6
The Eye of Apollo

Charles Knot entered the Watch with many questions to ask Susan Parker. Why had he been recalled from his mission before he had even gotten to the front desk? Why hadn’t Stanford returned with him? Wasn’t the whole point of the mission to meet with Maxwell and get a picture? All of these flew from his mouth as soon as he saw Susan Parker in the middle of the glassy blue room with her back to him.

Parker turned around and Knot was shocked to see a few tears on her cheeks. “You forgot to address me as ‘ma’am’,” Parker softly told him. “Knot… Stanford is dead.”

It took Charles Knot several seconds to grasp the meaning behind these words. He had not known Stanford for long but Knot had already begun to grow close to him. He also realized just how dangerous their mission must have been.

“You mean…” he said in a surprisingly steady voice. “Was it Maxwell? Did he kill him?”

“I have something to show you, Knot. Please, watch the screen.”

She used a remote to rewind the recording of Stanford’s mission to a point labeled “48:15”. Knot watched, entranced, as Stanford walked through the streets of Silicon Valley.
…

Silicon Valley, 48 minutes and 25 seconds after landing

Stanford entered an alley and spotted a man at the other end. He was the embodiment of the phrase “tall, dark, and handsome.” The mystery man was dressed in a business suit and tie, clashing violently with the surrounding trash cans and dumpsters of the alleyway.

“Ah!” the man exclaimed in a voice that sounded overly surprised. “Hello there. What brings you to this pathetic alley?”

Stanford’s biggest weakness was making up lies on the spot. “I was just…wandering.”

The man smiled to himself. “What a coincidence! I was doing the exact same thing. What’s your name, sir?”

Stanford spat out the first name to come to mind besides his own. “Charles Knot.”

The other man suddenly seemed very serious. But after only a second, his strange smile returned. “Really? Charles Knot? In case you didn’t know, I’ve been hunting down your little agent friends! At least, they'll soon be your friends. Actually, by the looks of things, they've already recruited you.”

“Maxwell!”

The man exploded with hidden anger. “Do not call me that name!”

Both men were silent for a long minute before Maxwell continued. “That name does not describe me. I am not Edward Maxwell… I am Apollo.” He resumed his outlandishly cheerful manner. “Anyway, Knot, let me continue! I’ve got my own private spy in your little Agency!” Apollo spotted Stanford’s look of total shock and horror. “You know, “mole”, “worm”, “infiltrator”. And he told me all about how the Agency was looking to recruit you. So over the past couple months I’ve weakened your Agency by killing as many agents as I could.”

Stanford wanted to reach for his gun, but he was too interested in the answers that he was finally receiving and knew that it was all being streamed right to Headquarters. “Why do you want me?” he hissed.

“Well, Knot, I have to make sure of something first. What were you doing on this very day at this very time 25 years ago?”

Stanford realized he didn’t stand a chance. “I was eating a sandwich.”

“Wrong! You weren’t born yet! So, I’ll ask you again. Who are you?”

“I am not Charles Knot.”

“Well I knew that much already,” replied Apollo sounding earnestly disheartened. “Well, I guess I just told the wrong man about my entire evil plan. Oh well, it doesn’t really matter anyway. Goodbye, “not Charles Knot”!”

Apollo raised his arm so that the palm of his right hand faced Stanford. For the first time in his life, Stanford was truly terrified. There, inlaid in the middle of Apollo’s right palm, was a single, bloodshot eye with a dark purple iris and deep black pupil. As the eye bored into Stanford’s mind, he felt his body turn to fire. He tried to scream only to find that he had no voice to use. What was left of Agent Stanford of the New York Agency collapsed to the ground, Apollo let out a deep, maniacal laugh, and the ear camera exploded into a thousand pieces.

“I’m coming for you, Charles Knot. I’m coming.”
…

Knot and Parker stared at the screen that had shown, only seconds before, the sickeningly bloodshot eye. Neither said a word but sat in their own private silence for quite some time. Eventually, Susan Parker spoke up in a hoarse whisper.

“We’ve got a picture.”

Knot felt that Stanford’s life was an awful price to pay for a picture of Maxwell, a.k.a. Apollo. This new villain, however, interested him more than any other topic at the present moment. Was everything about the man abnormal? Did he understand what was happening to him? How on Earth did this happen to him? Suddenly, Knot realized that he could ask the exact same questions about himself.

“Well, Knot,” Susan Parker said quietly. “It looks like you’re not alone.”

END VOLUME I

If you're interested in making a character, this would be the best time to do so. Many new characters will be introduced at the start of Volume II.

[dark-wolf-5]

*expresses that he enjoys the chapter*

[Chewbacca]

Thanks for your interest! I'm really enjoying writing this story so I've decided I will continue it even if I do not have a large fan base.

There might be a couple days break before I start Volume II. I think the Prologue might be out tomorrow, though. Look for Vincent Wolf to be in it!

[Witchyworld]

Character Name Aria.
Physical Characteristic 5 feet, Short black hair, Wears a blacky grayish suit and she's white.
Personality Cold, Neutral, Wont speak unless using her ability
Backstory No body knows about her history .
Power Make people do things using her voice (think Eden from heroes)

[dark-wolf-5]

Look for Vincent Wolf to be in it!

WWHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chewbacca]

Character Name Aria.
Physical Characteristic 5 feet, Short black hair, Wears a blacky grayish suit and she's white.
Personality Cold, Neutral, Wont speak unless using her ability
Backstory No body knows about her history .
Power Make people do things using her voice (think Eden from heroes)

Thanks! Aria will also be in the Prologue when I release it. Unfortunately, I am going on a trip today and coming back tomorrow evening so it definitely won't be out today. I'm hoping I can get the Prologue out tomorrow.

[Chewbacca]

I am different.

I am stronger than everyone else but not in a normal way.

My strength is inside of me; I feel it within me when I grow angry or frustrated. However, I cannot find a way to use this internal strength. I live in New York City, so I witness crime every day. I want to help the victims and know that I have the potential to be a hero. I feel that I am made to do something special.

But for now, I have no control over my hidden strength.
…

I am different.

During the day, I go to school. During the night, I go to bed. On weeknights, I stay at home. On the weekends I go out with my friends.

But no matter where I go, I cannot escape the strangest thing: gray dust on my fingertips.

It comes off immediately when I wash my hands but after only a few minutes it’s back again. It is so strange that I went to a doctor who analyzed the particles. He ran a test and came back with startling news.

It’s metal.
…

I am different.

As a loner, I shy away from noise and commotion. I know no one but myself and no one knows me. It does not bother me; I like it that way.

But it was not always so.

I am, in a way, banished from common civilization. I am a freak of nature, a mutant. I can manipulate the actions of others and I love doing it. When I tell someone to do something, they have no choice but to follow my instructions.

I used my power to order others to rob banks for me. After the 6th burglary, a friend who knew about my ability turned me in. I served my jail time, yet I am still not accepted by society. So I live as a hermit or an outlaw- alone. And I have grown to like it that way.
…

I am different.

I’m either psychic or crazy or maybe even both.

Every now and then, I see the future. It’s like a flash before my eyes depicting events that have not yet come to pass. However, I never remember what I have seen until it happens in real time. After I have one of these bizarre visions, the only thing I remember is that I saw something in the future. Then, when one of my visions comes true, I get the strangest feeling and know what is about to occur.

I wonder if it’s possible, by using this ability, to alter the future…

VOLUME II: DESTINY

[dark-wolf-5]

I'm gonna guess that my guy is the first one. The other ones sound pretty cool also.

[Witchyworld]

My one's 3'rd.

[Chewbacca]

Here's chapter 1! You can still send in characters because they will continue to be introduced throughout the story!

Volume II Chapter 1
Hired

Name: Richard Stevenson
Past Job Experience: None
Education: High-School Diploma

The man behind the desk dropped the application on the wooden desk and stared at the other man through his glasses. “You are Stevenson, I assume?”

“Yes I am,” replied Richard Stevenson. He was a blonde, balding man of about 40. He was above average when it came to height and was dressed in a sweater vest and khaki pants. Richard Stevenson sat in a simple, wooden chair facing the man with glasses who sat behind the desk.

“According to your application you have no job experience. You are 40 years old. What have you been doing?”

“I’ve been… managing,” answered Stevenson.

The man in glasses stood up and began pacing around the room. “Look, Richard, with no job experience and only a high school education, why should I hire you? Why should I even look over the rest of your application?”

“Well, at least turn to the ‘personal attributes’ section before you decide to kick me out of your office, sir,”

“Fine, fine,” he picked up the application and flipped a few pages until he found what he was looking for. “You know, Stevenson, this is where people usually tell me how responsible they are and how organized they are. I usually completely disregard this section.” He looked down at the paper.

Personal Attributes: Can see the future

At first the man seemed surprised then he burst out laughing. “Well, Stevenson, you’re the first man I’ve seen who claimed he was psychic!”

“It’s real, trust me! I can see the future!”

“Stevenson, I didn’t think you were the outlandish type; you seemed pretty down-to-earth at first. Please leave.”

Richard Stevenson slowly stood up and walked towards the door just as a maid entered the room and began dusting a shelf on the wall above the wooden desk. As he turned back to say goodbye to the man with glasses, his ears began to ring.

“MOVE!” shouted Stevenson.

The other man and the maid both ducked out of the way as the shelf splintered and came crashing down upon both the desk and the chair.

Stevenson smiled inwardly as the man with glasses praised him for saving his life, or at least saving him a trip to the doctor, and told him, “You’re hired!”
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Nice! Can't wait until my guy comes in!

[Witchyworld]

Awesome! I like my guys story.

[Chewbacca]

I had to alter Aria a bit. She'll talk some when she's not using her power but most of the time she won't.

Volume II Chapter 2
St. Catherine’s

There was movement in the streets of San Francisco.

A woman, about five feet tall with short, black hair, moved stealthily. She was on a mission but she could not allow herself to be recognized. She knew that she was not welcome around others.

She knew the city well; she had lived there all her life. However, she would occasionally come upon an area that was unknown to her because it had developed during the year she had spent in jail.

She usually stayed on the outskirts of the city but today, her destination was closer to the center. Sometimes she ran, sometimes she hid behind walls and dumpsters to avoid the public eye.

Finally, the woman spotted the building she was looking for- a large orphanage with the name “St. Catherine’s” printed on a sign nearby. The building was older than most; it had been around since the founding of San Francisco. From a distance, she admired the aged beauty of the orphanage and allowed her mind to wander…
…

San Francisco, 20 years ago

The girl knocked once on the large, oak door. She was very short and only three years old, but surprisingly mature.

The door creaked as it opened and an old, graying woman with a kind smile looked down at her. “Hello, there.”

“Hi,” the girl replied.

“What are you doing here, young lady?”

“…I’m alone.”

The woman smiled sadly. “So is everyone else here. What is your name, dear?”

“…I don’t like my name,” the girl answered.

“Then what would you like to be called?”

“…Aria.”

The woman smiled and opened the door wide, signaling for Aria to enter. “You can call me Miss Hopkins. Welcome to St. Catherine’s Orphanage, Aria.”
…

Present

Aria looked on the home of her youth as a coffin was carried down the front steps. Although she rarely cried, tears began to form in her eyes. “Goodbye, Miss Hopkins,” she uttered. “Thank you.”
_ _ _

[Witchyworld]

Yeah that's fine if she talks. I liked this chapter sounded real.

[dark-wolf-5]

That's sad...

[Chewbacca]

Volume II Chapter 3
Inner Fire

Charles Knot, or, as most at his work knew him, Agent Knot, was on his mid-morning stroll. He carried a communicator at all times so that Susan Parker could contact him whenever she needed to. A young man walking near him caught his eye and memories flew through his head. At least, he expected memories to fly through his head; instead, the only piece of information Knot remembered was that his name was Vincent Wolf. Suddenly, Charles Knot felt the urge to follow the mysterious man. Falling back behind Wolf, Knot did exactly that.
…

Vincent Wolf, a man of 18, was about 6 feet tall and wore his favorite pair of sunglasses at all times. It was a bright Wednesday morning and Wolf was on his way to his favorite coffee shop. It was not only his favorite coffee shop because of the coffee; he also worked there.

Working gave Vincent Wolf something to think about besides his desperate living conditions; he had rented a very cheap, run-down apartment and had little more than a bed and a black-and-white TV. Filling orders for coffee helped keep his mind off of his life. For this reason, Wolf loved his job.

If Wolf had not left his apartment 15 minutes early, he would not have had time to do what he did.

He glanced down an alleyway and spotted a thug with a young child. The small boy must have been carrying a decent amount of money to attract the interest of the thief.

“Give me the money now!” the man threatened the boy. “Or else I’ll have to resort to force!”

The thief grabbed the child roughly and started shaking and shoving him. Vincent Wolf looked at the boy’s face. He had brown eyes, long dark hair, and a crooked nose. In a way, the child reminded Wolf of himself.

Anger welled up inside of Vincent Wolf and he gnashed his teeth. Petty crimes always got on his nerves, especially those that harmed innocent children. He ran down the alleyway, shouting at the thug angrily while not knowing what he could possibly do to help the boy. Vincent Wolf was only average in strength and doubted that he could beat the man in an arm wrestle, much less a fight. Yet Wolf knew he had to do something.

Reaching inside of himself to the reserve of strange, unreachable strength that loomed there, he prepared to tackle the thief. But this time, the hidden force within him warmed every bone in his body; he could feel it shooting through his veins. He felt as if his body turned to fire but he felt no pain. Vincent Wolf, without thinking, moved his arm in a motion as if to throw something and a blue ball of energy hurdled towards the thief. The other man jumped out of the way just in time and the blue projectile crashed harmlessly into a brick wall.

Vincent Wolf was more shocked than both the man and the boy by what had just occurred. The thug fled as quickly as his legs could carry him followed soon after by the young boy. Wolf turned around to face the main street just in time to see a muscular man with a rather large nose vanish from view.

[dark-wolf-5]

:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub:wub
:wub:wub:wub

AWESOME!

[Chewbacca]

Sorry I haven't written in a couple days; the next chapter should be out tonight around 11.

[Chewbacca]

Volume II Chapter 4
Wolves Don’t Make Good Pets

“Knot, are you certain!?”

“Absolutely, ma’am,”

“Bring him here right now. You know the drill.”

“What drill? The whack-him-on-the-head-with-a-shovel drill?”

“Yes, that one,”

“I’ll have him down here in an hour tops, ma’am,”

“Good.”
…

Charles Knot hauled an unconscious Vincent Wolf into one of the many elevators in the Agency’s headquarters. He hit a button and the elevator began to descend.

The doors slid open and he was in Susan Parker’s office, just as glassy blue as the rest of Headquarters. As always, there was a large stack of papers on Parker’s desk. Susan Parker stood up quickly from her seat and helped Knot place Vincent Wolf onto a table. He had been on it for less than a minute when he opened his eyes.

“W-where am I?” he asked groggily.

“Vincent Wolf, I presume,” Parker ignored his first question.

“Who are you?”

“From this point forward you will address me as “ma’am”,”

Knot listened with boredom while Parker told Wolf almost the exact same things she had told him on his first day. He tuned her out until they got to the good part.

“Alright, lady, why-”

Susan Parker almost exploded. “How dare you address me so rudely!?”

“Sorry, ma’am,” replied Wolf with great sarcastic emphasis on the “ma’am”.

“I see you’re not going to be easy, Wolf, but you will join me.”

Wolf laughed to himself. “You can try to tame me if you want but let me warn you, wolves don’t make good pets.”

“Very funny. You should become a poet. Knot, will you help me?”

Charles Knot knew it was pointless to refuse any request Susan Parker made; it would only be more painful if you fought. “Of course, ma’am,”

“Knot, what did you see Mr. Wolf do in that alleyway earlier today?”

Knot told Parker the exact story he had told her earlier- how Wolf had thrown a blue ball of energy at a thief.

Wolf laughed to himself once again. “You must be seeing things, superpowers don’t exist.”

“Oh, really?” Parker interrupted. “Because last time I checked Knot could remember everything since he was 13, you could throw blue fireballs, and a man called Apollo was killing my agents with an evil eye in the middle of his right palm. Knot, grab Wolf, we’re going to the Watch!”

After watching the video of Stanford’s death, Wolf was convinced. However, he still asked many questions, most of which neither Parker nor Knot could answer. After about an hour, another Agent took Wolf away to give him a tour of Headquarters.

“Well, Knot, looks like you’ve made a very important find.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I was just doing my job.”

This time, it was Charles Knot who was laughing on the inside.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

“You can try to tame me if you want but let me warn you, wolves don’t make good pets.” Win. I like how my guy is sarcastic and what not. You pulled that of really well.

[Chewbacca]

This was a fun chapter to write. If you have trouble picturing Mr. Davies, imagine him like Mr. Jamison from Spiderman.

Volume II Chapter 5
Father and Son

Richard Stevenson finally had a job; he would be working as a bodyguard. After he had saved Dr. Frederick from the falling shelf in his office, Frederick had alerted his boss, Mr. Davies, that Stevenson had visions of the future. Mr. Davies had demanded that Stevenson work for him.

Stevenson did not know much about Mr. Davies other than the fact that he was CEO of Davies’ Industries and was a very powerful businessman. Stevenson took an elevator up to the top story of Davies’ Industries in Miami, Florida, to meet his boss.

As he exited the elevator, a woman to his left answered a telephone. In a sing-song voice she chanted, “You’ve reached Davies’ Industries, hold on just one minute please!” and hung up with a grimace. She was one of many people talking and answering phones while writing on pads of paper. Stevenson suspected that they were all tasks assigned by Mr. Davies.

“Can I help you?” asked a middle-aged woman with light brown hair. Stevenson replied that he wished to meet Mr. Davies, his employer, and the woman guided him across the long room to another area surrounded by glass. She pointed out the door to him and let him go through on his own.

Davies’ desk sat in front of a large window that looked out on the ocean. Through the window, several half-built structures were visible. Mr. Davies was a man of about fifty with dark gray hair and a handlebar mustache. He was thin and had a black top hat on one corner of his desk.

“Who are you?” demanded Davies in a very quick voice.

“I’m Rich-”

“Stevenson right? Right? Right?” Richard Stevenson nodded slowly. “Called it!” exclaimed Davies. “Well what do you want?” he said in a disgusted-sounding voice.

Stevenson was shocked how quickly Davies’s attitude and tone changed. “Well, I-”

“That’s right I hired you didn’t I? Yes I did!” Davies was once again cheerful and excited. “Stevenson. Stevenson. Stevenson. What a long name. Let’s shorten it. I’ll call you...Son! And since you’re my Son, I must be your Father. Am I “punny” or what!?”

“Yes, sir,”

“I thought we just went over this, Son. Call me ‘Father’” instructed Davies.

Richard Stevenson began to have regrets about saving Dr. Frederick’s life. “Yes…Father…”

“Come on, it’s not that hard to call someone father. What, did you never-”

“I would rather not talk about that, sir,” Stevenson said quickly but firmly.

Davies finally slowed down. “Well, I suppose that’s not important anyway.” A woman Stevenson had seen in the main room with the telephones entered Davies’ room without knocking and the man resumed his usually speaking pace of about 10 words per second. “What do you think you’re doing coming barging into my office without knocking or ringing the doorbell!? You’re fired!”

“Sir, there is no doorbell-”

“Not my fault. Why should I worry about doorbells and knockers when I have a secretary to do that for me? By the way, where is my secretary?”

“Sir, I’m your secretary,” the woman replied.

“Right you are. Work on installing a doorbell I want it done by next Wednesday.”

“Of course, sir.” She walked quickly out of the room, placing a few papers she had been carrying on a table near the door.

After she left the room, Davies was silent for quite some time, seemingly interested in his fingernails. Stevenson finally spoke up. “Father-”

“Whoa, forgot about you! And I’m not your father how dare you address me as one? Drop the epithet; I hope to never hear it again or you’re fired for at least 3 days!”

Richard Stevenson could tell that this job would not be as easy as he had thought. As he listened to Davies’s tirades and commentary, he considered purchasing a pair of earplugs.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

That last bit when Davies got mad at Stevenson for calling him father made me lol.

[Chewbacca]

Another fun chapter with a vision of the future...

Volume II Chapter 6
Broken Glass

As Mr. Davies’s body guard, Richard Stevenson did not have much work to do. Most of the time, he was standing by the door to Davies’ office talking to Jamie Miller, Davies’s secretary. Jamie was the same woman that had entered the boss’s office without knocking on Stevenson’s first day of work.

Stevenson had a constant headache from the repetition of “You’ve reached Davies’ Industries; hold on just one minute, please!” from various receptionists during the day. He even found himself singing the greeting when he wasn’t at work.

Returning from an errand, Jamie Miller walked up to Stevenson. “How are you today, Richard?”

“No worse than usual.”

“Ah, is Davies about to drive you crazy?”

“You could say that,” he answered with a grimace. “How do you put up with him?”

“Well, never comment on his…eccentricities. Just say “yes, sir” to everything he tells you and do what you want to do as quickly as possible.”

“Thanks for the tips,” Stevenson replied.

“Well, I’ve got to run. Good luck today.” Jamie headed across the large room and into the elevator at the other end.

A voice came from a speaker near where Stevenson stood. “You. Office. Now.” Richard Stevenson obeyed Davies and entered his office.

“Well, well, well if it isn’t Stevenson! Had any of your mysterious visions of late? You’d better start saving my life more often or I’ll lower your wage. You got that?”

“Yes, sir,” Stevenson replied. He stared out the window behind Davies’s desk at a building under construction. A crane was lowering down a window panel to a few workmen on a metal beam. These workers were preparing to grab the window and put it in its proper place on the structure. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind made the window panel begin to swing rapidly from side to side, out of reach of the workmen. The out-of-control window swung closer and closer to Davies’s own window. 10 feet. 5 feet. 1 foot. 6 inches. The glass behind Davies’s desk shattered and-

Stevenson knew he had a vision but didn’t remember anything he saw. Davies noticed the strange look on his face. “What? What was it? What on Earth are you looking at?”

The window behind Davies’s desk was perfectly in tact. “I-I’m not sure…” replied Stevenson.

“Why aren’t you sure? Get back to work. What if an assassin was to break in right now this instant with nobody to protect me!?”

Jamie Miller stepped into Davies’s office once again without knocking. “Sir, I-”

Davies almost fell out of his chair. “AGH! Assassin! You’re here to kill me aren’t you, you filthy lock-picking, doorbell ignoring- Oh, it’s only you, Miller.” Davies attempted to regain his composure. “You could have been thoughtful enough to ring the doorbell!”

“But, sir, it’s not Wednesday yet so you don’t have one.”

“Ah, blast it, get it to me by Monday then,” replied Davies.

“Monday was yesterday, sir.”

“THEN WHAT ARE YOU STANDING AROUND FOR!? You’re a day behind with that doorbell; if you weren’t my secretary and if I hadn’t already fired you 23 times I’d fire you again.”

“Sorry, sir, I’ll get to that doorbell right away.” Jamie left the office as quickly as possible after dropping a few more papers on the table.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Davies is weird...

[Witchyworld]

That bit near the end was funny.

[dark-wolf-5]

Hurry up and make the next chapter!!!!

[Chewbacca]

Sorry I did not alert you, this week I was very busy in preparation of exams. I had loads of homework. This weekend I will get a chapter up per night and from the end of this coming week forward I'll try to continue getting out a chapter a night. Sorry about the unexpected break.

[Articerile]

I've decided to jump in because i've been reading through this and i'm loving it.

Also Character:
A. Blank
B. Shoulder blade length black hair, about 6 feet, always wheres jeans. Also he wears a shirt.
C. Slightly eccentric in an xkcd way. Often takes time out, or completely stops what he's doing to do some logic or maths related things.
D. Started off life as a child with great intelligence and potential, but of late part of that intelligence has been...else where. Like his mind has grown out of his body.
E. Telekinesis and Teleportation.

This isn't me at all.
>_>
<_<

1100.1100.1100
1010.1010.0110
1001.1001.0011
0110.0101.0101
0101.0110.1001
0011.0011.1010

What? It's 3 Permutations of a complete set of 4C2 Combinations!

[Chewbacca]

I've decided to jump in because i've been reading through this and i'm loving it.

Also Character:
A. Blank
B. Shoulder blade length black hair, about 6 feet, always wheres jeans. Also he wears a shirt.
C. Slightly eccentric in an xkcd way. Often takes time out, or completely stops what he's doing to do some logic or maths related things.
D. Started off life as a child with great intelligence and potential, but of late part of that intelligence has been...else where. Like his mind has grown out of his body.
E. Telekinesis and Teleportation.

This isn't me at all.
>_>
<_<

1100.1100.1100
1010.1010.0110
1001.1001.0011
0110.0101.0101
0101.0110.1001
0011.0011.1010

What? It's 3 Permutations of a complete set of 4C2 Combinations!

Glad you like it! I'm really trying to avoid teleportation, though, so is it ok if he only has telekinesis? I'll try to include your character in this volume towards the end. I estimate this volume will be about 25 to 30 chapters.

Next chapter is tonight around 11:00!

[Chewbacca]

I'm making up for my leave of absence with one of my best chapters so far, in my opinion.

Volume II Chapter 7
Man of Knowledge, Woman of Strength

Edward Maxwell was in a hurry.

Maxwell, who loved to call himself “Apollo”, strolled briskly through AmeriComp Inc. Two very important people were waiting for him, or rather, he had been waiting for them. Maxwell had attended Yale for four years where he had majored in Greek Mythology, a degree that he found had very few practical applications. But as he considered himself a new hope for the country, and even the world, he decided that “Apollo”, the sun god, was a fitting title for himself.

His master plan was rather simple. Edward Maxwell, a.k.a. Apollo, wanted to assemble the most powerful army the world had ever seen- an army of mutants. He believed that he had his power for a reason and so did all the others; the mutants were meant to rule.

Maxwell had given up on recruiting Knot at the moment not only because the Agency was dangerous, but also because he had recently discovered quite a few new mutants. His third eye, such a natural part of him as it was, had told him about these talented beings. To assist him in his plot, Edward Maxwell promoted two of his workers so that they were his own advisors; Stafford Heights was his right-hand man and Tom Hughes his left. His two hands, as he liked to call them, were both on missions at opposite ends of the country; Maxwell had his own business to take care of.

He threw open a metal door with a loud screech after unlocking it with a key and stepped inside a plain, empty room. At least, it was empty except for two people.
_ _ _
Tracy stood in the center of the room next to her husband, Paul, as the man walked into the room.

“You can call me Apollo,” he told both Tracy and Paul.

Tracy was completely unperturbed by Apollo. In fact, she acted extremely calm and composed, almost as if she was above the likes of him. Her beautiful face framed by her long, blonde hair portrayed no emotion. “Why am I here?” she asked without any anger and a hint of curiosity.

Unlike his wife, Paul couldn’t help but twitch and look at the floor. He was obviously intimidated by Apollo. Paul was a short, muscular, rugged man with dark brown hair. He looked about 40 while Tracy, about the same age chronologically but appearing much younger, looked as if she were 25.

“You, Paul and Tracy, are here because I want you.” relied Apollo. He took a step towards Tracy who didn’t move. “Tracy…Tracy…” he shut his eyes and pressed his right hand to his forehead. “Something…numbers…odds…Ah ha! So you can see probability and the likelihood of different outcomes, eh?”

This time, Tracy showed a little bit of surprise. “Yes.”

“So…” Apollo went on. “Let’s say I was going to flip this coin.” He took out a quarter from his pocket. “The average person would assume that there was a 50% chance of it being heads and the same for it being tails. But you, of course, know else wise…”

Tracy stared at Apollo, her face as emotionless as a rock. “It’s a 100% chance of being heads.”

“Absolutely TRUE!” exclaimed Apollo in his normal cheerful and sarcastic manner. “Because…” he held out the heads side to both Tracy and Paul then turned the coin over to reveal yet another heads side. “Because both sides are heads! You can see how likely any outcome is in any situation. However, your power is often not effective; many times there are too many outcomes to be understood and calculated. You must learn to use your power properly and restrictively.” Apollo turned slightly to face Paul. “And you, my good sir,” Apollo said very sarcastically, “you can… let’s see.” His hand was once again pressed to his forehead. “Eureka! You can turn yourself invisible! Very handy ability to have.”

“And what can you do?” It was Tracy who had asked the unexpected question to the man who no one else would have expected to tolerate it.

“Hehehehaha! You’ve got guts alright. I like you. I like you a lot! I assume you two will be joining me in my eff-”

“-Not until you tell us what you do.” Tracy took a step forward towards Apollo courageously.

“I wonder… if you can tell what chance you have of actually getting me to answer you. Actually, I’m sure you do know, but in most cases a person’s chances at anything are about 50-50. Very well, I will tell you what I can do…what WE, my eye and I, can do. We can kill and we can also sense other mutants. And when we are close enough, we can figure out what abilities they possess. Now, Paul and Tracy, come with me. Welcome to the most powerful army in the universe- the Mutation.”
_ _ _

[Articerile]

My form of teleportation is line of sight based if that makes it easier.
I can only teleport to where I can see.

[Chewbacca]

My form of teleportation is line of sight based if that makes it easier.
I can only teleport to where I can see.

That will work then.

[Chewbacca]

There are two rather obvious homages to Heroes in this chapter. Can you find them?

Volume II Chapter 8
Hughes and Heights

Amy Waters, 18, medium-length brown hair, brown eyes, 5 foot 6, president of the Spanish Club, and valedictorian of her class had graduated from high school.

It was a bright, sunny day in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy made her way through the mob of graduates attempting to find her parents while shaking hands with everyone she passed. First it was Julia. Then Charlotte. Followed by Meghan. Next was Beth. After that was…

A man with an elliptical face with dark sunglasses and a short buzz cut reached out to shake Amy’s hands. Amy grasped his hand and shook it. He uttered a “Congratulations,” and was lost in the crowd before Amy could ask if she knew him.

Tabitha came up to her. “Congratulations, Amy!”

“Thanks so much, you too!”

“Er, Amy? Why are you holding a paper clip?”

Amy Waters had a paper clip seemingly glued to her right index finger. “I’m, uh, not sure.” She was surprised to find it there but not so much as would be expected if anyone else suddenly found a metallic object stuck to his or her body.

Amy Waters was a human magnet. For over a month she had attracted small metallic particles to her fingers, but this was the first time that anything as large as a paperclip had done so. She found that water would temporarily disable her magnetic powers and release whatever had been attached to her fingers. This time, however, she had no water.

Amy waved her hand around frantically, trying to get the paper clip to come loose. Tabitha was too confused to speak. Despite all her efforts, the clip would not move. Then, she attempted to grab the paper clip with her other hand, only to find that her left hand was slightly repelled from her right and she could not get hold of it. This gave her an idea.

Ignoring the resistance, Amy slid her left index finger under the paper clip very slowly. At first, the metal only shook slightly and stayed in place. But after all connection to her right finger ceased, the paper clip fell to the ground.

Tabitha looked on with awe as Amy acted like nothing unusual had occurred.
_ _ _

Aria was not meant to remain in San Francisco for long.

It was only 3 days after the funeral of her much-loved Miss Hopkins of St. Catherine’s when a stranger approached her.

As was usual when she saw people, Aria ducked and hid behind abandoned dumpsters and crates. Most of the time she would not be seen or if she was seen the observer decided it was better to not bother her. In this case it was not so.

The man had long, brown hair that came down to about his shoulders and was in a ponytail. He had a small, brown mustache and wore horn-rimmed glasses. “Are you Aria?”

Aria stood up and turned to face him. But she did not speak.

“I assume that means yes. Aria… have you ever felt like you were meant to do something… special?”

Aria did not reply.

“Gone mute have you? Aria, my name is Tom Hughes. I am your destiny.”

Silence.

“I know that you’re different. I know that they all hate you because of it. You scare them. All of them. Except for one. Would her name be Miss Hopkins?”

This caught Aria off guard. She rushed toward Hughes, grabbed by the throat and whispered in a hoarse voice, “You will tell me what you want.”

And so he told her. “I am here to take you to Silicon Valley to become a member of the Mutation, the strongest army the world has ever seen.”

“Who is in charge of this campaign?” It was more of a demand than a question.

“Edward Maxwell, CEO of AmeriComp Inc. in Silicon Valley.”

Aria released him and turned away. She paced aimlessly while Hughes spoke. “Ah, so you can control peoples’ actions using your voice. You will make a fine addition to the Grand Army.”

“Why are you here? Why are you in a position of power with this army?” Once again, it was not a question.

“Because I am special, too. Stafford Heights and I were promoted to this position because of our abilities.”

Aria was slightly troubled. Through all the dirt, grime, and attempts to conceal her emotions, there was a touch of sorrow, but also hope. “So I won’t be alone?”

With only a small smile but a burst of inner glee, Tom Hughes answered of his own accord, “No. You won’t be alone.”
_ _ _

[Witchyworld]

The only thing I can see is the horn-rimmed glasses which I doubt is a reference.

[Chewbacca]

Well the horn-rimmed glasses was one and the other was the "have you ever felt like you were meant to do something… special" quote. Just a couple little things.

[Articerile]

I can also see the X-Men reference in which a league of mutants decides that it's the next stage of the evolution of man and that for reason they should rule over lesser men, for they are made superior by their powers.

[Chewbacca]

Good catch, Articerile. I'll give you a little spoiler. Mr. Davies will soon have a very different motto about the mutants in this story. He's not as dumb as he looks.

[Searching4SnS]

Good story :D...

Can't wait to read more!

[Chewbacca]

The tension is building...

Volume II Chapter 9
Clouds of War

Susan Parker removed the two-foot tall stack of papers from her desk before sitting down. Vincent Wolf was seated in one of two chairs that faced her glassy blue desk. The other chair was empty.

“Have you enjoyed your first week, Wolf?”

“Not especially. If what Knot says is true, he got more action than me during his first day.”

“Knot joined the Agency at a very crucial time. We could not delay. Now we know for sure about Maxwell and no agents have been killed since Stanford’s death.” Susan Parker still felt guilty every time she thought of Stanford. She had known that he was going to die the moment she had sent him on the mission to Silicon Valley.

Susan Parker knew that Maxwell had spies in the Agency, but could not pick them out. To keep Maxwell unaware of Knot, she had sent him with Stanford immediately after being recruited. Knot made a good candidate to be Stanford’s partner for two reasons. First of all, his presence would keep Stanford from beginning to suspect Parker’s plot. Second, Charles Knot could remember anything and everything. He could pick up valuable information without even realizing it. And what better place to learn something crucial than behind enemy lines when Maxwell didn’t even know he was working for the Agency?

Susan Parker also knew that Maxwell was smart; he wasn’t going to show himself to a random visitor. Parker had known that Charles Knot’s part of the mission was pointless. Stanford had had the crucial role. If Maxwell really was the villain, he would go after Stanford just like he had with the other agents whom he had killed. Stanford had been the bait and Parker knew his camera would get the necessary picture of their enemy.

Charles Knot entered the room and took a seat beside Wolf. “What’s the news, ma’am?” he asked.

She didn’t answer for several seconds. “Well, it’s neither good nor bad. Or rather, it’s both. Intelligence reports have revealed the presence of several more of… your kind.”

“Pssh, ‘our kind’. You might as well call us ‘mutants’,” complained Vincent Wolf.

“Silence, Wolf. I suppose that’s the good news. The bad news is that they all belong to other… associations. One of our spies, Jamie Miller of Miami, Florida, has confirmed the presence of a man who can see the future.”

Charles Knot found this a bit unbelievable. “The future?”

“How many times must I tell you to always call me ‘ma’am’?”

“Sorry. The future, ma’am?

“Yes, the future,” Parker replied. “With lots of catches and complications. But yes, he can see the future. His name is Richard Stevenson and he works for a man whom we have kept an eye on for quite a while; we have spies watching all the major businessmen of the world. Stevenson works for a man named Benjamin Davies. He’s rather eccentric and awkward but he’s a real genius. I am certain that Davies will try to take advantage of Stevenson. I have given Miller her orders; she is to attempt to persuade Stevenson to come join us but it could take quite a while.”

“This is a very important discovery, ma’am.” Knot commented.

“Yes it is, Knot, but I’m not finished. Don’t interrupt. Here comes the really bad news. Edward Maxwell, a.k.a. Apollo, has recruited five new mutants.”

Both Charles Knot and Vincent Wolf were floored. “Five.” Wolf managed to utter.

“Yes, five. Luckily, we have managed to obtain pictures of three of them.” Parker pulled out from a desk drawer what looked like a flat TV screen. She held it up in front of herself and pushed a few buttons on the side. A picture of a man with an elliptical face, buzz cut, and dark sunglasses appeared on it. “This is Stafford Heights, power unknown.” A picture of a man with a long ponytail and horn-rimmed glasses. “This is Tom Hughes, power also unknown.” A woman with short, brown hair. “This one is Aria and she has the ability to manipulate people by using her voice.” Parker put the screen away. “The other two we have been unable to obtain pictures or names of. We also do not know what their abilities are. But all five of these people are now working for Maxwell.” Susan Parker grimaced, very unhappy with the situation. “We are behind. And if we don’t get a move on, we’ll lose the race and the Agency will be destroyed. A war is coming and as of now, Maxwell has the advantage.”
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Can't wait for the next chapter!

[Articerile]

Can someone tell me why Wolf makes me think of Sho Minamimoto?

[Chewbacca]

Volume II Chapter 10
Davies’ Plan

Jamie Miller did not like to deceive Richard Stevenson, but it was her job. As a spy for the New York Agency, she followed Susan Parker’s every command.

Things at Davies’ Industries were as usual; Stevenson was baffled by Davies, Miller acted as if everything was under control, and Davies was as ridiculous as ever. Jamie Miller had spied on Benjamin Davies for over two years and had often doubted Susan Parker’s notion that he was actually intelligent. Then again, he had to have some brains to have become as powerful as he was.

As Miller walked briskly around the top floor of Davies’ Industries, she watched Stevenson talk with Davies inside his office and wondered what they were discussing.
_ _ _

Stevenson sat silently, watching the building under construction through Davies’ window. It gave him a strange feeling to think about; he thought he knew something about the structure but couldn’t remember what.

“Well, Stevenson, I’ve just come up with another of my many, many, MANY brilliant ideas. I was thinking about it the other day, you know you and all that future-seeing and stuff like such as.” Davies realized that nothing he had said made any sense. “Er, anyway, I was thinking about you and about what you can do and I came to the marvelous conclusion that there must be others out there in this world that are like you.”

“I-I’ve never really thought about it, sir,” replied Stevenson.

“Well, you should think more about it sometime. It’s not exactly normal to see the future now is it? You have a gift; a gift that everyone in this world could benefit from. Think about it. The world would be hugely improved if everyone could save others from danger.”

“Of course, sir, that would be wonderful.”

“Exactly!” Davies exclaimed. “That is why we must find out why you can see the future, how you can see the future, and whether it’s possible to give this ability to others! If it is, well I’ll become the most successful businessman on the planet. Imagine this company name: “Davies’ Superpowers”. I can see my name on the front page of every newspaper now. Ah!” He put his feet up on his desk and lay back in his rolling chair.

There was a loud “BING BONG”, Davies tumbled to the floor with a yelp, his chair shot across the room and put a dent in a wooden table, and Jamie Miller entered the office. “I remembered to ring the doorbell, sir.”
_ _ _

[Articerile]

Damnit Jamie! It's Tuesday! I told you to get that doorbell in by Monday!

[Chewbacca]

Before tonight's chapter I wanted to drop a small hint to make this more interesting, suspenseful, whatever you're looking for. In 7 chapters there will be a major event that ties up several plot lines and leads to a big "downhill roll" to the climax of the volume.

[Chewbacca]

Volume II Chapter 11
Neutrality

It was two days after her graduation and Amy Waters was walking home in the dark.

She listened to her iPod and sang along quietly, mainly to keep herself from being afraid. Amy was scared of what could be out there, lurking in the night.

A car made a turn and began heading down the street towards Amy. She was momentarily blinded by the high-beam headlights. She was surprised when the car came to a halt right beside her.

The man with an elliptical face and dark sunglasses who had been at her graduation stuck his head out the window. “Need a ride?” he asked.

“No thank you,” replied Amy, trying to stay calm. She kept walking.

“You sure? I wouldn’t want to walk home in the rain.”

“Rain?” At that moment, the rain came pouring down. Amy stuck her iPod in her pocket and decided to take a risk. Running around to the passenger side, she climbed into the car, which happened to be a very expensive-looking convertible.

At first, it seemed as though all was normal. The driver obeyed all of Amy’s directions. But when he got to the final turn, the man stopped the car.

“Amy Waters… I know what you can do.”

“W-What do you mean?” She was very confused.

“My name is Stafford Heights. I saw that the paperclip I gave you stuck to your finger after your graduation two days ago.”

Amy reached for the door. “I wouldn’t leave the car if I were you,” Stafford Heights told her. Lightning suddenly lit up the sky and struck a spot only feet from the car.

“What is wrong with you??? Are you doing this!?”

“Look, Amy, I want to be reasonable but you have to listen to me.

Silence.

“Okay, then,” Stafford continued. “I’m supposed to convince you to come to California and join this organization where we help people like you with abilities. However-”

“Abilities? What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb, Amy. You’re a human magnet. As you know, I can manipulate the weather.”

“Quit being stupid. I’ve got something wrong with my fingers or something. That lightning and that rain, it was just a coincidence.”

Stafford took a deep breath and sighed. “I’m just trying to be reasonable. Listen. You know just as well as I do that we aren’t normal. Just listen!” he exclaimed when Amy tried to cut him off. “I’m not going to force you to come to Silicon Valley with me. I know what it means to be forced to do something. Even we ‘mutants’ should have a choice because we’re all important individuals. You have several options in front of you, Amy, and you’ll have to make a choice. I will not force you to take a side (I am going against my orders by not doing so) but let me warn you: you can’t stay neutral forever.”

Confused and frightened, Amy quickly climbed out of the car and ran to her house, only looking back for a brief enough second to see that the car and driver were already gone.
_ _ _

[Articerile]

But neutral is fun.
It means you can pwn both sides.
Wait.
Neutral means you don't pwn anyone.

Freelance is what i'm thinking of.

Six chapters till epic happens.

[Chewbacca]

I just revisited my plans and decided to combine some plot lines. There are only 4 chapters to go before the major event chapter.

[Chewbacca]

I'm afraid there will not be a chapter tonight because I have an exam tomorrow to study for. I might do two chapters tomorrow to make up for it. Sorry!

[Chewbacca]

Here's one chapter. I might be able to get another out later.

Volume II Chapter 12
Orders

“So where is she?”

Stafford Heights stood awkwardly in the center of Edward Maxwell’s office. “Well…she’s not here.”

Apollo stood up from his chair and paced back and forth in front of his desk. “And why would that be?”

“Because she didn’t want to come.”

Maxwell turned sharply and glared at Heights. “What does that have to do with it?”

“I-I’m sorry, sir, but I wasn’t going to force her-“

“You don’t know the meaning of the word ‘force’, Heights!” Maxwell’s face was twisted in anger. “You disgust me!”

Both were silent for several minutes. Finally, Heights said, “So do you want me to go back to Phoenix, sir?”

“Oh no, no, no! No… I’ve got something much better in store for you!” There was a sly grin on Apollo’s face.
_ _ _

The setting was the exact same as their last meeting; Susan Parker sat at her desk facing Knot and Wolf.

“Bad news,” Parker told them.

“What a rare occasion!” exclaimed Wolf sarcastically.

Parker ignored Vincent Wolf’s remark. “Jamie Miller has discovered that Benjamin Davies wishes to reveal the existence of ‘mutants’ to the public and give everyone abilities.”

It was Charles Knot’s turn to speak. “And how does he plan on doing that?”

“No one has any idea. Not even him. But the point is he wants to use you in a different way than I do.”

“How do you want to use us?” asked Wolf.

Parker did not look happy about the question. “I want to use you for the good of the Agency. My family has led the Agency since its founding and I am not going to give up the most useful people I have ever discovered to the general public!”

“So that’s all we are to you? Tools?”

“Of course, Wolf, what else would you be?”

The response was so unexpected that Vincent Wolf decided to hold his tongue for once.

“This is the quietest it’s ever been with you around, Wolf,” Susan Parker commented. “I like it this way. Anyway, I called you here to tell you what I’m about to do…”
_ _ _

Jamie Miller felt something vibrate against her waist. It was the communicator that she had on her at all times so that Susan Parker could contact her. She took the black prism out from its holder and held it up to her ear. No one could overhear their conversation; she was in her own apartment.

“Yes, ma’am?”

Jamie Miller stood in shock as Susan Parker gave her her orders. “Y-yes, ma’am, it will be done.” She took a deep breath, walked to one wall of her small, plain room, and looked out the window, feeling lost in the world.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Good chapter! Can't wait for the next one!

[Chewbacca]

Two chapters! And two chapters left before the big event / clash / conflict.

Volume II Chapter 13
Trouble Brewing

Stafford Heights and Tom Hughes both stood in a meeting room in AmeriComp Inc. Heights sat on a long, wooden table while Hughes paced around the room.

Heights and Hughes weren’t the best of friends but Heights needed someone to talk to. He had been assigned an important mission by Maxwell and would soon be departing.

“Is anyone to go with you, Heights?” asked Hughes.

“No. Maxwell made it clear that it was all up to me. Such an important task for one person.”

“But of course, you’re just the person for the job. You do seem to have one of the strongest abilities of all the known mutants.” Tom Hughes was implying that he was not too happy with his own ability.

“I don’t even like to think of our powers as weapons. It’s just a part of me…”

“Come now, Heights, we’re soldiers. All we do is use our abilities to carry out our objectives.”

Stafford Heights faltered. “Right, of course.”

The fact of the matter was that Stafford Heights was not very comfortable serving Edward Maxwell. He had been a normal employee until Maxwell had discovered his potential. He was basically forced to serve as one of Apollo’s hands without even realizing what had happened.

After some time and much pacing, Hughes said, “You know, this mission of yours sounds rather difficult. I mean, it’s dangerous.”

Stafford Heights did not understand what Hughes was implying. “Well, yes, but it must be done and I am the one for the job.”

“But…what I’m trying to say is that I think your mission is impossible. You aren’t expected to succeed.”

Heights did not immediately grasp the importance of the conclusion to which Hughes had come. “W-what do you mean?”

But Tom Hughes did not answer. Instead, he walked briskly out of the room, mumbled “Good luck,” and went about his business.
_ _ _

[Articerile]

Ha ha ha ha suicide recon mission.

[Chewbacca]

I have extra time to write today, so it's going to be another double chapter day! This means that tomorrow's chapter will be the clash that we've all been waiting for... especially me.

Volume II Chapter 14
On the Blade’s Edge

There were so many knives to choose from. Sharp ones, blunt ones, long ones, short ones, curved ones, straight ones. Jamie Miller carefully fingered a short, straight knife with a cold, metal handle. She liked the feel of the tool. She grasped the blade and lifted it up high before bringing it down in a slashing motion.

The chicken breast cut easily under the blade. Sliced in two, Miller proceeded to cut it into smaller pieces before taking a seat at the table and eating her lunch.

Richard Stevenson walked purposefully into the room. “Smells good in here.”

“That would be my chicken.”

Stevenson thought he caught a glimpse of something silver vanishing from the table but it was gone as quickly as he had seen it. “So, what’s that black box you always keep at your waist?”

“A high-tech communicator,” responded Jamie, trying to act as if the information was meaningless.

“And who do you contact on it?”

“Does it matter?” Jamie continued eating her lunch.

“Well,” said Stevenson, “Don’t let me get in the way of you and your chicken. I was just fetching a roll of paper towels for the boss; he spilled a drink.”

“It didn’t happen to be red, did it?”

“Um, no…”

Jamie had a trivial look on her face. “Just wondering. Tomato juice is hard to get out of the carpet in there, you know?”

Rather confused and slightly intimidated, Richard Stevenson got his paper towels and left the room quickly. Jamie let out a relaxed sigh and finished sliding the knife into her pocket. Her mission, and her life, were both positioned on the blade’s edge.
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

You know what, this is another short chapter so I'll go ahead and post it. Tonight will be the big... thing! Also, chapters will go back to the longer format. I just had several different short events and scenes that I needed to show before the next chapter. Tonight: Chapter 16: The Storm Breaks.

Volume II Chapter 15
Darkening Sky

Stafford Heights stood on the roof of a tall skyscraper in the middle of Miami, looking up at the even grander building that was the infamous Davies’ Industries.

“An impossible mission”, Hughes had called it. It may have been exactly that; this Richard Stevenson could supposedly see the future. Plus, it was Benjamin Davies. One of the most successful men in the world and one of the most protected.

It was a clear, sunny June day, but Heights knew that that was only true for the sky. Within the city, it was growing dark and lightning was about to burst forth. A storm had been growing for quite some time and it was almost time for the storm to break.

Stafford Heights studied a nearby building that was under construction. A team was placing windows into their frames on the upper levels of the structure. Heights knew what had to be done but was still hesitant.

He had no choice but to do as Apollo commanded; he was different and all the mutants had the same destiny: to rule the world. Benjamin Davies did not agree; that was why he had to be killed. Susan Parker would be next. Edward Maxwell, Benjamin Davies, Susan Parker. The Big Three. Stafford Heights had the strangest feeling that not so far ahead in the future there would be a fourth.

He knew that the time had come. Stafford Heights opened himself up to the surging power within him. He brought his two hands together, his right in a fist, and allowed the air to form up around himself.

After the winds began to swirl around him, he unclenched his fist and pressed his hands flat against each other, directing the air where he wanted it to go. He then released the pressure around him, felt the power within him surge outward through his body, and sent a gust of powerful wind towards his target.

It was done.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

:O I can't wait for the next one!!!

[Chewbacca]

This is it! I hope it's good enough for everyone.

Volume II Chapter 16
The Storm Breaks

“Stevenson, my boy, son, whatever you prefer,” began Benjamin Davies, “I have called you today to discuss with you a very important matter: my wallpaper.

As Davies’s office was essentially a large glass box, Stevenson did not know what to say about the currently non-existent wallpaper.

“Well, sir, right now it’s rather transparent.”

“Exactly! I need something more vibrant; I’m trying to choose between a pattern of sunflowers and one of bloody knives. Which do you prefer?”

Stevenson turned his head sharply to one side. “Did you hear that noise?”

“What noise, Stevenson? I didn’t hear anything. It’s as silent as Death.”

At that moment, Richard Stevenson’s ears began to ring.

He stared at the same building-under construction that he had looked at many times before. A crane was lowering down a window panel to a few workmen on a metal beam. These workers were preparing to grab the window and put it in its proper place on the structure. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind made the window panel begin to swing rapidly from side to side, out of reach of the workmen. The out-of-control window swung closer and closer to Davies’s own window. 10 feet. 5 feet. 1 foot. 6 inches. The glass behind Davies’s desk shattered and-

“DUCK!”

Benjamin Davies dove quickly to the floor, sending his rolling chair flying across the room, just as the out-of-control window smashed into Davies’s desk. Shards of glass showered down upon the fallen Davies but he seemed to take no serious injuries. After the window panel eventually swung back out of the room, Benjamin Davies found the courage to stick up his head and observe his surroundings.

“Stevenson!? What the-”

Jamie Miller burst into the office at a sprint, holding a sharp knife above her head. She was headed for Davies, but Stevenson got to her first. With surprising agility and flexibility, Stevenson kicked the knife right out of her hand and into the air. He reached with his left hand and caught the knife in mid-air as he grasped Jamie’s wrist firmly with his right. She attempted to twist out of his grasp and clawed at him, but Stevenson had a tight grip on her. Suddenly, two burly men threw open the door to the office.

One of the security guards retained Jamie while the other helped Mr. Davies recover his composure as much as possible. But it had not been long before Stevenson had commanded him, “Get me a gun!”

One of the security guards granted his wish and tossed him a handgun. Stevenson ran to what was previously the window, pulled a pair of binoculars off of a shelf, and scanned the city for signs of the attacker. “That was no natural wind,” he said.

Richard Stevenson caught a glimpse of a man jumping from rooftop to nearby rooftop. He quickly pointed out his find to one security guard who ran towards the fire escape.

Mr. Davies had finally found the strength to utter more than nonsense. “I believe you just saved my life, Stevenson.” And then to Jamie Miller, who was held with her hands behind her back by one security guard. “You, Miller, are fired for real this time!”
_ _ _

Stafford Heights scurried down a fire escape as quickly as he could; he needed to get out of Miami. He was dealing with Benjamin Davies here, and while he thought Davies was dead, his guards would be after him. He darted through dark alleyways and side streets, attempting to avoid anyone seeing him.

Finally he came to a small grove where he decided it was safe enough to catch his breath. Stafford Heights seated himself in the nook of a large oak and closed his eyes, trying to relax.

He had carried out Maxwell’s orders exactly as he had been instructed. It looked like Tom Hughes was wrong; assassinating Benjamin Davies was not impossible, especially for someone who could control the weather.

Heights opened his eyes in preparation for setting off again and gasped when someone stood directly in front of him.

“I don’t know who you are or why you did what you did, but you are guilty of attempted murder.”

Stafford Heights knew what was coming but he had one more question to ask. “But… what is my destiny?”

And without another word, the security guard fired his gun and shot Stafford Heights, manipulator of weather and uncertain follower of Maxwell, through the heart.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Too bad Heights couldn't have been more involved. Still awesome though!

[Chewbacca]

Sorry that I did not do a chapter last night, I was not at home.

[Chewbacca]

Volume II Chapter 17
Aftermath

“That Jamie Miller!!!”

Susan Parker, head of the New York Agency, was not at all happy with the outcome of Benjamin Davies’s attempted assassination. “Is it REALLY that hard to kill such a fool of a businessman??? She managed to spy on him for two years yet couldn’t stab him in the back when he wasn’t looking? I don’t know who the bigger idiot is here, Miller or ME for being dumb enough to trust her with such an important task? Now we’ve got the whole of Davies’ Industries against us because undoubtedly she’ll tell everything to Ben Davies in order to save her own neck! I’m so mad that I could just-” Susan Parker grabbed several papers from the ever-growing pile on her desk and chucked them at Charles Knot’s head. “WHAT WAS SHE THINKING!!??”

Charles Knot ducked out of the way to avoid the projectile. He did not know much of Jamie Miller or her mission, but he did know that Susan Parker’s anger was good for neither the Agency nor himself.

“Not only,” she continued, “do we have a psycho killer with an eye (an EYE!) in his HAND trying to kill us all but now we’ve got one of the richest men in the world and a man who can see the future planning to hunt us down! MILLER!!!”

Susan Parker was angrier than Charles Knot had ever seen her before. She was always sharp and had a bit of a temper but she usually kept it in check.

Charles Knot was getting really fed up with all this plotting and shouting from Susan Parker; he wanted action and a chance to learn more about his ability. When he had originally joined the Agency, he felt certain that Susan Parker would hold all the answers to his questions; he quickly realized that she only wanted to use him to help the Agency.

In fact, Charles Knot had his own agenda. He wanted Parker to feel like he was loyal to her but all he really wanted was to discover more about mutants. Knot had brought Wolf to the Agency only to keep an eye on him. As to which of the Big Three he would have sided with if given a choice, Charles Knot was not sure. For now, he just did as Parker commanded and kept an eye out for other mutants; he felt confident that in time, his destiny would be revealed.
_ _ _

Tom Hughes was upset, but not surprised, when he heard that Stafford Heights was dead.

Edward Maxwell was not either, but he did express some anger that Benjamin Davies was still alive and well. One day, he called Hughes and Tracy to his office to speak with them.

They found Apollo pacing, as always, across the length of the room. “Mr. Hughes… I have someone I’d like you to meet. Hughes, this is Tracy. Tracy, Hughes.” Neither individual greeted the other in any way. “Pssh, so rude,” commented Apollo. “Anyway, Tracy will be taking your place, Hughes.”

“What!?” Tom Hughes exclaimed. “What have I ever done to fail you? Anyway, you have two ‘hands’. Who’s the other supposed to be?”

“I know what I’m doing, Hughes. You just aren’t as… effective as Tracy here can be and I don’t think you’ll be suitable for the upcoming challenges. My other hand will be Aria because she is simply more powerful than you and your poor excuse for an ability.”

“So what am I supposed to do now!?”

Maxwell laughed. “Well, I suppose you’ll just be a regular soldier. Go talk to Tracy’s husband, Paul. I’m sure you’ll make wonderful friends.”

With that, Edward Maxwell walked straight out the door. Tracy continued to sit in her chair silently until Tom Hughes left the room angrily.
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

I had extra time so here's another chapter!

Volume II Chapter 18
The Mystery Woman

It was June 20, the hottest day of the year for New York City. But it was cooler where Susan Parker was, deep beneath the busy streets of the city.

Susan Parker stood facing the glassy blue double-doors that led to the dreaded stack of papers that awaited her. Each and every day it was the same routine and the pile of reports never seemed to grow any smaller.

But today was very different. As she pushed open one door and strolled casually into her office, she spotted a young woman sitting at a desk in one corner of the room.

“Who are you supposed to be?”

The other woman jumped up out from her chair. She was quite short with long reddish brown hair. She wore a large, brown coat even though it was not cold. “Oh, hello, Susan!”

Parker was furious. “Susan!? Who do you think you are, girl?”

“My, I’m surprised you forgot me!” she said cheerfully. “I’m Britney Walsh, remember?”

Susan Parker bluntly answered, “No.”

“Well, I think you’ll come to remember; you did appoint me as your personal advisor.”

Something clicked in Parker’s memory. “Oh, that’s right. Now I remember. Have a seat and help me fill out this paperwork-”

Vincent Wolf stepped out of the elevator on one side of the room. “I had a little que-” He stopped short when he saw the stranger seated in the corner. “Uh, who’s she?”

“This, Wolf,” replied Parker, “is my new helper, Britney…”

“Walsh,” the other woman finished.

Susan Parker turned back to face Wolf and nodded her head. “That’s right.”

“Y-You never told me you had appointed someone new.”

“It must have just slipped my mind, Wolf, don’t question my actions. Now will you leave us, we’re trying to-”

This time it was Charles Knot to exit the elevator. “Ma’am, word from the Watch is saying there’s someone in your office.” He spotted Walsh. “I assume this would be her.”

“Knot, Wolf, you can leave. Everything’s alright, I’ll make an announcement today to let everyone know about Miss…”

“Walsh.”

Susan Parker smiled. “Miss Walsh.”

Charles Knot did not look convinced. “Ma’am, are you sure everything’s okay?”

“Everything’s fine, Charles.” Surprisingly, it was Walsh who answered. Susan Parker nodded in agreement.

Reluctantly, the two agents returned to the elevator and ascended to the main floor of the Agency.
_ _ _

After speaking with Susan Parker and the mysterious Miss Walsh, Charles Knot went straight to the Records Office where every command issued and letter sent was recorded. He scanned through a list of Susan Parker’s recent recruitments and found no mention of Britney Walsh. He concluded that unless she had made some secret appointment, which was very unlikely, Susan Parker was being tricked by Britney Walsh.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Oh snap!

[Chewbacca]

This may catch you a bit off guard. Here's a chapter about Paul and Tracy, two of the more mysterious characters about whose pasts we know nothing. I'll give you a little hint about these characters- the last two quotations of this volume reveal a huge secret about them that will make their importance in the story much more clear.

Volume II Chapter 19
Under the Moon

Paul and Tracy both sat in comfortable chairs looking out a large, glass window in AmeriComp Inc. It was night and the full moon lit up Silicon Valley with an eerie glow.

“Where do you think he is right now?” asked Paul quietly.

Tracy waited several seconds before responding. “I’m sure he’s doing just fine wherever he is.” Her voice had a much softer tone than when she had confronted Maxwell, but she was still firm in her response. It was always that way with her; no matter what happened she always kept her cool.

There was a knock at the door and Paul opened it to reveal an elderly woman with graying blonde hair and anything but a kind smile on her face. She was in her natural emotional state yet her mouth seemed to be in a permanent frown. “I was sent here to speak with a… Tracy.”

Tracy did not move from her seat by the window. “That would be me. What do you want?”

“Apollo just wanted me to introduce myself to you. You are one of his hands, are you not?” Tracy did not respond. “Anyway, I’m Sandra Hill. I’m a healer.”

As was usual, Paul showed much more emotion than his wife. “Really? You mean, you can heal any wound?”

“Any except for my own. And, I suppose I should mention, it’s not always the most comfortable experience.”

“I’m sure you’ll be very useful. Thank you for introducing yourself.” Paul was speaking on behalf of Tracy and Tracy did not seem to mind it. Sandra left the room without another word.

Paul turned back towards the window and stared out once again at the full moon. He observed its beauty silently for quite some time before he realized that something strange had happened to Tracy. Her head was now facing downwards and although she attempted to show no emotion, a tear was slowly rolling down her cheek. “Paul,” she said still firmly but not as controlled as usual, “are you sure he’s okay?”

Though he did not completely believe it himself, Paul replied, “Yes, I’m sure he’s okay.”

They both stared out at the moon as the night passed on with the same thought in their heads: that the one whom they thought and cared about was somewhere under the same moon as they were.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Hmmm... Eeeeeeeeeenteresting...

[Chewbacca]

This is the first of what I'm going to call a Writer's Talk Session. In these sessions I talk about events that are going to occur in the story and provide a poll or something of the sort that allows readers to win points. When a reader has 5 points, I'll private message them a spoiler, clue, hint, etc. about the story or let them make a second character. Something like that. Anyway, here we go.

Writer's Talk One
The final chapter of this volume (about chapter 25) is a pretty intense fight scene. 4 major characters will take part in the fight. Readers, you have until I post Chapter 22 to post the names of two of the four characters that you think will be in the fight. You will earn 1 point for each correct name. I will likely post Chapter 22 tomorrow night around 11:00 p.m. You can either post your two guesses here or private message the names to me. Make your predictions and good luck!

UPDATE: Instead of making a new post, I'll just put this here. The final chapter of the Volume will be Chapter 24.

[Articerile]

Wolf and Tracy.

[Chewbacca]

Here's Chapter 20. Chapter 21 will be tonight and Chapter 22, the deadline for the fight predictions, will be tomorrow night. In case you were curious or want to be more exact when it comes to timing, I'm EST, about 4 hours behind GMT, I believe.

Volume II Chapter 20
Partnership

After checking the Records Office, Knot went off to find Vincent Wolf. He found him in the finally-completed Watch with hundreds of TV screens all around the room. The room was empty besides Knot, Wolf, and Thompson, the equipment manager.

“Wolf, I need to talk to you,” said Charles Knot. “Thompson, leave us.”

“Yes, sir,” the massive man replied. All the agents had grown to respect Wolf and Knot as their superiors because of their abilities.

Wolf lay back in his seat and rested his feet on the recently vacated chair. “Yeah?”

“What do you think of Parker’s new advisor?”

Wolf was amused by the question. “I think she’s crazier than Parker, and that’s saying something.”

“I checked the Records and Parker never recruited her or made contact with her before today.”

This time, Vincent Wolf sat up in his chair and was interested. “You sure?”

“One-hundred percent.”

Wolf was not yet convinced. “But don’t you think Parker is smart enough not to fall for any trick. I mean, what do you think that woman did, brainwash her?”

“I have no idea but I intend to find out. Parker’s got her going through the Agency’s most important intelligence reports at this very moment. She’s probably finding out everything about Maxwell, Davies, even you and me.”

“Don’t you think Parker could have hired her in secret? Maybe she doesn’t want people to know she has too much work. I don’t know, there’s gotta be a rational explanation.”

Knot refused to believe it was that simple. “Don’t you know how dedicated Parker is? She’d never let the Agency get out of her hands because of too much paperwork. Did you notice how Parker couldn’t even remember Walsh’s name?”

“Okay, okay, something’s wrong. But what are we supposed to do about it?”

“…I’ll come up with something.” He looked towards one TV screen that showed Britney Walsh sitting at the previously non-existent desk in Susan Parker’s office, flipping through pages of paperwork and knew that he had to do something to protect the secrets of not only him but all the mutants.
_ _ _

[Witchyworld]

Aria and Blank

[Chewbacca]

Sorry I could not write last night's chapter. It just means that Chapter 22 won't be until tomorrow night. As long as my power doesn't go out (there are some storms coming through) I should get out the next chapter tonight.

[Chewbacca]

This is a short chapter; I couldn't get as much juice out of it as I wanted but also didn't want to drag it out. Chapter 22 tomorrow night!

Volume II Chapter 21
A Speech to the Millions

“Today is the day!”

Edward Maxwell, who just loved to call himself Apollo, stood on a podium giving a speech to the small group of mutants clustered before him. There weren’t very many of them, but they were more powerful than a much larger group of regular humans would have been.

“This is one of the most important moves we have ever made; it is time that we got the mutants of the Agency to join us. But before we attempt to take control of the Agency, we need some time with the mutants back here in California. We’ll wait about a week before returning to the New York. This mission will be up to Aria and Tracy but I need everyone standing by, especially Sandra Hill. Now, go! Aria, Tracy, stay here.”

The two women waited until the other mutants had left the room. “Well, ladies,” Maxwell approached them. “I have explicit instructions for you.”

No reply from either of them.

“Why do I even bother waiting for an answer?” asked Maxwell, mostly to himself. “Anyway, you need to bring to me as many mutants as you can find, there may only be one there may be twenty. If you have to fight them then fight but make sure they remain alive! I don’t want anyone brought back dead; Sandra can heal any wound except for death. If you don’t know where to look or how to get to the Agency, use your instincts and make contact with my spies. They’ll more than likely find you first. Now get going!”
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

The deadline for Writer's Talk #1 is here! I will not accept any more predictions. I cannot award points until after the fight in order to make it all the more surprising. Here's Chapter 22!

Volume II Chapter 22
False Memories

After checking the screens in the Watch to make sure the coast was clear, Knot and Wolf proceeded to Susan Parker’s office. The elevator descended smoothly at its regular pace down the glassy blue shaft and came to a halt in front of the large office with two desks.

“Knot? Wolf? What are you doing- ?”

Charles Knot and Vincent Wolf both exited the elevator and confronted Susan Parker without bothering to explain themselves or take a seat. “Where’s Walsh?” asked Knot without even waiting for Parker to finish her question.

“I sent her on an errand what on Earth is wrong- ?”

“How did you recruit her?”

Parker jumped up from her chair. “You will explain what you want right now!”

“ANSWER THE QUESTION!”

Wolf flinched and Knot looked down at the floor. “Sorry, ma’am.”

Susan Parker was shocked at the outburst. “If you order me to do something one more time there will be severe consequences. I would let you go but you already know too much about the Agency. If you are not obedient, I will only have one option. Now, would you like to tell me why you care so much about Miss Walsh?”

Wolf thought it would be better if he was the one to explain. “Well, we want to protect the secrets of the Agency and of the mutants. So, we did a little research and found that there is no record of you having made contact with any woman named Britney Walsh prior to her appearance.”

Susan Parker stared at Wolf expressionlessly. “That’s not true; I remember it as clear as day. I made the record of it myself. Why are you lying, Wolf?”

“It’s completely true,” added Knot. “I went through everything from the past month and there is never any mention of a Britney Walsh."

“But I know it happened!” Susan Parker was almost shouting. “I had far too much paperwork to do so I-”

“Why did you let someone else read the intelligence reports? Why would you do that? You’re the head of the New York Agency, ma’am!” This was the first time Wolf had ever addressed her formally.

“Well, I-” She was speechless. “I… don’t really know. But I remember getting in touch with her and she was so nice; I knew she was perfect for the job. Then I immediately made a record of it.”

Charles Knot removed a small packet of papers paper clipped together and handed them to Parker. “These are the recruiting records for the past month. If you look through, you will see no mention of any Britney Walsh.”

“Knot, come on, I know it’s in here. It should be right… about…. he-” she stopped short when she realized that the record was no where to be found. “But th-that’s not…”

“Ma’am,” Knot addressed her, “I’m sorry, you’ve been tricked.”

Anger began to swell in Susan Parker’s face. “But… how? Do you think she can do… something? I mean, I just remember it so clearly!”

It was if a light bulb had turned on in Charles Knot’s mind. He gasped and uttered a single word, “Remember”.

Next it was Susan Parker to gasp. “She’s back…” Parker was observing a miniature TV screen embedded in a corner of her desk. It showed Britney Walsh entering the Agency through one of its several hidden entrances.

“Don’t worry, ma’am,” said Charles Knot courageously. “I have an idea.” And he was gone.
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

Why so few comments? Here's the second to last chapter in Volume II!

Volume II Chapter 23
The Spy

Aria and Tracy, two mysterious women who only went by their first names, were a new presence in New York City.

It was evening but the people of New York seemed to never sleep; the roads and sidewalks were as crowded, and as dangerous, as ever. But on this particular evening near the end of June, things were about to get more dangerous than ever before. Luckily, it would occur deep beneath the city between not-quite humans. Word of the battle would hopefully never reach the ears of ordinary citizens.

A communicator buzzed at Aria’s right hip. She picked it up and pressed a button. “Who is this?”

“Agent 365, Code Name: John Barsad.”

“Barsad, where is the entrance?”

“Follow the yellow lines on the sidewalk.”

Looking down, Aria noticed that there were, in fact, yellow dots all over the walkway. “What do you think you’re doing painting a path right to the Agency?”

“Well,” replied Agent Barsad, “if anyone else finds the Agency it doesn’t really matter…”

“I think you’re just too dumb to realize how much harm you could have done.”

Tracy was struggling to keep up with Aria because she walked so briskly. Yet Tracy managed to act as if she was perfectly comfortable.

“Anyway,” continued Aria, “Do you know what Apollo meant when he told us there might be one mutant, there might be twenty? Doesn’t he know?”

“Well, there have been rumors about a stranger in the Agency with strange powers. There are definitely two mutants here but we don’t know how many others might be here; there are just so many rumors.”

“Then we’ll have to find out for ourselves. Ah, I think we’ve found the entrance.”

In a dark side alley was what Aria thought was the entrance. The line of yellow dots led right to it and vanished. There was a very old, rotted, wooden door in the side of a building with a WARNING: TOXIC FUMES label on it. Someone from within pushed the door open before them and out came a giant of a man with a large scar across his face.

“Miss Aria, Miss Tracy,” Agent Thompson addressed them. Come right in…”
…
They were at the bottom of the elevator shaft after a rather long descent and Tracy had a bad feeling about what they were doing. Although she didn’t like doing it, she vocalized her concern to Aria.

“If I go with you, we have a very low chance of succeeding.”

Aria turned to her quickly with an unreadable expression on her face. “Then don’t come.”

The large doors of the elevator slid open to reveal the glassy blue interior of the New York Agency, Thompson entered a security code into a panel on the side, and Aria headed to the right in a very serious manner. She knew what had to be done and was ready to do it.
_ _ _

[Witchyworld]

Cool gonna have the final battle.

[Articerile]

Well, it's hardly final, it's barely started as a story.
But it'll be more of a battle than the attempt at killing Davies was.

[Chewbacca]

Right, this is only Volume II so it's definitely not final, just the climax of this volume. And this will be more action-packed than the Davies fight was.

[Chewbacca]

Volume II Finale! I'll be taking a short break for planning during the next few days before beginning VOLUME III: HISTORY (in case you haven't noticed, all volume titles has three syllables and end in "y"). More on Volume III later. For now, enjoy!

Volume II Chapter 24
Amphitheater

In the center of the New York Agency was a large, round chamber that was mainly used for special occasions. The middle of the room was lower down than the outer ring due to a set of 3 steps surrounding it. In the very center of the room was a circular table of sorts that was bright red, clashing violently with the surrounding blue. Upon both the table and the floor were random objects that had been seemingly abandoned and discarded. This chamber was named the Amphitheater due to its arrangement of steps leading down to the inner circle.

Charles Knot nearly sprinted into the Amphitheater after having confronted Susan Parker about her advisor and spotted the woman in question at the other side. Britney Walsh in her brown coat and red hair looked slightly startled but kept her composure. “Ah, hello, Charles. How are we?”

Charles Knot whipped his gun out of his pocket and aimed it at the woman. “Why are you messing in the affairs of the Agency?”

The usual gleam in her eyes diminished when she saw the gun. Her voice was as Knot had never heard it: flat and cruel. “Put down the gun.”

“Who are you working for? Is it Maxwell, Davies, or someone else?”

The woman known as Britney Walsh looked as if she wanted to move closer to Knot to intimidate him but stood her ground. “Don’t you remember that you don’t want to be holding that gun?” Charles Knot did not drop the gun. Walsh’s eyes bored into his head and Knot felt the strangest sensation as the woman’s consciousness entered his mind and crashed up against an impenetrable iron curtain.

Walsh winced as if she had actually felt the impact. This time she was clearly surprised. And afraid. “What…IS this?” she growled.

Knot walked closer to Walsh still holding the gun. Walsh began backing away. “Oh, I know what you can do. You’re a mutant just like me. You can alter memories to make someone think they did something that never happened. Susan Parker was convinced she had recruited you.” Walsh began to tremble. “But your trick doesn’t work on me. Because I remember everything and my memory is perfect.”

In the blink of an eye, Britney Walsh scooped up an iron rod and hurled it at Knot. It collided with his hands and his gun flew across the room. Knot sprinted down the steps into the inner circle of the Amphitheater and ran towards the gun that lay beside the red table. But Britney Walsh was faster than he was; she grabbed the gun and took a blind shot at the scrambling Knot, barely missing his head. She then gave Knot a quick jab in the ribs and pulled the trigger a second time, only to discover the gun was out of ammunition.

Knot flinched before he could realize that the weapon had not fired, giving Walsh just enough time to grab a discarded frying pan off of the floor and prepare to swing it at him. He reached for the pan and gripped it with his own hands in an attempt to wrench it from her grasp. In a movement of alarming flexibility, Walsh kicked Knot in the face causing him to stumble backwards. She brought the frying pan down on his head with a metallic bang and grabbed his neck with both of her hands as he fell to the floor.

Britney Walsh squeezed with all her strength and Knot found it become harder and harder to breath. His vision began to grow dim and knew that he was to meet his end right there and then. Just when things had almost grown fully dark, a voice resounded and bounced around the circular room, “Let go of him.”

Charles Knot felt the hands immediately release him and could breathe again. He was so surprised at having survived that he didn’t immediately realize who had spoken the life-saving command.

The woman who he recognized as Aria stood at the end of the room that Walsh had entered with a look of superiority on her face. Britney Walsh once again grabbed the frying pan up off the floor.

“Do not move.” So Britney Walsh was completely still.

Aria slowly descended the three steps into the inner circle of the Amphitheater and addressed Knot. “Apollo wants you alive. You’re coming with me.”

Charles Knot found that he had no more control over his body; his legs carried him towards Aria and the exit of the room. He had gotten to the three steps when a he saw a flash of blue light and heard a yell.

Vincent Wolf stormed into the room shouting and throwing blue fireballs from his hands. All of them were aimed at Aria. She got struck several times by the powerful energy and collapsed on the ground.

Just as Aria fell, Charles Knot found that he again had control of his body. He immediately fell back down on the floor with his heart pounding.

But things weren’t over yet. The most unlikely person, Agent Thompson, ran into the room and grabbed Aria before Vincent Wolf knew what was happening. Thompson ran out of the room as fast as he had come and Wolf felt the urge to give chase but decided it was more important to make sure Knot was okay.

He helped Knot to his feet. “Wh-where’s Walsh?” Knot managed to ask. He took a look around the room and realized that she was no where to be seen.

The Amphitheater was empty except for Charles Knot and Vincent Wolf, the two mutants of the Agency. Knot knew that he had a debt to pay to Wolf, for he had saved his life.

Footsteps come from the entrance that both Walsh and Aria had entered by. Knot and Wolf both prepared to defend themselves against the unknown foe. A woman with a beautiful face and long blonde hair rushed into the room with a gun in her hand. When she spotted the two men by the bright red table, she gasped, clapped a hand to her mouth, and dropped the gun on the floor. “Charles!?”

Charles Knot turned to face Tracy with an expression of awe and disbelief on his face. All that he managed to utter was one word that he had not spoken in many years. “Mom?”

END VOLUME II
_ _ _

[Articerile]

To be fair I was right, Tracy and Wolf were there.
Tracy wasn't in the fight, but was intending to be though...

[Chewbacca]

To be fair I was right, Tracy and Wolf were there.
Tracy wasn't in the fight, but was intending to be though...

I'll give you a point just for caring so much :p. I bet you didn't guess Tracy and Paul's last name, though!

[Chewbacca]

Here's a little info about Volume III. I'm hoping to get out the Prologue tomorrow then take a couple more days off before starting the Volume.

Here's what you will and won't see in Volume III: History

You will definitely see all three Knots, a man with 3 eyes, "Britney Walsh", a very much alive Miss Hopkins, Stevenson doing karate, a very paranoid Benjamin Davies, a mental ward, and Edward Maxwell in an extremely close fight.

You will not see "Britney Walsh" as much as you think you do, Benjamin Davies getting a new secretary (of his own accord), talking animals (though you may see someone talking to animals), and "Davies's Superpowers".

[dark-wolf-5]

Sorry I haven't commented in a while. Been kinda busy. I loved that fight scene though!

[Articerile]

Hmmm.
I'm wondering where is prologue is.

[Chewbacca]

Hmmm.
I'm wondering where is prologue is.

Right, Prologue. I kind of... forgot. It'll be out tonight! I will then go straight into Volume III. Sorry for the wait!

[Chewbacca]

The Prologue will still be out tonight, but I also wanted to drop some more information on everyone before starting Volume III. In case you did not figure it out from the clues in "What Will and Won't Happen", Volume III will include some forward plot movement, but not a lot. It will mainly focus on flashbacks that tell more about the characters' pasts. The main characters shown in flashbacks will be Aria, Stevenson, the Knot family, and possible Vincent Wolf (I haven't decided about him yet). In the present, I doubt the Agency will get much air time but Davies should. There will be a new "organization" that was hinted at in II-15 "Darkening Sky".

Prologue tonight!

[Chewbacca]

Here we go!

I am different.

I see things no one else does. I do not use my eyes to observe these phenomena but instead my senses. They reside within my mind.

Shadows cover the world. Each dark patch is the outline of a figure. These figures have their personalities, their goals- everything. These are human beings. The shadows cover the whole of the earth. They move slowly, sometimes calmly sometimes nervously. Every now and then there will be a flash of darkness and all will again be still after only an instant of nothingness.

The shadows are waiting, searching, for something in the night. No one knows what it is, not even them. All the many shadows of different shapes and sizes are all clueless and blend together in a blanket of darkness.

This darkness shifts and twists in time, a different thing with every passing second. Yet although it is different, it is always the same. No anchor points exist and nothing sets any other dark figure apart from another.

Everything is shadow.

But there are lights in the darkness. Some in the north, some in the south, some in every part of the planet. These lights burn brightly and shine through the shadow. They burn through the darkness and are guaranteed to change the ordinary figures’ lives forever.

They’re here. They’re there. They’re everywhere. Lights glowing and blazing. Why these lights shine so brightly, I do not know. Why they are positioned where they are, I do not know. Exactly what-

“Here are your pills, Henry,” said the Nurse.

Henry picked up the pills from her hand, swallowed them quickly, and returned to his work.

VOLUME III: HISTORY

[dark-wolf-5]

OOOOH!! Mysterious!!

[Chewbacca]

I have to say, I'm really excited for this volume. This is going to be good!
_ _ _

Self-discovery. It is the search for knowledge and understanding that everyone must go on at some point in time. It is the achievement of understanding the most complicated of components to life- oneself. The first step to achieving this state is understanding one’s destiny. To do this, one must rely on others, sometimes working under or in charge of others, and in the end, one must live or die. This knowledge that one has proven him or herself worthy of something leads to a greater understanding of life in general. But one’s destiny cannot be reached without first overcoming an extreme obstacle: one’s history. One’s own past is what will bring a person down along the path to their ultimate goals. If a person is not willing to face, accept, and overcome the problems of their past, then there is no way to move forward and progress. And forward progress is, of course, the only way to achieve total self-discovery.

This journey is the one that you are on, and this journey is the one that I am on. This quest is one that every human being is at one stage or another of. The road to self-discovery is long and arduous, but a person emerges stronger and superior to others after overcoming the challenges they must face. Sometimes major obstacles come in the smallest packages; sometimes other people can become insurmountable barriers to the efforts of journeyers. But all of these journeys are alike and different in many ways, and no quest is ever obvious. This journey to self-discovery advances with the progression of life, so many travelers do not even realize that they are following a path. But at some point in everyone’s life, they come to a fork in the road and can never go back the way that they have come. One of these choices can affect the whole of someone’s life and usually seems more minor that it actually is. Make the right decisions, and you can find yourself and your place in the world. Follow the correct path and you can achieve success in everything you do. Overcome all obstacles and anyone may be meant to do something extraordinary…

Even you.

Volume III Chapter 1
The Road Not Yet Taken

Richard Stevenson, personal body guard to Mr. Benjamin Davies, had the worst job possible.

Davies insisted on Stevenson being constantly in his office to protect him from “assassins and window-breaking windows”. So Stevenson sat all day listening to Davies chatter and jump at every small noise. Whenever Richard Stevenson would cough, Davies would gasp and look at him quickly as to make sure that it was only him. One time it was Davies who coughed and he was just as surprised. Stevenson would have quit his job if it didn’t pay so well.

It was yet another boring day on the top floor of Davies’s Industries when the doorbell rang. After jumping out of his chair with a yelp, Davies demanded Richard Stevenson to let the short, red-haired woman outside into the room. He had a strange feeling that it wasn’t such a good idea, but opened the office door anyway.
_ _ _
The woman with Many Names strutted into Benjamin Davies’s office in her large brown coat and took a seat when offered one. “Hello, Mr. Davies! I have been so excited to meet with you at last!”

“WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?” After this unexpected remark, Stevenson decided that he disliked the new Mr. Davies even more than the old one.

The woman with Many Names looked slightly perplexed yet sickly cheerful as usual. “Oh, did you forget? You hired me as your secretary!”

The usage of the “s-word” caught Davies off guard. “S-s-s-secretary?”

“Of course, sir. Don’t you remember?” She looked straight into the other man’s eyes.

Something seemed to happen to Benjamin Davies. His face gained some composure and he sat up a little straighter in a more business-like manner. “Ah, of course, I remember now. What were you thinking, Ben? What’s your name again?”

“Gina Colley,” she answered with an even larger smile than before.

“Right, Miss Colley, you are now my secretary. The most important rule of being my secretary is to always ring the-”

Stevenson, who had been sitting silently in a chair, suddenly shook and then regained his former position as if nothing had ever happened.

The woman with Many Names bore into his head with a glare and examined his memory, only to find that whatever had just occurred to him was now forgotten. There was a small trace of something so she erased it from his memory. She then made a few minor adjustments as to keep the man from being suspicious of her and left the room after completing her conversation with her new boss, Benjamin Davies.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

I know who that person is!

[Chewbacca]

I'm trying a bit of re-structuring for Volume III. I will be lengthening chapters and including a sort of introduction to each chapter. The introduction will come before the name of the chapter. Think of it like a TV show; there is usually some sequence or event before the actual title screen comes up. It's not changing anything important about the story, just how each chapter is introduced. I've already edited Chapter 1 to include the introduction. Chapter 2 later!

[Chewbacca]

Have you ever felt like your differences were both your strengths and weaknesses? I know I have. Because I am different.

Are we supposed to take a different approach to the journey of self-discovery because we have so much hidden that we must find? Is our path completely unlike that of any other human because of our differences? Do we have the right, the ability, and the duty to understand more? These are questions that likely have no answer.

Or is it possible that our journey is meant to discover answer to these very questions that we ponder? Is the mystery of our own selves hidden within these enigmas?

Everyone seems to think that someone is either bad or good. But my take is that there are some of both within us and it is the decisions we make that bring out the best or worst in each of us. And so no one is always in the right and no one is always in the wrong. That is how I see it. And that is how it shall be.

Volume III Chapter 2
A Past Life

Aria lay on a surface that she could not comprehend in a room that she could not see clearly in a body that was not hers.

Almost every area on her body was covered in burns from the attack she had taken in the Amphitheater. She had barely survived the journey back to Silicon Valley. She managed to make out a face peering down at her. It was the visage of Sandra Hill, gifted but certainly not friendly healer.

“You’re awake. Not that that’s a good thing,” said Sandra Hill to the barely conscious Aria.

Aria managed to hear and comprehend the words she was saying but did not have the strength to respond.

“I’d suggest you close your eyes. Try to imagine another time in your life. This is going to hurt more than a little.”

Sandra Hill placed her hand on one of Aria wounds and Aria barely managed to keep from screaming. She shut her eyes and imagined that she was back at the only place that had ever been her home.
_ _ _

St. Catherine’s Orphanage, 20 years ago

Aria had been at the orphanage for two months and didn’t like it much. She didn’t like the other children; they were usually complaining or annoying. Aria would sit by herself and try to read books though she didn’t know how to.

One evening, kind Miss Hopkins came to visit her in the small room that she shared with one other girl. “Hello, Aria.”

Aria set her book on the floor and looked down at her lap.

“Do you like to read?”

Aria waited before replying. “Yes… but I don’t know how to read.”

Miss Hopkins smiled warmly. “Then I’ll just have to teach you how.”

At this, Aria was truly happy for the first time in her memory. “Really?”

“Of course!” Miss Hopkins laughed cheerfully. “I’ll teach you every evening around this time. How’s that sound?”

Aria couldn’t stop nodding her head. “Great.”
_ _ _

St. Catherine’s Orphanage, 18 years ago

Aria had become rather fluent at reading and could get through simple books by herself. She still did not talk much to other children, but often spoke with Miss Hopkins. Aria, very mature for her age, had been thinking and had discovered that she was afraid of something happening.

One evening when Miss Hopkins came to see how she was doing with her reading, Aria asked her, “Have you… am I… are you trying to get me a family?”

Miss Hopkins was slightly surprised. “Have you been worried about that? Don’t be, we’ll find you a nice family to go home to eventually. The time’s not quite right, but I’m sure just the right people will come along and you’ll feel at home with them.”

Aria was silent for a long while before, “…I don’t think I want a family.”

“But you wouldn’t want to be here in the orphanage forever would you, Aria?”

“Yes, I think I do,” she replied. “I don’t think I ever want to leave.”

Miss Hopkins gave Aria a warm smile and a small hug before leaving the room.
_ _ _

[Articerile]

Dawwwwwwwww
Aside from the insufferable pain of unburning that is.

[Chewbacca]

Sorry, but I'm not going to be able to get out a chapter tonight. Last night was too busy and so is tonight. Tomorrow I will definitely get out a chapter and hopefully I can continue releasing chapters daily.

However, in place of a new chapter I will release an introduction to a mutant that I decided not to include in the last chapter. Instead, I replaced this with the other introduction about the journey of self-discovery. Anyway, here's the Timekeeper's introduction. This mutant will not enter the story at the time and he may never be an official character. But I may choose to use him at some point in time. I just didn't think now was a good time to introduce him.
_ _ _

The room was full of clocks. Grandfather clocks, cheap plastic clocks, digital clocks, round analog clocks, antique clocks, tiny wris****ches, misshapen clocks, clocks with roman numerals, and one clock with small planets orbiting around the center. Yet every clock in the room was in perfect sync with one another; the tick, tick, tick of every timepiece in the room blended perfectly with one another to form one universal rhythm.

And with this unceasing rhythm beat the heart of the man standing in the center of the room with arms held wide. He was one with the metronome. In every minute that passed, both the many clocks around the room and his pulse would beat exactly sixty times.

The man kept his eyes closed and focused on the passage of time around him. He did not make any movement except for the up and down motion of his breathing in time with everything else around him. The heart of the Timekeeper and the beat of his clocks were together in harmony. Confident in himself and in the force of time, the Timekeeper halted the beat of his heart.

Silence for less than a second. And the clocks ticked on.

Quickly recovering and commanding his heart to resume beating, the man kicked the nearest wall with all of his might and yelled so loudly that passerby outside the clock shop ran away in fright. “WHY DID THIS HAPPEN!?”

[Witchyworld]

Why was wris****ches beeped?

Oh I get it now there's a swear word in it. That's annoying.

[Chewbacca]

Why was wris****ches beeped?

Oh I get it now there's a swear word in it. That's annoying.

I didn't even notice that.

[Chewbacca]

Here you go, Knot fans!
_ _ _

The shadows still cover the Earth.

But the lights are multiplying. More and more people are becoming infected with this disease. This mutation. What these people can do, I do not know. I only know what I can do.

I can find them.

Volume III Chapter 3
Necessary Departure

6 years ago…

An 18 year old Charles Knot lay on the sofa in his parents’ apartment watching TV. Paul Knot chose to sit in a chair far from Charles; the parents did not get along well with the son.

Charles Knot had finished high school at last, if just barely, and was definitely not going to college. He planned to find a decent job and stay in the apartment for as long as he could. For right now, Charles Knot tried not to think about his future.

Charles Knot could remember everything but had never told his parents; they would just think he was a complete freak instead of a useless teenager. He himself wasn’t sure about his state of mind; sometimes he wondered if he really was crazy. At those times, Knot would remind himself that if not for his ability he would be completely normal. He decided to treat his memory like compensation for his inferior intelligence.

Tracy Knot appeared in the room and spoke to Paul quietly, “Come here.” She led him off into the kitchen out of earshot of Charles.

Once there, Tracy spoke up. “I-I think something’s… wrong.”

Paul was confused. “What do you mean?”

“I just had the strangest feeling that no matter what I did, a mosquito was going to bite me.” She showed Paul a red bump on her arm. “There it is.”

“What’s this have to do with anything?”

“I knew it was going to happen!” Tears had begun to form in her eyes. “Something’s happening to me.”

At the sight of tears, Paul had started to panic much more than Tracy was. His heart was pounding and he breathed as if he were running a marathon. “We’ll take you to a doctor or something; maybe you’re just imagining it.”

Tracy’s eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped in horror. “Um… Paul…” She was staring at his feet.

Paul eyes slowly dropped until his feet were in sight. Or rather, until his feet should have been in sight. His legs suddenly ended at his ankles and nothing could be seen underneath them. “T-Tracy!”

“It’s happening to both of us! We have to go... somewhere. Not even a doctor can explain this. We’ll leave without a trace. We can’t tell Charles; he needs to live as normal a life as possible. Paul, your… feet are back.”

Sure enough, his shoes were once again visible. “Well that’s a relief,” he said sarcastically. “Okay, we have to go. But where?”

“I don’t know yet but we can’t leave any trail behind. We’ll think of something, Paul, we have to.”

Charles Knot didn’t hear a word of their conversation; if he had, he would not have been surprised when they vanished only a few days later. Instead, he and the police searched for them for months without finding any semblance of a clue. It had occurred to Charles more than once that the lack of evidence made it seem like they did not want to be found, but really didn’t care enough to think any further about it.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

That's sad...

[curious]

Very good chewy.

... more?

[Chewbacca]

This is a long one. Enjoy!
_ _ _

My path to self discovery must be muddier than most. I cannot see the road clearly and have reached a dead end. I do not have any idea where to go from this point. My ability makes me different, but it seems like being different doesn’t necessarily make you special.

I’m lost. Lost in life, lost in this city, lost within my own mind. The only thing I have not lost is hope, and that is the most important thing a person can ever possess. I know that I am meant to do something greater and the opportunity will come.

My name is Jeremiah Atticus, and I am different.

Volume III Chapter 4
Guns ‘n’ Roses
Jeremiah Atticus stood staring at large cement wall. He had no idea where he was, besides from the obvious fact that he was somewhere in Miami. He ran his hands across the flat surface of the barrier as if he found it fascinating. There was a small dent in the wall that he examined quickly before swinging his backpack off of his shoulder, pulling out a torn-up notebook from within, fumbling for a pen, and scribbling something on a random page.

Jeremiah Atticus was about 6 feet tall with shoulder-length black hair. He was very thin and looked as if he spent most of time inside dimly lit rooms.

Footsteps sounded from around the corner and a short, red-haired woman in a large brown coat appeared in front of Atticus. She did not look at all surprised to see him. “You must be Jeremiah Atticus.”

“N-n-no, I, uh, think you have the wrong person…” He stuttered this while attempting to shove his notebook back into his pack and keep his eyes on the woman all at the same time.

“No, I’m positive!” she exclaimed excitedly. “You’re definitely him. It’s such a pleasure to meet you!”

“I, uh, have to be going now so if you would please excuse me.” He swung his backpack over one shoulder and started heading towards the exit.

“But you agreed to help me!”

Atticus was startled but kept moving. “I don’t believe I did…”

He glanced back at the woman and their eyes met. “I know you’ll remember now,” the woman hissed.

As the change came over Jeremiah Atticus that meant that his memory had been modified, he confidently said, “Of course I’ll come to Davies’s Industries.”
_ _ _

Richard Stevenson was fully enjoying the only short break he got away from Benjamin Davies all day- his fifteen minute lunch break. He sat in the upstairs lounge with his feet up on a chair and a sandwich in his hand.

“CAN YOU HEAR ME!?!?”

Stevenson tumbled out of his chair with a shout, knocked over a coffee table with a vase of fresh roses on it, and dropped his sandwich onto the floor. The voice of Mr. Davies had shot through the new earpiece he was required to wear at all times. “Owwww. Yes, I can hear you.”

“Good. Come to my office immediately.”

Abandoning the remainder of his lunch and leaving the sandwich on the floor, Stevenson reluctantly took the short walk through the hall of telephones and receptionists chanting “You’ve reached Davies’ Industries, hold on just one minute, please!” to the glass-surrounded office. He made sure to ring the doorbell before entering.

“What do you want. Sir.”

Come now, my boy,” Davies replied, “cheer up! Can’t you see we have a visitor?”

Gina Colley and a man whom Stevenson did not recognize were seated in one corner of the office.

“Take a seat, Stevenson, my boy. We have very important matters to discuss that could not only change the world but all of my company (which is much more important the world)! This man…what did you say your name was?”

“J-Jeremiah Atticus.” He looked a bit nervous and shy though not intimidated by the red-haired woman.

“Right-o! Well, Atticustard, you’ve been recruited for a very important task. I hear you are a professor of some sort?”

“Well, not really.” Colley urged him on. “I like to… study random things. But I don’t teach at all.”

“Good enough!” exclaimed Davies. “You will be working with Mr. Stevenson here to discover the secret to his mutation!”

Stevenson gaped as if he had been struck when Davies gave out this information so easily. Gina Colley was also dumbstruck. She couldn’t stop staring at Stevenson for several seconds, though she never tried to look him in the eye.

It took Stevenson a bit longer to notice that Atticus was also shocked. “Mutation? You mean, like, uh, some kind of ability?”

“Absolutely!” Davies said happily. He did not seem to notice that no one else in the room was taking the subject so casually. “He can see the future, you know.”

Gina Colley and Richard Stevenson almost jumped out of their seats. Jeremiah Atticus did jump out of his seat. “What do you mean he can see the future???”

“That’s enough!” demanded Stevenson. “I’m your body guard, sir, but no else needs to know why.”

Benjamin Davies confronted Stevenson. “But I don’t think you understand fully. Your real importance is not as my body guard. We’re going to find out what’s wrong with you by running tests on you and it’s going to make me rich!”

“I agreed that it was good to attempt to figure out what caused the mutation, but I never agreed to be a test subject!”

“Too late now.” And with that, Davies pulled out a tranquilizer gun out from under his desk and shot the man with several arrows. Richard Stevenson collapsed on the floor.
_ _ _

[Articerile]

Read the last thing Davies says as "QUIET YOU!"

[Chewbacca]

What is it that makes us different? From where do our abilities come? Can the formula for these powers be recreated and used to give superpowers to anyone? This is my newest mission.

This man, Richard Stevenson, is a very magnificent specimen. He has the ability to see flashes of the future but he forgets them immediately afterwards. If he could only remember them, his ability would be much more useful.

I’m sure that he has wondered about his ability many a time before. Perhaps he’s tried to remember the visions he sees but simply cannot do it. Maybe it will just develop more over time just as anything else does in life. Our abilities are all developing and changing as we learn more about ourselves.

For me, this seems to be especially true.

Volume III Chapter 5
A Secret Weapon

Amy Waters of Phoenix, Arizona was not quite the girl she appeared to be. She was usually kind and got along well with her friends, but her parents were a completely different matter. Her parents had divorced when she was young and she had never even visited her father. She lived with her mother who attempted to rule her life and make important choices for Amy.

“You know I still don’t approve of your choice of college.” Amy's mother, Pamela, told her. “After all you accomplished in high school I think you deserve better than a small university with only average academics. Harvard or Yale is the place for you.”

“But I want to go to a normal school and not just be part of a mob. I want to be… someone.”

Her mother sighed. “I don’t know… You were a member of nearly every club your senior year and you got straight A’s, don’t you want something more?”

Amy was standing in the kitchen of their large, airy house. “I only did those things because you made me. I absolutely hated that ‘Underwater Fish Club’.”

“I was just keeping you from making any stupid decisions that could ruin your chances of getting into a good school. But it looks like even after all my efforts you’re still going to choose the wrong college.”

Amy stomped her foot on the tile floor. “I’m making the choice I want for once so quit pestering me!”

Amy turned her back on Pamela and marched upstairs to her bedroom where she let anger consume her. Her muscles tensed up and she screwed up her face. Suddenly, a small metal ball about 3 centimeters in diameter shot out of her closet and attached to the end of her fingertip.

Surprised that her magnetic power seemed to be growing, it took her a while to remember the simple way to get the object off of her hand. She slid the index finger of her left hand under the sphere on her right finger until the connection was broken. But instead of the ball falling to the ground, it flew across the room and ricocheted off her dresser before traveling back into the depths of her closet.

Amy felt uneasy about this alteration in her power; it seemed that one of her hands now attracted metal while the other could repel it. But she did understand one thing- the weapon she had just discovered.
_ _ _

[Articerile]

I may not reply for a while, holiday in Spain, but I may have internet so i'll see.
"Amy mother, Pamela"
I see grammar.

[Chewbacca]

I may not reply for a while, holiday in Spain, but I may have internet so i'll see.
"Amy mother, Pamela"
I see grammar.

Whoops, I'll go fix that. I always re-read my chapters before posting but sometimes small things slip by.

[Chewbacca]

If you're a bit frustrated or annoyed because each chapter seems to focus on a different character, don't worry because this is the last chapter that does that. After this, I will have all my main characters for this volume established so I will go back and develop the previously mentioned characters and tell the rest of the story.
_ _ _

Henry ran towards the young boy while shouting at the top of his lungs, “HE’S SICK, HE’S SICK!”

“Henry, what are you doing to our son???”

“He’s glowing, can’t you see it!?” He grabbed the child’s shoulders and began shaking him. “GET AWAY FROM HIM, YOU, LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

The boy who must have been no more than 2 years old began to cry. The woman grabbed Henry by the wrist but he broke free of her grip. “I WON’T LET THIS DISEASE TAKE MY SON!”

“Henry!” shouted the woman. “What is wrong with you!? You’re acting like… like you’re CRAZY!”

Volume III Chapter 6
Henry

The lights continue to multiply. Here and there, it’s everywhere. The sickness. The disease. The shadowy figures around the planet are vulnerable to different degrees. But anyone of us can become mutated.

“Are you sick yet? I see you’re starting to glow…” He said it in a slow, smooth voice with a creepy confidence.

The woman examined the dark, tan skin of her right arm. “Hmm, looks normal to me. Go back to your drawing, Henry.”

“It’s a map.”

The woman smiled at Henry. “What are you mapping then?”

“I’m mapping your kind,” he replied without hesitation. His large, greenish eyes gave him a rather bug-like look.

“What do you mean, Henry?” The woman was unperturbed by the other man’s response.

“I mean, your kind . You’re different, you know.”

The woman chuckled. “I’d say you’re the one who’s different. You are in a mental hospital.”

The room in which Henry was seated was full of other tables and other patients with nurses and doctors speaking with the patients. Henry sat at a small, wooden table with a large sheet of paper in front of him that had a drawing of the world on it. He had drawn X’s in seemingly random locations on the map.

Henry smiled. “Maybe I am, but that doesn’t mean I’m crazy.”

After one last grin, the Nurse turned and walked away to another table in the room. Henry returned to his work, plotting points in different locations around the globe. He already had 13 locations marked. He placed two on New York City and another on Miami, Florida. After reconsidering, he placed two more on Miami before drawing one on Phoenix, Arizona.

Another nurse walked up to Henry. “You have a visitor.” She gestured toward one end of the room where a red-haired woman in a large brown coat stood. She walked briskly across the room and took a seat near Henry and his map. “How is it going, Henry?”

“Very well, surprisingly,” he replied while marking a point on Silicon Valley, California. “How goes your job?”

“I found out what Richard Stevenson can do.” Henry looked up from the map, interested. “He can see the future.”

“A very valuable skill… he’ll certainly come in handy.”

“I also found another one,” said the woman with Many Names. “His name is Atticus. I’m not sure what he can do yet, but I think it may have something to do with his mind. I’ll be on the lookout.”

“Well, you’re making good progress. I’m still rather upset about your failure at the Agency, though.”

“I’m sorry,” replied the woman with Many Names. “I couldn’t use my power on that man.”

“Don’t make excuses,” ordered Henry. “You’d better get back to work.”

The woman laughed quietly. “It’s not like I’ve got much of a walk; Davies’s Industries is only 10 minutes from here.”

The woman with Many Names departed and left Henry seated at the same wooden table with the same map in front of him.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

I hope you do a flash back chapter on Wolf. Great work BTW.

[Chewbacca]

I hope you do a flash back chapter on Wolf. Great work BTW.

Sorry, he's not going to make it. I may be able to show Wolf's past in Volume IV: Rivalry (that's right, I've already got the name).

[dark-wolf-5]

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[Chewbacca]

Sorry, this one's kind of short. It's not low on information, though!
_ _ _

Aria’s eyes shot open as she awoke from her short sleep. Sandra Hill was bent over her with her hands touching her wounds.

“Go back to sleep… I won’t be done for a while.”

Aria, ignoring the unpleasant sensation that was her muscle and skin knitting together, closed her eyes again and allowed memories to overwhelm her.

Volume III Chapter 7
Molly Mink

St. Catherine’s Orphanage, 13 years ago…

A 10 year-old Aria had just finished a lesson in literature with Miss Hopkins. She had returned to her dormitory to return the book she was carrying and was surprised to see a stranger in the room she shared with another girl.

The new girl was about her age with long brown hair. She had a pale, heart-shaped face and was tall for a 10 year-old. Her eyes were a very dark blue.

Aria simply glanced at her before heading towards her half of the small room. The other girl, however, introduced herself. “I’m Molly Mink. I think we’re roommates now; the other girl was adopted and I’m new. I was left because I- er, I’m new here.”

Aria turned her head and looked at Molly Mink to show that she had heard.

“What’s your name?” asked Molly.

Aria continued what she was doing, shuffling through a small pile of books under her bed, as she answered, “Aria.”

“Is that your real name?”

Aria stopped moving her hands but still did not face the other girl. “No.”

“Mine’s not either.” Molly replied. “My first name’s really Molly but my last name is something else…” her voice drifted away as she suddenly stared at an area just an inch or two above the right side of Aria’s head. Her eyes were transfixed looking at that position even as Aria finished with her books and stood up. Aria looked at her with an emotionless expression.

“Aria…” said Molly slowly. “Are you… different?”

Aria stared straight into the other girl’s eyes but did not respond.

“If you are not already, you will be extremely manipulative. You will be very influential when it comes to others’ actions. You will also suffer from extreme burns, I believe, and will be healed by a woman who is much more complex than she seems. There’s… something about an eye but I can’t quite figure it out…” Molly noticed Aria staring at her with her mouth open and her jaw on the floor. She smiled at the first real emotion she had seen Aria portray. “I can… see things about people. It’s like symbols floating around them. Sometimes I can decipher them, sometimes I can’t.”

“…Why are you telling me this?” Aria uttered.

“Because you’re special, too.”
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

"Mutation" is about to reach the 1000 view mark! Thank you so much for following this story and giving me feedback.

Tonight's chapter is going to be delayed until tomorrow night. I apologize for the wait. I'm having a bit of writer's block. I know where I am in the story now and where I want to end up at the end of the volume, but am having trouble getting from A to B. Tomorrow night I hope to know exactly how the rest of this volume will play out.

[dark-wolf-5]

Can't wait for the next chapter! And your welcome, Chewy!

[Chewbacca]

Richard Stevenson’s vision and mind were cloudy, but he knew that the tranquilizer was wearing off. He couldn’t yet make out any of his surroundings; they were all just blurs of color. He was lying on the floor, it seemed, in a room that he thought was familiar but wasn’t sure.

He heard a voice in the distance saying something about a blood sample as his vision steadily regained clarity. But instead of seeing the room that he knew he had to be in, a different vision appeared before his eyes; one that he knew he had seen before. The woman with Many Names was standing in Benjamin Davies’s newly refurnished office facing Davies who sat at his desk.

“We have perfected the formula,” said Davies as he handed the woman with Many Names a small glass bottle of clear fluid. “Drink this and you will gain a second ability.”

The woman with Many Names quickly gulped down the fluid. Her face became stone cold as she said, “We’re finished with you, Benjamin Davies.”

Richard Stevenson’s vision flashed back to normal but he could still hear the echoes of Davies’s scream of pain.

Volume III Chapter 8
Past, Present, and Future

Jeremiah Atticus sat in a chair beside Richard Stevenson who was lying on the couch in the lounge. Stevenson’s vision was almost back to normal and he could clearly see his surroundings. He felt a bit dizzy but otherwise healthy.

“I said, I’ve taken a blood sample,” said Jeremy Atticus.

With a grunt, Stevenson lifted himself up enough to remain propped up by several pillows. “Wonderful. What are you going to do next, throw me in a giant maze and see how long it takes me to get out?”

“Richard, I…I’m not your enemy. I’m only here to find out more about these abilities. You can see the future, that woman can adjust memories…”

“What do you mean?” asked Stevenson.

“I know what she can do because of my own ability. Yes, Richard, I’m…different also. I guess you could say I read… minds. And I think I can, what’s the word, ‘move’.”

“’Move’? What kind of ability is that?”

Atticus sighed. “I can… teleport.”

Stevenson couldn’t believe what he had heard. “That’s not possible.”

“Is seeing the future ‘possible’? Anything is possible, Richard, you should know.”

“Look,” said Stevenson, “I don’t know how I do it. I don’t even remember what I see so it doesn’t really count.”

Atticus laughed. “It doesn’t count? You really can see the future and judging by what you were thinking shortly before the tranquilizer wore off fully, you do remember something important…”

Stevenson was startled to recall that the vision he had seen just before waking was the same one he had seen the day that the red-haired woman had first come to Davies’s Industries. “I… I don’t know what happened. I could never remember what I saw before now.”

“Your powers are developing. Mine are, as well. The range in which I am able to teleport has been steadily increasing. Now, I can go almost anywhere I can see.”

Stevenson was quiet for several seconds. “In my vision… I think the woman killed Davies.”

The other man sighed again. “I like to study… things. Recently I’ve been interested in both making random calculations whenever the urge possesses me, and in… time. If what I believe is true, there is no way to change the future just as there is no way to change the past.”

“But how can that be? I saved Frederick and Davies after I had seen visions of their deaths.”

“Did you actually see them die?” asked Atticus slowly and importantly.

Stevenson thought for a while before replying, “No. I also didn’t see Davies die in this latest vision but I heard him scream…”

“If his future includes him dying at that point in time, then he will.”

“But can’t I try to fix things? What if I change what happens, if I go into Davies’ office right now and kill him?”

“You can’t do it,” replied Atticus. “You’ve seen that sometime in the future he is alive so he will be alive at that time. And that time is whenever he’s perfected the formula for abilities which certainly is not right now. So even if you tried, you would not be able to kill him. If you did, it would create a paradox in which the future would not be able to occur.”

“Okay, stop talking about that kind of stuff, it’s making my head hurt even more than before.”

“Sorry about that. If Davies gives me more assignments, I’m afraid I’ll have to follow his orders again. But don’t forget, I want to help you while learning more about our abilities.”

Richard Stevenson, still a bit dizzy and now with a headache, closed his eyes and let himself fall asleep.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Cool! That was a long chapter.

[Chewbacca]

“Is it almost finished?”

“Obviously, yes.”

“Good, come September we’ll have a large group of recruits.”

“How much influence do we have?”

“A large amount in Miami.

“We should have New York, also, but we underestimated the others’ abilities.”

“The same will not happen in Miami.”

“I hope not.”

“As soon as the recruits come, there will be a lot more hope. I’ve already got several young ones with great potential, as well as a high-school graduate.”

“Excellent, what’s the name of that one?”

“Amy. Amy Waters.”

Volume III Chapter 9
A Lesson in Literature

The woman with Many Names and the man named Henry sat together at the small table with the map in Josephine Mental Hospital, Miami.

“How goes the recruiting?” asked Henry as he drew a large circle around a spot in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia.

“Very well. I got the magnetic girl.”

“Really?” he asked with one of his mysterious grins. “Excellent. Anyone younger?”

The woman with Many Names pulled out several small photos from the pocket of her brown coat and placed them on the desk. “Vanessa Bowers, Stacy Strauss, and Jonathan Peak. All are young and all have potential. Of course, their powers are not yet fully developed but they will be soon enough.”

“Speaking of development,” started Henry before pausing, “I… think something is happening to me.” He held out his left hand, palm up, and revealed several strange scratch-markings. “I don’t know what it is but my hand’s been constantly hurting. I feel like I don’t really have full control over it anymore. I know, it’s crazy, but…” He stopped suddenly and stared off into space.

The woman with Many Names reached out and touched his hand. “You’re not crazy and you know it.”

“Of course I know it. I’ve spent the last 40 years of my life locked up in this mental institute because everyone thinks I’m insane and I refuse to lie about myself! I’m different and everyone who wonders about it should know!”

He gave the woman with Many Names his strange bug-eyed stare. “I assume Mark is doing his job?”

“I just checked up on him this morning in the mountains. Everything is almost completed. Only a month to go until everything will be underway.”

“This whole project seems to be going more smoothly than I had predicted.”

“Henry…we still haven’t worked out the problem of how you’re going to get out of here.”

“Oh don’t you worry.” He had a very confident look in his eyes. “You know that I always have a plan. You focus on your job and I’ll concentrate on my map here.” He examined his map again and marked a point in Illinois. “Have you ever read A Tale of Two Cities?”

“Er, no, I haven’t. Have you?”

“Reading is one of the few things I can do here,” replied Henry. “It’s a wonderful book about a man who lived a dirty, disrespectful life and sacrificed himself in his only noble act to save the woman he loved but had never deserved.”

“Sounds marvelous, what’s it have to do with anything?”

“Well, all of the characters in the book, and in most novels by Dickens for that matter, are always connected to each other in surprising ways. It seems like almost everyone in the book is related to everyone else in somehow.”

“I think I’m still missing the point,” said the woman with Many Names.

“Well, I was thinking… it’s sort of like our kind. We’re all strangers and don’t know each other, yet we’ll all connected and our fates are intertwined.”

“That’s very interesting.” Really, she didn’t sound interested one bit. “I don’t really care about our destinies… I’m just concentrating on getting our operation under way and then getting information. I want to be in a powerful position.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll be going to the Silicon Valley once everything is up and started,” said Henry.

“Good. Now, I must be going. Excuse me.” She removed herself from the chair and walked briskly out of the room.
_ _ _

[Witchyworld]

You really didn't hide the hole Stacy Strauss thing very well.

[Chewbacca]

You really didn't hide the hole Stacy Strauss thing very well.

What do you mean? If you're thinking she has ice power she doesn't, I just liked the name :p.

[Chewbacca]

Henry drew a large, dark “X” over Silicon Valley, California.

The woman with Many Names sat in front of him, watching him work in silence. She was surprised when Henry suddenly looked up from the map and stared at her. “I need to go.”

He stood up from the desk as if he was planning on walking right out of the mental ward. “I don’t understand it, but I have to leave now.”

“Wait!” exclaimed the woman with Many Names as she leaped up out of her chair. “You can’t just leave. Won’t this mess up the whole plan? I thought you would stay put until September. Whatever happened to ‘I always have a plan’? How do you expect to lea-”

“I do have a plan.” He glared at her. “I just have to put the plan into action sooner than I had expected.”

“They’re never going to let you out of here. They think you’re insane because you know when someone is getting abilities.”

“That’s true,” Henry said simply.

Henry had already started walking towards one door of the chamber when the woman with Many Names grabbed him by the shoulder. “How do you think you’re going to get out of here?

With a bug-eyed stare Henry uttered the statement, “Bring me Reese Riley.”

Volume III Chapter 10
Past Connections

34 years ago…

A young child of about 3 years sat in a chair much too large for him playing a grand piano. At least, he was attempting to play it. As most young children do, the boy played random notes but found it very amusing.

“Richard!” A woman of about 20 entered the very small room in which the grand piano seemed out of place. “How many times do I have to tell you not to play that?”

Richard looked away from his mother. “But Dad used to play it…”

She almost screamed. “Never mention your father around me again, do you hear? Never!”

“When’s he coming home?” persisted the young version of Richard Stevenson.

“He’s not! Now will you stop-”

“What’s so bad about him? Where is he?”

“HE’S INSANE! He’s where he belongs: the mental ward! And I’ll make sure he’s never getting out of there after what he did to you. Calling you SICK!? Now that’s it, no mentioning it again!” With that, she walked briskly out of the room without even bothering to remove Richard from the chair in front of the piano. When he continued playing it several minutes later, his mother did not interfere.

30 years ago…

7 year-old Richard Stevenson was a piano prodigy. In fact, he had begged his mother to keep the grand piano, the last item of any value in the house, when she was selling furniture and non-essentials. Richard and his mother were very poor; she worked as a telephone operator and his father was in the mental ward. Their home was a run-down shack in the middle of Miami, Florida.

One day, Richard’s mother told him that he would be taking karate classes. “My friend at the telephone company really wants to… help us… and he offered to teach you karate! He’s even offered to do it for free. He’s a black belt and has been doing karate since he was a kid. If you start now, maybe you can win money in competitions. We could even sell that piano…”

“No, I want to keep the piano!” exclaimed Richard. “And I don’t want to do karate.”

“You will of course be accepting,” continued his mother as if she had not heard his argument. “His house is about a five-minute walk from here, I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun. Who knows, maybe it will even come in practical use some day.”

Richard suddenly grabbed his head and shook himself. “What’s wrong?” asked his mother, worried.

“I think I just… I don’t know. My head hurts…”

It was not until much later that Richard Stevenson remembered that this vision, one of himself as a 37 year-old man kicking a knife out of the hand of Jamie Miller, was the first vision of the future he had ever had.
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

Sorry for the wait!
_ _ _

Richard Stevenson did not like being studied, but at least Jeremy Atticus only took a blood sample once a day. Stevenson was still bodyguard for Benjamin Davies, but he had less contact with the businessman, something he actually enjoyed. The woman with Many Names, however, was almost constantly in Davies’s office.

“Richard Stevenson?”

A medium-height, pale man of about 50 years of age with large, buggy eyes stood in the doorway to the lounge where Stevenson sat. “Are you him?” he asked easily and friendly.

“That’s me.”

The bug-eyed man seated himself in a comfortable chair on another side of the room. “I just thought I’d say ‘hi’.” He stood up again almost immediately after sitting and began heading towards the exit.

Twisting around quickly, Stevenson asked, “Do I know you?”

The other man froze and turned only his head to look Richard Stevenson in the eyes. The man’s mysterious stare made Stevenson break out in a sweat. “Maybe.”

Volume III Chapter 11
Plots and Plans

The woman with Many Names was absolutely shocked to see Henry standing in the doorway to the lounge speaking with Richard Stevenson. She attempted to hide her surprise and continued shuffling through papers in a filing cabinet inside Benjamin Davies’s office. Because Davies loved to talk, the woman with Many Names would sometimes make him forget how to so that she could have peace.

As expected, it was not long before Henry left the lounge and went up to the front desk. The woman with Many Names was too far away to make out what he was saying, but she could tell that Henry was trying to get permission to speak with Davies. After several minutes, the woman let him pass and Henry walked calmly to the office door. He rang the doorbell and entered.

Without so much as a glance at Benjamin Davies, Henry instructed the woman with Many Names to follow him and left the office. Before Davies had time to protest, she quickly modified his memory so that he wouldn’t cause any trouble.

The man and woman walked silently down a hallway until they found a quiet corner where they could not here the constant “You’ve reached Davies’s Industries, hold on just one minute, please!” of the reception area. As soon as they were certain no one could hear them, the woman with Many Names hissed, “How did you get out of the mental institute?”

“You brought me Reese Riley just as I asked. Don’t you know what he can do?”

“No I don’t!” she exclaimed. “I wish you would sometimes tell me more than just what my orders are.”

“I spoke with Richard a few minutes ago. It’s definitely him.”

“I thought we were already certain of that anyway. Now, Henry, what are you doing here? If you’re out of the mental ward then why are you still in Miami?”

“I have a feeling that you need to come with me,” said Henry.

“But I can’t, I have work to do.”

“I don’t think you understood me,” growled Henry. “You will be going with me. I’ll just put her in your place. She’s done with everything she needed to do anyway.”

The woman with Many Names did not seem happy with the situation. She sighed. “Alright, I’ll go.”

“I expect no less.”

“But first, you have to explain to me how you got out.”

The two stared at each other, each with their own powerful glare, until Henry reluctantly said, “Fine, but it’ll have to be quick.”
_ _ _

Josephine Mental Hospital

Reese Riley was a tall, gangly man with rather long, red hair that fell like a curtain on all sides of his head. He looked to be in his 30’s.

“What is it, Henry?”

Henry sat at his usual desk with the map in front of him. “I’m leaving here.”

“Leave? You can’t leave!”

“With your help I can.”

Reese looked confused at first, but then he realized what Henry was saying. “No way. I’m not doing it.”

“Reese, I saved your life. It’s your turn to save mine. In fact, if you get me out of here, you’ll be saving the life of every mutant in the world. I always sit with this map and draw dots on it, the nurse’s name is Debbie and if you talk strangely to her she’ll be convinced you’re me. That’s basically all you need to know. Just act like you’re somewhat crazy and you’ll do fine.”

Reese grabbed Henry by the shoulders and shook him after first making sure that no nurses or other patients could see them. “So what does this mean for me? I’m going to be stuck in a mental hospital for the rest of my life!”

“That’s your problem.”

“Argh! Fine, I’ll do it.” Reese was certainly not happy about the plan but knew that it was his duty. “I’ll do it. But you’d better come back for me.”

“Don’t worry, Reese, I will.”
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

I'm trying to overcome a case of writer's block and at the same time, figure out why this story is not too popular. I would very happy if you could share your thoughts with me, whether you think the story needs more action, character depth, better writing, etc. For me, the current story and plot are just getting old. If Volume IV comes around, a very new, fresh approach will be taken with a focus on a different group of characters. I really think it will be an excellent volume. So please, how can I make Volume III better?

[dark-wolf-5]

Less character development. I mean, the story's great and all, just, there's been WAY too much drama, not enough ass kicking.

[Chewbacca]

Thanks, that's what I needed to hear. Personally, I feel like the characters aren't real enough so I've been trying to work on that. I'll try to spice things up in the rest of Volume III, Volume IV will be high on action (it was going to be anyway). Back to work with me! I should have a new chapter tonight.

EDIT: Sorry, there will actually NOT be a chapter tonight. Tomorrow night there will be one!

[dark-wolf-5]

LIAR!!!

[Chewbacca]

Mutation is back, and this chapter's a good one!
_ _ _
“I think I’ve done it!” exclaimed Jeremiah Atticus. He was ecstatic with a victorious grin on his face. “From all these blood samples and tests I’ve taken, I’ve been able to isolate the genes behind your ability! I’m not entirely sure if the new formula will reproduce your ability or select a random ability, but I think I’ve done it!”

Richard Stevenson was a lot less happy to hear this news. “You know I don’t agree with this whole experiment thing.”

“Look, I completed my assignment without harming you. I even helped you out some by giving you valuable information about… that woman.”

Gina Colley was a very strange woman. Both Atticus and Stevenson knew that she had the power to control peoples’ memories, but she also tended to disappear for hours at a time. No one, not even Davies, knew where she went during these intervals but she would always return out of no where as if she had never left.

“Richard,” Atticus continued, “I need a test subject to make sure that the formula is perfect.”

Richard Stevenson thought through all the different options and people on which it could be tested. “How long will the formula take to give someone an ability?”

“Oh, only a few seconds,” replied Atticus. “The injection needs to go right into the vein and from there it spreads rapidly. The patient may have dizziness or nausea but those are the only possible side effects. In less than a minute, they will have an ability.”

Slowly and thoughtfully, Stevenson said, “Well, if you have to try it out on someone, I know just the person. Benjamin Davies.”

Volume III Chapter 12
The Formula for Death

Jeremy Atticus and Richard Stevenson were both seated in the lounge at Davies’s Industries. “Benjamin Davies?! Richard, are you planning on waltzing on into his office and stabbing him with a needle?”

“No, of course not. I’m sure we can convince him to volunteer. He wants an ability more than anything else. That I learned from him during my hours of sitting in his office hearing him chatter.”

Atticus sighed, “I suppose it’s worth a shot. I’m coming, too. He’ll definitely want me to assure him it’s safe. We can do it now, if you want. Let’s just make sure Colley won’t get in the way.”

“She won’t, I haven’t seen her for the last half hour. I bet she’s out on one of her mystery trips.”

Stevenson and Atticus walked syringe-in-hand down the hall of telephones to Davies’s private office. They made sure to ring the doorbell before entering.

“Stevenson and Atticus!” Benjamin Davies greeted them. “My two favorite people. Besides my wife, of course. And my dog. Oh, and myself!”

“I think I’ve finally done it, sir! The formula for powers is finished.”

Davies almost fell out of his chair. “Unbelievable! Are you certain?”

“Absolutely. Would you like to be the first one to test it out?” asked Atticus.

Davies stared suspiciously at the man for several seconds. Then he broke out in laughter. “Of course! Give me a good shot of it!” He held out his arm and allowed Atticus to inject him with the concoction. For about 10 seconds, all was silent as Davies breathed slowly and stared at the floor. Finally, he said, “I don’t feel any different.”

“I’m sure you don’t,” replied Atticus, “but it must be working.”

“Well, how am I supposed to know what my power is?”

“Honestly, I… don’t know. But you definitely have an ability.”

“Well,” admitted Davies, “I think I feel a bit stronger. On the inside, not the outside. I don’t really know what it is, though.”

Atticus looked more confident now. “Your power probably has yet to develop. Over time, it will become stronger.”

“Excellent!” shouted Davies. “I need to show this to Colley when she gets back from… wherever… and then we’ll begin plans for my new company: ‘Davies’s Superpowers’!”
_ _ _
3 days later…

It was evening and the sun was setting over the ocean. The sky was streaked with orange and pink in a very beautiful but eerie manner. Benjamin Davies sat at his desk, one of the only remaining people inside Davies Industries, jotting down ideas on a pad of paper.

The office had undergone a short refurnishing process to celebrate the first stages of the conversion from Davies’s Industries to Davies’s Superpowers. Jeremiah Atticus had also made a slight change to the original formula so that it could be drunk instead of injected. With these advancements, the new business was sure to prosper.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Davies sprung up from his chair. “Oh, it’s only you, Colley.” Gina Colley strolled into the glass-walled office with confidence and ease. “Why weren’t you here the last 3 days?”

“I’ve been on business.”

The woman with Many Names was standing in Benjamin Davies’s newly refurnished office facing Davies who sat at his desk.

“We have perfected the formula,” said Davies as he handed the woman with Many Names a small glass bottle of clear fluid. “Drink this and you will gain a second ability.”

The woman with Many Names quickly gulped down the fluid. Her face became stone cold as she said, “We’re finished with you, Benjamin Davies.”

The woman with Many Names smoothly whipped out a gun from her large, brown coat and fired. Benjamin Davies keeled over and tumbled out of his seat onto the floor with a scream. Almost immediately, three security guards stormed the office. The woman with Many Names quickly grabbed several bottles of the formula off of Benjamin Davies’s desk and chucked them out the window. Only a fraction of a second after that action, a shot rang out and the woman with Many Names fell to the floor, dead.
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

LIAR!!!

I was up late writing, but I did put out the chapter! :approve:

[dark-wolf-5]

But... But I wanted to see Davies' power...

[Chewbacca]

But... But I wanted to see Davies' power...

I'm sure you'll find out what it was eventually. In one way or another.

[Chewbacca]

This volume only has a few chapters left to go! I need to wrap up Aria's flashbacks, do a little bit more with Stevenson and Atticus, then comes the final chapter.
_ _ _
10 years ago…

13-year old Aria was not at all happy. Her books, her closest friend at St. Catherine’s Orphanage, had all been “accidentally” thrown out the window by her roommate, Molly Mink.

“Why did you do that to my books?” cried Aria.

“I told you,” Molly Mink retorted, “I didn’t do anything!”

“You’re lying. It’s your fault!” Aria was angrier than she had ever been before.

“It’s your fault. You left them out in the wrong place. The windowsill is not a good place to leave-”

“DON’T TALK TO ME!”

In mid-sentence, Molly Mink’s jaw locked up and she was unable to make a sound. She shook violently and ran around the room while Aria gasped in shock. When Aria had first met Molly Mink, Molly told her that she was special. Aria now understood exactly what she had meant.

Volume III Chapter 13
Arrivals and Departures

Richard Stevenson was at his apartment in Miami when his cell phone rang. He answered it to hear the voice of Jeremy Atticus on the other end.

“Richard, I have some very… surprising news.”

“I better not be getting fired.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that for a while,” replied Atticus. “Davies is dead.”

Richard Stevenson dropped the cell phone on the floor. After about half a minute, he managed to overcome the shock enough to pick the phone back up and ask if Atticus was still there.

“Yes I am,” he replied. “And there’s more. She is also dead.”

“You mean Colley!?”

“Yes.”

Stevenson almost shouted, “What happened!?”

“I don’t know all the details, but it seems Colley shot Davies and the security guards shot her.”

Slowly, a thought came to Stevenson’s mind. “I… knew it was going to happen…”

“Richard, you can’t change the future, I told you!”

“Still… There must have been something I could do.”

“No, you couldn’t have done anything. Hang on, give me a minute…” Atticus hung up the phone.

Stevenson, confused and surprised, shoved the cell phone into his pocket and paced around the room. Shortly after, there was a knock on his door. He walked through the living room to the door and opened it to reveal Jeremy Atticus.

“What are you doing here?” asked Stevenson. “And how did you get here so fast?”

“I can teleport within a certain range. It really comes in handy.”

“How did you know my address?”

“Reading minds is also a nice trick,” he replied. “I was listening to your thoughts once when you were thinking about your address.”

Richard led him into the living room and they sat down in two chairs. “So, what are you doing here?” asked Stevenson a second time.

“I have something to show you…” answered Atticus as he reached into his pocket and withdrew a picture of a young man with eyes that seemed to bulge outward from his sockets.

“That’s…” Suddenly, Richard jumped up out of his chair and gasped. “That’s a picture of my father, I can remember him now! And he’s… he’s that man who came to the Industries a while back!”

“That’s right, Richard. I read that man’s thoughts and knew that he had some connection to both you and Josephine Mental Hospital. So I went to the mental institute and managed to procure this picture.”

“I never went to visit my father; my mother hated him. I didn’t remember what he looked like until now.”

Richard Stevenson stared at the photograph of a young Henry Stevenson, and remarked at how similar they looked.
_ _ _

10 years ago…

“Aria… I’m sorry.”

Aria sat with Miss Hopkins a modest, quiet room around a small round table.

“What you did, it’s just… you don’t belong here.”

Tears began to form in Aria’s eyes and trickle down her face.

“You’re old enough now to experience real life. Aria… I’ll always care about you.”

Aria cried, “But this is my only home.”

Miss Hopkins sighed. “I’m sure you’ll do well. It’s your time to leave and become the woman you’re destined to be. Aria… goodbye.”
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

That last bit is quite sad.

[Chewbacca]

Here's another Aria flashback chapter (this took place just a few months ago) but this one has a fight scene! Get ready...
_ _ _
For a short time after being dismissed from the orphanage, Aria tried to find families willing to care for her for a certain period of time. None accepted her offer, and when Aria told a few of them about her ability, or Aria accidentally used it on them, they would call Aria a freak and chase her away. She was an exile from normal society.

So, Aria resorted to stealing and using her power for survival. Aria indirectly robbed several banks by commanding another person to do it, one who unknowingly wandered down the street where she was lurking. Finally, thanks to a witness and a camera, Aria was caught receiving a sum of stolen money from the one whose body she controlled. She was then put in jail for 10 years.

On the day of her release, she saw the living, breathing Miss Hopkins for the very last time…

Volume III Chapter 14
The Final Meeting

Aria was now 23 years old. She was finally out of jail after 10 years on account of several burglary charges. When she was in jail, she had looked forward to her release. Once she was out, Aria realized that “free” life was almost as bad.

Aria decided to visit an old friend; Miss Hopkins of St. Catherine’s Orphanage. Aria knew she would remember her and would at least speak with her. She desperately needed someone to talk to.

She knocked on the large, oak doors and they creaked open to reveal an older version of Molly Mink, Aria’s old roommate.

“You’re back. I knew you wouldn’t be gone forever.”

“Take me to her.” Aria commanded.

And so Molly Mink took Aria to Miss Hopkins. It was clear that Mink was now a kind of assistant or caretaker at the orphanage. Aria surmised that she had never been adopted and had, instead, been offered a job.

Molly Mink directed her to the same room where Aria had been permanently dismissed. The door was closed.

“I believe Miss Hopkins has a visitor right now. She told me to let anyone in if they wished to, though, so in you go…”

The woman with Many Names sat at the round table beside Miss Hopkins. The latter woman jumped up at the sight of Aria, nearly screaming. “Aria, is it really you?!”

“You don’t know her,” stated the woman with Many Names.

Aria glared at her and said, “Don’t talk.”

Miss Hopkins stared confusedly at Aria. “Excuse me, do I know you?”

“I’m Aria.”

“Sorry, the name doesn’t ring a bell.”

Aria, with a blank face, kept her eyes on Miss Hopkins, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. She twisted around and looked at the woman with Many Names. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing too cruel.” She then ignored Aria and focused on Miss Hopkins. “I would like to take Molly Mink off your hands.”

Miss Hopkins was very confused and frustrated. “What is going on? You want my assistant and that other strange woman thinks she knows me-”

The woman with Many Names was too quick; Aria did not even see it coming. A gun suddenly appeared in her hand and she pulled the trigger. While aiming at Miss Hopkins. She fell to the ground, gasping for air.

Aria lunged at the woman and grabbed her by the brown coat. The woman with Many Names fell to the ground, flailing at Aria.

Hearing the sound of all the commotion, Molly Mink opened the door and peeked inside. “What is going- Th-th-the Grim!” she shouted, pointing at an area above the fighting women’s heads. Whether it was Aria or the woman with Many Names that the Grim was related to was unknown by all three women. Molly Mink turned back around and started to run away from the room when Aria shouted, “Help me!”

In response, Molly Mink returned her focus to the fight between the two women and lunged at the woman with Many Names, but Many Names grabbed her by the wrist and deflected her attack, hitting her body against the table.

Molly Mink shouted, grabbed a glass from on top of the table, and threw it blindly across the room. It hit Aria alongside the head, stunning and dazing her. In this time that she could not act, the woman with Many Names managed to escape the room. Molly Mink then fled and left the orphanage without even saying goodbye to Aria. Deciding that a former criminal being found next to a dead body would not lead to anything good, Aria ran from the orphanage as quickly as possible, promising to herself that she would say an official goodbye to her one and only friend some other time.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

D: That was super sad. But in a strange way.

[Witchyworld]

Wow I haven't been looking at this for a long time. Still cool chapter!

[Chewbacca]

Be aware of the time differences! Aria's story is taking place only a few days after the Amphitheater while Stevenson's is happening several weeks later. THIS IS THE SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER OF THE VOLUME! Next chapter, the finale of Volume III!
_ _ _
It was the first day back at work for Richard Stevenson, and Davies’s office was empty. More security guards than usual could be seen in the building, but most of them seemed to just be standing around.

Richard Stevenson feared that with Davies gone, his job was in jeopardy. It was clear that the security guards were doing a better job than he was; they killed one man who attempted to kill Davies and one woman who succeeded. He hoped that whoever would take over the business would want to keep him around.

The word was out that a new head manager of Davies’s Industries had already been selected, but neither Stevenson nor Atticus knew his name. He would be arriving later in the day and would likely continue plans for a company that distributed abilities.

The problem was that Davies Industries was no longer the only group to have access to the formula. According to reports, several bottles of formula vanished from Davies’s desk the night that he was murdered. Stevenson felt confident that Colley had somehow gotten the formula to her boss, if she even had a boss. Maybe she worked alone and their troubles with her were permanently over.

Richard Stevenson and Jeremy Atticus passed each other in the hall. Atticus took the time to quickly tell the other man that the new manager would be arriving in two hours. Richard had no idea who would be taking over, but had a funny feeling that he would only cause more trouble.

Volume III Chapter 15
Footsteps

Aria slowly opened her eyes and noticed that Sandra Hill was no longer leaning over her. Instead, the woman was seated on a chair beside Aria.

“You’re all healed.” Sandra told her.

Without even bothering to knock, Edward Maxwell barged into the small room. “Aria, come with me.” Aria was surprised to see that she felt as good as new after standing up and following Maxwell out into the hallway.

“Something hugely important is about to happen and you need to be with me.”

“Why?” asked Aria simply.

Maxwell was openly frustrated and annoyed “Look, I don’t know, but you’re coming.” He held out his right hand in an offer to Aria, but she did not take it. Instead, she sharply observed Apollo’s third eye.

“Does it always bulge like that?”

Maxwell turned his hand so that he could see his palm. “I don’t know why it’s doing that, but it’s connected to this event. Just come on, we have to go!” This time, Maxwell grabbed Aria around the wrist and started running down the hall. Aria did not fight, knowing that he was telling the truth; she could feel that something needed to happen.
…
10 minutes later, Maxwell and Aria arrived in a small field named “Chestnut Park”. Trees were scattered throughout the area. It was dark out, but street lights lit up the area enough to see clearly.

Aria whispered, “What do you think we’re waiting for?”

“Someone important.”

After several seconds of silence, Aria responded, “I think more than one important someone.”

“… I don’t think it’s going to happen yet. They won’t come for some time.”

“I think you’re right.”

Aria and Maxwell returned to Americomp Inc, aware that their senses were both correct and incorrect; something important would happen in Chestnut Park but first they had to wait.
_ _ _

2 hours had passed since Richard Stevenson had first learned of the new manager’s scheduled arrival. According to Atticus, he would be at Davies’s Industries very shortly.

Only a few minutes later, applause could be heard from areas of the building. Workers were welcoming the new manager. Stevenson and Atticus both sat outside Davies’s office and were ready to introduce the manager to his new home.

Footsteps are always a sign. They alert others to the coming of new people into and out of their lives. Just as echoes of footsteps can be heard in streets and around corner, strangers that we thought we would never meet become major pieces in the puzzle of our lives. When Richard Stevenson heard the footsteps of not a man but a woman, he knew what was to come before he had even seen the new thread in the web of destiny.

The woman with Many Names strode confidently down the hall of telephones in her large, brown coat with a warm smile on her face. When she reached the glass-walled office and noticed Richard Stevenson’s shocked expression and wide open mouth, she asked him, “Do I know you?”

The only response Stevenson could think of to this seemingly bizarre question was, “Maybe.”
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Ooooohhhhhh... Suspense.....

[Chewbacca]

Get ready... this finale is CRAZY! And it's really long!
_ _ _
Ring, ring, ring…

“Grace Jackson speaking.”

“There no reason to use one of your many names, it’s me.”

“Henry? Where are you?”

“California. I’m waiting until my senses tell me it’s the right time. Where are you?”

“Jackson Industries, of course, I’ve secured my position as manager.”

“Excellent, but I’m afraid you must come to Silicon Valley as quickly as possible.”

“What!? Couldn’t you have told me this before you left?”

“No, but unless you’re here in three days, something terrible will happen.”

“Fine, I’ll be there.”

The woman with Many Names hung up the phone in her office at Jackson Industries and left without saying a word to her personal body guard, Richard Stevenson.

Volume III Chapter 16
Confrontation

Aria whispered, “What do you think we’re waiting for?”

“Someone important.”

After several seconds of silence, Aria responded, “I think more than one important someone.”

“… I don’t think it’s going to happen yet. They won’t come for some time.”

“I think you’re right.”

Aria and Maxwell returned to Americomp Inc, aware that their senses were both correct and incorrect; something important would happen in Chestnut Park but first they had to wait.
…

2 months later, August 25

Aria and Apollo once again stood in the quaint Chestnut Park, waiting for the mystery guests. It was nearing midnight and a full moon as overhead. Both mutants knew that two people were coming that would change their lives forever.

Out of the darkness came a woman and a man walking side by side straight towards them. The man was pale with large, bulging eyes and graying brown hair. The woman had reddish brown hair and wore a large brown coat.

Edward Maxwell smiled when he saw Henry for the first time. “So you’re the one. I’ve been sensing you for quite some time. I suppose you’re special. Just like me.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well,” mused Apollo, “I know that we have some connection. For example, I knew you would be here at this moment and I came to meet you. You also knew I would be here. It’s like we’re twins with a mental connection.”

Henry Stevenson stared at Apollo and he stared right back. “I can find us. And I can find you. And when I’m close enough to another of our kind, I can figure out what their power is.”

Apollo grinned. “How interesting. Over the past few weeks, my power has developed greatly. I can sense other powers in existence but don’t know where the people with them are located. But when I’m near another mutant, I can sense them and can find them.”

“Then I suppose we’re both different sides of the same coin,” said Henry simply.

“Or at least our powers are.” As he said this, Apollo thrust out his right arm and faced his palm toward Henry Stevenson. A beam of white light shot out towards the other man. Just when the blow was about to hit him, Henry opened up his own fist to reveal another eye, just like that of Apollo, in the palm of his left hand. From this third eye he also released a powerful ray of light that collided with Apollo’s and stayed balanced in the middle.

Both men grunted as they tried to maintain their attacks while the women watched in awe.

“Why… do you… want to… kill me?” gasped Apollo.

“I could ask… the same question… about you!” Henry countered.

“Well… in a way… it’s because we’re rivals. You complete me… I complete you. We’re like black… and white.”

“Then which one of us… will win?”

Just as Henry Stevenson uttered these words, the two beams fell away from the center and a wall of translucent blue glass appeared between the rays. After less than a second, this wall shattered into hundreds of glass shards and went soaring towards both men as the beams of light faded away completely. On contact, these chips of glass turned to a bright white liquid that burned, sizzled, and vanished.

Both Stevenson and Apollo howled in pain as the liquid fire stung them. Stevenson fell to the ground on his knees while Maxwell managed to stay upright. After ten seconds, both men struggled to regain their composure. Henry started to get back on his feet but Apollo thrust out his hand once more. But the eye was gone. Instead, only a few scratch marks remained that indicated where the eye once had been.

Apollo gasped. “What happened!? My powers… are gone!”

Henry took a look at his left palm, only to see that his eye was also gone.

Edward Maxwell was in a frenzy. “It’s gone! It’s all gone! I’m… normal!” Clenching his hand, Apollo turned away from the other three mutants and ran off into the night.

After this series of exciting events, Aria and the woman with Many Names directed their attention to each other.

“You…” uttered Aria. “You’re the one who killed her.”

The woman with Many Names gave Aria a serious but confused look. “Who do you mean?”

“You KNOW who! Don’t tell me that you don’t!”

“Look,” retorted Many Names, “I don’t know who you are and you obviously don’t know who I am. Whoever you think I killed, I probably didn’t. This is just a misunder-”

“Miss Hopkins!” Aria screamed. “You MURDERED her!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” responded the woman with Many Names.

“You look like the woman who killed a person I knew. YOU LOOK JUST LIKE HER!”

“Looks can be deceiving.”

“Stop lying!” As Aria prepared to utter a few choice words that would avenge Miss Hopkins, she felt a cold hand grip her mind and block off the ability to use her ability. She simply could not remember how to do it. Speaking of which, where was she anyway? And where did she come from?

Aria stood dazed and confused as the woman with Many Names pulled out a long knife from a pocket. “If you don’t calm down, I’m going to kill you.”

Aria was fighting a battle against the blanks in her memory as she tried to remember what she had forgotten. Then it came to her. Miss Hopkins.

Warm memories flooded Aria’s head as she shouted, “Don’t move!” The woman with Many Names froze and dropped the knife on the ground. Aria went over and picked it up. “I don’t know your name but I don’t really care. You killed Miss Hopkins. Now, I will kill you!”

What are you doing here, young lady?

Aria froze and looked around in search of the speaker but could see no one.

The time’s not quite right.

Aria was bewildered because the only people in sight were Many Names and Henry, slumped over on the ground. The voice sounded strangely familiar.

You don’t belong here.

Suddenly, she recognized the mysterious voice. And Aria cried.

Aria… I’ll always care about you.

Aria’s hand released the knife and let it fall to the ground. She wept as she realized that Miss Hopkins would never have wanted her to do what she had been about to do.

I’m sure you’ll do well.

Aria knew what she needed to do. She released the woman with Many Names from the power of her words and knew that she was going to die. Miss Hopkins would never have wanted for her to become a murderer. Aria wanted to do what was best; it was better to sacrifice herself than to avenge the death of a friend who only wanted Aria to live a happy life.

The woman with Many Names quickly picked up the knife from the ground and held it in her hand. Aria braced herself as the knife came closer to her chest.

Become the woman you’re destined to be.

“Thank you again, Miss Hopkins.”

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the knife came closer and closer to Aria’s skin. Closer and closer and closer.

And then it stopped. The woman with Many Names gasped and fell backwards, the knife falling from her hand when it was less than an inch away from Aria. Behind where the woman with Many Names had stood was Henry Stevenson. As Many Names fell on her stomach, another knife was visible; the knife with which Henry had killed her.

“You’re welcome,” Henry said while Aria looked on with awe. “I don’t know who you are, but you have potential.”

Aria was too surprised to decide whether she was happy or sad. She was too shocked to realize that Miss Hopkins’s voices were gone forever. But she was not too occupied to realize that she was about to enter a new volume of her journey.
_ _ _
Self discovery is a challenging quest. Everyone searches for something; for us, it is our own identities. One of the greatest challenges that we all must face is overcoming the unfinished conflicts of the past. Loved ones will return in some form or another and it is up to us to decide whether we will carry on or quit in the face of hardships. In short, some will survive the confrontation with their pasts while others will not. Those who win the fight against history come out a little bit stronger and one step closer to discovering who they truly are inside.

-Jeremiah Atticus: Scientist, Professor, Mutant

END VOLUME III

[dark-wolf-5]

That was pretty *****in'.

[Chewbacca]

I won't be writing for the next few nights because I need to plan for the new volume.

[dark-wolf-5]

THINK FASTER!!!!!!!!!

[Chewbacca]

I may get the Prologue out Wednesday night. For tonight, I thought I'd go back to the "Will and Won't See" short thing I released before Volume III and expand a bit on it.

Here's what you will and won't see in Volume III: History

You will definitely see all three Knots, a man with 3 eyes, "Britney Walsh", a very much alive Miss Hopkins, Stevenson doing karate, a very paranoid Benjamin Davies, a mental ward, and Edward Maxwell in an extremely close fight.

You will not see "Britney Walsh" as much as you think you do, Benjamin Davies getting a new secretary (of his own accord), talking animals (though you may see someone talking to animals), and "Davies's Superpowers"

DID SEE
-You saw all three Knots in their one flashback chapter
-You actually saw 2 men with three eyes: Apollo and Henry Stevenson (who I hope you've now figured out is Richard's "insane" father)
-You did see "Britney Walsh" but I can't say much more about that without giving away a big secret for Volume IV.
-Miss Hopkins was alive in Aria's flashbacks
-Okay, technically you didn't see Richard doing karate but at least his mother mentioned it.
-Davies was very paranoid following his assassination attempt before Many Names took over
-Henry Stevenson was in a mental ward
-Maxwell and Stevenson were so evenly matched that their powers balanced each other out. More on how that works in Volume IV.

DIDN'T SEE
-You didn't see "Britney Walsh" as much as you think you did. I can't say more.
-Davies did get a secretary but he was tricked!
-The person who talked to animals was only a slight possibility. He never came to exist on paper.
-Davies Superpowers never fully developed. You almost saw a Jackson's Superpowers, though.

VOLUME IV WILL AND WON'T SEE

You will see Henry Stevenson in search of his missing powers, a somewhat X-Men like school for mutants, Amy Waters a lot more than last volume, Tracy and Paul attempting to reunite, and the return of Tom Hughes.

You will not see the woman with Many Names anymore, though there are some issues regarding her that will be discussed.

[Witchyworld]

Oooooooh!

[Articerile]

I've just suddenly realised i'm more like Beast from X-Men, if only I knew his actual name.

Except i'm far more prone to deeper research into the genetics of this and end up stealing blood from various people in an attempt to catalog the powers and make myself far more powerful.
>_>
<_<
Or not, because i'm not written that way.

[Chewbacca]

Prologue! I'm sure you used to the structure of these by now.
_ _ _

I am different.

I have a terrible ability, a mutation that has left me without a home at only 16 years of age. There is something wrong with my hands. Whenever I touch human or animal skin, it burns and disintegrates. My hands remain unharmed and when I come in contact with my own skin, no damage is done.

In search of refuge and understanding, I have come.
…
I am different.

I have known for some time that I’m special. This is because it’s rather difficult to drink while keeping the liquid and the cup from touching any external part of the body. I freeze everything that I touch. At least, that’s how it was for the past 3 years. Recently, I’ve begun to gain some control over my ability; control that I desperately need.

I don’t have much of a life anyway, so I’m here to try a new approach.
…
I am different.

People have always told me that I am unique, that I’m meant to do something extraordinary. But so far, all I’ve amounted to is a high school drop-out who got tricked into giving away her life savings to her scamming, long-lost father. So much for being special.

So why I am I here? I’d like to know the answer as much as you.

VOLUME IV: RIVALRY

[Chewbacca]

A couple more days and I'll be ready. The first chapter may even be up tomorrow night.

[dark-wolf-5]

Can't wait!!

[Chewbacca]

Whoops! I completely forgot to post the first chapter. I was wondering why no new replies were here, I'll put up Chapter 1 right now. So sorry, I had this finished a couple days ago.
_ _ _
Volume IV Chapter 1
The 1st of September

The hall was silent.

Pure white walls arched over the tunnel-like pathways that wound around and throughout the tower. For this reason, the building was named the White Tower.

For now, all was empty and undisturbed. But soon there would be footsteps, many footsteps, and the excited voices of hundreds of people; it was the 1st of September.

The first set of footsteps was heard and a major player in destiny was about to enter the lives of many. But these footsteps came not from the other side of the large marble doors; they came from inside the White Tower. The person to whom the footsteps belonged walked confidently toward the marble doors and stopped in front of them with an intersecting hallway on each side. This man was Henry Stevenson.

Henry Stevenson took a deep breath and turned to his right. Soon after this action, another set of footsteps could be heard. A man with long, dark hair who seemed very intelligent appeared in the side hallway.

“Erus,” Jeremy Atticus addressed Henry Stevenson and bowed.

“It is good to have you here, Validus Atticus,” replied Stevenson. “I take it that everything is set.”

“Indeed it is. Is it time to welcome them?”

“Not quite. Have patience, Atticus.”

A third set of footsteps was heard in the other side hall, this time a woman’s. She was young looking and had short, black hair. Her gait was not the most graceful but she seemed powerful and moved with confidence.

“Is it time?” she asked Stevenson.

“No it is not, and don’t forget your manners. I deserve better from you.”

Aria acted as if his comment did not at all affect her and stared at the heavy marble doors.

Somewhere within the tower, a clock struck 12. As the sound echoed throughout the White Tower, Henry Stevenson took another deep breath, released it, and calmly said, “Now it is time.” He approached the marble doors and slowly opened them outward, revealing in the bright sunlight a sea of children of all shapes and sizes. In the backdrop were the green, rolling hills of the West Virginia mountains. The children began cheering excitedly but settled down when Henry Stevenson held up his hands in a gesture.

“Children of the country,” began Henry Stevenson. “Welcome to a place of refuge and learning… Knowledge and strength. Welcome all mutants to the White Tower!”
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

They... started a school?

[Chewbacca]

They... started a school?

Sort of, but the fact that it's a school is really a cover-up for something more important. Don't worry, I won't be turning Henry Stevenson into Dumbledore any time soon.

[Chewbacca]

Sandra Hill cautiously approached Edward Maxwell, the dark-looking CEO of Americomp Inc. and reluctantly asked, “You called me?”

Edward Maxwell, who delighted in calling himself Apollo, observed her studiously as if she were a sort of interesting bug. “This will likely surprise you, but I know who you are.”

Sandra Hill stared back at Apollo as if he were stupid. “Yes… I’m Sandra Hill.”

“No, not that… I know about your connections.”

Sandra Hill realized what he was talking about and started to sweat. “What do you want?”

“Oh, I want quite a lot…” Apollo stood up from his chair without taking his eyes of Sandra’s face. “But most of all, I want you to get me my powers back!”

Volume IV Chapter 2
Eleanora

“Things are not at all going well for us, I’m afraid.”

Susan Parker, head of the New York Agency sat in her blue-walled office with her two best agents, Charles Knot and Vincent Wolf. “We’ve fallen behind in the recruitment race during the past month. What do you have to say for yourself, Knot?”

Charles Knot stared at the floor. “It’s not at all easy.”

“It’s your job to find new mutants. I thought you’d do a good job after discovering Agent Wolf here.” She gestured towards the other man. “Let me explain to you the true severity of our situation.” Susan Parker pulled out the handheld digital monitor that she kept inside of her desk and pressed several buttons on the side in combination with tapping the screen in various places. A picture of a young woman with short black hair appeared first on it. “Remember Aria? She’s no longer in the Silicon Valley. We’ve heard rumors, and that’s all they are, that she was seen in West Virginia (West Virginia of all places!) but we really don’t know for sure.”

Next, Susan Parker pulled up an image of a man with brown hair and horn-rimmed glasses. “As you know, this is Tom Hughes. He recently left the employment of Edward Maxwell. It seems our friend Apollo is having some trouble of his own.”

The third mutant to appear on the screen had shoulder blade length black hair. “We’ve only recently discovered this one. He is an ex-employee of Benjamin Davies and is named Jeremiah Atticus. As I just said, Atticus is no longer with Davies’s Industries. He has reportedly gone to West Virginia.” Susan Parker paused and looked towards Knot and Wolf. “Do you see a pattern here?”

“Obviously, something’s up in West Virginia.”

“Very good, Agent Wolf,” responded Parker sarcastically. “And we are missing out. Knot, open the elevator door.”

Charles Knot did so. Inside was a very short, young girl with blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and large front teeth. She looked to be about 8 years old.

“Knot, Wolf, meet Eleanora. Eleanora has an ability; her senses are not affected by light and weather conditions. For example, she can see in the dark and fog does not cloud her vision. Eleanora will be a spy.”

“Her, a spy!?” Wolf exclaimed. “She’s way too y-” Eleanora jumped forward and slapped Wolf across the face. As he struggled to recover and Knot chuckled, Eleanora said in a strong, mature tone, “I’m perfect for the job.”

“Yes you are,” answered Parker. “I’ve gathered from a few intelligence reports that there seems to be some kind of school for the gifted in the West Virginian mountains. This school seems to be where the missing mutants are located. Eleanora will act as a student there and provide us with detailed reports of what is occurring.”

Eleanora turned sharply to face the two male agents and warned them, “Don’t underestimate my abilities.” With that, she headed towards the elevator and ascended away from Susan Parker’s office at Headquarters.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Night vision? That's pretty cool.

[Chewbacca]

This is a longer chapter and there's no introduction.
_ _ _
Volume IV Chapter 3
Around the Round Table

Vanessa Bowers was afraid.

All her life, she had been the exact opposite of what she wanted to be. Vanessa loved to play tennis but she did not have the talent to succeed in it. Ever since she was a young girl, Vanessa had wanted to learn guitar but found that she and music didn’t get along so well after all. Then was the matter of her older sister, Stephanie. Stephanie Bowers was a natural tennis player and made decent money as a singer and guitarist in her free time. Besides that, she was very well-liked and got along with everybody. Vanessa was always jealous of her.

Vanessa Bowers moved as part of the mob through the pearl-white doors of the White Tower. She was shocked by the beauty and magnificence of the structure. She was finally happy, happy yet still afraid, and couldn’t help but think about her journey over the past few years.
_ _ _
4 years ago…

A 13 year-old Vanessa Bowers with short brown hair, brown eyes, and of medium height stood with knees bent on the tennis court, holding the racket in her hands.

“Ready?” asked her sister from the other side of the net. Vanessa nodded and focused on her sister’s movements. Stephanie tossed the ball easily above her head and in a downward arc, served the tennis ball perfectly onto Vanessa’s half of the court. The ball struck a corner of the service box and bounced out of bounds before Vanessa could react. “My point,” announced Stephanie as Vanessa solemnly walked to her new position and prepared to return the next serve.

After ten more points scored by Stephanie without Vanessa even getting a decent shot off, she angrily threw down her racket. “Why do you have to beat me every time!?”

Stephanie calmly responded, “Relax it’s just a game.” This answer was the response that Vanessa would always receive whenever she would express a fraction of her concern with her sister. For several years, Vanessa had been feeling frustration and anger over her failures but always suppressed her emotions. Now, they all came flooding out.

“Ever since we were little kids you were always better than me at every thing. Mom would say ‘She’s older than you, don’t worry about it’ but you know what, that’s not it! The problem is I’m an utter failure and will always be a failure. I can’t play the only sport I’ve ever been interested in and even worse, you always beat me at it. I’m the one who reads books about tennis. I’m the one who practices 6 days a week. And then you come along and beat me without even trying! It’s not fair!” Stephanie stood in shock and tears began to roll down both sisters’ faces.
_ _ _
Present

Vanessa made sure to stay close to a red-haired girl named Stacy Strauss that she had met earlier in the day. They were about the same age and seemed to have some qualities in common. The man with the bug-eyes walked the mob throughout the White Tower, pointing out rooms here and there. At last, they came to a large hall with many round tables scattered throughout.

“This is the Dining Room. Everyone please split up into groups of 7 and take seats around a table.” The mob began to break apart into groups and Vanessa stuck with Stacy. They both took seats around a table near the middle of the room. After everyone was seated, a man or woman who seemed to be in a position of power came over to each table. To Vanessa’s group came a tall man with brown hair, and a long beak-like nose. His skin was very tan and he had a hawk-like appearance. Ironically, he stated that his name was Roger Falcon and that he was to be the authority figure for their group.

“There are several things you need to know about the way the Tower works. First, everyone here has a ranking. Most of you will start off with the title of Crudus, the lowest ranking. When you are deemed worthy, you must take a test to achieve Peritus status. As a Peritus, you are still a student but have authority over Crudus and are considered more mature. When you and your ability are fully developed, you can obtain the rank of Validus and become a true member of the White Tower. In case you’re wondering, this is my title; you will call me Validus Falcon. Finally, the leader of the White Tower is known as Erus. The current (and first) master of the White Tower is Erus Stevenson. Respect him and respect those with more power than you and you’ll be fine.”

“Can I ask a question?” asked Stacy Strauss. “-Validus?” she quickly added. When Falcon nodded in approval, she continued. “Well, I’ve come here in order to find myself and understand what I’m meant to do with the ability that I have. I was told about the existence of this place by a woman with red hair and a large, brown coat-” For several seconds, all the other mutants at the table remarked that the same woman told them about the White Tower. “What exactly is the purpose of this school?” finished Stacy.

“Well,” answered Falcon, “You will become more in touch with your ability, fully develop your powers, and hopefully discover what you’re meant to do in this world.”

“So ‘Erus Stevenson’ got together a bunch of people with abilities, including you, and decided to make a school? That just doesn’t seem right to me. Why are you here, Validus?” Falcon’s previous answer obviously had not assuaged Stacy’s worries.

“I am here to help you. I think that protecting young ‘mutants’ is very important because they hold the key to our future. Who knows what lies ahead? With the White Tower, we form a kind of society that will be beneficial to us all.”

Stacy did not open her mouth again, but was still not comfortable with the response. She and Vanessa both had a funny feeling that Roger Falcon knew more than he was saying.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

Good chapter!

[Chewbacca]

Volume IV Chapter 4
The Double Agent

The highest floor in the white tower was different from the rest. Instead of being a mess of narrow, twisting halls, it was one open circle about 50 yards in diameter with a humongous glass dome for a ceiling. The room was completely empty except for a grand desk of white, polished marble and two people.

Jeremiah Atticus stood before Henry Stevenson. “I would like to take a short…trip,” Atticus began. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours.

“I would say that you could go with the knowledge that you couldn’t get into much trouble in a few hours, but because it’s you that argument is irrelevant,” replied Stevenson with a small smile. “You could probably get to China before nightfall if you tried.”

“Actually, no,” replied Atticus. “I can only teleport for a certain distance at a time and must rest in between warps. And since getting to China involves crossing the ocean, that’s not happening.”
Stevenson laughed in a very sarcastic way. “How do I know you won’t go meet with our friends in California? Maybe you’re actually a spy for them. You know a double agent.” Stevenson was constantly writing on a piece of paper without looking at Atticus.

“Sir, you know why I work for you. I just… wanted to go talk to your son.”

At this remark, Henry Stevenson actually did stop writing and acted as if he was seeing Atticus for the first time. “Why would you want to do that?”

Atticus sighed. “Well, I sort of left without any explanation. So I thought I’d explain a few things to him.”

“Atticus…I know you just as you know me. And we both know that you’re not telling the whole truth.”

“You’re right, I’m not,” answered the other man calmly. “I have other private business with Richard.”

Now Henry sighed. “Fine. But this is the only time you’re going to Miami while you are employed by me. Do whatever you need to do quickly and be back before dinner. We don’t want the students to see Validus Atticus missing on the second day of term.”
_ _ _
45 minutes later…

Richard Stevenson, CEO of Stevenson’s Industries in Miami, Florida heard the doorbell ring. The doorbell had a history to it; it had been installed by an assassin who worked for the now-dead Benjamin Davies.

“Come in…” said Richard in a very bored tone. He had a stack of papers on his desk that, much like the paperwork for a certain head of Agency, never seemed to diminish.

When Jeremiah Atticus entered the office, Richard Stevenson leaped out of his chair in shock. “What are you doing here!?” Only a split-second afterward, he grabbed a potted plant from a shelf and held it in attack position, ready to strike at the intruder.

“Whoa, calm down Richard. I’m here for you to help me and for me to help you.”

Richard cautiously placed the plant on the desk without taking his eyes off of Atticus. “Why did you vanish without a word, leaving me in charge of this whole crazy operation?”

“Richard, you know why I left; use your brain. What do I want to do most? Study the formula. What do I need to do that? The formula. What do you have? Everything but the formula.”

“Well that’s not my fault, that woman chucked it out the window. It’s lost forever!” exclaimed Stevenson.

Atticus chuckled. He found something very humorous that Stevenson did not understand. “What you don’t know, Richard, is that the formula is still intact. And your father has it.”

Atticus took the time to explain to Richard the whereabouts of his father and that he was now in charge of the White Tower. Richard, though, was still not convinced. “So why, again, did you come? To torture me by saying that my father has the formula?”

“No, Richard, I came because we have common interests.”

“And those are?” Richard growled.

“To discover the secrets of these abilities and to make them available to everyone,” said Atticus.

“Well that’s sort of hard to do without the formula. Couldn’t you just make another one? I don’t know why you left-”

“I left because Henry Stevenson had the formula and I need to know the whereabouts of it! I can’t let just anyone get their hands on the formula before I’ve perfected it. I still have so much more testing to do. My goal is to give anyone any power that they want. So yes, I could have made another one but what would have been the point? I suppose I’m like the guardian of the formula; that’s why I went with your father.”

Richard Stevenson had finally calmed down and started to see that Atticus was trying to explain everything calmly. “I understand that. But why are you here? What can I do?”

“I’m here,” Atticus responded, “because I am conflicted. Like I said before, I need to study and protect the formula. But at the same time, your father does not really know what he wants to do with it yet. I know that I want to do the same thing with the formula as you do- make it accessible to everyone. So I’ve decided to help you out.” Atticus pulled out a jar of fluid from his jacket pocket. “This is the formula. It’s for you. Study it, test it out, do whatever you want with it. I trust you with it because I know what your goals are. Make progress towards a better future. I cannot visit here often, but I’ll study and watch over the formula at the White Tower and deliver information about it to you as often as possible. We’re a team.”

“Thank you,” said Richard Stevenson. “So I guess you’re a double agent now.”

“Something like that.” And he was gone.
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

Sorry I haven't had much time to write in the past few days. I will be away tomorrow but I might get out a chapter tonight or Sunday.

[dark-wolf-5]

Very eeeeeeeeenteresting...

[Chewbacca]

Sorry about my hiatus, I've been busy on nights for a while. I plan to get back on schedule now. Here's chapter 5!
_ _ _
Volume IV Chapter 5
The Con

“So why don’t we all go around the table and talk a little about ourselves?”

Vanessa, Stacy, and the other 5 members of their group were seated at a rectangular table in a dormitory with Roger Falcon at the head. “You first,” commanded Falcon as he gestured towards Stacy Strauss.

Stacy cleared her throat awkwardly. “I…um…I’m Stacy.”

“What can you do, Stacy?” asked Falcon.

“I…hurt people. Whenever I touch someone, it burns them.”

There was an awkward silence as the other children shifted uncomfortably and the boy to the right of Stacy scooted his seat a few inches away from her.

“That’s very unfortunate, Stacy. Next.” This time, Falcon pointed at Vanessa.

“I…I don’t know what I can do,” she stammered. “In fact, as far as I know I’m not special at all. What sort of special person is stupid enough to fail at everything important to her, get scammed by her own father, and drop out of school because of it!?” By the end of her rhetorical question, she was nearly shouting. Vanessa quickly shrunk back into silence as the other mutants at the table let their abilities be known.
_ _ _
3 years ago…

Vanessa Bowers and her mother stood together in the kitchen at their small home in Los Angeles. Her sister, older than her by 3 years, was out shopping.

“Mom…” she said quietly. “I’ve always wondered. Why did you divorce Dad?”

Her mother sighed. “He hid things from me, very important things. That’s all you need to know.”

“I’ve always wanted to meet him-”

“Well stop wanting to meet him right now,” her mother retorted. “If you ever do meet him, get as far away as possible before he can ruin your life like he did mine.”
_ _ _

Present

“Your turn.” Roger Falcon pointed towards a young girl with blonde hair and large front teeth. “Don’t be shy.”

“My name is Eleanora. My ability is that I can see in the dark and the rest of my senses aren’t bothered by the weather. I can hear everything clearly even through the roars of thunder.”

Vanessa daydreamed about what it would be like to have Eleanora’s ability. Thunder resounded through her head but she could still hear everything around her from the music of a radio in a nearby house to the rumble of a car pulling into the driveway.
_ _ _
1 year ago…

Vanessa jumped and screamed when she heard a pounding on the door during one of the stormiest nights of the year. Her mother and sister both were out of the house and Vanessa was at home alone. She courageously headed for the door. Unable to see who it was before opening it, she took a chance hoping that it was her mother or sister and flung it open. On the other side was a man she had not seen in a very long time.

“Dad?”

Vanessa’s father was ragged-looking and soaked to the bone. He stumbled into the house and collapsed onto a chair. “V-V-Vanessa?”

“Are you okay? Do you need a glass of water?” Vanessa asked her father emphatically.

“No, no, I’m…okay. Just in shock. You’re so grown up…How long has it been?”

“Over 10 years,” replied Vanessa. “You don’t know how many times I’ve needed you, a father figure. Mom was an eldest daughter and she doesn’t understand me, it’s terrible. What happened to you?”

“I-I…I’m slowly dying.”

They were both silent for a moment; the only sound was of the pouring rain and rolling thunder. “W-what? What’s wrong?” Tears began rolling down Vanessa’s cheeks.

“I need… expensive heart surgery. There’s no way that I can get enough money on my own. Do you think you could… help me?”

“Of course I can, Dad!” Vanessa was constantly blinking to keep the tears from obscuring her vision. “Anything for the father I’ve always needed…”

Later that night…

“You did WHAT!?”

“Mom, he was DYING! I gave him everything I had.”

“IT’S ALL MY FAULT!” screamed Vanessa’s mother.

“What are you talking about?”

Tears streamed down the faces of both mother and daughter. “Vanessa… I should have told you sooner…I divorced your father because he was a con man.”

After Vanessa discovered that she had been abused by her own father, her life was changed forever. She gave up everything completely: school, tennis, music, and even the search for her father. Her mother assured her that she had been attempting to catch her ex-husband ever since the divorce. She reported his presence in Los Angeles to the police but he was never captured.
_ _ _

Present

Roger Falcon approached Henry Stevenson under the great dome of the White Tower. “We have a very interesting student.”

“Personally, I find them all interesting just as any teacher should,” replied Stevenson sarcastically.

“Pssh, teacher. You know just as well as I do that this isn’t about helping them.”

“Well, in a way it is. Help them to help ourselves. However you want to look at it.”

Falcon was amused by Henry Stevenson’s reply. “If only they knew… Anyway, this student is named Vanessa Bowers and her power is not yet developed enough for her to know what it is.”

“Really?” Stevenson was interested. “Not any idea what she can do? Well, there’s only one way we can crack this case.”

Roger Falcon had no idea what Stevenson meant. “Er, and that is…?”

“Bring me Atticus immediately. I need to get my powers back.”
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

Volume IV Chapter 6
Rivals

“Tom, where are you going?”

Tom Hughes of the Mutation was carrying a large suitcase and wearing his horn-rimmed glasses. Paul Knot was the man who had asked the question. “I’m leaving while Apollo’s not around,” replied Hughes.

“Sure Apollo’s gone but he still knows where you…” Paul trailed off.

With a knowing smile, Tom Hughes explained. “He doesn’t have his powers anymore so he can’t sense us. Ever since he lost his powers, Apollo’s let this whole operation crumble. First we lost Heights then your wife and Aria…the only thing Maxwell’s interested in anymore is getting information out of Sandra Hill.”

“Right,” replied Paul. “Well, you’d better get going if you want to be long gone before Apollo comes around.”

“Paul, you should come with me. If you don’t, then you’ll be the only one left besides Sandra.”

“Unless you’re going to New York, I’m staying right here because I know Tracy will come for me.”

Tom Hughes sighed. “Well, I’m going to West Virginia. I’ve heard whispers from a friend, a mutant who I’ve made sure Maxwell doesn’t get his hands on, that there’s a mutant society there. I don’t have any sort of life here so I might as well go…”

“Good luck, Tom,” said Paul kindly.

“You too, friend.”
_ _ _

Edward Maxwell sat in his office with Sandra Hill and an elderly woman with gray hair and a very wrinkled face. She looked to be at least 90 years old.

Sandra Hill spoke first. “This is my grandmother, Margo. Margo, this is Edward Maxwell.”

Margo Hill was silent. Maxwell did not let this bother him. “So, Mrs. Hill, I have an issue that I think you can help me with. You have an ability, correct?”

No reply. Instead, Sandra spoke up. “My grandmother does not speak unless it is of great importance; her muscles are weak. But yes, she does have an ability.”

Maxwell continued. “Mrs. Hill…I could sense every power in existence. I knew that there was one person out there that was a sort of…intersect; one person with a little bit of every ability in them. Then when I met Sandra, I could sense that she was close to this intersect. After doing a little more research into her family, I have come to suspect that you, her grandmother, are the intersect.” When Margo Hill still did not reply, Apollo resumed speaking. “Now I may be rather wrong about this, but I think you can help me. You see, I have lost my ability.”

“Lost… your ability,” whispered Margo in a very hoarse voice.

Apollo tried not to act surprised. “Yes. I was in a fight with another mutant and when I attacked him and he attacked me at the same time, our strengths could not overcome each other. I had met my match. Then suddenly, something very strange occurred; this wall of glass appeared and-”

“Not glass. No, not at all glass.”

Maxwell examined Margo Hill carefully. “Sorry? What was it then?”

“The essence of our abilities. You and the other man…were perfectly matched. The two of you were…rivals.”

Edward Maxwell was confused by her answer. “So what you’re saying is that we had the same power and-”

“NO!” exclaimed Margo. “No, no, no… not the same power. Opposite halves of the same power. Every ability has two halves and one person obtains one half. The other half goes to another and these two people are rivals. When rivals meet and their powers collide, they…they…”

“They what?” asked Maxwell irritably.

“They…cancel each other out and both rivals…lose their powers.”

“Well, I realize that! How do I get my powers back?”

Margo was silent for a few seconds and Maxwell thought that she would not speak. “Back? Getting your power back is more difficult than losing it…”

“JUST TELL ME!”

But Margo Hill was done speaking for the day. She sat in silence, staring into Apollo’s two dark eyes without a hint of fear.
_ _ _

[dark-wolf-5]

That's quite unique.

[Chewbacca]

I'm going to be taking about a week-long break from Mutation mainly because of Easter and a trip to the beach that I'll be going on. Happy Easter! Mutation will return next Sunday, I believe.

[Chewbacca]

Mutation is back! Looks like I ended up taking an extra week off, sorry for that. I hope to complete Volume IV without taking another large break; just a day or two off now and then. Enjoy!

Volume IV Chapter 7
The Coldest Peak

In a part of the White Tower far from Roger Falcon’s group and those students’ dormitories, another group gathered with their leader, Validus Atticus. “Welcome to the White Tower,” he greeted his students. “While you are here, you will develop your abilities and learn about yourself.”

“And what’s the point in that?” The person who had interrupted was a 16 year old boy by the name of Jonathan Peak. He was tall with a small, round face and pale white hair. “If you really want to help us then you should find a way to cure us.”

It was obvious that Atticus took an immediate disliking to the boy. “Cure you? Why would you need a cure? And don’t be disrespectful, call me Validus-”

“What, does everyone else like their powers?” asked Peak. No one else in the room made a sound until…

“I agree.” It was Amy Waters who had spoken, another member of their 7-mutant group. “Ever since I got my power, people have been after me. First it was a man from California and then it was a woman from here. I just graduated high school and want to live a normal life. In fact, when I first decided to come here, I was under the impression it was a small college but then something clicked in my memory and I realized that the woman who came to me did something…I don’t know, I just want this to be over.”

“Everyone calm down. We’re all here to help you, I and the other leaders along with Erus Stevenson. This is only the first day!” Atticus took a deep breath and continued. “Anyway, let’s all talk a little about ourselves…”

Jonathan Peak spoke up first. “I’m Jon and I’m cursed with the power to freeze things. I can usually control it but when I’m angry it gets out of hand. Now what can you do, Validus?” He uttered the title with a sneer.

Atticus cleared his throat. “I can teleport.” When he announced this, a couple students emitted quiet sounds of awe. “And I can read minds. Besides the abilities, I’m a…time travel researcher.”

“How are you supposed to do that?” asked Peak sarcastically.

“If you knew the people that I did, you’d better understand just how real time travel may be,” Atticus snapped at him. “Anyway, back to business…”
_ _ _
3 years ago

Jonathan Peak sat in an uncomfortable, wooden chair in the family room of his family’s home in Chicago, Illinois. He faced his mother and father who both had a very serious expression on their face.

“You’re mother and I have decided…” began his father. “That’s it’s time for us to tell you something.”

Jonathan glanced back and forth between his father and mother confusedly. “W-what happened?”

“Nothing happened. And this won’t change anything about our family but… you’re adopted.”

It took several seconds for the meaning of these words to sink in for Jonathan. They rang in his ears, jarred his brain, and he could think of nothing but the sound of each syllable his father had uttered. “A-adopted?”

His adoptive mother began to shed tears. “Everything’s still the same with us…”

“I knew it…” murmured Jonathan Peak. “Of course. I’m…different.”

“What are you talking about, son?” asked his adoptive father.

“I-I was going to tell you but… no, never mind. Just… give me some time.”

The man and woman Jonathan Peak had previously believed were his mother and father did leave him and went into another room. Peak stood up and walked into the kitchen where he got a glass of water. But instead of drinking it, he slowly dipped one finger into the water. His finger broke the surface and nothing happened. But after bringing it back up out of the water, he could feel his finger turn cold as a thin sheet of ice began to form where the water had previously been.

“Who am I?” he wondered to himself as he marveled at his newfound ability. “Why am I so different?”
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

Another delay. I won't even bother apologizing for this one. I'm sure you're quite tired of hearing my excuses but know that I am 100% intent on getting back on track. Tomorrow night I will DEFINITELY get out the next chapter; it's already half done. Vincent Wolf's past will finally be revealed, at least part of it. Stay tuned.

[Chewbacca]

This chapter has been deleted. The story is over and this chapter's plot was basically copied from a TV show so I've deleted it to make sure there's no copyright violations or plagiarism.

[Chewbacca]

Volume IV Chapter 9
The Twins

“Hello, you must be Vanessa.”

Vanessa Bowers took a seat under the large dome at the top of the White Tower. She faced Erus Stevenson who had spoken the greeting. “That’s me.”

Stevenson, even more bug-eyed and mysterious than usual, began, “Well, Vanessa… you know that I asked you to come because your power is not developed yet. Rather strange, considering you did not obtain your ability through an unnatural way. So…what makes you special, Vanessa?”

“Nothing I know of.”

Stevenson gave her a warm smile that seemed out of place. “But you are special. That’s why you’re here.”

“Well, sir, you’re supposed to be an expert at this. What’s my power?”

“Unfortunately, Vanessa,” replied Stevenson somewhat awkwardly. “I no longer have my abilities. As soon as Validus Atticus finds how to get them back, I will know what your ability is.”

“That’s good,” she replied. “But then why am I here?”

“You’re here because Validus Atticus should be finishing up right about…”

Jeremiah Atticus burst into the room and sprinted toward Stevenson. “Sir! I know what happened, I found out how the powers work!”

“Well done, Atticus,” Stevenson congratulated him. “I need the new formula now so I can-”

“Well, erm…” Atticus was clearly not happy with the situation. “I… can’t cure you.”

Stevenson continued smiling but his grin was faltering. “What do you mean you can’t cure me?”

“Well, it’s possible but… First of all, when your power met Maxwell’s, your abilities cancelled out because he and you have different sides of the same coin; you’re rivals. He has also lost his powers.”

“Wait a minute. If rival powers exist, what happened when… you know who fought the man with infinite memory?”

Atticus slowly turned to Vanessa. “Please leave.”

Reluctantly, Vanessa Bowers exited the room and waited just behind the door with her ear pressed to it, hoping to catch some of the conversation but she could hear nothing.

Henry Stevenson continued, “You know about her right?”

“Of course I do. Now that I’ve come to work with you, of course. When she murdered Davies I had no idea.”

“No, no, no. That wasn’t her, Atticus.”

Atticus was exasperated, “Pfft how can you possible keep track? I never would have guessed that Walsh and Colley were twins! That’s how they showed up all over the place.”

“Now why don’t you explain to me why Walsh didn’t lose her power when she fought Knot?”

Atticus started pacing around the room. “Well, I think this is because she was not his rival, Colley was. A mutant can only have one rival no matter what so even though Walsh and Colley were twins, only one of them obtained the full ability; the other’s was more of a copy.”

Stevenson leaned back in his seat. “Okay, I suppose that makes sense. Now for the important part; how do I get my powers ba-”

At this point, Roger Falcon came barging into the room uninvited. “Sir, Stacy Strauss just-”

“Falcon, get out!” snapped Stevenson.

Falcon glanced at Atticus, then Stevenson, then Atticus again. “If this is something regarding the formula I think I have the right to know. I did catch it when Colley threw it out the window by using my ability.”

Stevenson was losing patience. “Fine, stay! Just tell me how to get back my powers already!”

“Sorry, sir,” apologized Atticus. “But it’s not very good news. I’m sorry that I can’t help, this is the way it has to be-”

“TELL ME!” screamed Stevenson.

“To get your abilities back, you have to kill Edward Maxwell.”
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

Volume IV Chapter 10
Luna

To Mother,

School is going well. There are so many people like me here that I never feel alone. It’s a fascinating place; I think you would like it. The teachers are very knowledgeable so I’m sure I will learn a lot from them. I think that our whole family would benefit from spending time with them. I was surprised to see that one teacher is our close friend from San Francisco. I hope that I will get to know her well. The most interesting person of all is the headmaster. He is always calm and in control yet shadowy, like he’s hiding something. Perhaps the loss of someone he loved has scarred him emotionally. I hope to see you soon, perhaps you should even come visit some time.

With love,
Eleanora.

Susan Parker read this letter from Eleanora and found it very intriguing. It was in code, of course, in case someone would intercept it. There would be no mentioning abilities or names in their correspondence letters. What Parker learned from the report was that the school housed many more mutants than expected and that one of them was Aria. She also knew that the headmaster had lost his ability and that Eleanora thought that the Agency should pay the school a little visit.

Parker decided that she needed to tell the news to the mutants, especially the part about there being hundreds of mutants at the school. Using her walkie-talkie, Parker contacted Wolf and asked for him to report to her office with both Knots.

Several minutes later, the elevator door opened to reveal Vincent Wolf, alone.

“Where are the Knots?” asked Parker.

“They’re…gone.”

Susan Parker dropped the pen that she was writing with on her desk and gaped at Wolf. “What do you mean, gone?” she hissed.

“I don’t know they just vanished.”

“Why didn’t we catch them???” Parker was almost screaming now.

“Well,” replied Wolf. “With Tracy’s ability, I’m sure she could determine the best way to avoid detection.”

“If I find out that you have anything to do with this, Wolf, you will be fired.”

Wolf laughed out loud. “You can’t fire me, I know too much. Now would be a great time for you to threaten me with erasing my memory but since you lost Walsh, you can’t really do that anymore…”

Parker slammed her fist on her desk. “Enough! You’re going to stay right where you are. I suppose we’ll just have to wait for the Knots to get back from California.”

“How do you know that’s where they’re going?”

“Where else would they be going, Wolf? Use common sense for once, will you?” Parker tossed Eleanora’s letter aside and returned to the rest of her stack of reports.
_ _ _

Jeremiah Atticus pushed back the window curtain in his office and bedroom at the White Tower to reveal a full moon shining brightly down upon him and a small girl standing next to him. “Ok, Luna,” he addressed the girl. “Time to do your thing.” Luna placed one hand on Atticus’s shoulder and held out the other one to face the moon. After several seconds of deep concentration, Luna uttered. “Finished. He can hear you now.”

“Richard Stevenson? It’s Atticus.” He seemed to be saying this to the moon just outside the window.

After several seconds, a quiet voice could be heard in the room; it was only a faint whisper. “Atticus? What’s going on?”

“I’ve found a girl, a student, who can let me speak to you whenever the moon is shining on both of us. It’s her ability. We have to make this quick, though, a storm will be coming through in just a few minutes and the clouds with block out the moon so listen. I figured out how to control what power the formula makes.”

“Really?” asked Richard, surprised. “That’s great!”

“Yes it is but it’s sort of complicated, mainly variances in the chemistry of it. I can give you instructions on how to make the formula and the different abilities tomorrow night. For now, I also need you to know that I told your father how to get his powers back.”

“WHAT!? Why did you tell him?”

“Because, Richard,” snapped Atticus. “I can’t blow my cover. My position here is very important. But to get his ability back, he has to kill Edward Maxwell.”

“Well, I guess I wish my father luck though having him going insane detracted a little from my childhood. Thanks for letting me know and I’m very excited to start making abilities.”

Richard was cut off as clouds rolled over the moon and Luna’s power no longer worked. “Thank you, Luna,” said Atticus. “You promise you won’t tell anyone what happened?”

“Of course not, Uncle.”

“Good, now get some sleep. You’re like my daughter while you’re here and I’m going to take care of you.”

Atticus watched as his niece calmly left the room on the way back to her dormitory.
_ _ _

[Chewbacca]

Because of the apparent lack of interest, I will be revitalizing the story in a rather interesting way. You'll see what I mean when it happens. This means no new chapters for a few days, hopefully I can do the revitalization on Sunday or Monday. So please hang on for a few days and I promise that unless I am physically unable to post, you will have more Mutation within the week. This effort should bring new viewers and readers to Mutation and, unfortunately, this thread will be ditched. Instead there will be a new thread where Mutation will continue for Part II of Volume IV and onward. Thank you!

[dark-wolf-5]

Sorry I haven't been posting, Haven't really had time to read. :\ But you're doing great, keep it up!

[Chewbacca]

The new chapter is out! Find it in the new Mutation topic.

http://www.rarewitchproject.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29364