Freight-Tale And The Tomes Of Mortality

3 - Beneath The Name

As the moon rose over the city of London, Keira Foster donned her ragged costume and headed out on patrol. The night was clear and calm, and it was the perfect weather for a bit of heroism. Looking up towards the moon, she checked her phone and took note of the current time: 00:30.

The hero-in-training stretched her muscles and prepared to take on the night. She didn't have to be in until after the weekend, so she had plenty of time to patrol the city and do some good. And as Keira took a deep breath and raised her fists, ready to fight the night, she let out a small chuckle. It felt so good to help the people, it felt like she had been waiting her whole life for this.

The heroine looked around her neighbourhood, checking the street corners and alleyways. She had grown up in this part of London and knew it like the back of her hand, so there wasn't really a need for her to worry about getting lost. Keira had been in this part of London plenty of times, and it was no surprise to her that she had already memorized the local streets.

Keira set out down the road, her body covered by her homemade costume, which consisted of a small hood to cover her face and rags to match Freight-Tale's look. She walked quietly through the streets, keeping to the darkness. She did this to ensure that she remained hidden and would not draw too much attention. She knew that she could trust her family, but there were still people in the world who wouldn't understand, people who would want to stop her from doing good deeds.

As she made her way around London, something would suddenly catch Keira's eyes. An explosion of white fire, a rush of flame, and a loud crash, all radiating from the distance, drawing her towards it like a moth to a lamp.

Keira took off down the street, lifting up and off her feet as she allowed her flight powers to kick in. She wasn't particularly good at using her powers yet, but she was getting better. She could hover a little way in the air, but that was about it. Still, it was enough to allow her to get a good view of the streets as she flew through the sky.

The heroine made her way towards the blast, soon landing on the roof of the building nearby. As she did, Keira looked out over the city, scanning for any signs of danger or any people in distress. As she peered down below, she would gasp at the scene playing out.

A woman draped in white stood opposite the actual Freight-Tale as a gathering of civilians huddled in the background. It was clear that there had been a fight of some sort, but it was hard to say exactly what had happened, so she just listened intently to the exchange between the two.

"Freight-Tale," the woman in white declared, "You are my prisoner! I demand your immediate surrender!"

"No one is taking me captive, I'd make a hundred laps around you before you could even adjust those goggles of yours!" Freight-Tale spat, shaking his fists. "Now let those people go before I take you down!"

"You don't seem to understand," the woman replied, standing tall. "I am Sour Susan, and you are my prisoner!"

"And here I was, thinking you were a Cunty Karen!"

Keira had no idea what was going on, but before she could think about it any longer, the villainess leapt towards Freight-Tale with a flying kick, but the firey hero was ready, catching her by the ankle and lifting her up into the air. As she struggled, Freight-Tale held her tightly, before quickly launching her towards the ground and slamming her onto the concrete.

The woman groaned in pain but quickly recovered, sending a flurry of white flames straight towards Freight-Tale's face. The flames engulfed his body, repelling him back. Freight-Tale yelled, the fire burning his face and his hands as he allowed his flame form to take over. Attempting to create a fireball, the hero fired back, but Susan was able to counter, sending a burst of white flames towards him.

As Keira sat watching the fight, she knew that she couldn't just sit there and do nothing. She had to help. She had to fight. But as she began to ponder what to do if she intervened, Susan was quickly on top of Freight-Tale, landing a powerful strike to his chest with her fists.

Keira was stunned for a moment, before shaking her head and squinting her eyes. She knew she had to do something. The heroine jumped off the rooftop, gliding down towards the scene, aiming her legs straight for Susan and sending a powerful kick directly to her side.

The impact was enough to send Susan tumbling to the ground, rolling several times and then stopping. She laid there, unmoving, clearly in shock. 

Freight-Tale didn't waste any time, jumping up and nodding to the unknown hero before turning his attention back to Susan.

With one foot in front of the other, he super sped towards the villainess, sending a direct kick to her gut before then throwing her up into the air. Keira was shocked by the brutality of Freight-Tale's moves, she had never seen him fight like that. It was severe and shocking.

As Susan smacked against the pavement, Keira ran forward, placing herself between her idol and the villain, standing firm. The white-covered woman groaned in pain as she attempted to stand, meanwhile, Keira turned to look towards Freight-Tale, who was still in his flame form.

"Are you okay, Freight-Tale?" Keira asked.

"... Who are you?" the hero replied.

Keira paused for a moment before answering.

"I'm..." the woman began, "a fan. I'm just a fan."

"Well then please get out of the way," Freight-Tale stated bluntly. "This is not the place for you!"

Keira didn't have time to reply, as Susan stood to her feet, regaining her strength. Turning around with a quick flash of fire, Keira blasted her own rope of flames towards the villain, knocking her out of the fight once and for all. The woman was sent flying back, and as she landed on the ground, she fell unconscious.

Keira turned back to face Freight-Tale, who was now back in his normal form. He looked shocked, his eyes wide as he gazed upon her costume. He wasn't expecting someone to randomly come to aid him, especially someone who felt so similar yet so different, and Keira felt the same way.

Studying her fan-favourite hero, she felt a familiarity with him. He wore no mask, but it was as if she saw no one but a hero. She was sure she knew him, but she couldn't place a single name to his face, and as she studied him, it was as if he was staring straight into her soul. She had never felt that way before, not even with her brothers.

Freight-Tale turned on his feet, looking towards Susan.

"Thank you..." he spoke. "What's your name?"

"Fright-Tale..." Keira muttered with a smile.

Freight-Tale was understandably confused, tilting his head as he turned and listened to her speak. The name was basically his, just with one word slightly altered. She really was a fan.

But then, suddenly a bright light emitted from Susan's location, causing the pair to swiftly face her. As the villain rose to her feet, her white flames engulfed her, shaking her head as they did. Freight-Tale would stumble backwards, as pictures of his sister and alien planets flashed through his mind. The memories overrode the hero's senses, causing him to fall back.

Keira could do nothing but watch as Freight-Tale fell to his knees, and at the same time, Susan would turn to run. The woman's movements were blurred, as if time was running fast and slow at the same time. Keira's mind raced with confusion as Susan ran away, disappearing into the darkness.

"Wait!" she yelled, her mind filling with worry.

But before the heroine could give chase, Freight-Tale would scream in pain, causing Fright-Tale to turn around to see the hero clutching his head.

"No!" he screamed as he clenched his eyes closed, Keira watching on. "Lola!"