"SECURE!"
The core emitted a brilliant glow, taking on a four-pointed star shape as it floated serenely into Maya's outstretched palm. Her fingers closed around the gem, which radiated warmth like a gentle heartbeat.
Maya's cheeks flushed pink as she cradled the star close to her crystal heart. It shimmered and melded into the heart with a gentle ripple of light. Closing her eyes, mouth slightly agape, she gazed skyward, a sense of warmth spreading through her. It felt as though a missing piece of herself had returned.
Slowly, Apex released her hands, and Maya braced herself for the expected flood of exhaustion. Yet, surprisingly, she felt steady and stable, like recovering from a fever.
"You okay?" Apex asked as the glow and shimmer finally subsided.
"I am," Maya smiled, still feeling the warmth. "How—how did you do that? You held my hand and suddenly I felt..."
Apex hesitated before explaining, "I can lend my power, strength, and energy to others. But I can only use this ability if I'm in physical contact. A side effect is that I can feel all their emotions, injuries, and even catch glimpses of what they're thinking when I do it."
Maya looked at him in awe, "I—"
"Awesome, amazing, spectacular!"
Maya and Apex turned to see Jagruti, who had gotten off the motorbike and was filming them with her phone. "Will you two be protecting Mumbai from these mysterious beasts? How did you get your powers? Were you bitten by radioactive insects? Oh my gods, did you build your suit!?!"
"BOTH OF YOU, HANDS IN THE AIR!"
They turned to see the police officers, weapons drawn and expressions stern. Apex raised his hands slowly, his eyes darting between the officers and Maya.
"Wait," Maya said, stepping forward with her hands up, "we're not the enemy here. We just saved everyone from that beast."
"Yeah, yeah," the officer replied, stepping forward skittishly with a pair of handcuffs. "Tell it to the jury—"
"What we're seeing here, people of Mumbai, is oppression!" Jagruti said into her phone. "These brave heroes should get awards for risking their lives for us and—"
"Wanna get out of here?" Apex whispered in Maya's ear as Jagruti continued to argue with the officer.
Maya nodded slightly. "Absolutely."
Apex activated his rocket shoes with a subtle motion, and Maya prepared herself. With a quick burst of energy, they both launched into the air, Maya with her super strength and Apex with his shoe rocket to a near by building.
"Wait!" Jagruti called "I have so many more questions to ask you-er-what are your names?"
"Apex."
"And you?" Jagruti looks up at Maya, her eyes bright with childish excitement/
"Er..." Maya bites her lip, struggling, then her vision nd dream of being engulfed in fire and starlight comes back to her "Starlight...Call me Starlight. Starlight Blaze."
"Starlight Blaze!" Jagruti grinned so broadly that Maya worried that her face would rip apart as the police yelled at them to surrender. "Super Starlight Awesome!"
Maya, well, Starlight Blaze and Apex leaft the scene behind. The officers and onlookers gaped in astonishment as the two heroes soared above the city.
Maya looked over her shoulder as she clumsily landed on a rooftop a few blocks away. She caught her breath. The building that had been picturesque a few hours ago was now shrouded in smoke, broken glass, debris. Not to mention the many, many people who must have undoubtably gotten injured. Maybe even...No, they couldn't have...Died?
YOU ARE READING
Starlight Blaze
FantasyMaya Bhosle is a seventeen year old overachiever whose biggest concern in life is becoming Student Council President. However, all of that changes when her fiery and patriotic nature leads to her being chosen to become Mumabi's superhero: Starlight...
