Spectacular World

The Dance of Heroes and Villains

"My name is Nicholas Alma. I used to be a member of the Hero Branch, working alongside Doctor Blue. Now, though, I'm a total nobody who barely makes ends meet, living with a former monster." Nick rubbed the back of his neck and let out a sigh. "I was given a job by someone really important, but I'm having a tough time figuring out how I can make it work. My best friend seems content with getting himself killed, and I'm not sure what I should do. I'm not a Super. I'm just a human that was lucky enough to work alongside so many of them. I guess what I'm saying is, how do you explain to someone that they still have a reason to live after they've given up on everything?"

The minimum wage worker behind the counter blinked a few times as Nick finished talking. "Uh... Sir. This is a Feast Shack."

Nick shrugged. "Right. I'll take a Feast mega-meal with a large cola."

The moon had vanished behind the clouds. It was nearly four a.m. by now. He finished his shift at the bank and headed to the apartment he and Jack shared. Jack still hadn't made it back, though. It was a little odd in a way. He had known the man for over fifteen years now. He had been there to pull Jack out of the destroyed city and helped restart the man's heart, saving his life. In all that time, not once had the man shown a hint of drive. Jack had completely closed himself off and was content living out the rest of his days helping to fix the city that he had helped tear down once.

After meeting with that girl, nothing had changed. Sure, he put on a costume and actually went out to do things, but Nick could tell. Jack was still sprinting for the finish line. Any day now, he was sure. Jack wouldn't be returning.

Nick stepped out of the burger joint with his food. The streets were empty, and there wasn't a car in sight. It was like the entire city had fallen asleep. A low buzz came from his pocket, and he fished his phone out. "Hello?"

"Doctor Alma." He was instantly on high alert when he heard his real name. Nicholas Alma was a long-forgotten name. Someone who worked alongside the famed Doctor Blue and specialized in healing Supers. Now, he was Nick Ale, a simple security guard.

"Who is this?" He asked slowly.

"Who do you think?"

A small smile cracked its way onto his lips. "I was wondering if you'd ever call me back, Luna." Luna Laps, the current head of the Oleander Hero Branch and an old friend of his, "Jack told me that you got in contact with him."

Ms. Laps didn't sound very happy over his phone, but then again, she never did. She was always the quick-to-anger type. "I was forced to involve myself after you failed to keep the situation under control. Your job was simple. Per the request of Full Monarch, you and Mr. Larison were to remain in hiding and live out the rest of your days off the face of the map. Now, however, I find out that he's been running around in costume."

"Jack's been running around in costume!"

"You can cut the act. I know you are in on it."

Nick let out a snort and took a seat on a bench. He took some of his food out and took a bite out of his burger as he stared up at the moon above. Most of it was covered by clouds, but he could still make out the giant cracks and edges that went all along it. "He seemed happy. I hadn't seen him happy since I met him. I think he liked it."

"That was still no reason to allow him to run around. If the Victorian figured out who he was, discovered what Alpha used to be, what he did in the war, and what was within him, then it would all be over for us. The moment that woman even thinks that the Hero Branch might not be on her side, we're screwed."

"The Victorian isn't a bad person," Nick said, shaking his head. "She'd never hurt innocent people, even if they brought her harm."

"She doesn't have to turn against the Hero Branch. All she would have to do is simply not show up to a Calamity-level threat. As it stands, she is the only weapon we have left that can deal with them—at least until you can figure out how to save Alpha's life and recreate the weapon that slayed Full Monarch."