Hero Academy

Chapter 3 : Capes

Diana's second class was entitled H&S; hero and sidekick class. Teaching it was Miss Dixon, Diana noticed the teacher glaring at Aspen as they all entered. Diana and Oscar took a desk near the back of the room, keen not to get into any more trouble with the teachers.

Dixon began the lesson by telling them that she accepted only perfect behaviour, glaring again at Aspen. She then told them about the purpose of the lessons,

"H&S class is where you will learn about the most important dynamic of a hero and their sidekick. It is a partnership that will be constantly tested and is sometimes the only thing that stands between victory and defeat. This month we will be looking at the superficial roles of both and matters that unite them whilst also briefly looking at handlers. At the end of the month you will be tested to see whether you are a hero, sidekick or handler. From then onwards your class here will be split by your position."

A girl with floor length, blonde hair put up her hand, "We are going to be tested?"

"Yes, in a month. And I shall tell you now that the decision of the test is final."

Diana sunk low in her chair and knocked her head against the desk. She had been so afraid of going to school, it had subsided slightly after their first lesson but like a shadow in the dark it was back. Hovering all around her.

She tried to concentrate on the lesson. Where Dixon had starting talking about aliases and their importance.

"Your alias is all that stands between your double lives. It protects your friends and family, separating the dangerous from the mundane yet safe," she paused for people to make their notes then continued, "Our case study is The Captain. A controller of electricity and a flier, he is widely considered as the most powerful superhero and is certainly the most secretive. He did not train at this school and neither do we have any other records of him. His identity is only known by the Challengers, the superhero team which he leads. Perhaps the reason for this is the many adversaries which the man has faced, all of whom have promised revenge."

After this was lunch. Diana sat at a table with Oscar, the girl with long hair whose nickname was Rapunzel and Robert who could apparently see in the dark. They started discussing the next two lessons of science and psychology. Diana stared at her sandwich, prodding it. Despite not having breakfast, she still didn't feel like eating; she frowned as she put her sandwich back into bag.

In the corner of here eye she saw a bottle of water fly into the air, it shook and sprayed a little water on Oscar.

"Olivia!" he yelled, trying to grab the air behind him. There was a girl's laugh and behind Oscar appeared his sister, clad in a red dress and white cape. Oscar tried to throw an apple at her but Oliva threw up her arm, creating a shield which the apple bounced against.

"We're trying to eat," said Oscar.

The girl just laughed again, she waved at everyone else sitting on the table, "Hello. I'm Opaque, at your service."

"You're so full of it since you got your cap," said Oscar, grumpily.

"Got your cap?" asked Diana.

Oliva nodded, "Wearing a cape means that you are a qualified super. You get them at the end of second year but sometimes if you do something especially heroic you get it earlier. I got mine a month ago when I foiled an assassination plot on the minister for defence."

"Wow, well done," said Diana.

"I'm surprised you didn't know about capes," said Rapunzel.

"Dad tries to keep me away from all the superhero stuff. He's afraid of the danger it will put me in," said Diana.