Super City

13- Losing a friend...

Later that day, at Steeler and Ignita's house, the family was sitting at the dinning table. Everybody looked gloomy, except for White, who was grim.

"Why do we have to do as they say?" He asked once. "I can't believe they are actually winning! And why Plasma, though..."

No answer came.

"So, White, we need you to do that for us. Will you?" Hover asked.

"I would... But for some reason Plasma doesn't want to talk to me anymore." He answered sadly.

"Son, it is a matter of protecting people." Ignita said. "You know where to find Plasma, right? We think he would respond better if you talked to him."

"Do you plan of turning Plasma over to them? Isn't it our duty to protect people?" White replied. "You know he's my best friend!"

"He told you not to come close to him anymore!" Hover stated.

"That doesn't matter!" White objected. "He's still my friend!"

"We don't want to turn him in, son." Steeler explained. "We want to negotiate. With him there, it will be easier."

"This doesn't sound right..." Hotshot said. "Heroes are not supposed to be handing people to criminals."

"We also can't have them killing innocent people at the city hall." Steeler pointed.

"Why are the villains one step ahead?!" White snapped. "Hotshot's right! This is wrong!"

"White!" Hover interrupted the kid, who shrank in his chair. A rebellious expression os his face.

"Besides, we're also releasing people from jail!" Hotshot continued. "Including the guy that kidnapped White!"

"Hotshot!" Hover interrupted him too. "Why are they on the discussion, dad? They don't understand how difficult it is to be hero!"

Steeler brought his hands to the head. Ignita was like that for a while now. White had been called to the discussion because Plasma, his friend, was involved. Seeing his younger brother take part, Hotshot refused to be left out.

"White and Hotshot, we know things are not burning as they should." Ignita pointed. "But we are doing our best to minimize the afterburns."

"And we're sorry we have to involve your friend in it, White." Steeler continued, being diplomatic. "But we will steel do our best to keep him safe."

"And maybe Plasma has some useful information to help us deal with the problem."

Looking grim, White decided.

"Fine. I'll try to talk to Plasma, but i have one condition: no overhearing and no communicators. I'll talk to him on my own."

---

A doorbell rang and an old woman opened it, seeing a young boy all dressed in white staring at her with an uncomfortable smile.

"Hello. May I see Plasma, please?"

He asked. The lady looked at the boy and tilted her head.

"No one goes by this name in this house, boy."

White's smile vanished.

"I saw him through a window on my way here. Besides, I have this." The boy brought up a hero distinctive. He remembered his father saying he might need it before handing him the object.

Looking rather displeased, the woman let the boy in and led him to Plasma's room, where White got a chill from his best friend's cold stare.

"What did you hide and why?" White asked on a wounded voice.

"Why did you come after me, White?" Plasma said, changing his expression. Much to White's surprise, he looked much more like the Plasma he knew. He even sounded worried.

"There is some trouble out there..." White explained the whole situation to his friend.

Plasma looked shocked. He averted his gaze put one hand on his head.

"Oh god..." The blonde boy whispered. "Is this it? ... Did they finally get the checkmate?"

"Why?" The kid begged for an answer. "Why are they doing this? Why are they after you so bad?"

Plasma looked down and, for a moment, White felt bad for asking.

"They call themselves The Plague. My grandfather is their boss and his name is MinCon." Plasma explained. "I hate him. Remember the name of the villain on the play? I named the villain after him because I want so much to see him taken down..." His shoulders fell. "His power is long lasting brainwash. It takes away people's minds and make them serve him for a time, but there is an exception: When his power is applied to blood-relatives, it lasts forever. The Plague is composed of his brainwashed relatives. They all work under his thoughts and orders to do whatever his bidding is."

Plasma took a deep breath.

"When he learned about my ability being classified as an A+ rank power, he had found his gold mine. That's why he's after me and why it's dangerous for you to stay close while The Plague is around. That was why I told you not to talk to me that time."

"What is an A+ rank power?" White asked innocently.

"It's a rare kind of power that is very powerful and has few restrictions." Plasma said. "Granddad keeps pressuring me to use his power to help him on my own free will, but I don't want to use it. I don't want to be a hero. Don't want to be a villain either. All I wanted was to live a neutral life, far from fighting. If MinCon ever gets to me he'll brainwash me and then..." He stopped dead silent.

"Oh... I had no idea..." White apologized.

Plasma averted his gaze, White could only guess, but he thought his friend was crying.

"And now I... I..." The blonde kid shook his head. "Listen, White, I have a favor to ask. It might not be comfortable for you, and people might not not accept that very well. But I really need you to do that for me."

---

"WHAT?!" Said Ignita, Hover, Hotshot and Steeler at the same time.

"Yes, that's all." White confirmed. "Plasma told me to come here to you and give the message: 'Trust me.'"

White could barely hear the complaints of everyone. The only things in his mind were the last words his friend told him.

"White... this might sound sad, but..." Plasma had said. "regardless of what happens on the next days... this might be our last goodbye. So I'd like to say: Thank you." he had a weak smile.