Phoenix

9. A New Look

It's Friday.

Jackie found a base which is just the top floor of her garage that they don't use anymore. I've been practicing my fire for a few days.

It took us more time to clean out the attic of her garage then it did to find it. But in the end, we know it's worth it.

The attic is huge. Nearly the size of my basement room.

We're finishing up putting everything on the base now.

We have two computers, a couch, and a large desk. It isn't much but we don't want everything in the way.

We plan on stocking up on equipment later.

"What's the first thing we need to do?" I question Jackie.

"Uniforms and names."

"I thought we would just use our real names and what we usually wear."

Jackie looks at me and sighs in disappointment. "No... Does Spider-Man use his real name? No. Does Super-Man just fight in his daily attire? No. You need a name and an outfit. You can't just tell people, 'Hey. This is who I am. Follow me home to see where I live, so you can kill me or take my family hostage to get to me.' It's more complex then you think Seth."

I nod understandingly.

"Choose a name. Then we can figure out an outfit."

I see Jake sitting on the couch listening.

"Jake. You too." Jackie announces.

"Phoenix," I claim.

"What?"

"My name. Phoenix. That's what I want it to be. It's a type of bird that rose from ashes."

That's not why I want to be called Phoenix...

"Raiden." He's on his phone. He turns the phone to use to show what he was on.

The definition of Raiden. Thunder and lightning. Or heavy rainfall.

"Ok. Costumes. What do you want to do?"

I look at Jake who just shrugs. "I don't know.  What do you think?"

Jackie looks at her computer and opens a website.

Its a costume design website. It already has designed.

" So. I already had something in mind and I saved the ideas to this website. I know both of you. I knew that you wouldn't have any ideas. Typical boys. Anyway, my idea for you, Seth is a red and black suit. It's made of a material that your flames can go right through and not catch on fire itself."

I look at the screen. This costume is really neat. "I didn't know they made that kind of material."

"They didn't. I did." She such a science nerd. "Anyway. The clothing department said that there was no use for it so I thought I had wasted my time. But finding out about you... I guess the universe had its reasons... It also has a helmet instead of a mask. Its helmet protects from basically everything. Especially water." She explains.

"Can we add spikes?" I wonder.

She clicks a few buttons and the shoulders are covered in spikes, along with the helmet, boots, and jeans. "There. Now, the entire costume has re material that can protect you from the water. But the helmet is stronger. It looks like it would protect the back and sides of the head along with the forehead. But it has a clear vision layer that isn't seeable."

I love the design more than love itself.

" You know, in spy movies, they have those glasses that gives them more power, like, can give them notifications and x-ray vision, to a certain extent?"

I nod.

" Yeah. Well, the helmet can do the same thing. But if you use the capabilities of the helmet, then anyone who looks at you is gonna think your seeing things because they can't see what you are through the helmet... there is a small mask that you must wear with the helmet so people can't recognize."

She clicks on another design. "Jake. Come here."

Jake looks up when she calls. He stands up from being on the couch and puts his phone in his pocket. He stands on the other side of Jackie's chair.

"I made this design for you. It has-"

"I get it." He cuts her off. "I understand the basics. I heard you explain to Seth. It's basically the same thing. But more my style looks... Thank you, Jackie."

She smiles and gets up. She looks at the clock on the wall. 7:52. "I'm late for dinner. Lock up for me." She tosses me a set of keys and walks down the stairs.

I look at Jake. He is still on his phone. Always on his phone.

"In leaving. You coming?" I question.

He gets up and puts his phone down. After we lock up he drives me home. After dinner, I go right to sleep.

My mom doesn't know about this superhero thing yet. I don't plan on telling her either. She'll just have to find out on her own. But I know that she will find out.

I'm not telling her because she'll just try to stop me.

But what will everyone at school think? They know of my power. Will they know it's me? What's gonna happen?