A Hero's Tale

Chapter Five: Old and New

"Jeez, you do one slightly heroic thing and suddenly everyone wants to get to know you," Shane said as he sat down at his group's lunch table. Apparently news of him stopping the villain Breaker had spread like wildfire, and ever since the moment he arrived at school people were trying to talk to him. Some were sincere and offered him compliments for how he acted. Others were more vain and merely wanted to be near him because he was popular for the moment. Shane didn't care too much, but he would have appreciated a moment's respite. And that's what he was hoping lunch to be; a time for him to rest and be with his actual friends.

"Hey, you're the one who decided to go and be Mr. Hero Guy, not us," Blake said. Shane sighed.

"Well, yeah, but I didn't expect all of this," he said as gestured wildly around him.

"It's not completely unexpected. I mean, apart from the awesome moves you pulled, people are interested in you because of all of the hype for the Hero's University Entrance Exams. You're unknown to the world. A completely unknown person that suddenly shows up out of nowhere with an incredible Trait and manages to save the day. I mean, of course people are going to be interested in you now," Kevin said. Shane sighed and dropped his head.

"My trait's only 'incredible' in the right circumstances, though. I can copy people, sure, but that's only as useful as the abilities of those around me. If I'm on my own, I've got nothing to work with," Shane released another sigh and shook his head. "Maybe taking the Entrance Exams was a bad idea..." he said.

"You're not thinking of backing out now, are you?" Blake asked. Shane looked up at him.

"So what if I am?" he asked. Blake tsk'd.

"Dude, you have a chance none of the rest of us have. You get the opportunity to show yourself off, and become some kind of big hero. You could become the next Valiant!" Blake exclaimed. Shane snorted.

"Yeah, only one problem with that. Valiant's powers stay with him at all times. Mine disappear in about two minutes, and only come back if I can touch the person I got them from to begin with. My Trait's cool, but I don't know how I can make it work to be a hero," Shane said. Blake shrugged.

"Eh, just do what you can. There's gotta be something you can do. Maybe you can become a partner for someone, or something like that. Just gotta touch someone before you have to do any of the tests," he said.

"I don't know if it will be that easy," Shane said.

"It won't be," Sarah cut in. "But being a hero never is easy. I'm sure you'll figure it out, Shane. Just don't forget about us little people when you reach the big leagues, okay?" she said with a pout. Shane laughed.

"Yeah, I'll definitely invite you guys to the wild parties I'll hold when I'm at the top," he said.

"I'll be sure to spread your name around, bro. Maybe you can get me into more parties like yesterday's. Speaking of," Blake said before he paused and looked Shane with a questioning expression. "I just thought of something. How did you even meet Robyn? You would have had to run into after you left the party," he said. Shane shook his head.

"No, I actually met her there. We had been talking before you came and told me you were fine with me leaving. Afterwards we left to go hang out at this cafe, but that got interrupted by Breaker destroying the street outside," Shane said. Blake smirked.

"So, did you get her number?" he asked. Shane eyed Blake warily as he sensed a trap.

"So what if I did?" he asked. Blake chuckled.

"Oh, nothing, nothing," he said. Shane continued to eye Blake, but eventually just shrugged it off and continued eating. "It's just nice to know that you have a new girlfriend," Blake commented. Shane immediately began to choke on his food, and after Sarah slapped his back to help him breathe again, Shane glared at Blake.