City of Shadows

Superhero 101

(Brianna's POV)

I straighten my mask and inhale sharply. I stare at the doorknob to the training room of the SIRA and wonder if I'm crazy for doing this. Starting my own team. They're all in there waiting for me.

I only found three of them. I had been hoping to find more. Them again it's a lot to ask someone to put their lives on the line.

How I can I do this? Train people to be heroes. I wasn't even there to save my best friend. Why should they even listen to me? Being an extrovert can't cover up a lack of leadership experience. Well, it looks like I'm going to improvise.

I race into the room and do a couple laps just for show, leaving a pink streak in my wake. I come to a stop in front of my team. My little stunt was just a walk in the park for me, so I'm not even out of breath. I scan the faces of my recruits. Daydreamer aka Jasmine Riddle, is trying to act cool, but I can tell she is fangirling on the inside. Rift looks unamused. Then there's Rosa, I found her fighting crime in the Latin American neighborhoods of the southside of Silver City.

"Is this everyone?" Rift asks with an unamused tone of voice.

"This is everyone so far. I'm still open to finding new recruits." I reply.

"You should find someone who can fly. Flying is a cool power." Daydreamer suggests.

"I'm just looking for willing heroes regardless of what their power is, or if they even have a power." I explain. Suddenly, I have an idea on what direction to take our little meeting. I smile and say, "Speaking of powers, today's meeting will be about powers. In order to best train you, and for the experts here at the SIRA to craft you a proper suit, I'm going to have to see your powers in action."

As I speak I shift my gaze from person to person. According to Google, shifting your gaze keeps you to keep the entire group engaged. I may or may not have googled a list of good leadership skills.

"Being a hero isn't just about saving people or fighting villains. You have to also be able to defend yourself. If you get severely injured in a fight, you more than likely won't be able to save anyone." I explain to my team. "In order to do so, you must know the full range of your ability. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? You also have to have a back up plan for when an opponent uses your weakness against you."

Daydreamer taps her foot and wrings her hands.

"Do you have something you want to say?" I ask her.

Daydreamer nods and then eagerly says, "This is just like how Superman's weakness is kryptonite, or how Spiderman can run out of web fluid for his web shooters. This is also like how the Green Lantern has to recharge his ring or else his powers won't work."

I smile at Daydreamer's comment. Jasmine is still Jasmine, even with a mask on.

"I suppose it is kind of like that." I agree with her. Then I turn my attention back to the group.

"Alright, how would you guys like to go about this?" I ask them. Then I list off some suggestions, "You could each say what your power is and given an example, or you could also show off your power through friendly combat."

Rosa crosses her arms, and says with her lightly accented voice, "I don't want to fight my teammates."

"That's alright. You don't have to if you don't want to." I tell Rosa.

"Pfft." Rift scoffs. "She's going to have to fight."

Rosa gives Rift an appalled look."I'm not a fighter. I save people and I peacefully break up fights."