Cobra's Beginning: A Raren Thyme Story

A "Normal" Life

Rare Thyme tried to live a normal life. She went to college, did her homework, and hung out with her normal friends in normal places. Well, almost normal.

It's hard to say that the top of the Statue of Liberty is a normal place. It's also hard to say that a famous superhero or a couple of evil villains are normal "friends".

It wasn't like Raren tried to get kidnapped, tied to Liberty's torch, and then rescued by Heron. It wasn't her fault that the Hyenas saw Raren as the perfect hostage to get the Heron's attention. It was all because of a TV newscast that caught Heron talking to Raren on her dorm balcony. Ever since, Raren has been kidnapped more times than she could count.

A rapping came at her window. A muted voice carried through to her desk, where Raren sat working on a history paper.

"Raren. Raren Thyme. Come on, please pay attention to me!" The muted voice turned into a humored plea.

Raren sighed, and put down her stylus. She turned to face the window, and saw the familiar blue mask of Heron. His dissaproving frown broke into a wide grin as Raren got up and walked towards him, brushing her wild and curly red hair out of her face. She pushed the window open, and moved out of the way as Heron barreled past into her room.

To be frank, it was a mess. She never bothered to make her bed, or organize the pile of clothes in her closet. Her desk was covered in printed resources and large textbooks, and the wire-mesh pen caddy on her desk had been knocked over, so that all of her writing utensils were scattered. Her stylus sat on top of her laptop, which was open to a Smithsonian website.

"So, are you too busy, or can you come to the Halloween party with me?" He turned to face Raren's desk. "When is that due?"

She pondered for a moment. "November 5th, I believe."

Heron leaned down to inspect another tab he had opened. "Yeah, and it looks like you're almost done. Twelve pages! When did you get the assignment?"

Raren blushed as she clasped her hands behind her back. "Well, I got it four days ago, but I've been distracted with the Hyenas' latest move, and sleep. I really only started yesterday morning. I could use the extra time, if I skipped the party..."

Heron laughed. "I'm pretty sure you'll be fine. Besides, I'm not coming as Heron." He pulled his mask off, and ran his hand through his black hair as he sighed in relief.

Raren laughed, and gave her friend a hug before replying. "I like Taiko Mayes more than Heron anyways. Fine, I'll go, but I'm not staying up till two in the morning like last time.

Taiko grinned. "Good. My house, 7 PM?"

Raren laughed, and nodded her head. "I'll be there."

Taiko took a step back, towards the window. He looked around the room, and pulled the mask back on, framing Heron's icy blue eyes. His smile softened, and he leaned back out the window.

Raren had seen this process countless of times, but it was still enchanting to watch.

Heron placed his hands on the window and pushed. Raren's heart dropped. He plummeted head-first, to the street below. Raren watched as two large wings sprouted from his back.

It was the product of MARE: Mutant Actualizing Radiation Energy, a machine left to Taiko from his father, Anthony Mayes. He had been the leading scientist in DNA study, and had received multiple awards for his observations on the electromagnetic spectrum of radiation. He had been creating MARE in secret, but no one knows what for, except Taiko and Raren. Not that she would tell.

Anthony was working late in his lab one day, when his gamma radiation machine malfunctioned, frying every soul in the entire labratory.

Taiko had been staying at Raren's house, waiting for his dad to come and pick him up. He never came. His mom came and got him the next morning.

With one stroke, Heron soared, bringing himself back to the window. "Hey, are you OK?" He stuck his head back in, a quizzical look on his face. Raren had zoned out, once again. His large feathery wings beat rythmically, barely brushing against the window.

"Uh, yeah, I'm fine." Raren gave him a smile. He looked relieved, then pushed out into the air.

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?" Heron called back.

"Yeah. Bye!" She leaned out the window, her grip tight on the window sill.

Heron saluted, then took off to the clouds.