Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday

Chapter 5: Fear is a Superpower

Sometimes when you raise a child, you end up raising more than one. My mom was compassionate, always wanting to make my friends happy. So when one of my friends needed a home, she came through. My friend... she lost her family, lost her home, lost her identity, her ability to live. And all because of something she never asked for, never wanted. We took her in, gave her a family, a home, reminded her who she was, helped her through everything. Helped her live. And in my darkest hours, which were often her darkest hours as well, she helped me live too. Why'd she throw it all away? Why'd you have to throw it all away Val? Why'd you leave me in the dark? Now I have to wake up screaming your name, remembering your blood on my hands... We were family! I was all you had!

~~~

Justin and X continued to hold me firmly in the chair, even after I'd stopped struggling. Outside, Element was letting the crowd calm down, since they'd erupted into a mixture of cheers and protests at her message to me. She held a hand up to silence them as she stepped off the podium and walked over to her place next to Shock. They stood at attention as Mr. Senior made his way back to the podium, their matching uniforms and armor looking a little too perfect next to each other. The Shulkerbahns all had the same uniform, but in different colors coordinating to their powers. Element's was red-orange, light blue and black for her fire, ice and wind. Shock's was yellow and black, a symbol of her electric powers. The height difference was evident, as was the different looks in their eyes. Element's eyes still glowed like fire, feeding off of the crowd's reactions. But overall her eyes were tired, hardened, almost evil. Shock's were softer, warmer, younger, making the age difference of five years between her and Element all too obvious.

"However citizens," Mr. Senior's booming voice knocked me out of my observational thoughts. "This was not the original news I came here to deliver today."

"Right, because that was just a bonus." I heard Megan sneer from next to me. I think Katrina whacked her on the shoulder, but I'm not sure since I was still busy trying to get Justin and X to let go of me. I could just tell them to let go of me but my vocal chords still weren't working. None-the-less all of us turned our attention back to the stage, noting that the reporters gathered on the field were on alert. I watched Justin swish through pages on his eyepiece, so I looked up at him to see if he had anything to say.
"Anyone that wasn't tuned in before, is watching now." Justin said quietly.

"I would like to celebrate our Shulkerbahns and all that they have done to bring about the U.N.A and honor their role in preserving our peace. To commend their loyalty and their incredible powers and abilities. In memoriam of the Primary Squadron, and in celebration of the B Squadron, I would like to announce a way for our Shulkerbahns to show off the full extent of their abilities." The crowd was silent, hanging on Mr. Senior's every word.

"What is he going on about?" Megan asked, concern in her voice.

"Two weeks from today, will mark the 2ndanniversary of B Squadron, and on that day we will have a Tournament of Power, a competition pitting our six beloved Shulkerbahns against each other."
"What!" Yelled Megan, jumping out of her chair.

"No freaking way." Justin whispered.

"Ok, but in some kinda way that's going to be incredible to watch." Katrina said, turning around to face us.

"It'll be like something out of a superhero movie!" Exclaimed X, barely containing his excitement.

"Shush you guys." I finally managed to say. "He's not finished." My team quieted down, listening to the crowd's enthusiastic yelling outside. Mr. Senior smiled and continued.

"Element, Shock, Flight, Soldier, Quick and Green will be randomly assigned pairs. After that first round, we will have three winners. These winners will face each other one-on-one, and will have to win against both opponents to emerge victorious." The camera panned over to Element and Shock, which was a bad move because they were expressionless, this was not news to them.