Wingless Hearts [hiatus]

Prologue

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Would you use it to help people, or hurt them? Or to assert power?

There are people who are shy and get embarrassed easily by what they say and do. They might wish to become invisible, for however long or short amount of time.

Those with obligations and limited freedom may want to be able to fly far away from all their problems.

People who have suffered in the past may want to become invincible, so that nobody can hurt them anymore. Or they might want to be able to protect others from enemies or themselves.

Whatever the reason, people have always wanted to better themselves, whether it be with technology or biology. They experiment, test, and pray for a quirk, power, ability- the point is, they want something to make them unique, or to help others.

So what happens if a select few brilliant and skilled individuals are granted that power? Some technologically, and some biologically.

Well, for starters, the brighter the light, the longer the shadows stretch. The more powerful we become, the more powerful our enemies become.

Of course, personally, I have never truly believed in good or bad. I believe in good, and those who have lost their way. Then, there are people who have been raised by those who have lost their way.

I have dedicated myself into helping all those who are lost, whether or not it was by choice. SHIELD and the NYPD disagree with my methods, and I've never personally met the Avengers, but from what I can tell, SHIELD and the A-squad are pretty friendly with each other.

Since we don't exactly see eye-to-eye, I've been marked as a 'disturbance to New York,' and any government officials or officers have orders to take me down should I appear in any crime scene. You know, just for having compassion, and going off of the "we're all human" stuff they teach in school.

-~<:[(8)]:>~-

"Are you in position, Belle?"

"Yes, and I have been for ten minutes now, just like the last time you asked. Are they coming in yet, Chicken?"

"They are heading your way right now. And stop calling me that!"

"But I can't call you by your real name, and Hen doesn't work as a nickname, cause that sounds so feminine even I won't use it to tease you. Now shut up, I have to listen in."

"I thought your dad at least taught you it's bad to eavesdrop."

"And I'm pretty sure yours taught you to respect women! Please shut up, unless you want a bullet in my skull once they see and hear me."

"Shutting up now."

The sun was setting, casting an orange hue over everything. The building she was keeping an eye on was old and run-down. Her hand went to comm, twisting it slightly the volume would go down and the microphone's sensitivity would increase.

Two men stood slightly in front of the doors to the building, one burly with tattoos, and the other skinny with a baseball cap.

"What on earth do you mean, we have another shipment? Wasn't yesterday the last one?"

The one with the baseball cap made a shushing motion, glancing around before leaning closer to his partner. "It's not just a shipment," he whispered. "The boss is holding a meeting with our partners. Whatever they're bringing, he needs it out of New York before the super-powered freaks find out we have it."

With that, the skinny man stepped back, his hand hovering over his gun as he resumed his post- standing to the left of the door, his feet shoulder-width apart and a glare in his eyes. The burly man mirrored his actions, crossing his arms instead of preparing to grab his gun in case of an attack.

"Did you get all of that?" Belle asked, digging her nails into her palms. What are their partners bringing in? Why do they have to get it out of New York?

"Yeah, I did. But do you see that woman over there?"

The brunette furrowed her brows, confused. "I'm going to need you to be more specific, Henry."

"Look straight down the street towards that table with the umbrella. Do you see the newspaper?"

Belle did as her partner said, narrowing her eyes at the woman peeking over the newspaper. "I see her alright. What's she doing?"

"Hacking her devices now." It was quiet for a moment, the only sound being the slight breeze and the typical sounds of New York streets. Beeping, yelling, and the like. They sounded muffled, though, almost as if there was something more to be hearing.

Almost as if someone wanted her to hear something else.

Belle's hand subconsciously traced her earring, the woven metal serving as a reminder of why she stood where she stood. A memory of Lahira's training resurfaced, sorrow accounting it as Belle reminisced over their shared master's passing.

"Is that all?"

She stilled, realizing she hadn't completed the exercise like she should have. A glance at Eragon was all it took to realize he'd made the same mistake.

"I..." she couldn't form the words, terrified of his reaction. "Yes, Ebrithil," she responded in unison with Eragon.

Instead of anger consuming Oromis, he only seemed a little disappointed, if not expectant of their failure. "And what were the other organisms in the earth and air? Can you tell me what they were doing while your ants tended their droves, Eragon? And Lahira, while your plants grew?"

They responded in unison yet again, "No, Ebrithil."

"Therein lies your mistake. You must become aware of all things equally and not blinker yourself in order to concentrate on a particular subject. This is an essential lesson, and until you master it, you will meditate on the stump for an hour each day."

Lahira nodded, resigning herself to become better, to do better. Eragon, however, was still curious.

"How will we know when we have mastered it?"

"When you can watch one and know all." The elf looked at the girl standing in front of him, taking in her posture and hanging head. She looks scared. "Lahira," he said, catching her attention. "You are here to learn. Learning requires mistakes to take place. You will not be punished for your mistakes, understood?"

She nodded at his words, an embarrassed blush covering her cheeks. "Yes, Ebrithil."

"Belle?"

The brunette shook her head to clear her mind of the memory. "Yes, Henry?" She paused, recollecting her thoughts. "What were you saying?"

He didn't say anything for a moment. "The woman has a gun and some other weapons. From her appearance and tech, I'd say she's a part of SHIELD. Be careful with her."

"Got it, thanks."

Belle turned away from the woman, but opened her mind. Watch one and know all. She reached out, brushing against the minds of all the living things within a mile near her. From the fish to the seaweed to the birds above her and the woman with the newspaper.

Watch one and know all.

Connecting herself to the living things around her, it'd be hard to take Belle by surprise. But when her mind connected with a familiar presence, she closed it and jumped, nearly slipping off the roof as some shingles came loose. She grabbed onto the edge of the roof, wincing as the shingles hit the ground, breaking into pieces with loud shatters.

I'm fucked, aren't I?