Chapter 1

"Come on Cassie, we're gonna be late for the expedition!" Alyster yelled from the hotel door. They had planned a trek through the caves in advance, wanting to see the emeralds, rubies and opals all encrusted in the cave walls. It would make for a really great exercise as well if they wanted to make it to what was called the porthole. It was a hole deep in the cave that led even deeper to the core of the earth. Alyster and their friend Cassie got what they needed for their adventure, just a small backpack with water, protein bars and bandaids for them both. Cassie swooped the backpack around her study body and tied back her black hair into a messy bun. Alyster hung their pack over their broad shoulders and combed their short blonde hair out of their blue eyes. The both of them tied up their hiking shoes and walked out of the hotel room, checking if they had their key cards on them before the door closed. They called a cab as they walked out of the lobby and enjoyed the scenic ride to the mouth of the cave. Alyster noticed the beautiful fauna and flora and couldn't help but say "Can you believe we're here Cassie?"

"No, it's amazing! It was so worth planning this trip together, we've been so busy in the city! I hope you're not thinking too much about work" Cassie replied.

"Oh, I haven't thought of it for a minute!" Alyster said excitedly. "I would've gone crazy if I had to make another article about some political scandal!"

"Me too Aly." Cassie agreed, using the nickname she had given her friend years ago when they met working at Vice news. They both loved their job and had pretty influential roles in the office, but they were about to reach burnout with the amount of news they had to put up with. At least they had each other through the hard times. They had been friends for years, both having a real drive to find the truth and bring justice to every story. A big story for them had been covering the arrests of superheroes and meta-humans thanks to the United Nations' overstep of power. They had watch so many heroes get handcuffed and locked in prison just for trying to protect the earth from alien invaders. Just before they left, Halem, a guy named Larry who had gone into hiding was eventually caught. Cassie was going to write another scathing report about the UN's policy but it just got written up as an update. Their stodgy boss Carl had other ideas about what to put on the front pages and most of the time it was stuff that didn't matter. But it did matter to Alyster and Cassie. They saw the absolute injustice of it and how vulnerable it was making the world.

But for once, that was off their minds as they got out of the cab and into the visitor's centre right before the mouth of the cave. They paid their fare, got a safety briefing and helmets with lights fixed to the top. Then once a big enough crew was gathered, they got up, did their stretches and stepped into the darkness. "It smells like a swamp in here" Cassie mentioned, trying to ignore it and focus on the beauty of the cave around her.

"Yea, it's a a little musty, I think we'll get used to it though" Alyster replied, trying to downplay how much the smell was affecting them. They had gone down a tunnel that led them deep into the earth and were deep below sea level. The cave was absolutely stunning, with gems of all colours sparkling in the flashlights of the tourist group, and the cool air was a refreshing feeling after the heat of the island sun. They had gone on for so long and were so entranced by the beauty around them, they didn't realize how far they had gone. Two hours in, the tour guide stopped them and had them gather in a rounder section of the cave with a large hole in the side of the burrow. It looked like a jagged tear and steam was pouring out, making it feel like a sauna.

"This gash in the rocks is one of the closest known to the core of the earth" The tour guide pointed out. "The heat and magma along with water flowing in from rivers in the cave make steam bellow out naturally." he continued. "You may take a good look down, just make sure your cameras are strapped to your arms!" He joked.

"This is so cool!" Alyster piped. They knelt down beside the vat of steam and made sure to stabilize themselves so they wouldn't fall. Their thoughts became as empty as the pit before them, and they felt peace for the first time in a while. Alyster looked at Cassie and realized she felt the same. They both finally got what they were looking for, a calmness in the craziness. The other tourists filtered around them, some of the group not even brave enough to go near the crack! Slowly, but suddenly, Alyster felt a voice creep into their mind, one that wasn't theirs. Something was replacing the quiet they had achieved and it was a deep, robotic voice didn't seem to be coming from anywhere in the cave. Looking down into the crevasse, they saw a blue light emerge from the depths and zoom towards the opening. In a flash, it hit Alyster's chest with only enough force to make them stand up, and the dark voice said "You are a hopeful inheritor. Enjoy your strength" Looking around, no one seemed to notice.

Cassie just got up and asked "You had enough of the bottomless pit too?"

"Yea, I'm good, I guess" Was all Alyster could muster. They couldn't find the words to describe what had just happened and so didn't say anything to Cassie. It probably was something that wouldn't amount to anything anyway.

The tour guide said time was up on the sightseeing and told everyone to have a snack, some water, and get in front of him again. They prepared for the long trek back up to the outside world, and Alyster worried they would run out of energy before they got halfway through. They knew Cassie would be good though, being an athletic girl. 'Just put one foot in front of the other' Alyster told themselves. Surprisingly though, they had no problem clambering back up the cave. They realized they could pull more of their own weight, they didn't run out of breath at all and could even help a heavier man up one of the rocky clefs. It ended up getting to their head and they tried running through a flatter section, but scraped their thigh against the wall of the cave. Throwing off their backpack, they grabbed a piece of paper to clean their wound and a band-aid to cover it, but as they wiped the blood off their leg, the cut was gone! It had just disappeared, but out of routine they put the bandage on anyway. It was just another thirty minutes until they would reach the mouth of the cave, and it went by like a breeze! It was like a whole new burst of energy and strength! Maybe that blue energy did do something to them after all! Skipping down the hill back to the visitor's centre, they gave back their helmets and had a break in the foyer. Eating the rest of their snacks, Cassie and Alyster looked over the photos they took and listened vaguely to the Seinfeld rerun playing on tv. They had gotten to their photos of the crevasse, and Alyster thought to tell Cassie of their mysterious strength. "Listen, Cassie, I know this is gonna sound weird but-" suddenly the opening to The National blared on TV. Both of their attention turned to the screen right away, an instinct of their job, and focused on the report. They went through all their headlines, and then flipped straight to a story from Montreal.

"This just in, an Alien known as Lord Doomer had landed into the atmosphere in the Mile End of Montreal. It was seeking to purge our planet of all life for it to inhabit our earth instead of us. Thanks to the heroes known as Galactic Justice, the world has been saved!" The news anchor continued with the details of all the heroes, some who had died and were unidentifiable, but some had survived. It was harrowing battle that was almost lost! Alyster and Cassie looked at each other in disappointment.

"Guess we might have to cut our trip early, huh?" Cassie pondered.

"Maybe, but we still have a few days of vacation left! Let's use them wisely now! When we go back, we'll be facing a whole new debate!" Alyster countered.

"You're right Aly. Look at me, wanting to hit the presses as soon as anything dramatic happens! God, I'll never stop thinking like a reporter, huh?" Cassie remarked.

"It's okay girl, it shows the strong work ethic I've always liked about you!" Alyster said "And also the reporter thing is never gonna go away for you." They both smirked at each other and as they got up, embraced each other strongly. Their world was almost taken from them and they didn't even know it. Grabbing their bags, they grabbed a cab back to the hotel and took a good nap before grabbing dinner. They tried their best to enjoy the rest of their trip, but Alyster couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that they were changing in the weirdest way. Not only were they becoming stronger on the inside, but it was showing on the outside. Their arms were more defined, their old scars suddenly disappeared, and their hunger no longer bothered them. It was unnerving and they just couldn't think of a way to describe it to Cassie, so they never did. Before they knew it they were going back home and they had to get back to work the next week. When Alyster got home it was only noon so going to bed wasn't the best idea. In fact, they weren't even tired. Making lunch quickly, they had a thought about where to test their new abilities. Leaving with just their necessities in their pocket, they hopped in the metro and went all the way to Viau. The Olympic Park was practically empty in the chill months of fall, and it was a perfect place for Alyster to outdo what they were able to do in he caves. Instead of taking the regular paths, they started freerunning up the ledge of the old stadium, walking on the ledges of the pavilions, balancing on the rails and jumping over gaps in the concrete. They came to a ledge right above the Pie-IX stop that was about ten feet tall and made the landing no problem. Not even feeling out of breath, they decided to walk down to Joliette and then went back home after getting out all their pent-up energy. It was exhilarating the changes that they were going through! It felt like a well of strength inside them that wouldn't dry up! Going back to work at their desk would be an absolute drag.

Monday Morning:

"Alyster, Cassie! Great to see you're back!" Carl exclaimed. "Hope I don't have to brief you guys on what you missed, it'll take too long." The newsroom was all abuzz with everyone getting their stories done, and everyone was focussed on their work.

"It's ok, we saw the news" Cassie answered. "What do you want me to do about the UN's reaction?

"What reaction?" Carl said.

"The first message they gave, that everything was fine? It was very poorly timed and people could've been evacuated to safety if it weren't for their late warning." She said back.

"Yea, I guess you're right. Ok, you can spend 30 minutes on that, and for you Alyster, I want you to write up a report on the resistance to the UN's heroes Policy." Carl demanded, fixing his glasses that were sliding down his sharp nose and pulled a blue stress ball out of his khakis.

"Sure thing Carl!" Alyster replied

"Ok, thanks girls-I mean, sorry Alyster, just-thank you both." Carl stammered, his tie spinning around his short body as he turned around sharply.

"Still hasn't gotten the hang of your pronouns, huh?" Cassie said dully.

"It's fine, you know I've really got no preference." Alyster countered as they sat down at their desk. "Besides, he's known me back when I was feminine so it's fair for him to do that."

"Yea, but it's been two years since you've become genderfluid, it's not like it's anything new to him! Come on Aly, stand up for yourself!" Cassie encouraged.

"It's okay Cassie, it was just a flub! And you should get to writing, you've got twenty-eight minutes left now!" Alyster said with a smile.

"Oh for the love of-" Cassie sputtered, grabbing a note pad and launching her computer up. Alyster took a deep breath and turned on her desktop as well, going straight to youtube to find different reactions to the stubborn policy that was still in place. Many people were starting to sympathize with the heroes, and there was even a vibrant yet solemn parade for those that fought against Lord Doomer. It was a beautiful tribute and it showed that people's minds were finally changing. But the UN never conceded. The Secretary General, Warren Veidt, had a vendetta against all types of meta-humans, demigods, and just do-gooders with powers. Some people had said they had gone through life-threatening experiences and were able to expel ice or fire from their hands or even fly! Those were the most sorry cases, people put through the system without a fair trial and locked in maximum security prisons. There needed to be something done about this injustice, but all anyone could do in the office was get their frustrations out on paper. Luckily, no one had figured out where the surviving heroes had gone after the Doominoids left, but it couldn't be long until they were found again. Until then, all Alyster had was their work. That and their mysterious strength.

A Few Months Later:

"Why am I so tired?" Cassie complained. "I wish we could go on another vacation right now!"

"Ha! Where has your vigour gone, my graceful steed? Was it lost in Grand Cayman with the sea?" Alyster joked along. They wished they could relate to their friend, but after being hit with that blue energy, not much had tired them.

"Really Aly? You think all my whims are gone with the waves? You are the steed my friend, and I am the stallion!" Cassie boasted, laughing for the whole lunchroom to hear.

"Oh are you now? I am no mere steed, I am a…a….I can't think of a comeback, you win." They surrendered, making an innocent face. No matter how strong they were becoming, wits didn't come with the package apparently. Not to mention that voice they heard in their head hadn't appeared again to Alyster's comfort.

"I win!" Cassie said for almost the entire office to hear.

Just then Carl walked in, muttering something under his breath until he said audibly "Alyster, there you are! Have you got any leads on where those three heroes had gone to?" Carl inquired.

"No, I would've told you if I had something!" Alyster replied.

"Oh, right." Carl said, sitting beside the two friends with his lunch. "I heard there's been a big crackdown on those even cosplaying as them!"

"Are you kidding me?!" Cassie said through a mouthful of noodles.

"No, it's just getting ridiculous now!" Carl lamented. In a softer tone, he added "You know, I'm starting to understand your opinions now. These guys saved us and lost their friends in the process, and how do we repay them? By making them run in fear!? I just want to storm into the UN and demand an explanation as to what makes them think this is right!"

"Wow, you really do understand us!" Alyster said, shocked at his sudden sympathy.

"Now do you get why we're so tired?" Cassie added.

"Yea, I do. How about you two make an editorial on the disarray this policy has caused? Along with that, put out a warning." Carl suggested.

"For what?" Alyster asked.

"There's been reports of even more alien activity that is signalling their intent to come here just like Lord Doomer did. It's not the same species though, it's some robot race that has been identified only once before. Just write down that people should keep an eye up in the sky." Carl explained.

"Yikes, we certainly will!" Cassie promised. Carl got up to talk to the others in the lunchroom, but Alyster couldn't get two of his words out of their head. Robot race? Could it be who spoke to them all those months ago? And what where they thinking of doing with earth? Alyster had so many questions about the supposed threat, but was startled out of it by their friend trying to get their attention. "Alyster? I asked you what you what do you think?"

"Think about what?" Alyster stammered.

"About what exact points we should cover in our editorial! We've had so many notes on this topic, but where should we start?" Cassie said, frustrated.

"Oh, um, why don't we start at Secretary General Veidt's plans? He seems to be pretty sure that the earth is just fine without heroes, but some things just don't add up!" Alyster improvised.

"Ok, that would be a strong hook for the article." Cassie agreed. "Are you ok though, it was like you weren't here for a second! I don't want you to shut down like you did last time."

"I was ok, just deep in thought there. I told you I'd actually reach for your hand if that happened again!" Alyster reassured her. There were a couple times when the stress of getting articles done would stress out the both of them so bad, they wouldn't say anything. Just sit in one place, stoic and unfocused. They promised each other that when they had those episodes, they would reach out for help physically. They had been there for each other through so many stressful times and had depended on each other for so long. They didn't know what they would do without each other.

"Ok, Aly. Now finish up your soup, we need to get writing!" Cassie cheered.