Cole MacGrath

When Cole MacGrath woke up on the roof of his best friend Zeke, he assumed it would just be another day of parading around Empire City. Since the death of Kessler, he had all but given up on his evil side. He preferred the life of a triumphant hero over that of a villainous pariah. Zeke was snoring contentedly on the other couch that Cole had lugged up the side of the building onto the roof.

A couple of weeks before, Zeke had abandoned Cole to join Kessler and the First Sons with the Ray Sphere, but Cole had forgiven him for that. He had become a much more sympathetic person since Trish's death, living as a good man so that she wouldn't worry in the afterlife.

Cole leapt from roof to roof through the city, content to just drift through. He helped those who needed help: moving a train, destroying a Transient bus armed with machine guns, breaking some Reaper surveillance equipment; just the usual hero stuff. The people of Empire City cheered his name excitedly as he passed, he was the man.

Cole jumped down into Archer Square to greet his numerous fans who had called him from the rooftops. All of the sudden, the huge-screened television in the square lit up with a familiar red and black background—the self-proclaimed "Voice of Survival"—and a voice boomed across the square. It wasn't the usual preachy voice of the man who had recently been taken away by the government, but what seemed like that of a child, high-pitched and clear.

"Hello, Empire City, I am not the so-called 'Voice of Survival' you have grown used to, but you will know me soon enough. I am the new commander of the Reapers. My name will be revealed in due time, but for now, I seek one thing, one person: Cole MacGrath. If he hears this message, I would like him to come to Jefferson Tunnel, the place where he defeated Sasha. He will know what I am talking about. Goodbye, Empire City, you will hear from me again soon, I am assured of it."

As the message blinked off, Cole still stared at the screen. Who the hell was that? Cole thought anxiously. And what does he want with me?

Cole had run quickly to Jefferson tunnel, expecting to be met with at least a small army of Reapers, but there was nobody, just the tunnel's closed door. The door opened with a loud clang.

"I guess that means 'come in'," Cole muttered under his breath.

As he walked through the empty tunnel, it occurred to Cole that it seemed a bit too quiet in the former headquarters of the Reapers. This is definitely the kind of place horror movie scenes happen in, isn't it? Cole thought. He felt as if someone was watching him, like the tension could be cut with a knife. He was totally on edge, waiting for something to happen.

Cole continued to walk, at a slower pace now so that he could better react to any danger that might jump out and surprise him. He walked across a car and saw something that he shouldn't have in the dark tunnel. Light, sunlight. Cole was utterly bewildered. What was even more surprising than that was that there was a person sitting in the middle of it, on a gilded, wrought-iron throne that looked like it had been twisted in the sitting child's hands.

The boy had straight shining black hair. He looked to be about thirteen or fourteen, but his eyes reflected a much older personality; they were dark, a deep purple colour that seemed to be completely unnatural. He was clearly a conduit of some kind, but Cole was unsure whether he should go into battle without knowing what he was up against.

Suddenly a car flew up from the ground, straight at Cole. Luckily he noticed before it ploughed into him and jumped aside just in time to avoid it.

"I'm so glad you dodged that, Cole," said the young boy. "It would have been so boring if you had died so easily. It's just not fun if the game ends too quickly." He smiled at Cole, but the look in his eyes was clearly one of condescension.

"You did that?" Cole asked, angry now that someone so young had dared to underestimate him. He's a telekinetic eh? Cole thought. I've fought his type before, I can do this. Cole shot himself at the boy, but as soon as he got within one foot of the child he fell to the ground. The kid put his foot on top of Cole's head, holding him down.

"My, my; I had no idea that you were so quick to attack, Cole. You didn't even give me the chance to introduce myself. My name is Ace, by the way. I'm Sasha's younger brother. I understand that you defeated her, correct?"

"So what do you want? Are you looking for revenge, or something?"

"Oh no, I'm actually glad she's been imprisoned. She was quite the little psychopath, wasn't she?"

What's going through this kid's head? Cole thought. If he doesn't want revenge, what did he call me here for? "What the hell are you?"

"What am I, you ask? I'm the same as you."

Cole was shocked. "You use electricity? So you used electro-magnetic energy to flip that car at me and pin me down?"

Ace laughed heartily. "Come now, Cole. Don't assume that just because I say I'm the same as you that I'm just a mere thunder-man. If I used the phrase 'solid synchronization technology' would you understand what I meant?"

"What is 'solid synchronization technology'?"

"Well, if anybody understands that phrase, typically their thoughts will go to the Ray Sphere because it is the most well-known. However, that trifle of the First Sons' is by no means the only example of solid sync technology. There are many different types: fire, ice, wind, gravity, etc. The possibilities really are endless with it. Although, it's most unfortunate that so many do have to die to create even one solid sync conduit like you or I."

"If I'm what you say," Cole began. "Then what the hell are you?" Cole was tired of not understanding what he was trying to fight.

"Oh, you'll find out." Ace said calmly. "You could try to fight if you wish."

Ace lifted his foot and Cole jumped away immediately. He threw himself at Ace. He thought he was going to score a direct hit and knock Ace from his throne. He had, had enough of the little punk's condescension and wanted to put him in his proper place. However, he felt a rush of force and his path was diverted, throwing him off to the side. What the hell? Cole thought as his head hit the floor. I haven't used that for a while, but in a case like this, I need some real power!

Immediately following the thought Cole's body turned from its lightly tanned pigmentation to a smoky grey pallor. Black, tattoo-like lightning bolts laced his skin. The sky, just visible through the hole in the ceiling above Ace, turned bloody red. The clouds that were there became jet-black.

"I'm amazed," Ace said with the same placid expression on his face. "I had no idea that you could have such a huge effect on Empire City's atmosphere. I'll have to make a note of that."

Cole just glared maliciously at Ace. He thrust out his hand and black electricity edged with red arced through his arm, focussing at the end of it. He fired his shot, a huge megawatt hammer with several smaller ones swirling around it. As soon as they reached Ace, Cole braced himself for the explosion that was sure to follow. He waited, and waited, and waited, but nothing happened. The hammers deflected around Ace, as if thrown off by some sort of dip in space. It was then that Cole realized just what he was dealing with.

"Your power is gravity isn't it?" he asked, his voice grittier and angrier than he'd meant for it to be.

Ace began to clap, as if he were truly impressed. "Bravo, Cole; you managed to figure it out in such a short amount of time. Now that you know, I'd like to ask you something."

"What do you want?"

"I would like for you to join me and my Neo Reapers."

"'Neo Reapers'?"

"Yes. I think, with your power, we could easily make Empire City, no, the whole world our playground. Start a new Age. An era of conduits!"

"You're insane!"

Ace just sighed. "I had hoped you wouldn't react this way, but I suppose I never really expected you to join me."

Cole became angry; he was very volatile in his Infamous state. He leapt at Ace, hatred powering his movements.

Ace no longer felt the need to conceal his power. Black energy—pure gravity—began to flow out from the silver skull ring on the middle finger of Ace's right hand. He flicked his hand downward and Cole fell to the ground instantly.

"Is this really all the power you have, Cole? Really, I expected more from Empire City's Infamous Hero."

Cole blinked, surprised. He had never been called that before. Ace simply kept on talking, ignoring Cole's surprise.

"Show me what you can really do, Cole. Surely, this isn't the power that defeated Sasha; not the power that defeated Alden. And it's certainly not the power that killed Kessler! I'm insulted!" Ace actually seemed indignant.

Cole became immensely angry. "You're insulted? Some kid half my age is kicking my ass!"

"Yes, but that wouldn't happen if you just showed me your true strength from the very beginning." There was a silence. "I'll tell you what, Cole. If you can force me to move from my seat, I'll let you live."

Cole tried valiantly. He fired off megawatt hammers, shock grenades, even a lightning storm, but everything just bent around him like Cole had no power at all. Ace smiled, almost laughing at Cole's somewhat pathetic attempts to move him. Ace stood up.

"Upon checking the time, it would seem I have to leave. Good bye, Cole. And good luck with the challenges that await you."

"Now, just a minute, you little punk!"

Ace only seemed to take a single step, but that single step brought him instantly to Cole, who was a good ten feet away. He swung his arm down with tremendous force, sending Cole flying into the wall of the tunnel. Cole started to black out.

As he lost consciousness, Cole heard Ace speak; a smile was evident in his voice.

"I hope to see you later, Cole. It would be a shame not to have a challenger against my new Age."