Hi there. I'm nikki. This is my first Heroes story. Basically, I wanted to explore what it would be like for our heroes to grow up with active abilities in a culture that accepted and was aware of their differences. I would call this an introductory chapter or prologue (I guess), because it kind of explains the setting of other stories I have planned. So I think its important, if a little, well, dull. However, please read and enjoy.

8th Grade History

"Alright, everyone settle," announced a young educator as he maneuvered through desks in his busy classroom passing out study guides. "Remember this is our last session before the big final, which means it's your last chance to ask for any clarifications." Now Mr. Thomas Moore may have been as popular as a newly graduated teacher can be, but even he wasn't spared the obligatory synonymous groan from his students at the mention of the big final.

"I know, I know. 'Eww, yuck…kill me now!' but hey, at least you get this hour to ask me any question you would like…regarding the final." Mr. Moore was quick to qualify his statement at the naughty gleams he saw in several 14-year-old eyes. " I happen to know for a fact that many other 8th grade history classes are spending this time writing essays."

Cue dry heaves and grimaces.

"Yeah. My thoughts exactly. You many all thank me as you see fit. I wear a medium and I desperately need a new car. Cash gifts are accepted as well," he said with a wink.

"So lets get started. Notes and books out. Turn to chapter… Yes, Margo?" He asked with a sigh at the red headed student in the front row who was frantically waving her hand.

"Ok. I just need to make 100 sure…the final is only on chapters 12 through 15, right?" asked Margo anxiously. "Those are the only chapters I've been studying and if you suddenly decided to add different chapters…I…I just don't know what I would do."

"Margo, just like I have told you every day for the past week: if I spontaneously decide to alter the test that I've had prepared for months you'll be the first to know."

Their dialogue, which was by now so familiar to all of Margo's classmates that in 7th grade she had been dubbed Margo the Maniacal, was interrupted by the opening of the door by a very winded young man.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Moore," he said between pants. "I know you hate when we're late but coach kept us much longer than usual at gym, what with the game next Saturday, and…"

"Relax, Nathan," said Mr. Moore with a comforting smile. "Since this is a very rare occurrence and I'm sure its not likely to happened again, I'll let it slide."

The 13-year-old Nathan Petrelli smiled in relief and made his way to his customary seat in the third row, silently greeting his friends with the cool attitude expected of the Student Body President, captain of the baseball team, projected valedictorian and all around high achiever.

"So as I was saying, lets turn to chapter 12, titled 'Adam Monroe and CAP'. If you'll all glance at your study guide you'll see that I've briefly outlined the chapters we'll be covering…yes Nathan?"

"Sir, I don't think I have one of those study guides," said Nathan as he shuffled through his notebook.

"Right, I had just passed them out when you walked in. Phoebe, can you please pass this back to Nathan? Thanks."

"Hmmph. Like he even needs it," muttered Margo as the paper made its way to Nathan.

The class sighed en group, knowing what would come next.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" asked Nathan heatedly.

"It means exactly what you think it means, Nathan Petrelli," said Margo turning to face her opponent. "I've said it before and now I'm saying it again. You have an unfair advantage on this test."

"Kids, please," interjected Mr. Moore. "Lets not do this again, huh?"

"Hey, I'm fine," said Nathan, the volume of this voice betraying his obvious agitation. "Margo just needs to keep her big mouth shut."

"If I'm a big mouth, you're a cheater!"

"Cheater?!"

"Yes, cheater! This test is on the history of APs in America. Your whole family is advanced. You are advanced. For goodness sake, your father works with Adam Monroe! I call that unfair."

"Miss Lane, if you can't stop this nonsense I'm going to have to ask you to step outside and compose yourself," warned Mr. Moore, his irritation evident.

"Wait, Mr. Moore, I'd like to say something," said Nathan. "People have been telling me to just ignore Margo Lane since kindergarten but I've had just about enough crap from her."

"Language, please."

"Sorry. Margo…you're so stupid."

"Nathan…" warned Mr. Moore.

"Fine. Margo…you're so…ignorant. Do you really think that my family sits at the dinner table discussing the history of 'our people'? Do you picture us around the fireplace analyzing the impact that the introduction of advanced persons had on the turn of the century economy? Do you honestly believe that Adam Monroe, probably the richest, most powerful man in the world, spends time waxing nostalgic with me? Reminiscing about what it was like to unveil the existence of APs to an astonished world? Because I'll tell you right now, none of that ever happens. I've met Adam like twice and my parents, well my parents aren't exactly big on family time. I'm advanced, yeah. I'm not denying it. It's who I am. I can fly. And it's really cool. But that's just a small part of who I am. Other than the flying thing I'm a kid like any other kid and my family is probably a lot like yours. And I highly doubt that Mr. Moore is going to center the test around what its like to fly." Nathan was suddenly quiet as he fought the familiar desire to run out of the room, the same desire he had every time he was put on center stage because he was advanced. It was like his dad said, though. A man faces his fears and deals with them head on.

"You would be right, Mr. Petrelli. Your unique ability will not be a focal point of the exam," said the impressed teacher. "Margo, would you like a rebuttal?"

"No," pouted Margo, her face an unflattering shade of purple. "Shouldn't we be reviewing?"

"Precisely," answered Mr. Moore, glad for the change of subject. "Okay we're gonna have to rush this a bit if we want to cover everything, but let me begin by reminding you all of the three main subjects that will be covered tomorrow: the affects of APs on the US a) Economy b) Culture and c) Government ranging from the founding of CAP in 1920 to today. So…basic question: Who can tell me what CAP stands for? Yes, Joy."

"Community of Advanced Persons."

"Exactly. Founder and purpose? Anyone? Ah, Lucas, go ahead."

"Um, CAP was founded by Adam Monroe as like a support group kinda thing for APs."

"And APs are…"

"Advanced Persons. People with special abilities," added Lucas before Mr. Moore could ask for further clarification.

"Stephanie," boomed Mr. Moore, shocking the dozing teen to consciousness. "Thank you for joining us. Do we know why Adam Monroe, though he has lived through several centuries, chose 1920 to reveal the existence of such people?"

The girl's response was to blink wearily, mouth agape.

"Alright, can anyone help Stephanie? Margo?"

"In his biography, Mr. Monroe states that it was the perfect time for his unveiling because he felt that the world at large was in the frame of mind to accept not only the existence of APs, but their help as well."

"And what significant event had recently ended which justified Monroe's reasoning? Everyone together now…"

" The World War," chanted the class.

"Yes and though the war had ended there was a definite sense of unease and anxiety permeating the globe. Permeate, word of the day…look it up. Monroe claims that a nameless friend with precognitive abilities foresaw another, more destructive war in our immediate future unless drastic preventative steps were taken. Do we know how many people initially came forward and exposed that they were advanced? Nathan."

"For the first nearly 20 years membership in CAP was under 200 worldwide."

"Why so few?"

"People were afraid of exposure. Afraid that they would be ostracized, I guess. But when the general public saw that APs were doing good stuff…"

"If I could briefly interrupt you Nathan, what types of "good stuff" were APs doing during these formative years?"

"Well, I know it was a big deal when MaryAnne Laborteaux was able bring rain to the Midwest farm regions during what could have been the worst drought in US history. She was like a national hero."

"And," offered a girl in the front row, " Johan Handel, a police officer, put a stop to several social uprisings in post-war Germany and Russia by hanging out in public houses and universities where the rebels met and looking into the minds of the leaders to discover their true intentions. Then he would report what he had learned to his superiors and the leaders were usually locked up for good."

"Very good examples. Nathan, please continue from where you left off."

"Umm…okay so when the general public realized that the APs could be beneficial to them, they just accepted them. That convinced more people to come forward. I think today CAP has like more two million members worldwide."

"That's a good transition point," said Mr. Moore as he glanced at the clock. " I want to look at today's AP issues before we leave. How have relations between APs and the general public changed in recent years? Joshua?"

"I think people are kinda scared of APs right now, especially after that thing in Haiti, you know with the guy who was like using mind control on his villagers."

"Its true that we have been hearing an increasing amount of stories involving APs who use their abilities inappropriately or for personal gain with dangerous results. I'm going to say one word that has been in the news a lot in the past year: Registration."

Soft conversations broke out among the students, many sneaking side-glances at Nathan who gazed resolutely forward, his steady glare focused on the black board at the front of the room.

"Everyone quiet. This is obviously a sensitive subject. Does anyone have any object, tolerant thoughts or questions regarding the proposed registration of APs?"

"Personally, I think it's a good idea," said Margo.

Nathan rolled his eyes and muttered, "You would" under his breath.

"I have an idea," said Mr. Moore as he paced the front of the class. "You don't have to answer this, but remember that creating open lines of communication are incredibly important when discussing sensitive information like this." He paused, considering the ramifications of posing such a delicate question to a group of young teens. "Who agrees with Margo that registration is a good idea? Don't be shy, I'm just asking for your honest opinion." Margo's hand, of course, shot up immediately and a surprising number of students slowly followed suit.

"…Twelve, thirteen, and…Jaden are you raising your hand or scratching your head? Okay then than makes 14 in favor of registration. Can I assume everyone who did not raise their hand is against federal registration of APs?"

The remaining student nodded.

"Okay then, 14 to five. I…I have to tell you guys…I'm really surprised so many of you are for registration."

"Well, I don't see what the big deal is," said a voice from the back row. "Its not like we're talking about herding them all into concentration camps or something. They just have to carry a license. Drivers have to do it and some of these powers are way more dangerous than a car."

"But not all people with abilities are dangerous," said Joy, an outspoken and studious brunette who had harbored a crush on Nathan since fifth grade science camp. "And first off, 'powers' is so not P.C. The correct term is abilities. Secondly, I can't stand how people keep comparing the licensing of drivers to registration. Its so not the same."

"Oh, please. It is too."

"Not even! My uncle is a congressman and he says its really dangerous legislation. He said if it passes APs will not only be required to register what they can do, but if you're considered a risk the government has the right to do tests on you and limit your civil liberties, lots of really bad stuff."

"Good. Some of these people are really dangerous."

"Exactly! Some of them. Not all. Just like in the general public, there are good APs and bad APs. We can't judge them all based on the actions of a few people who have made poor decisions."

"That's not what this is all about," said Nathan loudly, suddenly and calmly. "Registration isn't about protecting the general public and it's definitely not about protecting APs, like I've heard a couple of stupid politicians claim. It's about the government protecting itself, that's what it comes down to."

"You don't know what you're talking about," scoffed one boy.

"Maybe I don't, but my dad does. He's a big time lawyer who works with all the major players in Washington and in the AP community. I was looking for a book in his study a few weeks ago and I found this folder that turned out to hold a bunch of government papers about registration. Apparently the government is paranoid that someday there will be an AP who has the ability and the desire to take over the world or something. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. The whole registration thing is there way of keeping a hold on the AP community."

"Are you sure about this Nathan," asked Mr. Moore, a man who was deeply invested in the political process.

"Unfortunately yeah. The government is afraid. They don't care about the civil liberties of a single minority group. Especially one as small, yet powerful as the APs. I confronted my dad about what I read and he didn't even deny it. He was totally pissed that I was sneaking around his study and I got seriously grounded, but he actually talked to me about it. He said it's important for us kids to know what's going on because its gonna be our problem some day."

"What do you mean?" asked Joy, voicing the question on the minds of most of her peers. "I thought they were voting on this soon."

"They are, but my dad says this version of the bill is too severe; it'll never be passed. That's not going to stop them from trying though. It'll get rewritten and watered down probably over a long period of time. Dad said we, as in APs and people who care about things like liberty and freedom, need to be vigilant. That's why I'm going to be a lawyer like my dad."

"Who are 'they'? Who are the people behind this stuff? I mean, 'the government' is a pretty vague description."

"I know it is," said Nathan. " But that's one thing my dad wouldn't say."

"Sounds like a stupid conspiracy theory to me," said Franklin dismissively.

Nathan turned to face the boy and certainly would have had a few choice words for him if the bell hadn't rang at that very moment. The kids scrambled for their things, glad for the end of the day, while Mr. Moore reminded them of last minute exam instructions like "Bring a no. 2 pencil" and "Don't forget to eat a healthy breakfast". Franklin strode purposefully by Nathan, 'accidentally' bumping his shoulder and knocking the future lawyer off balance. Nathan glared at the boy's retreating back, reminding himself that I he got expelled for fighting on the next to last day of 8th grade his mom and dad would quite literally kill him.

"Nathan," called Mr. Moore from his desk as the boy neared the door. "Could we talk for a second?"

"Sure," said Nathan hesitantly as he moved to sit in a chair near his teacher. "Look, I'm sorry for leading the class kinda off topic and calling Margo stupid and being late…"

"I didn't call you over for an apology," interrupted Mr. Moore with a grin.

"Oh," said Nathan as he visibly relaxed and gave an embarrassed chuckle.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm really proud of the way you handled yourself today. I know it must be difficult for you to be the only AP at a small school like this. And I think you're right; you shouldn't have to ignore remarks from people like Margo. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. You'll make a great lawyer someday kid. Just watch the language."

"Thanks Mr. Moore," smiled Nathan. "I really appreciate that."

"Now get out of here," dismissed Mr. Moore. "I'm sure you have some last minute cramming to do."

"Not me," said Nathan jokingly as he stood and readjusted his backpack. "I'm an AP, remember. I know all."

Mr. Moore laughed. "Right. I guess we'll see tomorrow."

"Bye, sir."

"Good bye, Nathan."