Almost 500 years ago, glamour was discovered. The superhuman ability to create—or manipulate—the elements: fire, earth, wind, water, and metal.
Scientists did experiments on those that experienced the changes, and discovered soon after that people with the ability to use glamour had a genetic mutation, allowing the abnormals to naturally develop incredible powers and abilities. They called it the kaizen, which translates to improvement. It took place during an adolescents teen years, while they were going through puberty.
The transformation process took less than a minute. During that time, the person would have a spiralling rush run through their body, sometimes giving them a new physical appearance as well as glamour. Their ability would be defined through the colour their eyes turned while their body transformed, and from there on out whenever they used glamour their eyes would turn that colour.
The metal glamour colour was silver, or grey. Those who use metal glamour could have the ability to shape metal, move it using telekinesis, or do anything pertaining to electronics.
The earth glamour colour was any shade of brown, or green. Some of the things those who could use it were able to do was levitate and move rock, make seeds grow, make flowers bloom, bring dead nature back to life, and manipulate trees and vines.
The wind glamour colour was white or black. The wind glamour users were able to blast wind from the palm of their hand, manipulate the wind around them, fly, or cause miniature tornadoes. Some even had the power to create illusions by colouring the wind.
The fire glamour colour was any colour from red to orange. Fire users could manipulate, and some create, fire. A few could catch themselves on fire, others being completely immune to the heat
The water glamour colour was blue, or purple. Turning into ice, manipulating water, shooting ice shards from their hands, healing minor injuries, and melting ice are a few of the water glamour users powers.
Not everyone had these special powers, and for a while they were frowned upon. It was hard for the normal humans to accept the abnormals, as they feared their powers, but over time they came around. Though a few still had problems with the abnormals, the vast majority were perfectly okay.
There were however a few complaints in the school department, as a lot of the adolescents started developing powers. Some people feared for their children, being around untrained superhuman's.
In time, schools were made for the abnormals, where they could go and learn how to control their powers away from the normal humans. They were taught the same things as those in normal schools were, as well as having extra glamour control classes. These schools were decidedly called power schools. They were placed all around the globe, and some gradually became more popular. Certain power schools had to start holding entrance exams, not having enough room for everyone that applied.
As a kid, I had always wanted to attend the best power school in France. C.F.D. (College Françoise Dupont). It was the most prestigious, and the only school in Europe that would grant you the opportunity to become a hero. The heroes were responsible for making sure that the abnormals who used their glamour for evil purposes were brought to justice, and there was only one school for them in each continent. For this reason it only accepted the best, but I had always thought I could make it in.
As a teenager I waited for my powers, even though I wasn't even sure I would get them.
I don't remember what glamour I thought I would have, all I know is that what I got was definitely not what I was expecting.
The time had come. This was the moment I'd been waiting for. I felt the shiver crawl up my spine, the tingling sensation spreading across my body. My heart pounded in my chest like a drum. I followed the feeling with my eyes until it reached my neck. My gaze swept over to the full body mirror, resting a few feet away. I stared at my reflection for a few moments, waiting for the final sign. There it was. My eyes, they changed…
The blaring sound of my alarm awoke me. I groaned and outstretched my arm, searching blindly for the power button. Once all sound ceased my mind went back to the dream I was having prior to the rude awakening. It was about me experiencing the kaizen, becoming an abnormal, and gaining the ability to utilize glamour.
"Marinette, your breakfast is ready! Come on down!"
I wrenched my eyes open. The light stung at first causing me to squint, and I had to resist the urge to let my vision go black, and my imagination run wild once more.
Aside from the brightness causing me pain, the room was also hazy, and unclear. I had to open and close my eyes repeatedly until it came into focus.
My legs were swung over the side of the bed, and I stood up. Goosebumps ran over my arms from suddenly being exposed to the cool air. After carefully making my way down the ladder and to the floor from were my bed sat up above, I descended the stairs that led to the main floor of the house. Then I raced to the kitchen, my surroundings passing by in a blur of colours.
I was welcomed by the mouth watering smell of freshly baked croissants. Mama was standing in front of the oven inserting a batch of chocolate chip cookies, her midnight black hair hanging above her shoulders. Sitting on the table was a plate—my plate—and it was filled with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, one lone croissant sitting off to the side. Papa was nowhere in sight at the moment.
I took my place at the table. "Thank you mama." I said, then started to eat, resisting the urge to scarf it all down.
"You're very welcome. Oh, and before I forget, your lunch is sitting on the counter. Remember to pick it up on your way out."
"Yes mama." After that I continued to eat in silence.
Once I was finished, I deposited my dishes in the sink and made my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I went through the normal routine of finding my toothbrush, putting toothpaste on it, and wetting it under the tap. My mind couldn't help but wander back to my dream, but I shook my head, trying to focus on the task at hand, and my toothbrush entered my mouth.
Once I was finished brushing my teeth I ran back upstairs and into my room to get ready. I was just finishing up my hair when I looked at the time. 8:02. I had to leave really soon, and I still needed to grab my lunch and book bag.
I stood up and started to search. I couldn't remember where I had placed my bag the night before, but I knew it was somewhere in my room. The clock ticked in the background, reminding me I had limited time, and I raked my gaze over the chamber. In the corner behind my chaise I saw a pink lump. Rushing to it, I was thrilled to discover it was my book bag.
I grabbed hold of it, then made my way to the trap door and descended the stairs. I ran to the counter, where my mother had said my lunch would be, and was delighted to find it there.
"Bye mama!" I called, before I stuffed my lunch inside my book bag, then grabbed hold of the strap and took off. Down the stairs, down more stairs, and out the door.
I ran for what felt like hours until I finally came to a stop in front of the school I would be attending come September. They had this meet the teachers thing going on today where you went, got your schedule, and met all of your new teachers. There was a big assembly as well that would take up most of the day. I thought it was stupid, but mama and papa were insistent on me going.
The school was small with grey walls, big navy blue letters spelling out "Rhenstone High" near the top. There were many places along the front and sides that required touchups or replacements. The only reason I was going to attend was because it was the only school meant for ordinary humans that was close to where I lived.
I entered the building and ran through the halls until I reached the door to the gymnasium. They hadn't started yet. After sauntering in, I grabbed a seat in the back row and got ready to listen to a list of extremely boring speeches.
After a long day of sitting and listening to people talk all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball on my pillows and sleep. My bag was starting to feel heavy on my back from carrying it around, and the few mile trek I would have to do to get home didn't sound very appealing. I started walking, my movements sluggish and messy. The sun was shining high in the sky, and the temperature felt way too warm. Sweat glided down my back, the heat tempting me to take off the thin hoodie I was wearing.
As I walked I took in my surroundings. Large tan or grey buildings lined the sides of the road, each being at least four storeys high. There were next to no trees visible, and the few blades of grass were coming from in-between the cracks on the side walk, or lining the walls of alleyways. A stray cat roamed one of the shadowed passages, knocking over a garbage can that resided a few feet from the brick wall. It hissed at me as I walked by, then ran off. Pigeons flew overhead, and a few of the cars on the street were honking at a slow driver.
A lady walked by me, arms full with shopping bags as she seemingly talked to herself, but I knew better. Her eyes were a glowing silver, signifying the use of metal glamour. She must have been communicating with someone through her magic. She might have had a phone in her head, I'd heard of people like that before. That would be cool.
When I got home I headed straight for my room. My bag was deposited on my chaise, before I climbed the ladder to my bed. I sat down, and let my gaze drift to the mirror that stood a few feet away. It was the mirror in my dream. I could almost picture the scene happening before me, almost feel those crazy sensations. But this was reality.
I sighed and leaned back in the pillows, my gaze coming to rest on the roof. My eyes traced the brush strokes in the paint, until my mind went blank and my eyes closed.
I'm not sue how long I was asleep for—probably hours—before the sound of a door opening woke me. I sat up and looked around, my eyes catching the time. 5:45. It was almost time to eat.
I descended the ladder, then exited my room. When I came to the kitchen I saw papa holding a bunch of bags full of food in his large hands.
He was in the middle of putting the groceries away when he saw me. "Marinette, would you mind helping me out? All this food needs to be put away, but I'd like to start supper now." He smiled sheepishly.
"Sure, I don't have anything else to do."
"Thank you." Papa placed the rest of the bags on the counter, and one by one I emptied them into the cupboards and fridge.
After the last item was put away, I headed back up to my room. My plan was to go on my computer and look at cute pictures of animals, or find a show to watch, but once I reached the centre of the room those plans changed.
I stopped as soon as the tingling sensation began, starting at my toes and slowly creeping across my foot and up my leg. It felt like hundreds of little bugs were crawling over my skin, and making their way up my body. I stared in amazement and horror. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my hands shook with excitement. The shiver went up my spine, and when the sensations reached my neck, I shifted my gaze over to the full body mirror that stood a couple yards away. The same one that was in my dream. I stared at myself in the mirror, watching my body go through a small transformation. My raven black hair became blue-black, and grew a few inches longer. The curves of my body became a little more pronounced, but not too much that it was over noticeable, and I grew a couple inches taller. Then the final change. My irises turned grassy green. Earth glamour.
I was about to start celebrating, jumping up and down, and laughing, but something else happened. Something I was not expecting at all. The green in my irises started swirling, and moving, like ocean waves. Then another colour was weaved into them, taking over within moments. Purple. Water glamour. That wasn't possible.
In my bewildered state I did the only thing I could think to do. I screamed, because at that moment I was utterly confused, and horrified.