Chapter 2: Ember

Definition: a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire.

I thought the world was boring. Since my birth I was given anything and I could get away with everything. I assumed I was the protagonist, I played the lead role. Yet, when Gwen entered the stage… I became a side character. My arrogance was crush and the belief I held shattered. I realized that there will always be someone better than you, who is superior to me. It just had to be my cousin! I hated those facts, but I had to accept them. Because I was taught to hold myself with pride and dignity. I was a Tennyson, and a Tennyson is almighty power. They can never show weakness, because they are Earth's defenders. Maybe that was the reason why I wasn't truly surprise when I enrolled into the Academy and was bullied and humiliated. Maybe it was that precise reason why I didn't inform anyone of my predicament.

After all, I had stain the family name... I had shame Grandpa...

Yet in a way, it saved my life.

Acceptance is one thing, but vengeance is another.

I am a Tennyson, and a Tennyson shall not be humiliated.

"The best vengeance is cultivated with time. It is sweetest when they least expected it." I recall the words that my mom whispered as she complain about Aunt Lily to dad.

And surprisingly he replied, "We're Tennysons, it's in our blood."

Those words were haunting. They remain deeply in my memories. And now I understand why.

.

.

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School life was entertaining as I got better at handling the system while avoiding my bullies. Immediately, I realized that I could rise in the ranks faster than expected because I actually stood out from the rest; I excel in the curriculum seeing as I had already learned it, sports wasn't a big deal since I was always competing against Gwen. For once I was the better one! This pleased me to no ends because I was in the spotlight now. People praised me, admired me and I even noticed their jealousy towards me. I knew exactly how my classmates felt seeing as I once was in the same position, possessing the same eyes of envy not too long ago. But now, I was The Perfect. This of course got the attention of the school and soon I was admitted to the elite curriculum. Now I was one of 'The Elites' making me one of the first to skip ranks and be the fastest to gain the title of Bishop. School was never better.

The best part was their 180 shift on how they treated me!

What was amusing, which I invested all my time in was the childish politics and conspiracies within the elites. Everyone was desperate to be King. They would use any means, get help from their older siblings or even use violence. They have no limitations. They were kids without inhibitors. I couldn't blame them. I wanted the position myself. I admit it did took me awhile to raise my rank, seeing as I wasn't one of them. There were betrayal and distrust. It was utterly childish how they acted. And the very obvious fact that some hated me… Yet, I really didn't mind. Their resent was justify since I conspired against them and made their love ones despise them while indirectly sending their family to the ER. I was a kid, but a kid with very high social standings and power within the system.

So in the end I eliminate all who defies me.

And soon, I had the entire Elementary District under my thumb; I was their King! It wasn't hard. All I had to do was remove some players (even through drastic means), pay more attention to some students than others, give them what they want and they start to believe they were important to me and hook-line-and-snicker, they became my loyal followers. Of course I outshined the previous King due to my outstanding academics, athletic skills, family background and charisma, which affected those outcomes. Nonetheless, I took everything! The defeated will always bow their heads to the strong. And it's seemed that once a King is defeated, they becomes everyones' fool. That position was even worse than a pawn. The guy soon transferred. Meanwhile I was living the good life, since I had sons of politicians, daughters of large enterprises and teachers at my beck and call! I was blessed.

And so I gathered everyone who humiliated me, beat them down, made their life a living hell and prevented them from transferring through blackmails and surveillance. I exacted my revenge.

Thus, I defended my family's dignity. I protected my pride.

One thing I learn from my parents was that if anyone do wrong to a Tennyson, is it not my duty to correct that wrong? After all, it's in our blood.

I wonder if my parents will be proud?

But in the end, I never told them because once again, they never have time to listen.


When I was nine, the entertainment I got in school became dull. I started to get increasingly bored of the dreary school life I was so fascinated in. It became a tedious, tiresome everyday chore. The thrill of reaching for the top was exciting, that got my mind racing and my heart pumping. Now, having people under my control was no fun; it was too predictable. The Elementary District became like that playroom I had when I was three. It was like playing with myself with no one else around; my one man kingdom. I could literally get away with anything! To prove my theory, I tested the limit of my authorities. I lit the elementary school building on fire while students were still in class and professors were teaching. I even had people accompany me on such a fleet. No one stopped me, not one of my so called friends said anything. That was the day I determined that these people weren't really my friends (friends would stop you from doing anything idiotic), but mindless followers. Proving once again, the system was absolute in its brainwashing terrors.

Of course the building burned and people were in panic. I did just fueled a fire in the Elementary District's main building. Yet, the flames still disappoint me. It wasn't the same as that day… (or the color of her hair). Perhaps it was the presence of the sun that dimmed the blazing flames? Or maybe because it was a fire which I had started? All I knew was that it wasn't that beautiful color which I wanted... And this disappointed me greatly. Another thing I hated Gwen for was that she possess the things that I desperately desired.

However, there was nothing to be done as the flames continued to devour and I simply watched.

The three districts in the Academy was surrounded by forest on an island. If the fire continued to spread at its current rate, it would lead to a bigger accident than I originally planned. Simply said, this place was huge like a mini-world placed on an island that was surrounded my waters and a far distance away from the large city. It takes me about two hours every day to arrive at school. Transportation here sucks! Therefore, this place deserved to burn.

I observed on top of my usual hang out, being on top of a hill overcasting the Elementary grounds. I heard screams, shouts, cries and chaos. I saw students running and teachers abandoning their students. Like I said before, the Academy was surrounded by forest and waters so the firetrucks and police cars were slow to arrive since there was only one bridge and one train station that reached this isolated educational institute.

When they finally arrived, the large glass building had half burned down. Students that escaped were in fright and firefighters rushed in to save others that were trapped. In the end, no one was dead, only hurt. Of course no one told on me, everyone knew it was me who started the fire. Even the teachers heard the rumours, but no one reported me. I didn't even threaten any of them to not report me! It was this bizarre agreement they all had to never testify my actions... Everyone knew, but none was brave enough to tell. This absolute hierarchy within the school was frightening indeed.

The incident was covered up as a gas leak. For some odd reason, I started to get admirations from the students. My epic tale was even heard in the Junior High and High School Districts. With such a big incident, the school couldn't ignored the parents' demands to find faster and safer routes to get to the Academy. In the end, the school had to invest millions on transportations and new bridges to the island. So with this, students now can travel two times faster to their destination and campus security were tripled. The Academy also spend thousands on more elevators, escalators and built in moving pathways for students to travel faster and easier with the reconstruction of the Elementary Districts. Of course the other districts complained about the unfairness so overall, the campus was remodeled with high-end-technologies for the safety and comfort of the students.

There were now robot garbage machines that would talk and ask for your trash and clean-up for you, computerized machines that would scan you're fingerprints to judge how many outstanding points you have as currency for drinks, foods and supplies. Clean, large, air conditioned classrooms with built in tablets in every desks for efficiency. PDA that were installed in everyone's cell phone for updates, news, emails, security protection and mostly to act like a GPS for the campus to locate its students. Automatic doors, hologram projections for every classrooms. You name it, the Academy did not make waste of their efforts in their renovations. And now it was the most high-tech school in the world, the standard for admission was extremely high and tuition was insane. But it was guaranteed that if one were admitted into such a school, their future was guarantee.

This was all possible with my act of pyro-vandalism. With no deaths, people viewed the event as my glorifying heroism as their King to remodel the ancient Academy. I was more popular and famous than ever as the first nine-year-old to have made a name for himself and firmly established my position as King. I quickly gained admiration from the other districts making my influence high above the heavens. No one could touch my position now. But in the end, that wasn't even my motive. I wasn't thinking of the transportation system, making students' life better, or improving the Academy's reputation! I only wanted to see my limitation…and apparently I don't have any! This at first amused me, but then it quickly faded into irritation. If I can do anything and everything, where was the fun in that? It was exactly like the time I spend in that room. All my life I was given everything and now even when I was outside of my parents' control, I could still do anything. I can't even get into trouble! Then how am I supposed to get their attention?! What was the point of having regulations that applies to everyone? Who said the law judged everyone fairly? There was no equality to be seen.

I was even crazy enough to miss those times of being a pawn!

Yet the most surprising thing I learned as I immersed with kids my age, was that my relationship with my parents were abnormal. Nowadays, few words were exchanged between us. They were often home late or locked up in their studies. Mom never cooks, dad never talks and I eat every meal alone. It has gotten to the point where mom wants me to call her Sandra! Was that normal?

A week after I turned ten, my parents earned a big promoted in the Plumbers and were often gone for periods of weeks. On rare occasions when they returned and stayed for a week or so, I would spend 'family time' with them. Meaning a few hours a day before they lock themselves up in their studies. They always say they were busy with important duties, always prioritizing work over their own son. Even when I tell them my achievements in school or the big fire incident that I had started, their only response was, "Not now Ben." Basically, they didn't care. Therefore, I was extremely frustrated. I wanted us to be a normal family like the ones on TV. I want to experience mom's cooking, father and son playing catch, everyone sitting around the table having Thanksgiving dinner or the simple fact of being on vacation together! Maybe spending Christmas around the fireplace… But no, they were never home for Christmas or my birthday!

They were horrible parents! They weren't even 'The President of the United States' or anything! Why do they have so much work?! I often complain to the maids, but those people only smile and said, "They are busy people who are working for Earth's peace."

I say bullshit.

In the Plumbers, being a Tennyson means nothing. You have to work your way up even if you're related to Maxwell Tennyson who still is 'The Greatest Plumber of All Times'. That was what it meant to gain respect through your own skills and hard work. This means you have to make your own worth in the large organization to be accepted into your position. That was what a Tennyson was about. This was what dad had told me on the night of his departure while I whined and begged him not to go. Mom had already left at dawn when I was still asleep to utter a single farewell. They would be gone for who knows how long! In the end dad left me with a sickening phrase of, "You're a Tennyson, Ben. We all are. You know what that means don't you?"

That night I didn't cry this time, I have lost all hope for my horrible, coldblooded parents!

For the next two weeks I didn't go to school and only stayed at my large house that consisted of my two caretakers, three maids, three butlers, and all of my ten security guards, cameras and myself. I stayed locked up in my room and played my favourite Sumo Slammers videogame. My caretakers could not convince me to attend that boring school and tons of my so called friends called or visited but I wouldn't answered or meet with them. I was only ten, and I found life boring.


When the third week rolled in, I received a call from Grandpa Max. It was Grandpa, my favourite person in the whole world and a super busy one at that! He never had time to make family visits or called for that matter! So, of coursed on the rare occasion he does visits or called, I was always there. He was my idol and a hero in my eyes. Thus, I answered his call.

"Hey Ben!" I heard his excited voice on the other end.

"Hi Grandpa. What's up?" I inquired. This was rare for him to call out of the blue.

"I heard you haven't been to school? What's wrong lad?"

I groan. Of course my caretakers had to involve the one person I didn't want to know about my problems. I didn't want him to think I was a needy sissy. I wanted him to see me as an independent grandson he could be proud of. Someone that can be his equal when saving the universe. But of course, he somehow got wind of my protest against my parents. Just Great!

"Nothing. I don't feel like going that's all." I stated quickly. I wasn't so swell on talking anymore, wanting quickly to hang up before I embarrass myself any further.

"Well, I thought that you and me could go on a road trip this summer. But if you're going to be attending summer school from you're obvious lack of attendance…that plan might…" He trailed off in disappointment but I immediately inputted, "What?! No way… You're sure you're free this summer!?" I was in disbelief.

"Of course Ben. I finally managed to find time to spend the whole summer with you." He exaggerated the 'whole summer' part. My eyes were wide with glee.

"Hold up Grandpa. We are definitely spending summer together! I'm going even if the world is ending!" I shouted in excitement.

"But Ben I heard you're not attending school…"

"Who said I wasn't attending school? I was just sick! Now that I'm all better I'll be going tomorrow! Definitely!"

"Good to know. I'll see you in a two months. Hang in there Ben!" He encouraged.

I could only nod and smile. I couldn't believe that this was happening! Up till now, I could only get to spend time with Grandpa a few days once every two years or so. But to spend a whole three months with him! I wouldn't miss it for the world!

"Thanks Grandpa. I'll see you in June!"

I heard the man chuckled on the other end before he stated that he had to go and ended the call. My features were brimming with delight. Forget my parents' neglecting me for their stupid missions! That seemed like the far past now that I had something to look forward to! Summer was only two months away!

For sure I was going on the trip no matter what! Nothing will stop me!

This will be the greatest summer ever!