"Why have we waited so long
Suppressing the power inside
Tear away all that was wrong
Something too massive to hide
It's time to rip the chain from your neck
Let go the past as you purge
Free now from everything weighing you down
Open the floodgates and surge with
New found power"
-Damageplan in "New Found Power"
Travis continued training. He had easily lost track of time, and before he knew it, he was hearing his name. Travis stopped what he was doing. He had enhanced hearing in water, and could hear outside the water for a brief distance. Peter Petrelli was outside calling for him. Travis looked up. Daylight was breaking through the water's surface. Travis was rather surprised. He had no idea how long he'd been training. For all he knew it was all through the night, or he had fallen asleep and simply didn't remember it. Whichever the case, he swam for the surface and broke the water's surface. He turned to face peter who was looking at him in surprise.
"There you are." he said. "Almost forgot you can't drown."
Travis shrugged. "What's up?"
"Well let me ask you the same thing. I mean, what were you doing down there all night, without telling me?" Peter asked.
Travis climbed out of the water and dried himself. "No disrespect, but last time I checked, you weren't my father."
"Sorry, I don't mean to be. I guess sometimes I can get a bit on edge, with all that's been going on. But if you don't mind, just leaving me a little notice or something next time?"
"Sorry. No problem."
"Anyway what were you doing?"
"Training mostly. I think I've come up with a reasonable defense against Elle and her electric methods. II feel more in tune with my ability with water."
"Well that's good to know. But, how's your telepathy coming along?"
Travis sighed. "You wouldn't mind finishing Lesson One, would you?"
Peter smiled. "Not at all. Let's go."
Travis followed Peter, as Peter explained a bit more on blocking out thoughts. "It's easier than you're making it. It just takes a larger amount of focus than you're used to. And as soon as you get the hang of it, it just becomes automatic almost in your brain. It's as if you never even had it."
They stood in the alley again. Peter looked at Travis. "Focus on one mind, and every other thought will dwindle."
Travis felt unsure, but focused on a man. Then another, then another. His mind wasn't hurting.
"Peter, I think...I think I'm finally starting to get it."
Travis continued focusing on other minds, then took it to the next level and focused harder on his own thoughts. Every other though was blocked out. Peter was right. Travis was getting used to it. The relief his mind felt was huge. For the first time in a very long time, Travis felt at peace with his mind.
Peter smiled. "I'm sure you are. Keep practicing that, just to make sure. I'm not sure, but if you have ever had a telepathic outburst, well they're no fun. They can happen if a number of agitated thoughts enter your mind."
"I know that feeling actually..."
Peter looked at his watch. "I gotta be heading to work now. Keep practicing. When you're good on that, try telepathic communication. It's rather easy. You just focus on one's mind, and send them a thought. It's just like in the movies, only cooler."
"Right..." Travis said.
Peter then left him. Travis stood up and breathed. It felt good to be normal on some level again. Travis stood up and left for Peter's apartment.
***
Peter came around 1:00 with some lunch. As they ate, they had a lengthy chat which started with Travis asking, what was up with Peter.
Peter began to talk about how he'd been thinking about the future.
"I've been thinking, about forming a group to help others like yourself gain control over their abilities. I mean it's been a goal for a lot of us ever since we discovered we had them, but still."
"All talk, yet no results?"
"Not really, but you can say that. But enough about that. What are your future plans?"
"Huh." Travis said. "I'm not really sure what I'll do with myself once this whole thing blows over."
"Blow over? Travis this will never blow over. Once you find your abilities, your life will forever be changed. It's a hard fact of life."
"I guess I could see that answer coming."
"Some of us use our power for good, others for, well, evil. Others, simply want a normal life.
"That's what I'm aiming for. I don't want to be superman. I simply want to be able to control my power enough so I can get a life I love back. I used to have one. Now I can have one again. She's waiting in Seattle."
Peter looked at Travis. "I wish you luck man. It's hard to get any normal life now-a-days."
Travis didn't respond to that, but simply looked out the window at the harbor. He watched the ships come in and out. "I don't know how you stand living here in this hell-hole of a city. Sorry, but that's what it is."
Peter laughed. "I've heard that a lot. But New York has been my home my entire life. You get used to the chaos, and all the car horns."
"I'm sure you do."
"I gotta get back to work. You can practice though implanting if you want, or if you want to call it mind control, go ahead and call it that. You been practicing telepathic communication?"
Travis, who was still staring out the window, shot the thought at Peter. What do you think?
Peter chuckled. "I'd say you have been practicing. I'll be back later."
Peter left. Travis was feeling tired. Perhaps from hi training all day and night, whichever the case, Travis sat on the couch, and immediately shut his eyes.
***
Travis was on the dock again. There was a man, standing over the body of a woman. Travis did not know either, but the man addressed Travis, through sadness. His pain in his eyes was easily felt and seen in Travis. The man looked at Travis, and simply said, "I'm sorry..."
Then a gunshot rang out, and the man's head exploded into a mess of blood. Travis, before he could react, was forced onto the helicopter. Travis was having the dream again. Travis still couldn't really make out most of the dialogue, or any of the silhouettes but the dream went on in a little more detail. Travis didn't remember the first part last time. Who was that guy?
The main silhouette that had been talking most of the time to Travis, once again pulled the pistol out, and shot another silhouette. The body fell from the helicopter.
The dream ended the same. The city down below soon became engulfed in a large wave of darkness, in the form of a huge tsunami...
***
Travis woke up fast. The dream again. He had the dream again, in better detail too. Why? Travis before had had dreams repeat themselves, but not like this. It was beginning to worry Travis. Travis hook his head, and simply thought, that perhaps a walk would help him forget about it all...