#FaceFromThePast
Inside his room, Johnny heard the alarm clock ringing, signaling the beginning of another day for him. Getting ready to get the coffee, the boy saw his mom, Kate, handing him some fresh bread rolls, making him keep a smile on his face.
(Kate) - How are things at school?
(Johnny) - All right. - He starts to eat some of the bread that was on his table, keeping his optimism.
(Kate) - And your friends?
(Johnny) - They are fine. Diana is simply amazing everyone at school. Have you ever seen anyone get the highest grade in every subject? Karen, on the other hand, is engaged in a small ongoing project. Zee, on the other hand, is spending some of his time, helping out at the magic shows. - He was explaining, while keeping the smile on his face. - From what I've heard about Jess, she's started volunteering at a small job outside the school. And as for Kara, there's no telling how she's doing.
(Kate) - What about your friend? Barbara? - Johnny's mother seemed willing to know everything, willing to listen to his last days.
(Johnny) - A job at the Burrito Bucket. Truth be told, I think I'm in need of a little hobby. We've been moving for months now and I'm still without something to do. And I'm looking. - There's a little smile on your face.
(Kate) - You should go to the academy that opened a few weeks ago. I hear they're accepting new members. - That was enough to make her mother give a smug little smile. - And I also heard that the first month is free.
(Johnny) - I'm going to take a look. - He gets up, while looking out the window, seeing the day itself.
(Kate) - You've been coming back tired lately, more than usual. - Johnny was a little nervous at the question, realizing that he couldn't tell her about his activities as Atlas, so as not to worry her. Keeping a little his composure, he just looks to the sides.
(Johnny) - It's just that it's a lot of subjects and activities that have gone on these last few days. I'm having to deal with a lot of things at the same time. But I'll manage. - He gets up, finishing his coffee. With that, he grabs his backpack, ready to go towards the school.
(Kate) - Have a nice day. - Just like that, Johnny starts to go for a short run, willing himself to exercise, heading towards the bus stop. As he jogged, he kept thinking about how his day would be at that moment. Suddenly, Diana appeared beside him, to Johnny's surprise.
(Johnny) - Diana? What a surprise. - She also seemed to be exercising a bit, to the boy's surprise.
(Diana) - I'm making it a routine. Running like this has never been so much fun.
(Johnny) - I'm thinking of going to the gym that just opened in town. I feel like I need to distract my mind a little.
(Diana) - So it looks like we'll be training partners. - He looked a little surprised at that answer. - It's just that I started going there a few days ago.
(Johnny) - And how is that feeling?
(Diana) - A self-respecting Amazon must always be prepared to deal with the evils around her. No matter how long it takes, a good training never hurt anyone. - Johnny looked a little surprised. Despite the powers that Diana possessed, he was kind of surprised to see that she was still thinking about surpassing her limits more and more. - Besides, as a hero, you should do the same.
(Johnny) - So that's where I'm going. After class, of course. - Suddenly, the boy became a little convinced. - Race to see who gets there first?
(Diana) - I accept any challenge you give me. For the honor. - The two then started running, tightening their pace to reach the bus stop, while Johnny started running as fast as he could, trying to match Diana in speed levels.
At the high school, Zee was leaning against a locker, waiting for class to start, checking her cell phone, while at the same time, Kara approached the purple haired girl, kind of annoyed.
(Kara) - What are you doing there, Zee?
(Zee) - A girl who cares about my beauty, like me, should always be on the lookout for the latest social media updates. My last post got at least 1,000+ likes. - She giggles, showing her confidence in front of Kara.
(Kara) - Of course. What do you expect from the most popular girl in school? - At the same time, Karen walked into the school, trying to keep some calm in her body. Then Barbara and Jessica arrived, looking at Karen, Zee and Kara.
(Karen) - What took you guys so long to get here?
(Barbara) - Sorry. My alarm clock didn't go off.
(Jessica) - And I was busy helping to hold a small protest. - Five were gathered together, making Zee a little impatient.
(Zee) - Class hasn't started yet. Apparently, our teacher hasn't arrived yet, so we're in time. - She looks around, being kind of surprised to see that two of them weren't with them yet. - Where are Diana and Johnny?
(Kara) - I'm the one who's going to know? - Suddenly, Johnny and Diana entered the door, almost exhausted, to the surprise of Karen, Jessica, Zee, Kara and Barbara.
(Diana) - Yeah, looks like I won our little friendly dispute.
(Johnny) - No, I passed you before we came in. - They both looked a bit tired, making Kara approach them.
(Kara) - What happened to you guys?
(Johnny) - I bumped into Diana on the way to the bus stop, so we decided to race her there, only we missed the bus. Then, we had the brilliant idea of running the rest of the way here, in a little friendly dispute, in other words. - The fatigue was clear, even more so for them. Chuckling a little, the two shook hands, causing the seven of them to gather together, walking down the hall. - Today started off well, in my opinion.
Suddenly the boy saw a figure familiar to him. Another boy with brown hair, 1.70 tall, looking a bit fit, showing he had a bit of muscle. But to Johnny, he was familiar, in a very bad way. Suddenly, the only thing the girls heard was a noise of movement inside the closet.
(Barbara) - What was that?
(Johnny) - Remember I told you about my high school days a while back? So, that's the bully I told you about.
(Kara) - It seems kind of harmless.
(Johnny) - Meet Jason Valentine. Quarterback star of the Coast City football team, and also a bully on a joking level.
(Karen) - What do you mean, joker?
(Johnny) - He picks on you until he can't, and then he jokes around. When I get distracted, I ended up being the victim of a prank. - He then comes out of his closet, looking at Jason, who approaches with a smile on his face.
(Jason) - Little Johnny Young. From the looks of it, you haven't changed a bit.
(Johnny) - Jason Valentine. I must say, you haven't changed much either. - He extends his hand, willing to shake it. - I'm not falling for that trick, boy.
(Jason) - Please. You used to complain that you didn't shake my hand because you thought I had a shock button on me, remember? I assure you I don't have one.
(Diana) - Go deep. Maybe he really doesn't have something like that. - The boy then shook the hand of his old acquaintance, proving that he didn't have a shock button on him.
(Jason) - See? No shock button.
(Johnny) - Good. - Suddenly he saw that his hand had stuck to something. When he looked, there was a stick of gum on his right palm.
(Jason) - But I had a trick up my sleeve. Remember the tricks in the locker room that I used to give you and stuff? Just like all the others?
(Johnny) - Times are different now, "friend". If you really think I'm going to let myself be shaken like this, you're very wrong. You may have tormented me for a long time, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let it get to me. - Getting close to the closet, Johnny tried to get loose, until with a pull of his hand he managed to get loose, however, he bumped into the closet.
(Jason) - I'm here to stay. You're looking at Coast City's newest transfer. This should be fun. - He starts to laugh, walking away, making Johnny grit his teeth, showing the anger he was feeling in his body, to the girls' surprise.
(Karen) - That one is really evil.
(Johnny) - No wonder I even created a ranking explaining about bullies a while back in my notebook. - This surprised the girls, making Johnny show some of the levels he had: A violent, joker, player, show-off, and everything else you could imagine. - There were a lot of things you wouldn't expect, but this guy is a mix of everything I've talked about here.
(Diana) - I know we can work this out with a good civilized conversation.
(Johnny) - Think about it. With him, you can't talk. He thinks he is the king of the school and does whatever he wants. He picked on me for months, subjected me to every kind of joke and prank I've ever described. - His anger seemed to be growing, making the girls worry about him losing control of his powers like he did at his old school, but he calmed down little by little. - But I won't let it get under my skin. After all, I have my tricks for dealing with someone like him.
In the cafeteria, Jason was looking for a place to sit, with the food he had managed to grab for lunch. Slowly finding an ideal spot, in the middle of the cafeteria, he sat down, until a somewhat suspicious noise was heard, making Jason a nervous wince. Looking down at what was underneath, he saw that he had sat on a cushion of bang, yielding some half-silent laughter. On his first day, victim of a trick. Johnny then flashed a smile on his face.
(Johnny) - Yeah, "buddy", let the games begin.
Going towards his closet, Johnny started to open it through his combination, until suddenly, a pie hit him in the face, to the boy's surprise, in which it seemed that some people paid attention to this situation. Jason then gave a smile, feeling that he was giving back. As he was leaving, Johnny used his powers without anyone seeing, making his rival fall on the ground, laughing and feeling on top of the world. Johnny started to make some notes on his pad, while the girls started to watch, a little nervous. Diana seemed a little surprised at what was happening.
(Diana) - By Hera, what are they doing?
(Kara) - Translating: Looks like our friend is giving back against the bully the same way he did at his old high school. - Kara giggles lightly. - Through trickery and pranks.
(Diana) - Should we intervene?
(Zee) - I don't know. Usually this kind of thing is not so dangerous. Let's see how far this story goes.
Inside the science room, Jason was preparing a small compound inside the room. Taking a green compound from a vial, he receives a message, which gives Johnny the opportunity to use his powers and change the vial for a red one. The moment Jason went to put it on, a cloud of smoke rose up, blinding him, while Johnny remains confident, showing that he wouldn't let Jason get under his skin like the other times.
At the same time, throughout the day, the two demonstrate their rivalry being put to test, in which Johnny gives a little retribution for the previous prank, dropping several pies on Jason's head, who opened his locker, having several pies being thrown one after the other, followed by a half dozen eggs being thrown, which makes the students laugh at the situation, making Jason reciprocate in the same coin, ironically. It was clear that the two were dealing with things almost in the same coin, as a form of retaliation for the old times.
The end of class came, with that, Johnny leaned on his locker, a little exhausted. The girls then, approached him, looking at the boy.
(Johnny) - What?
(Jessica) - Don't you think you're overreacting a little bit about this business between you two?
(Johnny) - Jess, he picked on me every day and picked on me until he couldn't anymore. I'm just giving back the way he knows how from time to time. Besides, this whole thing has been harmless. No one's been hurt so far.
(Karen) - We're kind of worried. Deep down, we're thinking that you're letting him get under your skin about this whole giving back business.
(Johnny) - It's going to be all right.
(Diana) - A self-respecting hero should at least have a chance to understand the mind of the person it affects.
(Johnny) - Deep down, I'd like to understand what's going on in Jason's mind. Preferably something other than picking on me directly. - He starts to walk to the exit, while Karen, Jessica, Zee, Barbara, Kara and Diana look at Johnny, still worried.
(Diana) - Still think we shouldn't do anything?
(Kara) - If there's one thing I know, it's that you generally don't interfere if the business gets really serious.
(Diana) - He must be going to the gym now. I arranged to meet Johnny there. - The Amazon then started walking, leaving the group on their own. Without them seeing, Jason watched everything, seeing how his "rival" had friends, who seemed to really care about him.
At the gym in downtown Metropolis, Johnny started to run on the treadmill, trying to calm some of the stress of the day. Diana was running on the treadmill to the boy's left, seeing how crowded the gym was, while trying to help her friend in the situation he was in.
(Johnny) - It's kind of hard most of the time. Usually you have people who are on top of you straight up, trying to do something, and have fun at the expense of others. - He ran, as he sighed, showing a certain fear in his body.
(Diana) - Sometimes I can't understand the World of Men. How can someone belittle the existence of another human being like that?
(Johnny) - It's the nature of things. Despite everything, there's always going to be someone who thinks they're arrogant enough, or who lets their popularity go to their head, leaving them in the right to do as they please. - Johnny seemed to be trying to explain some of what he felt inside his body, considering the dilemma itself. - There are times when what you want most is to do something to get back at the person who torments you, like hitting them, but I don't do that.
(Diana) - Because that would go against everything you believe in, wouldn't it?
(Johnny) - If I gave back in kind, I would be just like the person who tormented me. Honestly, I swore I wouldn't let him torment me again, but now I don't know if what I did today during class time made me become just like him. - Sighing, as he increases the speed of the treadmill to 9. Slowly, focusing his energy, he runs as fast as he can. - Sometimes I wonder what I would do if I were in his shoes.
(Diana) - Having that much power ends up corrupting the noblest and most virtuous, despite their intentions. It could probably end up happening to you if you try to do anything out of the ordinary.
(Johnny) - I'm a hero, Diana. I try to do everything I can to fight alongside you, but to tell you the truth, I'm still having some problems. - The Amazon listened to the boy, trying to keep herself steady. - For example, I still feel like I'm having trouble staying focused.
(Diana) - Are you still afraid of your powers?
(Johnny) - I don't know. I can still use them for some things, but I can't seem to get the true extent of them out, to tell you the truth. It's like there's something holding me back. - The two continued on the treadmill, until they stopped. Going towards a tatame, with some training equipment, Diana decided to position herself, punching the training bag, with Johnny holding it. - I can't tell.
(Diana) - It must have something to do with your traumas. Deep down, you still feel the fear taking over. Your concentration needs to provide positive thoughts. You take the field straight out, putting your life at risk. - She punched the training bag harder, making it clear that she enjoyed training, even more so now considering she had a partner to do it with. - But you also have to think a little about the limits you have.
(Johnny) - What do you suggest I do to deal with this?
(Diana) - You should consider the idea of training yourself to use your powers. If you really want to be ready to go to the battlefield and protect your brothers and sisters, you have to concentrate as much as you can.
(Johnny) - It's a good idea, actually. If I can train the way I use the power I have, maybe we can make some progress. - Without anyone seeing, he decided to take the opportunity to practice a little. Standing in front of the bag Diana was in, he started throwing a few punches, practicing his punches a little. - I need to find a place where I can practice when I can, what I have inside of me.
(Diana) - You could take the junkyard into consideration. Since that's where we first trained as a team. - Slowly, Johnny's hands started to emanate some energy, as Diana held the punching bag, she could see that he was channeling his powers in his hands. - Are you...
(Johnny) - I don't know. Deep down, I'm actually starting to like this. - He throws several punches, one after the other, as his powers continued to be channeled, making it very clear what he really seemed to be feeling. Each punch he threw made Diana a little worried, until suddenly, he stopped for a moment, giving himself time to recover. - I think we need a break.
(Diana) - I agree. - The two then sat down, deciding to rest a bit before going back to their exercises. Johnny knew that he needed to train a little more in the use of his powers, if he wanted to understand how to use his true extent, to be able to give his all against the villains of the city and protect the citizens of Metropolis.
On one of the streets, Barbara and Karen started walking, heading towards the mall in the city. They both walked, while Barbara kept a smile on her face.
(Karen) - Why are you so happy today?
(Barbara) - Since today is my day off at the Burrito Bucket, I'll get a chance to do some shopping. That means a chance to create some super cool bat-devices that I can use for some unfinished business. - He grabs a few things from his backpack, keeping a certain optimism about himself. - This day is going to be amazing, if it's up to me, Karen.
(Karen) - Well, now that you mention it, I'm in need of a few things to spruce up my outfit. Preferably something that will help with certain changes that I'm putting to the test.
(Barbara) - Sometimes it's good to have a little time for chores. - She keeps a small smile on her face. - Also taking time out to fight crime as we always do.
(Karen) - So far, this day is normal. Nothing out of the ordinary going on.
(Barbara) - Yeah. Honestly, I still don't understand what those two have with each other. - It was clear that she was talking about the problem Johnny was having. - I know dealing with a bully is kind of hard, but-
(Karen) - Look, I don't know if I can be the best person to give advice right now, but the guy will turn it around. I'm sure of that. - Suddenly, the two saw the police sirens heading towards what looked like the city bank, making Karen and Barbara look surprised. - And talk about a normal day. - The two of them run towards an alley, preparing the outfits they had with them.
(Barbara) - Admit it: It wouldn't be a normal day if we didn't have a villain to fight. Just another moment in the superheroine life. - Karen puts on her costume, while Barbara pulls on the hood she had with her, transforming into Batgirl, causing the two to jump from building to building, with Barbara preparing a harpoon she had with her, while Karen flew beside her as Bumblebee. - I've already sent a signal to the group! I just don't know if they are available!
At the gym, Diana continued to work out her body, while Johnny did some push-ups, trying to prepare himself physically and mentally, making it clear that he was trying harder than he could admit to be able to handle whatever came his way. At the Zatara's penthouse, Zee practiced some tricks she had in her spell book, until she decides to stop and take some pictures of her house, posting it on her social media account. At the same time, Jessica was doing volunteer work at an animal shelter, helping to deliver some dogs and cats to people who were showing up at the site. The girl's determination was immense to do what she believed in. Kara, on the other hand, was listening to some rock music in her room, relaxing her mind a little.
Barbara and Karen started to run, until they landed in front of the bank, seeing what appeared to be a man, wearing a dark blue suit, a domino mask, while keeping a smile on his face, freezing the legs of some police officers who were trying to restrain him, and also making their hands cold enough to drop their weapons.
-It's bigger! -It's taller! - Freeze one of the police cars in front of him. - It's better! Everything worse you can imagine is in front of you! Just think of what I can do against you. - Batgirl and Bumblebee land in front of the villain, as he carries a bag of money in his left hand.
(Barbara) - A villain who rhymes? That's something you don't see every day.
(Karen) - And you, who would you be?
-My name is Icestreak. -All of Metropolis will tremble before my feet! Frozen. - He launches a freezing blast towards Batgirl, who dodges the attacks, causing Bumblebee to launch several missiles in the villain's direction, which, despite hitting him, have almost no effect. - Is that all you can do?
(Batgirl) - He's really good. - She launches a batarang towards Icestreak, which freezes him before it can hit him, giving Barbara the opportunity to use her harpoon, going high and disappearing, kicking the villain in the back. - But so am I.
(Ice Lighting) - Pathetic heroes. You can't just defeat me with a blow like that. - She throws another blow that throws Barbara into a wall, giving Karen the opportunity to use her stings on the villain, who feels a small pain taking over her body at the moment.
(Karen) - Where are they?
(Barbara) - It might take a little more time! - Barbara's concern was clear as they concentrated on avoiding the villain's attacks, which were almost hitting the two heroines.
Inside the gym, Johnny began to set up a little barbell, putting a couple of weights on the sides, to give it a little more difficulty. Diana looked at the boy, seeing his determination, making it very clear that it seemed he wanted to push himself in a totally different way.
(Diana) - Be careful not to force your body.
(Johnny) - Easy for you to say. - He gives a light laugh on his face. - I'm just doing a little work.
(Diana) - Keep it up.
(Johnny) - The gift I have to be used, is something I feel I will be able to control. - He looks at Diana, seeing how she was practicing a little with the gym punching bag, thinking about something that was going through her mind. - How did you know?
(Diana) - How did I know what?
(Johnny) - That you wanted to do that. To be a heroine and protect the innocent, even if it meant leaving the place she spent most of her life from? - She continued to practice, while paying attention to her friend's question.
(Diana) - I felt a calling. That this world needed someone it could count on. Even going against the rules, I proved that I was a woman worthy of wearing the garment that was once the symbol of our bravest warriors. You feel the urge to do something important, no matter how much every part of your body seems to doubt itself and its true destiny. - He stops for a moment, seeing how he was pushing himself harder than he could count. - The gift you have inside of you can be important to the people you live with in this world. I saw that. And I still see it.
(Johnny) - I feel like everything is going to work out. - The two then look at the news, watching the footage of Batgirl and Bumblebee fighting Icestreak, seeing the dilemma of the two. - What the hell?
(Diana) - I guess that's our cue! - The two run out of the gym, while jumping to the top of a roof without anyone seeing.
(Johnny) - Truth be told, just when you think this day can't get any weirder... - Snaps one of his fingers, running one of his hands over his shoulders, beginning to put his hero costume on at the ready, at the same time Diana begins to twirl to the sides, revealing her battle attire for the occasion.
(Diana) - The battle awaits us! - She puts her sword at the ready, as they start jumping from one building to another, trying to reach the city bank. - How's your battle thirst, Atlas?
(Johnny) - Insatiable...
Zee looked down at the phone, with the signal being received, as did Jessica and Kara, noting the status of the signal if Batgirl. Slowly, each of them prepared themselves, willing to take the order. A new villain had emerged, and this time, it would be necessary for the group to be together to fight him. What would happen in this fight?
To be continued...