His actions made the eight-o-clock news.
They called them "heroic endeavors" for they knew nothing of the way the fight came about, simply the outcome and the apparent rescue of two tellers at a local bank that had been hit by a gang of high-grade thieves who were then thwarted by some mysterious figure who swooped "out of the night" and fended off the criminals. He hadn't given a name but, all across social media, he was already being dubbed a variety of names, anywhere from the Golden Feather to Oriole (neither of which sounded right to him. He was more than just a bird. He was a hippogriff, a creature of mythology and lore. He needed a cooler name than Golden Feather to strike fear into the heart of his enemies).
Tossing his phone onto his bed beside him, he fell facefirst into his pillow with a groan. Sensing they were alone once more, Lorr flew up to hover in front of the boy's face.
What troubles you, Master? he inquired. You appear most distressed.
"I need a name," Nicholas mumbled into the face of his pillow.
Lorr clicked his beak. I was not aware you were lacking one, as I was under the impression that your parents provided you with a very valid one upon your birth.
"No, not that kind of name!" Nicholas exclaimed. "The kind that makes me a superhero! I need a cool alter ego! Like Tony Stark!"
Who's Tony Stark? I don't recognize that name. Is he someone famous in your time?
"No, he's Spider-man, but that's not what's important." Nicholas briefly lifted his gaze as the kwami landed on the top of his bed and settled to peer down at him with blazing hazel eyes. "If I am going to continue being this city's form of savior, then I am going to need to give them something to remember me by. And I just don't think Oriole is going to cut it."
Perhaps you should select a more appropriate name for your specific skill set? Lorr suggested, shaking his head and fluffing his feathers tiredly. The residue of syrup still clung to his talons and he absentmindedly shook it away. Something that speaks to you and makes you different from the rest of the world. What makes you special? Embrace that.
"You're right, Lorr!" Nicholas sat up straighter and rolled over to stare at the ceiling. "I do need to find something that makes me stand out. Hang on a sec." With that, he reached for his backpack, previously thrown carelessly against the wall, and drew out his sketchbook, sliding back to the hippogriff and flipping to a blank page. Lorr leaned over to study his hasty scribbles, occasionally clicking his tongue or ruffling a feather in agreement.
Suddenly feeling very self-conscious of his artwork, Nicholas attempted to use his body to shield his sketches of the bird, done throughout the course of the previous days, along with a bunch of sticky notes penned in Arabic (though why he would bother when the bird could just as easily read it in in either language, he didn't know. A nervous habit, he supposed) describing the kwami's various abilities and what little history he knew of the bird's arrival plus where he'd been before (which, by the sound of it, was mainly in South America).
It seems you've been paying more attention to my instructions than you've been willing to admit, Lorr commented as he reached the part about the differing weights of the "tail-dagger-cloak" Nicholas had added that evening after helping Nino get ready for bed. Did you perhaps already begin writing down possible identities for yourself? He sounded sincerely surprised and Nicholas allowed a small smile as he carefully retreated to let the bird see the few suggestions he had already scribbled into the border.
"I thought they might come in handy at some point," he confessed. "So I thought some up at lunch. What do you think about the name Phoenix?" His pencil hovered above the first name. "It's a mythical bird. That could be perfect since you are technically mythical as well."
Eh. Quaint, but I don't think that's it. Aren't most phoenixes red and orange?
"Okay, then what about Archaeopteryx?" He scratched off the first and moved on to the second.
Kid, you can't even pronounce that correctly.
Nicholas sighed, scribbling over that one too. "That was my favorite," he muttered. "Raven?"
You're gold, not black.
"I mean, technically speaking-"
Seriously, no. Pick something else.
"Fine. You're a hippogriff, right?" He scrolled to the very last name on his list. The one he wasn't even sure he approved of. "So...what about Griffon?"
At this, the kwami paused his shuffling thoughtfully. Griffon, he repeated, the word rolling about in his brain. Not a pompous name, yet specifically noble and honorable in nature. Gentle, yet powerful. I think that name would suit you nicely.
You think so?
I do. It seems most appropriate.
"Nikolas!" his father called suddenly. "Please come downstairs for a minute!"
Hold that thought, Nicholas decided, hastily folding his journal back over and sliding off of his mattress, Lorr quick to disappear behind a potted fern as his holder cautiously crept to the door, careful not to wake Nino who was snoring softly across the way, undoubtedly dreaming of icecream and merry-go-rounds. I'd better go see what my parents want.
Should I come with you, Master? Lorr inquired from a rather comfortable-looking leaf.
No, that's okay, Lorr, Nicholas replied. I can do this one by myself. Just make sure you keep yourself hidden. I don't want to come back and find you as an actual stuffed animal. As he stepped out into the hall, he double-checked to make sure his miraculous was tucked securely into his shirt where it wouldn't be spotted by either of his parents who would absolutely ask too many questions he couldn't give them reasonable answers to.
See you later! Lorr chirped as Nicholas shut the door behind him and made his way through the hall and down the stairs, anticipating the worst and the sensations of dread growing with every step he took.
His parents were waiting for him in the living room as he slowly appeared in the entranceway. The tv was on and, to his concern, even from where he stood, he could see the recording of his fight playing on repeat. Heaven knows how someone managed to get that on film but he was suddenly even more afraid.
Had they recognized him, even with his hood and the mask over his eyes?
If the answer to that was 'yes', did this mean he was about to be grounded for the rest of his mortal life and half of the afterlife as well? His hands balled into tight fists and he quickly shoved them into his pockets, averting his gaze as he hit the bottom step and turned to face them, ready for the brunt of anger and the rush of disappointment and scolding.
"Please, Nicholas," Layla spoke softly, gesturing to an open seat on the couch across from them. "Come sit down. There's something we need to discuss with you."
Swallowing hard, knowing his fate was sealed and finding little comfort in the knowledge that Lorr was currently upstairs where he couldn't see his holder about to lose everything, Nicholas obeyed, cautiously moving to take a seat and fold his hands in his lap, his knees bouncing up and down anxiously.
So, this is it. Lorr, I'm sorry I let you down. I know you'll find a good holder, someone who could do you better than me. I'm just sorry it had to end this way. And for what it's worth, I was actually starting to enjoy you being around.
There was no quippy response from the kwami, nor did he expect there to be. The miraculous felt heavy against his chest as he waited for the striking disappointment to envelop him.
"What is this about?" he asked, letting himself slip back into his more passive Arabic so as not to throw any more suspicion onto himself. If this talk was really about what he thought it was, it wasn't going to matter because he was already going to be buried six feet under. There was no need to make it twelve.
"Nikolas," Layla started, sharing a glance with her husband who obediently leaned forward to shut off the television (missing Nicholas's deep sigh of relief). "There's something your father and I would like to tell you."
Nicholas blinked. This...didn't sound like them telling him that he was about to be grounded and murdered and then grounded again for good measure. "Go on, I guess?"
"Do you remember what I told you the other night at dinner?" Ali went on. "About my possible job opportunity in Panama?"
Nicholas frowned. "You mean the one right before Nino went into a serious breakdown and I didn't get to finish eating? Yeah, I remember. But what's that got to do with-" He stopped himself just in time. He had been about to say, what does this have to do with Lorr and my recent escapades as a superhero?
The looks his parents shared told him all he needed to know. "This...isn't about...ah...this is...about that job offer, isn't it? You're...going to take it, aren't you? That's what you wanted to talk to me about, right?"
"You've always been good at knowing exactly what we are going to say before we do," Layla admitted, taking her husband's hand and squeezing it tightly. "Which is why we wanted to talk to you first."
Nicholas shrugged. "I know it's what's best for Ab," he answered nonchalantly. "If it really is what needs to happen, then I'm not going to cry or protest or get down on my hands and knees and plead for you to stay." Though that is exactly what I should do. Nino doesn't want you to go and neither do I, but one of us has to be grown-up here.
"That's why we wanted to tell you before Nino," Ali confessed. "We knew you would understand." Whereas Nino wouldn't, came the unsaid words.
"When do you have to leave?" Nicholas inquired, glancing back to his hands now, feeling his fists loosening slightly as the previous panic melted away to something resembling discomfort.
"Flight 156 takes off first thing in the morning," Ali answered. "Before you and Nino wake up."
"But it's only for a week," Layla added, seeing Nicholas's doubtful scowl. "Just for a quick flight over to sign some papers and shake some hands."
"You won't even notice I'm gone," Ali agreed.
Now, Nicholas doubted this, but he only nodded solemnly, his legs already trying to propel him upwards.
"Nikolas," Layla said gently, leaning forward to lay a hand on his knees. "Are you okay with this? It means you will have to step up and take a little more responsibility around here until your father returns. Do you think you can handle that?"
No, he didn't. But he also wasn't going to be the one to stand in the way of something he knew his father-no, the whole family-needed. And after four years, perhaps a change of scenery was what his father required. Nicholas could respect that. He just wished Ali would have considered taking him with him.
But, then again, he wouldn't be able to leave now. He'd made a promise to Lorr to try and help protect the city. He couldn't do that from halfway across the world. As much as he wanted to leave this perfectly insane city behind him to fend for itself, he had made a promise and he wasn't about to break it now.
"I'll do what I have to," he answered flatly. "Go ahead and go, Ab. I take care of things around here. It's only for a week after all." I think I can manage to avoid blowing the apartment sky-high for that long.
Ali and Layla smiled and Nicholas shuffled from foot to foot anxiously. "And...uh...if that is all, I'd...I really think I should be getting off to bed. Early day of school tomorrow and all that."
"But, isn't tomorrow Saturday?"
"Oh," Nicholas winced. "Yeah, that. Yes, well, you see, the thing is," He was already backing toward the stairs as he spoke. "There's this big project coming up that I have already put off for far too long that is due first thing Monday morning that I now have to spend my entire weekend trying to complete, so nothing better than to get a good night's sleep and hit the ground running, right?"
Layla and Ali shared another glance. "That is a very responsible thing for you to do, Nikolas," Ali complimented, smiling boldly. "I'm glad to see you're beginning to take more interest in your studies. But, why the sudden interest all out of the blue? Just this last week you were talking like the entire act of high school was beneath you."
Nicholas shrugged again, hoping he was coming off as flippant as he pretended to be when, in fact, he knew the real cause. He just couldn't tell them that. "I guess...something Ms. Bustier said finally...got to me. High school is the point at which we decide who we are going to be and what we intend on doing for the rest of our lives. And I...guess I don't want to be that lazy guy who gets nothing done and acts as though the world owes him everything. I'm old enough to take...some more responsibility. I want to make friends and be a good student, I really do. Maybe focusing on my homework will give me the opportunity to...to do that."
His parents' beams were so bright he wondered if the astronauts could see them from Mars.
"Okay," he emphasized, his heels hitting the base of the stairs. "Well...I...uh...better be getting back to it then. There's still a lot to do so..um...have fun on your trip. I will see you when you get back. Drink some fancy lemonade for me while you're there."
His father laughed at this and Nicholas took this as his cue to turn and hurry back upstairs as his parents went back to their previous hushed discussion. Upon reaching the bedroom door, he heaved out a long sigh and fell against the wall. Well, that was weird.
What was weird, Master?
Nicholas almost chuckled as he heaved open the door and the kwami flitted to greet him. He wasn't about to tell Lorr that he'd been terrified to lose him but he suspected Lorr already knew.
Nothing, buddy. It's nothing. His eyes then fell on a sleeping mound of blankets and stuffed animals that he logically assumed hid his little brother. But even from where he stood, he could see the uncomfortable squirming and hear the uneasy whimpers rising from the pile. Fear was evident on the boy's face as Nicholas carefully crept over to sit on the edge of the mattress. He wasn't like this when I left! Lorr, is he okay?
The kwami hovered closer. I believe he is just having a nightmare, Lorr answered soothingly.
Can you tell what of? Nicholas inquired, hoisting himself further onto the bed and pulling the bundle of blankets and brother into his arms as he leaned back against the headboard, Nino still fighting invisible demons in his head, kicking and flailing with every ounce of his strength.
I cannot, Lorr chittered. I can only enter the minds of those I am bonded to.
Nicholas immediately moved to remove his pendant.
Don't even think about it! the kwami screeched. Miraculouses should not be passed between holders! It is not safe for kwami to be bonded to more than one holder!
Nino whimpered again, pulling away toward Nicholas's chest, mumbling something incoherent under his breath.
Nicholas quickly dropped the pendant back into his shirt. Okay, I get it. Sorry.
Lorr clicked his beak. It is all right. I should have warned you. But you have nothing to be afraid of. The little master is simply having a bad dream. I believe it will pass here soon.
That's a relief, Nicholas breathed. But it's been a long day. I think I'm just going to stay here for a bit. Not falling asleep, mind you. this is just temporary until Nino is settled down a little.
If you say so, Lorr settled down on the lampshade beside them. Sweet dreams, Master.
"I'm not sleeping," Nicholas repeated aloud.
The kwami muttered something more but the boy didn't hear. His eyes closed and, in moments, he was sound asleep for the rest of the night.
The roar of an engine was what woke the boys late the next morning. It was Nino who awoke first. He shrieked, surprised to find his brother's arms wrapped gently around him. This, in turn, startled Nicholas awake, sending him flailing back and yanking them both off of the bed and onto the floor in a tangled, confused, bedraggled mess.
Lorr just stared down at them, laughing quiet, yet highly amused, squeaks. Until Nicholas managed to pull himself free long enough to give him a dirty look. Even that did not deter the kwami who continued to chirp as he darted off to hide before Nino ripped a blanket from his head and stared up at his elder brother with a look of betrayal.
"Hey!" Nicholas protested. "I fell too, you know! There's no need to look at me that way!"
There was a crash at the door and Dozer, apparently panicked by the noise, came pelting into the room and trampled over the boys in his excitement, backtracking to lick Nino happily across the face as the child started to stand.
"EW!" Nino protested.
"Good morning, Akhi," Nicholas laughed, freeing his brother from the jumble and tossing the blankets back onto the mattress. Lorr chittered disapprovingly at the mess but Nicholas ignored him.
"It not good morning," Nino complained, shoving the shepherd off of him with a scowl. "I is covered in lick!"
"Well, you're in need of a bath anyway," Nicholas chuckled, shaking his head as he shooed the dog from the room before he could catch wind of Lorr again and go on another insane rampage. One of those had been quite enough, thank you.
"Am not!" Nino protested.
Nicholas just rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Am so," he argued right back. "Now come on, let's get you all ready. I think Mom mentioned you had big plans today."
"Play!" Nino agreed, allowing his brother to lift him into the air. "M-marinette house!"
"Oh, you're going to Marinette's?" Nicholas repeated, raising an eyebrow in mock confusion.
"Uh-huh!"
"And I wasn't invited to come with you?"
Nino shook his head, smiling. "Yous too big!"
"I'm too big?" Nicholas laughed. "All right, I should probably be insulted by that, but I think I will let it slide this time."
Nino giggled and Nicholas led him out of the room. After both were up and their chores were complete, they made their way to the kitchen, Nino settled securely on Nicholas's shoulders. Layla was already there and she smiled as Nicholas yawned and moved instinctively for the fridge to scavenge for leftovers.
"Good morning!" Layla called, stepping aside to make room for them as she settled further against her bench to work the morning paper.
"Morning, mom," Nicholas answered, setting Nino down to pour them both a glass of milk as he peered over her shoulder to see the crossword of the day.
"Hi, mommy!" Nino blurted, scrambling for a seat where he could see what the adults were working on.
"Nikolas, what is this word here?" Layla asked, pointing to one of the longer clues.
Nicholas squinted at it, pretending to struggle to translate. "Telephone booth," he said. "Like the one from Doctor Who."
"Doctro whosis?" Nino tried to copy and then giggled at his own pronunciation.
"Oh, you and that television," Layla sighed with a smile as she went to write that in. "I don't understand half of what it is you find so fascinating about a man who travels through space in a big box."
"Time, Al'umu," Nicholas corrected automatically. "And he's an alien, not human. And it's the point of the story that I find so enjoyable. The Doctor isn't a man out for revenge and full of hatred, though he has every reason to be. He desires to protect and save instead of fight and hurt."
"Not you!" Nino butted in again, nibbling on a piece of leftover bacon.
Nicholas stuck his tongue out at him, slapping his cap onto the child's head and hiding his eyes. Nino shrieked happily and wrestled to remove the hat. "Get it off! Get it off! Yuck! Stinky hat! Ew!"
Nicholas gasped dramatically, bringing the cap back to his chest and holding it tightly. "How could you!" he exclaimed. "You're going to hurt his feelings! Don't listen to him, Gerald. You're a beautiful hat and you don't smell at all."
Lorr just about died laughing.
Nino just looked completely unimpressed. "Uh-huh," he said, heaving himself from the seat and grabbing his glass of milk, downing it as he made his way to the sink. Even on his tiptoes, he couldn't quite reach the top, which was Nicholas's cue to stand as well to help.
"Nikolas," his mother spoke again as he took the glass from his struggling brother and quietly washed it without a word of protest. "Would you be willing to take Nino to the Dupain-Chengs? I would do it but-"
"Sure, mom," Nicholas interrupted. "I'll take him. I know the way." At this, she flashed him a surprised glance. He shrugged, reaching for his coat and tugging it on even as Nino continued to stare at him lovingly. "I passed their bakery on the way home from school," he confessed. "It's a cute little shop. They have some good things there."
"Now, I hope you didn't make yourself a bother to those nice people," she reprimanded, giving him a stern look.
"Moi? Bother someone?" Nicholas smiled cheekily as Nino hastily went to grab his coat as well. "Perish the notion."
That earned him a piece of flying bacon to the face.
Laughing, he took Nino by the hand and started toward the door. "Don't worry, Al'amu," he said more seriously. "The Dupain-Chengs know me. They'll be all right with me showing up with Nino. And I promise I won't get into anyone's way."
"Hmmm. Well, all right. But come straight home once you drop him off. Tom and Sabine have already volunteered to bring Nino back later so you don't have to stay the entire time."
"Got it," Nicholas affirmed as Nino grabbed his hand and started pulling him toward the door. Lorr! he thought quickly.
Coming, Master! the hippogriff responded. As soon as Layla's back was turned at a screeching alarm from the oven, the kwami dove out of the shadows and melted right through Nicholas's cap to settle on his head.
Nicholas yelped in shock but quickly slapped a hand over his mouth. Nino's eyes trailed where Lorr had gone and the goofy grin spreading across his face was not one Nicholas could ignore. What was that? he demanded as he pulled open the door and herded the child out on the stairs.
I don't know what you mean, Master.
You let Nino see you! Nicholas exclaimed. Again! What happened to the whole no-one-can-see-me-and-absolutely-no-one-can-know-I-exist thing? Are we just throwing that entire playbook out the window now?
The small master has already laid eyes on me once, Lorr pointed out. He has been vigilant in his code of silence. I do not believe revealing myself once more will cause any type of change whatsoever.
Nicholas only grunted, allowing Nino to take the lead and pull him away from their apartment and out into the morning bustle. He is not your little master, Lorr, he snapped back irritably. Last Ichecked, you are a kwami and thus can only bond to one person! I thinkthat makes me your holder. Not Nino.
I do notunderstand this sudden aggression, Nicholas, Lorr replied calmly. Nor do Icomprehend this simmering deep inside of you. These are not the actions or emotions of my flock. These are actions of Trekk's chosen.
Oh, yeah? Nicholas seethed. And what does your highlyintelligent self call it then?
Jealousy, the hippogriff answered tonelessly.
Jealousy? Nicholas echoed, scoffing. You can't be serious! What could I be jealous of? Nino?
Yes, I think you are jealous of Nino. Perhaps not as deeply as some might be, but you are still resentful of the possibility of Nino sharing in your secret. Perhaps this is due to your feelings of inadequacy in both your social and home life, but you fear your brother learning your secret or, perhaps, even more, being part of your secret.
You're being ridiculous, Lorr, Nicholas huffed. I am not jealous of Nino. I just don't want him involved with you or kwami or anything until I know for sure that it is safe. I'm hovering a little close, I know. But he's my little brother. It is my responsibility to keep him safe.
Yes, it may be, Lorr sighed. But it's not yours alone. You are a kid as well, Master. Don't try to rush the process. Don't forget that you have two great parents who love you and Nino and who also want what is best for you both. It is your responsibility to take care of yourself as well.
Nicholas winced as Nino drug him around the corner, but the action wasn't from the pull on his arm. That's not something I am capable of.
You just haven't had the opportunity to do what is good for you yet, Lorr explained. I've only known you for a couple of days, Master, but you are a very loving individual who genuinely cares for the safety of others. Perhaps it is that caring that makes it difficult for you to see your own needs.
But that's why I have you, isn't it? Nicholas joked lamely. To make sure I don't go so far over the edge that I forget to be empathetic entirely?
That is not...really my purpose. I am a kwami. I am your friend and your mentor, but I am not known to be a reliable therapist.
Huh. Noted. You should get that embedded on a shirt.
I do not believe I would be well-equipped with a shirt, given the circumstances.
Nicholas didn't even bother to dignify that, rolling his eyes as they rounded the final bend and Nino took off in a full sprint for the bakery at the end of the street.
"Nino!" Nicholas yelled, darting after him. "Hang on a second! You can't just run off like that!" He lunged for his brother's arm, pulling him back just in the nick of time before he had the opportunity to crash into an elderly lady.
Nino whined as he was jerked away and Nicholas apologized hastily to the woman who only gave them a kind smile before continuing on her way. "You have to watch where you are going," he scolded the child.
"Sorry," Nino mumbled, his gaze dropping to the pavement, the tears already beginning to form.
Nicholas definitely wanted to reroute that before it got started. "Hey," he said quickly, scooping his brother into his arms amid the hoards of passerbys. "It's okay. Nino, look at me."
Nino did as he was told, eyes brimming with the betraying liquid, and Nicholas quickly swept the little boy closer. "It's okay, Akhi," he whispered. "I'm not angry at you. I'm sorry for yelling. I just...I want to keep you safe because I love you. And I can't do that if you're running away from me all of the time. Okay?"
"'kay," Nino sniffed, wiping his eyes. "Love you t-too."
Nicholas grinned. "I know," he retorted with a laugh as he set his brother back down and pulled open the door to the bakery, hearing the familiar chime of the bell, mouth watering at the delicious smell of fresh pastries flooding the street. The shop was already crowded upon their arrival and Nicholas carefully maneuvered Nino through the line of customers to the desk where both Tom and Sabine were attempting to dish out as many orders as they were receiving.
It was Sabine who first noticed the two boys standing off awkwardly to the side and she smiled as she loaded a box full of cupcakes. "Marinette is in the back office," she called over the bustle. "Go ahead and make yourselves at home. Nicholas, dear, did you enjoy the cake?"
The cake.
Nicholas froze, the twang of guilt rocketing through his gut as he realized what fate the gift had received. In the midst of a real-life fight, he'd completely forgotten that he'd left it on the roofs before he'd gone all...all Griffon...on those robbers. Which, honestly, had been probably for the best. Seeing a superhero slinking back to his apartment with a box with a very distinguishable logo under his arm would probably have raised questions. It certainly would have tipped the Dupain-Chengs off.
Nino wrinkled his nose and glanced up at him. "Cake?" he repeated. "You had cake? None for me?"
It was the first time Nicholas had ever heard his brother get all of his tenses correct, but he was too busy scrambling for a viable excuse as to why he hadn't brought home said cake. "It was great!" he lied, already pushing Nino toward the back room. "Yeah, really great! So great!"
Sabine smiled gently. "Great," she replied. "I'm glad you liked it."
Nicholas smiled weakly as he ducked into the back room after Nino. He winced upon hearing a crash of something big and heavy hitting the ground and he picked up the pace, sliding around the bend, fully anticipating the worst, to find the small dark-haired girl sitting on the floor, surrounded by an overturned tray of cookie cutters. She blinked, appearing dazed, and Nicholas moved to help her up. Nino beat him to it, scrambling across the uneven surface and wrapping his arms around her to fully lift her into the air. Marinette squealed happily at the presence of the taller child and spun to embrace him as Nicholas continued to clean up the mess.
Nicholas smiled, seeing their interaction as he scooped the cutters back onto the tray and pushed them both onto the counter above their heads. "Are you all right?" he asked Marinette and the girl nodded quickly, blinking up at him with wide bluebell eyes.
"I'm clumsy," she whispered, hiding her face in embarrassment. "I'm sorry."
Nino only hugged her tighter and Nicholas, seeing this, didn't have the heart to say anything otherwise. "It's okay," he assured her. "We got it all cleaned up. Nothing to be sorry for." He smiled as the beam spread across her face and she grabbed Nino's arm, dragging him after her to play with something out of Nicholas's line of sight.
Lorr, are they safe? he inquired, stretching up onto his tiptoes to see over the counter.
Yes, Nicholas, Lorr answered. They are sitting on the floor playing with a large plastic house for some reason. And it seems the female has found a small bug and is trying to incorporate it into a tiny bathtub.
They're playing house, Nicholas explained. I think that means it is safe for us to slip out the back door.
And what are you planning to do then? the kwami asked suspiciously.
We are going back to the scene of the crime to rescue a poor abandoned pastry. Nicholas stood at this and slowly began to back toward the exit.
Oh, joy. Are you sure you don't just want to leave it there for a random stranger who might need it more than you? I'm sure it would be most appreciated.
No, Lorr! Think about it this way, if someone finds it there, how hard do you think it will be to figure out that it came from the same place where Paris's newest superhero magically appeared. And then they will trace it back here and Tom and Sabine will recognize it and they will tell my parents and then I will be grounded until the rapture and you will be taken from me and locked up in some kind of weird laboratory so they can run tests on you and try to figure out why you aren't like other birds.
I am not a bird, Lorr protested again as Nicholas ducked back underneath the archway and reemerged into the main store. He received an overly-joyous wave from Tom which he returned hesitantly as he all but ran for the door. The moment he hit the street, he was already running up his previous path toward the Reine and the site of his last fight. The sidewalks were not nearly as overloaded as before, though the rifts caused by the earthquakes still remained. Several construction crews were already on site, hard at work to repair the damage.
Pulling his hat lower to shield his eyes, he quickened his pace to scurry around the workers. He elected to take a second alley to avoid raising suspicions, then doubling back to clamber onto the rooftops. He sucked in a deep breath as he cat-walked the edge of the building, trying not to look down, locate the pink and white box, and avoid being spotted by pedestrians who might get the wrong idea about his efforts.
Now, where did I leave it?
You were in a hurry, Master, Lorr pointed out. You probably threw it to the side as you were trying to transform. I would suggest searching underneath a beam or rafter.
Nicholas obeyed, hurrying over to the opposite end of the roof and ducking down onto his knees to search. At first, he didn't see it, but it did not take long to replay the events of the previous evening and retrace his steps to find it right where he'd dropped it-on the railing overlooking the dark, quiet alley.
The dark, quiet, and absolutely not deserted anymore alley.
An unusual shift of movement caught his eyes as he opened the box to check the intactness of his dessert. Someone stepped from the darkness below and Nicholas hissed, reacting accordingly, ducking down behind the edge of the building and setting the cake beside him. As he cautiously twisted to peer over the ledge out of sight, two more figures garbed from head to toe in charcoal gray emerged from a sidestreet to meet up with the first.
They...almost looked like the strange figure who had frightened the thieves off the last time.
"Did you find anything?"
The first, definitely a female, spoke, turning to face the new arrivals. She removed a pair of large glowing headphones from her head and crossed her arms as both shook their heads.
"Nothing to report at this time, Second Kila," the first answered, removing a similar pair of headphones and pulling down his mask to speak. "There are faint traces of a miraculous being activated here. We were successful in following the trail to the end of the bystreet before whoever it was transformed back. It was very sudden, just past the bystreet where the bank tellers reported intercepting him. We have a trail for about fifteen further steps and then the trace goes cold."
"Meaning whoever is using the miraculous must have been forced to transform back rapidly," the woman-Kila-reasoned. "And that gives us something to work with, after all, since that narrows down our window of possibilities to two alternatives; one, that a second threat was detected and he was forced to duck and run to avoid being located. Or two; he's not able to hold his transformation for a long time after calling on his kwami."
"Meaning what, Second?" the other cloaked man spoke, clearly confused.
"Meaning, Isaac, I think we may have overestimated this new holder's competency. We aren't dealing with a professional miraculous thief here. We're dealing with a child who does not yet understand just what kind of mess he has walked into."
Nicholas's hands clenched into fists at this and Lorr chittered angrily. But neither made a move to engage. Not yet. Nicholas shifted his weight, grimacing as he moved to his more injured side. His eyes never left the three figures and he narrowed his eyes as they began to move across the clearing to investigate something else.
What are they doing? Lorr whispered anxiously.
I don't know, Nicholas replied. I've already seen my share of weird this week. You're the smart one. What do you think?
Well, if I had to hazard a guess, I would say these people saw your fight on that large moving picture device at your home and have decided to investigate the circumstances around your ability to turn into a superhero. This is most unfortunate as it would be much more in our favor to avoid their attention and get away from this place unseen.
Thanks, Lorr, for once again stating the obvious. But something held Nicholas there. Perhaps it was the way the three spoke. He recognized a twinge of a familiar accent embedded in their French and even with Lorr's super-amazingly cool ability to translate everything he heard, he still knew what language they were using to address one another.
Egyptian. Egyptian Arabic.
It wasn't exactly like his native tongue, but it was close enough. Something like American and British English. Similar, yet, foreign.
Or maybe it was the name of the female that tipped him off. Kila. Why did that name sound so familiar? It wasn't one of his old schoolmates or teachers. They were definitely from a different portion of the African continent.
But still...he knew that name.
What are they doing now? Lorr asked, pulling him roughly out of his thoughts.
Nicholas glanced back at the alley. Uh...they're...looking around. I think they're searching for something, but I'm not sure what.
Us, perhaps, Lorr suggested dryly.
No, I don't think so. I mean, not necessarily directly. They know a miraculous is in use. How, I'm not sure, but they don't know who has your miraculous yet or they would have already broken down my door and dragged us both away.
Cheery. Well, perhaps now would be the best time for us to make our escape while they continue not knowing who you are.
Nicholas wanted to stay and learn more. He knew something was going on. He could feel it. But Lorr urged once more, tugging at their bond pleadingly and he slowly moved to follow the kwami's instincts, gathering up his box and hurrying away from the ledge to disappear once more amongst the crowds as nothing more than an ordinary teen out enjoying his weekend.
Be wary, Master, Lorr advised as he ducked his head and shuffled past the alley connecting the bystreets where he was in plain view of the miraculous seekers. Keep your eyes low and keep moving. You have nothing to hide. Don't give them any reason to give you a second thought.
Which was easier said than done. In his haste to avert his gaze, he tripped over an uneven portion of the sidewalk and pitched forward with a yelp. His cap flew off as he threw out his hands to catch himself and Lorr tumbled onto the ground in front of him.
Immediately, all eyes were drawn at his sudden commotion and the small feathered creature landing before him.
The woman's jaw dropped even as he scrambled to recover, swiping his hat at Lorr and scooting him up, already staggering away, his legs and feet turning to lead as the panic engulfed him.
"Hey!" Kila yelled. "Hey, you! Kid! Come here!"
RUN! Lorr shrieked.
And run Nicholas did. He tore down the street, shoving aside anyone who wasn't quick enough to get out of his way. Less than a moment later, the strangers were on his trail, yelling something he couldn't hear. Blood roared through his brain as he pushed himself to go faster, rounding a bend and nearly pitching into the street as he barreled past the bakery and back toward the local zoo. It was the weekend and the attraction was always packed. He could lose them there.
"HOLDER! STOP! WAIT!" the woman yelled again. "HOLD ON!"
But he didn't stop. Heart pounding dangerously hard and pain flaring through his ribcage, he rounded one last corner and vaulted the employees-only sign sanctioning off part of the park, ducking behind a shed.
His pursuers were gaining ground.
Completely freaking out now, mind revolving around; They want to kill me. They want to kill me. I am going to be so dead, he forced himself to stay low and keep moving.
He emerged onto the main path near the panther exhibit and as soon as his shoes hit the solid pavement, he picked up his pace toward the tropical birds' display. There were a number of winding paths where he could throw them off his trail.
Another shout, this one almost sounding like his name, and they burst from a side path. The woman emerged first and she skidded to a halt, holding up her hands in front of her, panting breathlessly. "Please," she gasped. "We don't want to hurt you. Please, just give us the miraculous. You don't know what it can do."
Nicholas shook his head, backing away and resetting his cap (with Lorr inside) firmly back into place. "I can't do that. He needs me to protect him." To protect him from you.
"He's not yours to defend!" Kila snapped. The two flanking her each took a threatening step forward but she held them back with a sharp glance. "Now, do what is right and give him back to us so we can protect him!"
"You'll have to take him from my cold dead body," Nicholas sneered. And then, without a care of who was around to see him, he braced himself and called Wings Unfurl before any of them could move to try and stop him.
The transformation washed over him and he called on the talonblade before he'd fully finished, the blade sliding perfectly into his gloved hands. He stepped back, ready to fight, but the others did not move to copy him. The woman looked...strangely calm. She shared a glance with the man on her left and he responded accordingly, rushing forward, swinging a blue, magically charged staff over his head. Nicholas swiftly ducked and slid to the left. A tingling sensation rushed through his veins and he spun just in the nick of time to parry a second attack from the second man and push back against his weapon with his own.
Adrenaline pumped through his bloodstream, somehow finding him the strength to force his assailants back. He spun his blade, bracing himself for another attack, but both backed away from him now to stand beside the woman who folded her arms thoughtfully. "The Guardians were right about you," she remarked. "You are resilient. Perhaps a little hot-headed for Wisdom, but effective and brave nevertheless."
Nicholas gritted his teeth. "Less talk, more fighting," he ordered, but the woman just shook her head, a small smile creeping onto her lips.
"Save your strength, young man. I am not your enemy. Be careful who you turn that blade on, for not everyone is out to get you. Go home now. We will be seeing much more of each other soon enough."
"I wouldn't count on it," Nicholas spat, but the woman just continued to smirk, signaling for her men to follow her, and in a moment, all three had vanished into the fog, leaving the hero standing there, trying to wrap his brain around what had just happened.
You okay, Lorr?
I am well, Master, thank you.
Who was that?
I do not know.
Well, she certainly knew who you were, buddy.
I have never seen that woman before in my life.
I believe you, man, Nicholas sighed, averting his eyes from the now empty street, drawn to a small vendor's shack where a television was blaring out the morning's news. Nicholas started to turn away to find a place to safely detransform when something caught his eye.
The screen flickered and words flashed across the screen. There was fire and scraps of metal raining down from the heavens. A crash. There had been a crash. Every part had been wrenched and twisted and reduced to smithereens.
Master, Lorr began. Isn't that-
Sickening nausea swelled through Nicholas's stomach and his heart stopped. He didn't wait to see the number displayed by the news reporter. He already knew what it was going to say. He didn't know how, he just did.
No...
He didn't hesitate. Red flashed through his brain and tears exploded in his eyes.
And then he turned around and ran.
The wind blew gently over the dry, dismal field, brushing cautiously across the heads of corn and wheat, and kicking up a wave of dirt in its wake. Two sharp ears poked from between the large stalks of grass and a small giggle drifted loftily among the breeze as the crops below sifted and separated, sliding away to permit passage to a small creature.
Not far away, a door smacked shut and the movement instantly ceased. A voice called over the gentle whispers of nature and two sparkling eyes peeked through the leaves of corn to watch for the owner of the command. It was a summon, a plea to return home. Four paws gently touched the dirt and a puffed tail swiped around a stalk, intently waiting. A few miles away, a young girl stepped onto her front deck, stretching and adjusting the bolo tie to sit more comfortably underneath the collar of her flannel.
The creature twisted an ear, already attent and alert. A wag prepared in its tail and the excited yip already on its fangs as the words were spoken and everything vanished into a swirl of jubilation, brown, and excitement. Behind them, thunder rumbled, warning of the approaching storm. Together they turned, sensing the crackling power in the air and the terrible assurance that everything was not as it should be-that something had upset the balance.
A great power had been awakened and the consuming fire of destruction would soon spread across the horizon. Death and fear tainted the otherwise still valley, and in the midst of all of this, somewhere...halfway across the world...something bad had happened.