"Ezra told me he ran into you at the arcade yesterday."

Stanton glanced up at Renee from the corner of his eye and pressed the spatula down on the breakfast sandwich he was making. She was working on his father's and hers, while he worked on his own and Pacifica's. "Yeah. We played Final Fight," he said, sliding his sandwich onto a plate. Turkey and cheese on French toast. Ms. Pacifica had some weird eating habits as of late.

The blonde smiled down at him. "That's good. I'm glad it seems like you're making friends," she said. He just shrugged in response. It wasn't like he'd been trying to hang out. It just sort of happened. "Are you going to hang out again today?" Renee asked.

Stanton thought for a moment. "Maybe…" he said. He wanted to know if Ezra knew anything about the cards. It didn't seem like it, but he had shown up on it for a reason. Even if he didn't know anything about it he was involved in some way.

Renee turned around and began setting the table. "Well, if you do you know you can always come by the Vanguard base. We wouldn't mind having you around," she offered. She knew how interested he was in some of the other members of the Vanguard. Being around them might get him to open up a bit more.

"I'll think about it…" He knew there was a pretty high chance of him putting the others off if he actually tried asking them about their powers in person. It might have just been better to keep collecting info from the news and internet.

Renee was quiet for a few moments, and then sighed. "Stanton… have you told anyone about Neville bullying you yet?" she asked. She had been hesitant about bringing it up, but she couldn't just keep ignoring it.

Stanton flinched, then shook his head. "No…"

"Well, do you have a plan for dealing with it?" she asked curiously.

"Avoid Neville."

Renee frowned. "You know that isn't going to work forever don't you?" she asked. He shrugged once more. She palmed her face. "Stanton, I know you don't want me or anyone getting involved. But Neville is trying to hurt you. If you don't let me help or tell someone else, I'm going to have to do or say something."

Stanton frowned. "I've handled worse than bullies by myself…"

"But you don't have to handle it by yourself," she pointed out. "I know you like being on your own, but that doesn't mean you have to solve everything on your own. I'm here to help you if you need it… and so is Antigone apparently." Stanton looked confused until he suddenly felt the cat rubbing up against his leg. "She really likes you. She doesn't even cling to Kingsley like that."

Stanton groaned and grabbed Pacifica's plate from the counter before setting it down on the counter. He then grabbed his own and got ready to head upstairs. "Still don't feel like eating with us then?" Renee asked.

"I like to work on the journal while I eat…"

"You could work on it down here. I'm sure your dad is used to it, and mom wouldn't mind."

Stanton hesitated for a moment. "Maybe tomorrow…"

Renee hummed. He was probably just trying to get her off his back, but that was better than just getting blown off at least. "Okay then. You need another ride to school today?" she asked. He was quiet for yet another moment, but then nodded. "Alright then. I'll text you when it's time to get going."

Stanton had been hesitant about going up to the roof today. He figured Ezra and his friends would be there, and while he was curious about the card from yesterday he didn't know if asking directly would be the best course of action. He could try dropping some hints and see if he picked up on anything. It might come off as weird, but Stanton knew he already did that.

He stood in front of the door trying to think about how he was going to approach this directly or with subtlety. Eventually he just decided to wing it. He opened the door and walked out onto the roof, where he saw Ezra, Sky, and Erin sitting around one another. They were all eating their lunches, and had a few pieces of paper spread out around him.

"I think she should have a sword," Ezra said before taking a sip of his juice.

Sky shook her head. "We have too many characters with swords already. Let's give her another weapon… how about an axe?" she asked.

"Or we could make her a ninja. That way she could have a sword and a bunch of other weapons too," Erin suggested. "Like a bunch of concealed weapons and stuff."

Ezra looked excited. "Oh yeah! That's an awesome idea!" The boy then noticed Stanton standing in the doorway. "Oh, hey. What's up man," he greeted waving towards him. "You decided to come back after all huh."

Stanton walked towards them, still trying to figure out how he was going to do this. "I… couldn't find another spot. Is it okay if I eat here?" he asked.

"Of course. It was your spot first anyway," Sky said gesturing beside her.

Stanton walked over and sat down before reaching into his backpack and pulling out his lunch. Ezra pointed towards him. "You guys should have seen Stanton yesterday. He's like wicked good at Final Fight. He might even be able to beat Micah," he said.

Sky looked curious. "Really? I don't know. Micah is really good at like… every game ever. I kind of want to see now," she said before eating another spoonful of pudding.

"We should head to the arcade after school. I'm telling you, we almost broke the high score on there. I bet we could totally do it this time," Ezra turned towards Stanton.

Sky elbowed him lightly. "Hey, don't forget we're supposed to head straight to base today. I have a mission and you're supposed to be on patrol," she reminded.

Ezra frowned. "Ah, that's right," he said, crossing his arms. "That sucks. But maybe you can come to base and we can play some before I have to head out. Micah always keeps a few of his old games at the base for us to play. I think he's got a Third Strike."

Stanton actually perked up at that. "You guys play Third Strike?" he asked.

Ezra nodded. "Oh yeah. Micah always ends up running the gauntlet though."

"If you want to beat him you should practice and get better," Sky said, yawning.

She frowned. "I'm way too busy with more important stuff!"

"Like what?" Erin asked, crossing her arms.

"Planning out how I'm going to prank him for beating everyone," he answered smirking. He nodded towards Stanton. "Of course now that I got a ringer I might have some more free time. Maybe I can work on my powers."

Stanton saw a chance to start digging. "Your powers… they wouldn't have anything to do with cards, would they?" he asked curiously.

The others looked at him confused. "Cards? Nah. My powers are to control monsters and stuff," he said holding up his hand. It glowed brightly, along with his eyes. "If there was a monster here right now, I could control it… probably. It's hit and miss sometimes."

Stanton frowned. He had zero reason to think Ezra was lying or being secretive about his powers. Maybe it was something even he didn't know about yet. That didn't seem likely either thought. The card had showed up to him, not Ezra. "That's sort of a random question dude. What's up?" Sky asked, looking towards him.

He reached up and scratched his head. "I'm… weird?" It technically wasn't a lie.

Sky shrugged. "Welcome to the club then."

"So, you headed back to base with us then?" Ezra asked.

"Maybe tomorrow," Stanton said. It did sound genuinely interesting to him, but he wasn't sure he was ready to jump into it today. He still wanted to try and found out more about these cards, so he was going to have to go home and research with that little he had.

"Sounds like a plan," Ezra said. "Hey, do you want to trade your sandwich for my tuna salad?"

"…I'll do halves."

Stanton walked down the street, still staring at the card in his hand as he made his way home. It had really been getting to him throughout the day. His natural curiosity had made him desperate to figure out just what these cards were about. Maybe he should have gone with Ezra after all. It might get him a better source of results than just research.

Or maybe he should try asking his dad. If he was home anyway. With how random his job could get there was no telling when he'd get home. He could try asking Renee he guessed. She was supposed to be good at collecting information. But she was probably too busy with whatever the Vanguard had her doing to spare time for something like this.

"Hey runt!"

Stanton froze before slowly looking over his shoulder.

Neville stood a few feet behind him, a smirk on his face. As usual, his friends were flanking alongside him. "Hey buddy. You left school awfully fast today. I really am starting to think you're trying to avoid me. That really stings man," he said putting his hand over his heart.

Stanton sighed, looking like he was ready to turn around and face him. But then he suddenly dashed off down the street. "Hey! You little-!" Neville ran after him, his two friends right on his heels. Stanton sped down the street with rather impressive speed. He was hardly the athletic type, but he always had been a good runner.

If it were any other normal student, he likely would have lost them by now. But Neville and his friends were athletes themselves, and unfortunately had the stamina to keep up with him. He made his way around a corner hoping to lose them in the alleyways. Neville and the others kept after him as he cut around yet another corner.

"Your fake sister and her dyke friend aren't here to save you this time runt!" he heard Neville yell angrily behind him.

Stanton kept moving, and eventually found himself in front of a large fence. Without a moment's hesitation, he began climbing. "The little shit is fast!" one of the others said as he watched him climb. He was like a squirrel.

They kept on him, and Stanton jumped down on the other side of the fence before noticing his pocket was glowing again. He frowned. Really? Now? This was probably the worst possible time for this. He reached into his pocket and grabbed the cards.

The Fool card was glowing brightly once again.

"You really couldn't have waited until I got home…" he complained.

"If you seek power, then call its name…"

Stanton's eyes widened when he heard the deep booming voice. He looked around, but didn't see anyone besides Neville and his friends. "What the…?"

"Call it's name."

Stanton tried to figure out just what was happening. Was this some kind of mental link someone had made with him? Or maybe it was magic? Neville and the others didn't seem to hear any of this. Or at least they weren't reacting to it.

"Stop questioning boy! The Fool has already shown itself to you! If you seek to use its power, then you must call it's name!"

Okay, so whatever this thing was could clearly read his thoughts. He wasn't sure if he was too keen on listening to a random voice in his head… but if there was a chance it could get him out of this situation, he'd roll the dice on it. He grabbed the card and held it up.

"The Fool!"

The card let out a bright flash of light, which blinded Neville and the others. They slide to a stop, losing sight of Stan as they were blinded. "Ah! What the hell! Was that little shit actually carrying a flash grenade?!" Neville asked, rubbing his eyes.

It took a few moments for his vision to finally clear up, and when he did he saw… he wasn't sure what he was seeing right now. Was he still dazed by the flash grenade? He had to be. There was no other explanation for this. "Uh, are you guys seeing this?" one of his friends asked.

Standing before them, was not just one Stanton, but several. There had to be a least a dozen of them, all with the same blank stare across their faces. "W-what the hell is this man?!"

The herd of Stanton's all began running towards them. The boys had no idea how to react as they sped past them, leaving them in the dust. "G-get him!" Neville yelled.

"Which one?!"

"I don't know! Just pick one! Go!"

The three ran off after the group, completely unaware that the actual Stanton had hid around the corner and was watching them as they left. Once he was sure they were gone, he stepped out and looked down at the card. Copies… no, illusions more likely.

It seemed like an appropriate power for a card called The Fool he guessed. He looked up towards the sky. "Hello?" he asked, trying to make contact with the voice again.

"I am listening. Speak."

Stanton seemed genuinely surprised he actually got an answer back. He was expecting the voice to just disappear or something. "Uh… I have questions."

"Understandable. I shall answer what I have been allowed."

"Wait? Allowed? By who?"

"The previous wielder of the deck, who I am forbidden to reveal to you."

Stanton raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth, but then stopped. He had a lot of questions to ask, but here might not have been the best place. There was no telling how long those illusions would last, and he didn't want to risk being interrupted if Neville came back. "Can I talk to you anytime I want?" he asked.

"I will answer whenever you call, yes."

"Okay. I'll wait until I get home then…" He started off out of the alleyway and towards his house. Then a thought hit him. "I'm sorry, I don't think I introduced myself or asked for your name. I'm Stanton. What should I call you?"

"You may address me as Arcana."