Discovery

7 years later…

On this day seven years ago I learned about my powers. Exactly one week from my birthday: April 16. Those seven years I trained diligently with help from my father and his friends. Kate, age 19 and a very good friend, helps the most. Uncle Clint let her adopt the name Hawkeye. Though she has no powers she picks up things, both from the Avengers and her college campus. Luna Maximoff, who is about to turn 16, isn't even allowed to use her powers in public. Mutant racism, stuff like that. The odd thing is Billy and Tommy Maximoff are established superheroes. Cassie is 14, and she just joined the superhero job as Stinger. She's pretty good at it. Pym is secretly the Buzz at age 13. Aunt Janet and Uncle Hank don't approve, but when you live with superheroes 24/7, it starts to rub off on you. Anything that sets you apart from the population can get you a name and a mask. Same thing with me. All my life I've adored heroes, and with my powers came a free ticket to Heroville. But no, Dad made me train. You know the drill. Gosh, I hate the drill.

On a happier note, my best friends have powers! I don't think I told you this. They all came within a week of each other. I think they just wanted to be like me. Who doesn't? Lisa can control water. Teri has a mean sonic scream. Miguel has access to something called the Darkforce. This lets him command shadow matter. His is by far the coolest. One day I hope we can-

Bbrriinngg! The bell signaling the buses are here rings. I stuff my journal in my backpack and get swept up in the crowd. Once on my bus, I plop myself in a seat with Miguel. Lisa moved and Teri now goes to the Xavier Institute in the afternoons.

Miguel starts, "Teri, Lisa, and I were wondering…can you jumpstart our training?"

"Why me?" Even before I speak I know the answer.

"Because you've been training with the greats for seven years."

Well…the offer is tempting. All these years people passed on their knowledge to me. Now it's my turn. I may only be fourteen, but I can play teacher. "Sure, why not?" We talk about it and how to get Teri away from the Institute. All the next day I plan a lesson. They will have to work out the unique aspects of their powers on their own, but I can teach them the basics. At 3:30 Lisa drags Teri up the driveway.

"We're ready to learn!" Lisa says with a bright, cheery smile on her face.

Miguel shows up next. "Be amazed!" he shouts, attempting to throw a shadow ball at a tree. He fails, the ball rebounding into his face before it dissipates. "Darn it," he mutters.

"Better luck next time," I laugh. I lead them to the back yard. "Welcome to ring slingin' 101," I begin, quoting Kilowog from Green Lantern. "Dad is away with Agent 13, so we have till late. First we'll demonstrate our powers, and then get started on the basics. Teri, start us off." She takes a deep breath, and then lets out a scream. Luckily I protect the windows with a wall. "Good job. Lisa, you're up next." Lisa waves her hand over a puddle. The water swirls in the air before falling back into the puddle. The look on her face…it's like she's been trusted with a great secret. Okay then. Moving on. "Show us what you can do," I say to Miguel. He eagerly steps up. Miguel summons a shadow ball and launches it over the fence. The sun makes it melt away. Still, he made it with nothing but the small shadows in the afternoon sun. Cool.

"Alrightie then. Your powers are all awesome. To get the serious stuff out of the way, there are moral codes. Rules, if you may. You know how Spider-Man lives by the great power thing? That's what I mean. Choose your own, then live by them. They ridicule what you do, your actions, reactions, all that. Also, eventually you will have to make some tough decisions. Your choices reflect who you are. Public perception is always changing. J. Jonah Jameson makes sure of that. People like Dad and Tony Stark are always in a good light; Spider-Man and the X-Men are 'menaces.' Teri will find that to be true, her father being Banshee. Be ready for anything.

"Serious stuff-done. Showing off-done. Basics-in progress. Now, all of your powers are similar. They require aim. It helps to point your body where you want it to go. Like this…" I demonstrate everything I teach, exaggerating the body movements. Blue energy balls hit the targets dead on. Lisa goes. She picks it up fast. Miguel takes a little more time. Teri has a knack for it. She's a natural. Before I know it it's time for dinner. "You guys did good today," I say. A pizza and sodas hover on a blue tray.

"Come on. I'm so ready to become a superhero!" Miguel exclaims.

"Yeah, totally," agrees Teri.

We dig in. I flip on the TV for background noise and settle for a random game show. "What would our names be?" Lisa asks suddenly.

"Like codenames?" Miguel clarifies.

"Uh-huh. I was thinking…H2O. It's sciencey, and I'm a science nut, so it fits."

"It does. Hmm…I like Siryn. With a y. Unique."

"Dark Force's the name. Shadows are dark, and it's a force. I think. My name is meant to be awesome. Don't mess with it."

Teri smirks. "Nice try, Miguel. Nikki, what about you?"

I pause to consider the options. To tell the truth, I've never thought about it. I always live in the present, training and hanging, typical teenage things. Recently, all I've been thinking about is the dance on Friday. "I really have no-"

The game show switching to a sudden news report cuts me off. "All programs have been interrupted for live, up-to-date footage," a male reporter informs us. An image flashes across the screen. Mile upon mile of land is destroyed. Houses, sidewalks, everything. Ruined buildings are so far gone it's a wonder some of the foundations stayed in place. "A little over an hour ago the superhero team known as the New Warriors and their camera crew arrived here in Stamford, Connecticut. They were chasing their old foe Nitro through the streets, ignoring the resulting damage. Namorita, the Atlantian, soon caught up with him and they exchanged threats. It was then Nitro unleashed one of his trademark explosions. So far the causality report is believed to be over 600, including a school filled with children. If Nitro survived, he will have to face trial for the deaths of hundreds of innocents. However, not one survivor has been found thus far."

It cuts to an aerial live feed. We sit there in shock, half-filled soda cans in our hands, unfinished schoolwork and a used copy of Moby Dick on the floor. Slowly I regain the ability to speak. "The New Warriors… Camera crew… Ratings?"

"I can't believe it," Teri whispers.

"It's all just…gone," adds Lisa.

"How could Nitro do such a thing?" Miguel says. "Since when could he kill over 600 people?"

Tears leak out of my eyes. I try to stop them. So many gone, and one dead man responsible for all of them… I kneel in front of the TV, staring in utter shock at the devastation. Demolished swing sets, human skeletons… I let the tears flow freely, unable to hold them in as Lisa reaches out to hug me. Miguel and Teri pile on. We stay like that until I hear the faint sounds of a classic Harley-Davidson way off in the distance. "You guys should go now."

They nod and let me lead them to the end of the driveway. Once they've left I watch updates of the site. Who cares about homework when there's this?

Dad parks his cycle in the garage and comes in. His eyes and face are contorted in sorrow. He is just as shocked as me, perhaps more. After all, he is Captain America, and this was an attack on the country he swore to protect. I hug him tightly, ignoring the TV. There's no need for words. This must be how citizens felt after 9/11. We stare in awe. Finally I drag Dad to bed. I change into my pajamas and burrow beneath the blankets with him. "This changes everything, doesn't it?" I ask, snuggling up against him. He needs the extra comfort. I guess I do to. It took forever to stop the crying.

"Yes. The SRA will surely be pushed through faster. This was the last straw."

SRA? I think, confused. What's that? Now might not be the best time to ask. With Dad's hand on my arm, I drift off.

I wake up screaming. Very loudly. A nightmare about a girl who from a distance looks like Teri but up close looked like me. Bright, fiery red hair; eyes as blue as the ocean; the most basic of S.H.I.E.L.D. uniforms. Able to create objects of light. Not to mention seeing people's reasons behind their actions. Fighting in World War II with real-life Invaders. Finding out she was one of the world's biggest inspirations. Her never existing here. Blowing up Stamford.

Strong arms wrap around my body. "Nikki! Nikki, what's wrong?"

"Nightmare," I pant. The screams die down to whimpers.

Dad tries to calm me down. "Honey, it's alright. It's just a dream. Don't worry, Daddy's here." He fruitlessly tries to get me quiet for a while.

Eventually I do. Going back to sleep, however, is out of the question. All the next day school is a haze. Little sleep coupled with the trauma certainly makes me worse for wear. Teachers let us slack off; nobody pays attention. Most of the televisions are on, tuned in to news programs. The day started out fine, just with a few extra hateful glances that I'm too tired to fully comprehend. As the day goes on, the glances turn into full-out glares, taunts, and even some fistfights. At the end of fourth period Teri is thrust between several open lockers. A bully corners her. I shove my way to the front of the ring.

"It's 'cause of hero scum like you," he says, raising a fist.

Teri opens her mouth to scream, but luckily regains enough control to stop herself. Her powers are so uncontrolled the minute she raises her voice above a normal volume sonic screams are activated. Before his fist connects I'm standing next to them, holding his hand, my eyes flashing blue. I twist my wrist. "No fighting," I say.

He whimpers a little in pain, but not enough to back down. "Your kind did it. You killed little kids! A school! Bastards!"

My eyes widen. Normally people stop out of fear or respect. "Theresa and I had no part in Stamford. No part. Leave us alone." One final twist and I let go. Then I blow up a field, forcing the crowd apart so we can leave. "Are you okay?" I ask Teri.

"Yeah. I'm fine." No sooner than the words leave her mouth does she bolt for the exit.

Now they're blaming us? Why? I think, making my way to the cafeteria. It won't be long until the principal hears about this. That means detention, maybe suspension. Certainly a call home. I really don't want to deal with that right now. Not with all the pressure, all the stress Dad is under. He doesn't need to deal with an unruly child when he is organizing the Resistance. Getting Wiccan was bad enough.

At lunch I opt for a corner of the cafeteria instead of outside with Lisa and Miguel. I'm less conspicuous alone. Afterwards I go to class; one of the more boring classes taught by one of the meaner teachers, so I pull out my journal and begin writing.

The dance is tomorrow. It should be fun. It better be. We all need the distraction. Tuesday, April 17, will forever be remembered. Nitro made sure of that. For some reason people are going after us, super humans in general. It doesn't make any sense. We had no connections with the New Warriors, though Dad and I are going to a service Saturday night. I'm making a costume and everything. Ugh. I can't talk about that any longer. Anyway, I have a dress picked out and everything. At first, I was like, no way. But you know Aunt Janet. An excuse to model one of her creations? Certainly. Do I really want to? No. But hey, anything to make her happy. The fights with Uncle Hank must be hard to deal with.

I had another one of those nightmares last night. This time set in World War II. I think her name was Nicolette Storm. She was a member of the Invaders, and honorably mentioned with the Liberty Legion. Of course, after her death. Storm's parents ditched her when she was a toddler. Raising herself on the streets, she was brought to the army by a different version of Dad. She fought and fought, more than a young girl should ever have to. Eventually all the fighting led to her death. It ended with, of course, the explosion.

Off topic, I know. But I researched the SRA Dad mentioned last night. SRA stands for Superhuman Registration Act. It was already in place, but come the explosion, Congress pushed it. They plan to have it in action by Saturday. You have until midnight to do whatever they want you to. Then they bring in the law enforcement. Possibly S.H.-

"Rodgers," the teacher snaps. "Name the first ruler of the Atlantian throne." She has to be the only teacher in the ninth grade making us learn.

"Uh…Namor?" I guess, honestly not knowing the answer.

"No, Miss Rodgers. The first ruler was Kull."

At ruler I zone out. The bell rings, but in the hallway, another sophomore tries to attack me. I manage to get away, running past the principal and out the closest door. Ignoring the stares, I keep my eyes down so no one sees the glow and goes after me. I am so done with that school. Outside Avengers Tower an angry mob protests, holding signs demanding heroes register. I speed up a bit and hope nobody spots me. Home is empty. Dad must be off dealing with the Registration. After ditching my stuff I curl up in bed. My phone buzzes near constantly. My best friend's ringtones a few times, Dad's more. I disregard everyone. Dad may be panicking, but worrying over me isn't making anything better. The home phone rings too, the principal.

"We're sorry to inform you, Mr. Rodgers, that your daughter participated in a fight and left unattended in the middle of the school day. From my understanding Miss Rodgers was sticking up for a friend, but her behavior is less than exceptional. Please call back to discuss this more."

That's going to play out well. An hour later Dad gets home. He walks in, replays the message. Picks up the phone to call back, puts it back down. Makes a weird noise.

"Nikki? You there?" I give no indication. He follows the sounds of my phone to my room and stands in the doorway. "What's that call about?"

"You heard it," I mutter.

"What I meant to say was why. Why were you fighting? I expect better from you."

"A kid went after Teri. I saved her. Kids and teachers alike are acting weird. The kids hate us. Not just the New Warriors. Everybody. Me, Teri, anybody who makes their powers public. They hate us for something we didn't do."

"In the public's eye, we're all related. Not by blood, but superheroes are responsible for each other. They hate us because they think we could have stopped them."

"I still don't get it. Does that mean we'll have to register?"

"Hopefully no." He pulls off his mask. "Teri won't, if she's smart. The minute you step out in costume Uncle Tony will make you. I'll stall, but eventually you will have to."

"I'm scared, Dad."

"Me too, Nikki." He leaves to call back the principal, explaining my sadness over Stamford and sticking up for Teri was a good thing. I hope things smooth over by Friday.

o8o

For the rest of the week and most of Friday I stay in la la land. Friday evening after dinner I get ready for the dance. Gloves, shoes, jewelry, and makeup sit on my bed. While searching for my dress in my closet, I find the evening gown given to me on my seventh birthday. An idea comes to mind concerning my costume I still haven't started. Grinning, I lay the way-too-short dress next to the makeup. Hurriedly I get dressed. Then I twist my hair into a bun, placing the blue in thin strips. One last glance in the mirror tells me everything is perfect. The makeup goes in a drawer. All available dresser/nightstand space is dedicated to action figures. Dazzler and Captain America take center stage, standing on either side of a family photo. It was taken when I was still a baby, before Mom left. Before Dad can pester me I grab a handbag and rush to the door. "How do I look?" I ask.

"Beautiful," Dad answers with a sigh. "I can't believe my little girl is growing up."

A limo parks at the edge of the property. Perfect timing. "Come on, Nikki!" Kate calls out. She sticks her head out the window.

"Coming!" Once comfortably inside, I add, "Perfect timing, as usual."

"All part of the trade," Kate replies with a wry grin. Of course she looks stunning, clothed in bright yellow fabric.

Kate should be at college, but she's on spring break. She did so much work to benefit the high school they invited her back any time. No one can say no to her. Our spring break starts next week. "This is the way to make an entrance," I comment. I'm too modest to ask Dad for a limo ride, who's too modest to ask Uncle Tony. Your father being an Avenger does have its perks. People stare when we get dropped off up front. My blue and mint green ensemble compares to Kate's. Kate goes off to flirt with some boys. I find my friends. We dance, and chat, and pull pranks on everybody. The last slow song they play, "Someone Like You," is spent swaying in Miguel's arms. At the end he seems hesitant to let go. I pry him off with a promise of calling him later. That keeps him satisfied.

On the way home we get stuck in traffic. "Excuse me?" Kate asks the chauffeur. "What's going on?"

"There appears to be some sort of commotion going on up ahead," he replies.

From where I'm sitting I can't see a thing. I step out onto the sidewalk. Ignoring Kate's cries of "Where are you going?" I walk closer. Some common crooks opened gunfire on the cops. They are led by Bullseye. He keeps screaming.

"This is a jailbreak! Give me all members of the Hand or they get it!"

Villain holding cops at gunpoint. Not good. Goons threatening to shoot passerby. Really not good. This is where all those years of training pay off. First I take out the goons with well-aimed kicks. Then I head for Bullseye. The idiot doesn't even realize his men are unconscious. Idiot! I make a glittering blue dome surround his head.

"What the-" he gets out before passing out from lack of oxygen.

Some police officers come over to me. They squint; I guess I subconsciously created a bright light around my body. It prevents anybody from seeing my face. "Nice work!" one of the cops congratulates me. "That just saved us a boatload of trouble," another one adds.

"All in a day's work," I laugh. "If you don't mind, Officers, I really should be going now." Before they can ask my name, I bolt back to the limo.

"What were you doing?" Kate asks.

"Let's just say I made New York City a safer place to live for a few hours." It's true. There's always some new crime lord aiming to stake out claims. Leave the aliens and madmen from the future to the Avengers. B-list heroes like me deal with the small fry. Criminals, be warned. There's a new player in town.