Hi! Sorry for the lack of suspense in this chapter, but the next one will surely be suspenseful!
Yours,
Alex
Chapter 4- The prophecy
Phoebe, Barb and Hank had followed Superman worriedly as the little group entered the Superheroes' Library.
When they entered, Phoebe's jaw dropped, not believing her eyes; on every wall were huge bookcases that contained hundreds of colourful comics, in which starred all the superheroes that have been part of the Council. As Superman led the three Thundermans to a section of the library, Phoebe couldn't help but meditate about the reason of their presence there. All she knew was that they were called from the Hospital urgently, as Superman had to communicate a very important issue, but they have been following Superman for minutes now, and he still said nothing; it became annoying, actually!
Finally, Superman stopped in front of a secured metal door that required a fingerprint in order to be unlocked. He pressed his thumb on the authenticator and then, when the metal door popped open, he invited the three Thundermans inside. The latters entered reluctantly, looking around surprised.
Behind the door, on a black iron table was a single object: a big book with brown covers, decorated by round golden patterns.
Phoebe just couldn't understand it- all that security for a single book?! What was so important about an old book?
Superman pointed his eyes towards the Thundermans, staring at them, as it was the first time he saw them, and then encouraged them to come nearer the table with a gesture.
'I think there is something I forgot to tell you about Dark Mayhem… and… Max.', he said sighing and opened the book.
In the meantime at Villain U…
Dark Mayhem carefully opened the heavy book he ordered to be brought form the library, tenderly touching its brown covers and golden patterns. Then, he browsed quickly through the old pages, until he found the page he looked for.
Undique lecti pueri
Peculiaris puer auferatur,
De donis supernaturalibus,
Veteres vero auctoritate dederit,
Pro potestate et imperio,
Ascenderunt populi, et adorent.
Sed magnum certamen venerint,
Percutiat obscurissimi sunt autem,
Est amor et simul dolor pugnabunt,
Et iterum videbitur maiestatis,
Soror prodidit.
Est electus et jussit coinquinari,
Est quod dicitur,
Et spiritus, et ingeniosis,
Patientur,
Et elegit et mortuus est.
Dark Mayhem sighed and tried to remember the translation…
Back at The Superheroes' Council…
Superman recalled all the pieces of Latin he knew and started to translate the ancient words, his voice a little shaky:
'A special boy shall be born away,
From the magical gifts,
But the old authority shall give,
Full powers and control,
The people shall bow.', he read out loud, taking a deep breath and carrying on: 'But a great challenge shall arrive,
When the Dark Ones will strike,
Love and pain shall fight together,
And treason will be seen again,
The sister has betrayed.'
As the last line had been said, everyone stiffened, trying to listen to the poem, being as concentrated as ever.
'The Chosen One might forget,
The true meaning of the words,
And the spirits, and the gifted ones,
Shall suffer the most,
The Chose One is dead.'
The last words died away and Superman closed the book quickly, looking at the three Thundermans in a weary way.
'This is not about Max, is it?', Barb asked, her voice breaking.
Superman said nothing for a while and then answered sadly:
'I am afraid it is, but I am not sure about the true meaning of the words, so it is possible that my translation is not very good. However,', and here Superman made a short pause, 'I and the Council think that the prophecy perfectly describes Max's birth- he is the twin that was meant to have no superpowers, but Achilles Comet offered him more powers than any other superhero has ever had. So, because he is the most powerful superhero, everyone respects him. The second and third stanza talk about the future, but we are not sure about the true meaning of the words. Anyway, we presume it means that Phoebe and Max will have a quarrel and Max is going to do something wrong.
'I would never do something like that!', Phoebe exclaimed, visibly resentful, but received skeptical glares from everyone.
Back at Villain U…
Dark Mayhem translated the third stanza and then proceeded to read the fourth one, that was written in Latin, but in Phoenician letters.
Quia tenebræ: si quomodo decipiatur,
Vetus litteras,
Ratus est, vicit;
Et cadet, et mortuus est,
Magnitudo resurrecturas.
Dark Mayhem started to translate the words and then stopped dead as he figured out the true meaning of the prophecy- it was a warning!
He closed the book abruptly and took a deep breath, finally being aware of the possible danger.
At the Superheroes' Council…
'Is that all?', Phoebe asked slightly nervous.
'Well… yes…', Superman answered in a hesitant way. 'There is a fourth stanza, but it was removed from the book…'
Phoebe was fuming; how was it possible that a part of the most important prophecy to be removed!?
'What do you mean?', she asked, trying to sound calm.
'It is said that the fragment was erased after the writer decided that it revealed to much.'
'And is there no other copy of this book, or something!', Phoebe said, her voice increasing in volume.
Superman shrugged, sighing deeply, as he led the three Thundermans outside the vault, closing the big iron door behind him.
'Look,', Superman said, grabbing Phoebe by the shoulders and forcing her to look in his blue eyes, 'There is nothing I can do to find the content of the last stanza, but there are ways to prevent the prophecy from happening.'
'Like?', Phoebe asked, a hue of distrust being able to be sensed in her voice.
'First of all, by teaching Max ethics and training him. If he is going to be prepared, then his path will be lot easier. I also presume that if you and your family will support him more, he will know how to avoid perils and really stand against darkness. Secondly, just be there for him, all he needs now is someone to talk with, as I remember he has no friends. Right?'
Phoebe nodded, and looking behind once more, exited the library, followed closely by her parents.
Back at the Hospital…
'Hasn't he woken up, yet?', Barb asked Billy and Nora, but the two of them saying that he didn't.
'Now children, who wants to see the Hospital and all the cool superheroes around?', Barb asked, trying to sound cheerful and, taking the two children by the hand and escorted by Hank, left Phoebe alone.
"I just can't do anything else, but worry… Everything was so hard now… Max was to be the most powerful superhero ever, darkness was rising again and I can do nothing to protect him… Or if… Yes, I could help him by following Superman's advice…"
As she thought all this, she squeezed Max's hand and soon observed that his fingers started to move slowly. A tear made itself seen as Phoebe observed that Max snapped his eyes open and Phoebe smiled, gently tugging his spiky hair.
'Look who's up!', she exclaimed, the tiny tear still on her cheek.
'Hi!', said Max in the "typical morning voice".
But as soon as he observed the small, he quickly added:
'Why are you crying?'
'Wha-', Phoebe tried to lie and quickly wiped the small drop off her face. 'I'm not- I'm not crying.'
'Why are you crying, Phoebe?', Max asked, making a face that clearly stated: "you cannot lie to Max."
Phoebe smiled again and started to say:
'I umm… well…' she muttered but was fortunately interrupted by the other four Thundermans, all talking loudly, laughing or discussing the possible use of the hospital's machines, they have just seen.
As they soon observed that Max was awake, all of them hastened to be silent.
Max, observing that they were treating him in a cautious way, as he was a living nuke, asked Phoebe conspiratorially:
'You told 'em, didn't you?
'What to-', Phoebe replied being really perplexed , but as he observed Max's brown glowing eyes, she figured out what was he talking about- his new gained powers!
'Well yes! Do you mind?', Phoebe replied slightly embarrassed of her own talkative way of being.
'So, how are you, son?', Hank asked, deciding "to do the honours".
'Fine, thanks! You?', Max replied ironically, observing his father's unusual formality.
'Sorry. I meant: how do you feel?'
'Well, a little sore, tired, but alive.', he answered glaring at his father, as for discovering something untold; Max had the slight impression that something important was kept secret and he really didn't like it.
'That's my boy!', Hank exclaimed, approaching Max's bed, closely followed by Barb.
'Wait, have you just said that you're a little sore? I can fetch a-', Hank started to say, a little worried, but was interrupted by Max:
'Dad, I'm fine!'
'Good thing you are, sweetie, as you are going to train so much… Maybe you should drop school, as you will have to train day and night, without stopping…', Barb said smirking.
Max groaned and covered his ears, not wanting to hear something else about school and learning.
'Come on, guys, stop it! You're scaring him!', exclaimed Phoebe, receiving skeptic glares from her family. Even Max realized that his what his sister said was in a violent contrast with her attitude towards him.
'Well, anyway, I'm happy that I'm going to train someone that has my powers!', Barb exclaimed gladly, with a big smile and, as ever, her husband tended to agree with her.
'Yes, teaching someone else how to fly or use superstrenth…'
Soon, everyone started to say what would they love to teach Max, all at once, so Max took advantage of it to say:
'I'll train on only some conditions. First, no baby treating and secondly, I don't want to wear a ridiculous costume like those of the Golden Age.', he said making a funny grimace. 'No offence, Dad.', he added and everyone started to smile.
'Alright, we'll see about the costume design and your other request IF you are going to train with all of us.', Barb said businesslike.
Max nodded, accepting the deal and then all the Thundermans carried on talking all at once with enthusiasm.
'I wonder if I am going to train you in using superbreath and levitation. You seemed a little out handed, today.', Phoebe said and the Thundermans stiffened.
'You haven't told her, have you?', Max asked and Hank and Barb denied, ducking their heads.
'Tell me what?', Phoebe asked, looking first at her parents and then at Max questionably.
Max looked deep into her eyes and answered sighing:
'Phoebe, I wasn't able to use my powers, because the connection we had as twins was broken and that's why I can use all my powers now… All the powers I shared with you I have no more. Although, it looks like I can still manipulate ice and fire, but in a different way.'
Phoebe said nothing and everyone remained silent , Barb, Hank and Max being truly sorry for Phoebe.
Still saying nothing, she got out of the room, keeping her chin risen, as in sign of dignity.
After she exited the hospital room, the vivid discussion of the Thundermans started again, but started to fade, as Max fell asleep smiling.
Back at the Superheroes' Council…
'So you told them everything?', Batman asked Superman in a disapproving way.
'I had no choice and you know that. The truth had to be known. Now all we have to do is to wait.', Superman said in calming voice.
'So did you tell them about the league as well?', Batman asked, receiving a cold glare from Superman.
'No, Bruce.', was all Superman answered.
Batman nodded and replied smiling cunningly:
'So they are quite far from the truth, then.'
Superman didn't answer and headed to the window, starting to stroll in circles around the many chairs that were in the Council Hall.
Little knew the two superheroes that every word they said was heard by Dark Mayhem through a blonde superwoman…