(Interlude) Kid Nova, Part 1; Training the Next Guardians.
• 1 year after Kid Nova made his deal with Green Lantern, and got his father back.
Sam hovered in the training room as he shot lasers from his hands at the targets. The holograms were so densely layered, by light, they could actually withstand the blast. He grinned as he flew around a large T-Rex, blasting the light construct to hell.
His older brother, by adoption, stretched out his vine like arms to entangle the monster, "I am Groot," said the walking tree.
Sam cheated a bit to understand him. His helmet translating the surprisingly complex dialogue. The big tree was apparently voicing his displeasure with Sam's show boating... using colorful words Sam would be skinned alive for saying.
Their little sister, Kaelynn, biologically related to Sam not the tree, was armed with a plasma rocket launcher. With unusual reflexes and accuracy, she shot at the dinosaurs heads.
The little girl... although truthfully only 2 years younger then Sam. It was just hard for the slightly older teen to acknowledge that...
Anyway, She was wearing similar gear to their father. She had on a Space pirate cloak, with rocket boots, and even a retractable (nanite based) helmet. All adapted to fit her, from Dad's own childhood gear.
Star Lord was standing to the side watching them. A bipedal racoon standing next to him, as well as a green lady, a gray hulk of a guy (with red stripes on his skin), and the original Groot. Mom looked nervous, as she watched the teenagers train.
"You're spawn are growing into fine warriors," Said the gray man, to both the older groot, and Sam's father.
"Thanks Drax," Smiled Dad.
"I am Groot," Said the taller tree. Which directly translates to. "I don't think we can take the credit for that."
"Indeed," Drax nodded, naturally understanding the subtle inflections of tone. To comprehend their full meaning. "They are quite fortunate to be accepted into this Institute for young champions. My own world had a place like this. But it was only for the higher born warrior clans. It did not accept just anyone, to show the potential and drive of Champions. Is this where Kevin Bacon studied?"
Quill snorted, "Nah, this after school program is fairly new. Before this, meta humans were kinda just thrown into the deep end. Especially kid heroes, like Kevin Bacon."
Kevin Bacon really was a great hero, from just after the World War. When Heroes were more accepted, and laws were passed, so that they could make comics and movies, without needing to reveal their secret identities... so long as they paid the taxes.
Kevin Bacon was one of the first heroes to capitalize on his hero work. True Captain America did something similar, with his war documentaries and comic books... but Kevin Bacon was the first real Actor/Hero. Starring in many movies that had nothing to do with heroing.
Kevin Bacon did have unfair advantage with his acting. Able to copy any physical movement he saw, and use the ability to it's highest efficiency... actually better then what he had seen.
His research included just watching other films and documentaries. With a gimmick of dancing as he fought real life villains. He was a showman first, hero second... and did a brilliant job with both.
Quill idolised the man. And Despite not having powers himself, Kevin Bacon is where most of the younger man's show boating came from.
"And this is the training area," Sam turned his head at the sudden sound, but unfortunately that meant taking his eyes off the construct. It snapped it's tail at him, hitting him with full force and sending him crashing too the ground. Groots vines broke apart and his little sister got stepped on.
"Session Failed," said the computer and the dinosaur disappeared.
Growling Sam took off his Nova helmet, and glared at the intruders. "Thanks a lot!" he snapped at M'Gann. "I nearly cleared level ten! Dammit that was the last of those stupid lizards!"
"Sorry Sam," M'Gann blushed, "I'm just showing the new kid around." she nodded at a little boy with a green monkey on his shoulders, Gar.
Sam rolled his eyes, and put his helmet back on, the slender armor materializing itself around his body. "Well they've seen it, now scram!"
It was a bit of an unwritten rule M'Gann just broke.
Training, with their direct mentors, was near sacred with the "Junior Heroes". They understood how lucky they were, to receive such personal training... when so many had to go without.
If there was one thing the teens knew better then, it was to not interrupt a training session... and definitely not make a sidekick look stupid in front of their mentor. AND SAM's mentors doubled as his family. Which had some downsides.
"Sam!" Mom scolded. "None of your teenage angst. Now apologize."
Sam groaned but said with a blush, that was thankfully hidden by the helmet, "Sorry M'Gann."
M'Gann blushed in turn, "Don't worry about it. I hadn't realized you were in here. Have fun," thankfully she quickly shepherd the little kids away.