Chapter 2 – A Hero’s Beginning part 2

Back at Hillside House, Jackson was treating the cut on Michael’s face. He cleans out the wound with some antibiotics, causing Michael to hiss with pain and flinch. Jason was sitting cross-legged on the sofa watching, keeping to himself.

Jackson: You need to stop squirming. You’re lucky its only a small cut, there won’t be any permanent scarring… I never should have let you go off on your own like that. We could’ve avoided this.

Jackson says as he places a clean plaster over Michael’s cheek. Michael feels it and groans that he has to put up with it until his wound healed completely.

Michael: What Alex did was stupid, but he did the right thing standing up to that guy. Even you have to admit he was brave for doing that.

Jackson: Maybe. But think of what could’ve happened if things didn’t work out in your favour. You could’ve died! Clearly you and Alex aren’t ready to go travelling on your own without causing trouble. As soon as he gets back here, you’re both confined to this house until I know for sure you’re mature enough.

Michael: Aw that’s bullsh-

Michael shuts himself up and resists the urge to swear, knowing it would only get him in even worse trouble with Jackson. He does not tolerate foul language in his house.

Michael: … Shhhh-shipping containers. That’s what I meant to say.

Jackson: Right… Where is Alex? You said he was meant to meet you at the bus.

Michael: He was. He must have taken a little detour with that girl we saw. I’m sure he’ll be back any…

Alex: Hey everyone, I’m home!

Michael: …Minute?

Alex takes his shoes off at the entrance and walks into the living room and comes face to face with a very worried Jackson Hills, a relieved Michael Mercer, and a depressed-looking Jason Dark. His face was still bruised from the beating he’d received from Badger, and he had a black eye on his left side. Jackson grabs his shoulders and looks him right into the eyes, showing him how worried and angry he was with his actions in New London.

Jackson: Oh my god, Alex! What took you so long?! I was so worried! Are you alright?

Alex: I’m fine, Jackson. Bruises still hurt a bit, but other than that I’m good.

Jackson: Where the hell have you been? You were supposed to take the bus back with Michael.

Alex: Sorry about that, Michael. I was walking Violet home in case that guy came back. Her dad gave me some painkillers before offering me a lift home.

Jackson: Don’t ever do that again! Like I was just telling Michael, you could’ve been seriously hurt or killed!

Alex: Relax, I already told you I’m fine, so stop worrying.

Jackson: It’s my job to worry. I’m responsible for you and Michael’s safety. If anything happened to either of you, or any of the other kids, that’s on me! Do you understand that?

The front door’s bell rings out through the house, cutting off Jackson’s rant. Somebody has come over. Letting out an annoyed sigh, Jackson cuts this discussion short and tells Alex he’ll be receiving the same punishment as Michael later. Alex groaned with frustration and approaches his friends.

Michael: So, how are you doing, Buddy?

Alex: I was just about to ask you the same thing. Sorry I got you in trouble.

Michael: Don’t sweat it. This little cut is nothing compared to the injuries you’d gotten. You were beaten almost to a pulp. You shouldn’t have pushed that guy.

Alex: Yeah, I know. But what else was I supposed to do? Stand there and watch it happen, feeling powerless to do anything to help?

Michael: No. What I’m trying to say is don’t pick fights you can’t win, or else it will get you hurt or killed. We got lucky today. But lightning never strikes the same spot twice.

Alex: I hear you. I’ll try to be more careful next time.

Michael: Good.

Jason then finally speaks up after staying quiet for so long, asking him one question that’s been on his mind when Alex first mentioned her name.

Jason: Who’s Violet?

Alex: Oh, she’s the girl I tried to save from that thug. I walked her home after helping her and even met her parents. Did you know they own an old English pub?

Michael: Hmm, so you decided to walk a girl you barely know home, call her by her first name like its normal, and even agreed to meet her parents… You wouldn’t happen to like her, would ya? Well, would ya?

Alex’s cheeks blush brightly and his eyes widen as he waves his hands about in denial.

Alex: What?! No! I just met her! Why would I suddenly have feelings for her?

Michael: Did you ask for her number?

Alex: Um… yes.

Michael: Then it’s official. You’re in loooove!

Alex: Shut up, Michael! I am not!

Michael: Please don’t become a Tsundere, bro. It doesn’t suit you at all, haha.

Alex: Screw you! Come here!

Alex playfully puts Michael into a headlock and gives him a nuggie. Michael laughs as he tries to pry himself free. His mind can’t help but imagine a hilarious image of Alex dressed up as his favourite anime hero, Captain Cosmic flying through space with Violet in her arms saying “My hero” with hearts in her eyes.

Jason just blankly stared at his silly friends and struggled to understand what the humour was in all this. Truth be told he’d never thought about the idea of him getting a girlfriend. None of the girls around his age at the orphanage barely notice him and often look at him in disgust. He wondered how Alex was able to make it look so easy, only to realise he’s better looking and confident compared to him. Thinking about it only made him appear more miserable.

Jackson: Michael! Could you come to my office please?!

Called Jackson from the other side of the bottom floor of the house. Alex lets go of his hold and allows his older friend to go see what Jackson needed him for, hoping he isn’t going to be in any more trouble than he already is.

Michael looks down at the golden plaque with Jackson’s full name engraved on it before attempting to peek in trough the door’s window. The blinds were down, making it impossible to see inside. Usually when Jackson has the blinds down its when he’s in the meeting with an important client, the kids' social workers, or potential foster parents.

He opens the door slowly and spots Jackson as the first individual he sees. But as he opened it further, he notices another man sitting on a chair next to his desk against the wall. He wore a long grey coat atop what appeared to be military armour with the Aegis logo imprinted on his shoulder pads. He also had short black hair and brown eyes, though his left eye was covered up with an eyepatch.

Jackson: Ah, there you are, Michael. There’s someone here to see you.

The man stands up from his chair and properly introduces himself to Michael.

Chase: Hello, Michael… You have grown up so much since the last time I saw you.

Michael was too stunned to respond right away. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He knew immediately who this man was and was beyond ecstatic to see him again.

Michael: D-dad? Is that you?

Chase: It’s been a long time, Son.

Michael unconsciously takes a couple steps back until he hits the other side of the wall. He is unsure how to respond to seeing his father again, he hadn’t seen the man in so long. He knows exactly who he is, but he feels unfamiliar. Though being apart for so long would resolve indifferences.

He’s seen other children reunite with their families before, but it often doesn’t work out and the kids are sent right back. Some families become too emotionally unstable to raise a child or live in a toxic environment after losing their homes. Part of him was afraid the same thing might happen with him and his dad.

A silence falls over the room. Michael just stares at his father. The only sounds he can hear were coming from the environment around them. The children playing and chatting in the other rooms, the sound of the clock ticking on the wall, and the inaudible mumbling of whatever was playing on the TV in the living room.

Jackson: I know you’re shocked by his sudden visit, but Chase has something important to-

Suddenly, once the shock faded enough, Michael’s face lights up with delight over the reunion of his father and rushed to embrace him for the first time in years. Chase doesn’t hesitate to hold his son in his arms again. He was afraid Michael would hate him for abandoning him at the orphanage and not visiting him once until now. Michael must have missed him as much as he did.

Michael: I knew you’d come back someday! I just knew it! I’ve missed you so much, Dad.

Chase: I’ve missed you too, my boy… I know you have a lot of questions, and I will happily answer them, once I take you home.

Michael breaks away from the hug and looks up at his dad and Jackson with a surprised expression.

Michael: What?

Jackson: Yes. Chase came here to take you home with him. If you want my opinion, I think you should accept his offer.

Michael: But… what about my friends?

Jackson: They would want you to take this chance. It’s not often one of our kids gets to go home with their biological parents.

Michael looks away from them to process everything he’d just been told. Out the corner of his eye he can see Alex and Jason’s shadows behind the blinds of the door. They’ve been eavesdropping on their conversation this whole time. Now that they know he feels he should properly talk this through with them and ask for their opinion as well.

Michael: Um, Dad, Jackson, can I have a minute to think about this?

Jackson: Of course. Take all the time you need while Chase and I further discuss some other things.

Michael nods and exits the office. He finds Alex and Jason sitting on the sofa in the living room looking guilty for spying on them. The TV was on in the background. A news broadcast was playing. The anchor woman was announcing the discovery of a strange meteorite on a collision course with Earth though it was unclear where exactly it would land. The boys paid it no mind and looked up at Michael.

Michael: I saw you guys listening in.

Jason: S-Sorry.

Michael: How much did you hear?

Alex: Pretty much all of it.

Michael sighs and begins pacing back and forth, thinking hard on what he should do. Jackson assured him that the decision to go with his father or not was entirely up to him. Nobody was forcing him into anything. But he felt so torn on what he should do.

Michael: I don’t know what to do. I haven’t seen my dad in years then all of a sudden he shows up here wanting to take me home with him. What should I do?

Alex: …I think you should go.

Jason and Michael: WHAT?!

Alex: Think about it. In New London you kept going on about wanting to see your dad again. Now’s your chance to be with him. If I were in your shoes I would take that chance.

Jason: What are you doing, Alex?!

Michael: Are you sure about this?

Alex: I’m sure. You’ve spent years here with us, and it’s been the best. But I think its about time you spent time with your dad and make up for all those years apart. He is your family after all.

Michael: Hmm. Maybe you’re right, Alex… I did miss him a lot.

Jason: Bu-But what about us?

Michael: Don’t worry, Jason. I’m sure we’ll keep in touch. I can always come visit you and Alex whenever I can.

Jason: You promise you won’t forget about us?

Michael: I promise.

He said with a smile as he placed his hand on his shoulder. Jason didn’t seem convinced but chose to hold onto the hope that this won’t be the end of this trio’s friendship.

Jackson and Chase then enter the room. Michael properly introduced his dad to his friends. Alex appeared delighted to meet Chase while Jason seemed more afraid to be in his presence, intimidated by his armour and eyepatch. Chase felt he’d seen this white-haired boy somewhere before, around the time of the Monster War. Until it clicked with him all of a sudden.

Chase: Oh! That’s the boy my soldiers rescued from that apartment building fire… Poor kids still suffering trauma. Thankfully, Jackson’s been taking care of him… And Alex. He’s the one who was with Michael in New London earlier today.

Michael: Dad, these are my friends, Alex and Jason.

Chase: Pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for keeping my son out of trouble… mostly.

Alex chuckles and shakes the man’s hand.

Alex: Actually, you’ve got it backwards. He’s the one keeping us out of trouble, haha.

Jackson clears his throat and steps into the introduction, reminding Michael that he still had to give him an answer.

Jackson: Have you made a decision?

Michael: Yes. I have decided to go home with my dad.

Chase sighs with relief. He wasn’t completely sure if Micheal would ever agree to this. He wouldn’t blame him if he refused. Some kids hold grudges against parents who abandon them even if it was unavoidable or for a good reason. At least now he has a chance to have a proper relationship with his son.

Chase: Then you better go pack your things. We’ll be leaving very soon.

Outside the main entrance to Hillside House, Jackson and Michael shake hands as they say their goodbyes to each other. Chase was waiting patiently by his humvee. All the other kids all say their goodbyes from the front door, at least most of them did. Zack and his friends were pleased to see him go as it meant he’d no longer be around to make a mockery of them.

Jackson: It’s been nice having you here, Michael. I’m gonna miss you.

Michael: You too, Jackson. Take care of the others for me.

Jackson: Always.

Michael gives him a respectful nod before walking down the steps to the side of the road. He spots Alex and Michael watching him open the humvee door and gives them one final wave and a smile. Alex and Jason wave back, wishing him all the best with his dad. At least Alex was. Jason was hiding his true feelings under a fake smile and secretly knew things would start going bad for him without Michael to protect him from his bullies.

They all wave as they watched the humvee drive away until it was completely out of sight. The kids all head back inside and return to whatever it was they were doing whilst Jackson went back to his office and got back to his paperwork.

Jason: He’s… gone.

He spoke softly, drawing Alex’s attention away from the window and towards his only remaining friend. He puts his arm around his shoulder and pulls him into a bro hug.

Alex: He’ll be back. I don’t know when, but he’ll be back.

Although his words were reassuring, Jason’s mood didn’t change at all.

Alex: What can I tell you that would make you feel better?

Jason: …That you won’t leave me too. All alone in this place.

Alex: Oh, I would never do that to you. I may not be as strong as Michael, but you can always count on me to watch your back. I’ve been doing it long before we became friends with Michael.

Jason: You can’t know that for certain. What if you get adopted and I never see you again?! What if you start forgetting about me and we drift apart… I don’t want to be alone again, Alex. I can’t go through that again!

Jason starts to hyperventilate as his head runs through various bad outcomes for him. He could practically feel his own heart beating faster then how its supposed to. Alex grabs him by his shoulders and forces him to look directly at him and attempts to calm him down.

Alex: Jason, look at me… Nothing in the world will ever stop us from being the bestest of friends. All the people I care about mean the world to me, and that includes you. Even if there’s a slim chance I get adopted, I won’t let that stop me from hanging out with you. The same is true for Michael too. He won’t forget us. Sooner or later, he’ll come visit and everything will be just as it was before he left. Understand?

Jason takes a moment to calm his nerves before answering with a few nods of his head. A tiny smile formed on his face as he looks back up at Alex. He seems convinced that nothing major will change between them.

Alex: Good… Hey, I know what’ll cheer us up. The semi-final episode of Captain Cosmic will be airing in five minutes. Wanna watch it with me?

Jason: Uhhh, sure, I guess.

Alex: You don’t like it?

Jason: I don’t like that Captain Cosmic wins every battle he’s been in. Solar-Flare fights just as hard as him, yet he always loses… I just don’t think its fair.

Alex: Solar-Flare is the villain, Jason. The villain always loses. That’s just how these stories work.

Alex stated as he grabs the remote from underneath the sofa and switches the TV on to the channel that streams Captain Cosmic. What he said angered Jason a little bit. He hated the fact that the villains and monsters always have to lose to the hero. Superheroes to him are arrogant showoffs who always get the girl and the respect of the people, while the villain gets none of that. They’re either killed off, imprisoned, or worse. He relates to the villains more then the heroes because of his own miseries.

Jason: Villains and monsters have as much a right to win and be praised more than the hero does! The game is always one-sided between the two… When is it gonna be the bad guys’ turn to triumph over good?

The drive along the highway was mostly quiet. Chase and Michael occasionally open up and talk about standard topics of discussion. And whenever nothing came out, they listened to the radio instead while Michael glared out the window, watching the heavy rain fall. The silence was awkward for both individuals. Neither of them had seen the other in years and feared they may’ve grown apart since they split up. Michael wasn’t his little boy anymore, he’s a 15-year-old teenager, and Chase has more experience being a soldier then a father.

But neither one will let their insecurities get the better of them. This was a new chapter in their lives. A chance to rekindle their relationship as father and son. As such, there was a very important question Michael had to get off his chest first.

Michael: Hey Dad, why did you leave me at the orphanage?

Chase briefly glances at his son through the review mirror whilst keeping his eye on the road.

Chase: I just didn’t have what it takes to raise you myself. My job was always getting in the way and I barely had time to spend with you. I didn’t want to leave you alone in the house while I was working, it wouldn’t have been fair on you. I thought it would be best for both of us to drop you off at Hillside House where you could have a better life, growing up with kids your own ages, make some friends… And from what I’ve seen, you’ve made some good ones, Son.

Michael: Then why did you come back and take me away all of a sudden? You’re clearly still working for the army, so how is it you have time for me now?

Chase lets out a deep sigh as he replies.

Chase: … I saw what you did in town. You and your friend managed to stand up to a fully-grown man without hesitation. Even when he was armed with a knife, you didn’t let that stop you from saving that woman. You weren’t afraid either. That man was a wanted criminal. The police had been after him for a while… I was impressed with your actions and thought you may be old enough to handle the kind of life I am living. I saw a bit of myself in you when I was your age.

Michael: But I didn’t stand up to that guy, Alex did. I only ended up getting cut trying to help him. I warned him it was dangerous, but he wouldn’t listen.

Chase: Maybe so, but you were still brave enough to defend your friend from that man. The fact that you were able to predict his movements enough to land a hit on him takes skill. Plus, Jackson told me about that low sweep kick you performed on those other kids a few years ago.

Michael: Yeah, I guess that one move you showed me when I was a kid still lingered in the back of my mind. Wait a second, how exactly did you watch me? I don’t remember seeing you there.

Chase: I looked over the recordings from the MT Police Robot and surveillance cameras in the area.

Michael: Ah, that makes sense… I wonder how he got access to those.

They both cease talking for a couple of minutes. The sound of the humvee’s engine overtakes the interior of the vehicle. Neither truly know much about the other so conversation topics were slim. They do both have questions to ask the other but just don’t know where to start. They continued sit in silence as the car weaves into traffic, leaving the city. The sign they pass says that they are heading for Alfriston East Sussex, a town way out in the countryside. It will be another two hours before they reach their destination.

Every now and then Michael and Chase think up questions to ask the other to pass the travel time. Chase mostly did the asking, wanting to know more about his son’s personal life, what he likes, doesn’t like, his favourite foods or activities, etc. And Michael happily answered every one of them.

There was, however, one vital question he had for his father, but a small part of him was afraid to ask out of fear it may be a difficult subject for Chase to talk about. But he is the only one who can fill in the gaps in his memory he desperately needed to be filled.

Michael: Can I ask you something personal, Dad?

Chase: Course, Son. Anything.

Michael: What happened to my mum?

Chase’s eye slightly widens. That question completely came at him like a lightning bolt striking from above. Luckily, he didn’t lose control of the steering and swerve the humvee into oncoming traffic. He was doing so well driving down the busy road in the dark clouds and rain. He’d just left the freeway and is now driving down a street-lit road.

He knew this day would come one day. Still, he felt underprepared to dive down this deep rabbit hole. But he did just promise him anything.

Chase: What brought that up so suddenly?

Michael: It’s just that I barely remember her. I can remember some moments with her, but not a lot. Jackson told me she left us when I was very young. Did she not love me or something?

Chase: Oh no, Michael. Your mother loved you very much. You were her whole world as well as mine.

Michael: Then where is she? What is she like, Dad?

Chase stuttered as he tried to find the right words to explain himself whilst letting him down easy. But no amount of kind words could mask the tragedy behind the truth. Fortunately for him, his home was coming up on the next left turn. Michael was astonished to see the sheer size of the white and red mansion that is Chase Mercer’s residence. His dad must be loaded to afford a place as big as that. It was even bigger than Hillside House. If only the rain wasn’t obscuring how nice it looked.

Chase pulls the humvee up to the driveway and switched off the engine, giving it a rest and cool down after the two-hour drive. A hiss of gas escapes it exhausts.

Chase: We’re here. Welcome home.

Michael: You live here?! Wow! Serving in the military must come with a lot of benefits.

Chase: About that. I don’t exactly work for the Army.

Michael: Oh? So, the Navy?

Chase shakes his head. He encourages Michael to get out of the humvee and run to the front door to minimise the amount of water landing on their clothes. They take shelter under the entrance cover and shake off the raindrops. Chase then reaches into his pocket and pulls out his set of keys. Michael takes a little look around the front lawn as he waits for his dad to find the key for the front door and continues to guess what kind of military he works for.

Michael: Maybe the Air Force, or Marines?

Chase: Nope. Wrong again… How about we head inside? If you think the house looks good on the outside wait until you see the interior.

Chase fumbles around his pocket for his house keys and uses them to unlock the front door. As it swings open Michael was even more amazed with how better it looked inside then out. The flooring for most of the bottom floor was clean marble with the reflections of the chandeliers above in them. The front entrance had a small fountain in between two staircases leading up to the second floor, and the walls were decorated with modern art portraits. Truly this was the luxury of a wealthy man.

Michael felt overwhelmed with conflicting emotions, trying to decide how to react to seeing all this. He wasn’t used to seeing such a luxurious and spacious house. All he remembered of his childhood before the war was living in a cramped apartment with two bedrooms, a living room connected to a tiny kitchen and a bathroom the size of a walk-in closet.

And the orphanage wasn’t any better with the number of children living there. He could see his own reflection in the marble floor when he looked down to think, even that was blowing his mind. Part of him felt lucky to be living in a place like this while another part felt bad for his friends and the other kids back at Hillside House. If they saw him now, they would be extremely jealous. He started to worry he may not be able to keep his promise to Alex and Jason to visit them regularly with all these luxury’s tempting him to stay.

He slowly looks up from his feet and catches his father looking back at him, probably expecting a response on the layout of his mansion. His long-drawn-out silence might make him think he’s feeling overwhelmed by the size of it. He needed to speak his mind, but only two words popped up in his head.

Michael: Nice house.

Chase: Thanks… Are you alright, Son? You look stressed.

Michael: It’s just that… I’m not used to being in such a big, fancy place like this. Usually, rich people can afford places like this. Makes me feel bad for all the other kids back at Hillside.

Chase: It’s okay, I get it. This is a big change for both of us. Give it time and you’ll get used to calling it home.

Michael: I hope so. I would love to see more of it. This place is huge.

Chase: Unfortunately, I don’t have time to give you a complete tour of the place. There is something important I want to show you upstairs.

Chase leads Michael across the hall, up the left stairs and down the left corridor to the first room coming up on their left. Inside was a study decorated with purple walls and a lighter shade of purple carpet. On the right side of the room was a large bookcase filled with various books. On the left wall was a flat screen TV. Underneath it is large display case with two uniquely designed handguns. A black one with red jagged stripe patterns and a white one with blue curved, vine-like patterns. Next to it were two leather holsters for them and on other side were a pair of dog tags and two medals of honour.

In the middle of the room was Chase’s fancy wooden desk with a couple papers, a holder for a few pens and pencils and the remote for the TV. His chair is just as fancy as his desk with furnished red cushions. Behind the desk was a window with fancy red curtains.

Michael: Whoa… Look at all this stuff! I think I remember seeing Dad wearing these dog-tags.

Michael liked the look of this room. The display case with his dad’s mementos caught his eye the most. On closer inspection he discovered the full names of his parents were inscribed on the medals and dog tags, “Chase and Jade Mercer” was what they said. He had no recollection of his mum being a soldier, only his dad. How could they both have served and had him at the same time, he wondered?

He was so enamoured with them that he didn’t notice Chase was opening up a secret passageway by tilting one of the books on the top shelf forwards. The sound of the book clicking and the shelf moving drew his attention away from the display case and towards where his dad was. Behind the bookcase was a hidden elevator. Now this he did not see coming one bit.

Michael: You have a hidden elevator in your office? What’s going on here, Dad?

Chase: You’ll find out soon. Get in.

Michael squeezes into the lift with his dad, catching a brief glimpse of one of the books that fell onto the floor after it moved. The title of the book was “How to get over a traumatic experience” which came as a bit of a worry to Michael. What kind of trauma did his dad need to get over?

Chase presses the bottom button labelled “Ground Zero.” The elevator closes behind them and slowly descends below the house.

Chase: Earlier you asked me if I served in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines. You must not have heard, but neither of those exist anymore, Michael.

Michael: What? Then who's keeping the planet safe?

Chase: We are…

The elevator reaches the bottom level, coming down hard on the bottom level. A bright light seeps in through the gap as the doors open, temporarily blinding Michael. Chase had grown used to it from all the times he’s visited this place.

He guides Michael out of the lift and gives him time for his eyes to adjust before showing him the entire layout of what looks to be an enormous military base.

Chase: …Welcome to Aegis.

Michael walks up to the edge of the railings to get a proper view of the base. Everywhere he looked, he can see men and women in full gear walking in unison. The armour they were wearing was identical to Chases and seemed more advanced than what SWAT police would wear to control larger, out of control crowds. And the weapons they were carrying were far too cutting-edge for people. Its almost as if they aren’t designed to fight normal human threats.

He could slightly see into some of the rooms to either side of him throughout this part of the facility. One was a lab where scientists were testing some of their equipment. One scientist was using a high-tech laser to try and cut through a chunk of what he could guess was hardened skin, like the shell of a turtle or a crocodile’s back but much larger. So far, the laser only appeared to be heating it up but unable to cut through.

On the right was a training area for soldiers to do target practice. The soldiers were fully equipped with advanced armour and were firing rapid-firing live rounds into static holograms of various monster species, some of them Michael recognised from his vague memories of the war. The holograms moved and acted like the real thing, adding some extra challenge to the trainees. They not only shot them point blank, but also dodge around their swipes and other attacks. If the hologram were to pass through them a small red light would come on the wrist bands they’re wearing, letting them know they failed, simulating their deaths at the claw of a monster. This training was top tier state of the art.

Much further down he spotted a soldier testing a mech suit at the far end of the hallway. The mech was slowly pushing a highly advanced looking tank through a garage door and into what looked like a giant storage area for vehicles. Michael had never seen anything like this in real life, only in action movies. He didn’t think humanity had become advanced enough to have fully operational mechs.

The floor close to the railing they were standing on had a giant version of the logo Chase had on his shoulder pads. He assumed that this was the symbol of Aegis. It was a logo of a shield with a woman’s head with a roman helmet. Chase pointed out that the woman was Athena, the Goddess of war, wisdom and handicraft. They’d chosen her because she served as a reminder of what humanity had to overcome to be where they are today.

Aegis was unlike any other military force Michael had ever seen. They were organised. They had the best, ultra-modern weapons, vehicles and equipment. And their soldiers were well trained to handle any kind of monster threat or threats greater than humans in general. And none of them were replaced by robots like the police. Michael always wondered why the police was mostly run by robots, now he finally knows why. They’re all here, training to become the strongest soldiers the world’s ever known. And their base was hidden deep underground, away from public eyes. Area 51 ain’t got nothing on this.

Michael: This place is incredible! How the hell do you keep this hidden under your house?

Chase: We’re almost 50 meters below the surface. There are many ways in and out of this place. I had that lift installed so that I can get down in seconds in case of an emergency… One of the perks of being the general.

Michael turns his head and looks up at his dad with surprise.

Michael: I thought you were just a soldier! You never told me you ran this place!

Chase: Now you understand why I rarely had any time for you. Running Aegis is a very difficult task, but its one I alone can do properly… Things used to be simple in the old days when we had the Army, Navy, etc. But that all ended when The Monster War occurred years ago. Many lives were lost in those gruelling first months… Aegis was formed by the new Council made up of various world leaders, including our very own King of England, to gather all that remained of the old military and put a stop to it. Aegis’ job is to protect the world from huge global threats from beyond our planet. Threats that could jeopardise to end the world itself. The Monster War served as humanities first global threat that lasted for three years before we rose up and forced the monster back to whatever hole they crawled out of… You were very young when it happened, so you don’t remember everything that occurred.

Michael: I do remember some details. I remember seeing buildings getting blown apart. Monsters chasing people in the streets… Hearing them scream as they died.

Chase: I’m sorry you had to go through all that.

Michael: It’s alright, Dad. Nobody could’ve anticipated a monster invasion from another dimension. That kind of thing only happens in fiction… I also understand that’s another reason why you left me at the orphanage. To keep me safe.

Chase: …And to prevent you from suffering the same fate as your mother.

Michael freezes for a moment and looks back at his father again, noticing tears were building up in Chase’s only remaining eye. His vision was fixed on Aegis itself as he spoke.

Chase: I never got to finish explaining to you about what happened to your mother… She- She died during the war.

Michael didn’t look too shocked. He suspected that’s what had happened and why she never made an attempt to visit him. But Chase wasn’t done yet.

Chase: Her death was no accident either. She was killed by one of the monsters. One far more intelligent than the rest. It looked female from what I saw, and it held some kind of golden staff with a red gem embedded in it. It invaded our old apartment. I saw you in the corner injured, and that thing was standing over her… And it… It-

Michael places his hand atop of his dads, calming him. A single tear trickled down his face as he relived that horrific memory of watching his mother getting stabbed to death by the female monster.

Michael: I got it, Dad. You don’t need to finish that sentence… Did you at least kill it and avenge her?

Chase gulps as he regretfully shakes his head, causing Michael’s eyes to widen and clench his fists, trying to keep himself together.

Chase: It escaped through one of those portals they arrived here in before I had the chance to kill it… I managed to save you that day, but I wasn’t able to save her.

He slowly reaches into his left breast pocket and pulls out a small photograph of himself when he was younger. He gently gives it to his son who tried his best to take care of it, knowing it was something Chase treasures almost as much as his son.

Michael’s eyes fill with sadness as he looks down at the photo. It was a picture of a younger Chase with both his eyes wearing an old army uniform and his medal of honour. He had his hand around a young woman who he knew at once was his mother. She looks so much like him with the same brown hair and eyes. She even wore glasses like her son. Cradled in her arms was Michael as a baby wrapped up in a blanket. His eyes appeared closed in that picture.

Chase placed his arms around his son’s shoulders, comforting him. Telling him the truth was one of the hardest things he’s ever done as soldier as well as a man. He didn’t want to bring Michael to tears, but he deserved to know the whole story behind his mother’s disappearance. Things can only proceed one of two ways from here. Either Michael sinks deeper into despair and he returns to the orphanage, or he uses this pain to motivate him to stand up and fight. And, to Chase’s relief, he chooses the latter.

Michael: … Now I understand why you brought me here. You want me to become stronger as a human being, so I won’t end up like my mother. So that I can avenge her!

Chase lets go and properly faces him. He gives him a single nod in response to his assumption.

Chase: I brought you here so that I can train you to become a soldier of Aegis. I thought it would be better for you to have a peaceful life away from war. But I know you well enough that you can’t do that after what I’ve told you.

Michael: No, I can’t…

Chase: And I can’t let you ride on this guilt over what happened to her either. You have the blood of a Mercer inside you, and I want to help you embrace it… I know its sudden and a lot to take in, but I honestly think you have what it takes. Your actions with that thug proved that… Maybe one day you will grow strong enough to succeed where I failed and kill the one who took Jade away from us.

Michael looks back down at Aegis for a few moments as he thought over his father’s proposal. The pain and despair he felt over the description of his mother’s death were replaced by anger. He’d already hated the monsters for the destruction and suffering they caused in their wake. Jade’s murder was the final nail in the coffin. In that moment nothing else mattered to him but to get stronger and hope to one day kill the monster who took her away from him and Chase. He faces his dad once more and gives him his answer.

Michael: At first, I wasn’t sure about coming home with you and leaving my friends. But after everything you told me, I want nothing more than to become stronger and protect people. To prevent more people like my mum from dying… I’ll do it!

Chase smiles and pulls him into another tight hug, stroking the back of his head. Michael returns it with the photo of his parents still resting between his middle and index fingers.

Chase: Listen, Michael. Training to become a soldier is not going to be an easy challenge. You must prove yourself to be strong enough to pass the tests. We fight as a single, impenetrable unit. That is the source of our strength, like the great Spartans before us. Each soldier in each squad protects the blind spot of the other. A single weak spot, and the phalanx shatters. If you wish to be one of us, you must be as strong as us. If you succeed, then we will welcome you with open arms. If you fail, then I’ll have to send you back to Hillside House.

Micheal: I understand. I will do whatever it takes to prove my worth. I won’t fail you, Dad. I promise.

Although he was confident in his words, he was still afraid of what’s to come to him in the future. He may have the blood of a Mercer, but blood and heritage won’t be enough to get him through whatever intense training Chase has got planned for him. This was an unexpected turn of events. He wonders what’s in store for Alex and Jason back at the orphanage.

The day has concluded, and night has fallen upon the UK. Time was 12 o’clock/Midnight. Everyone at Hillside House was fast asleep, all except Alex. He decided to go out for some fresh air in the back garden. He had trouble sleeping, thinking about Michael and the devastated look on Jason’s face when they watched him drive away. He started to question if he made a mistake convincing Michael to leave with him. He didn’t even bother changing into his PJs and left the house in his normal clothes.

The streets were quiet with the calming sounds of the wind, insects chirping, and the humming of the outdoor lights next to the pathway leading back to the house. Alex was sitting under a tall tree, gazing up at the stars. The grass was still a wet from the rainfall hours ago, but it didn’t bother him. He was so deep in thought that it didn’t even cross his mind. The peacefulness of the night helped him think on what he should do to help Jason get over Michael.

Alex: Hmm, I wonder. Was allowing Michael to leave really the right thing to do? Jason was devastated. He’s convinced that Zack and his pals will start bullying him again now that he’s gone. I mean, I can protect him too. He’ll always have me, Jackson and May Li looking out for him… Its weird not having Michael here. A lot has happened today. That incident in New London, now this. Guess it wasn’t all bad. I did meet that nice girl, Violet. Her parents seemed nice too… No matter what, nothing is going to keep me away from them.

He sighs calmly as he continues to gaze up at the night sky, admiring the stars. Looking at them reminded him of his favourite superhero and he wondered what it would be like to go to space. The Monster War was the first ever proof that life beyond their planet existed. He’d love to see more of what’s out there.

But he didn’t expect what’s out there to come to him instead. As he was stargazing, he noticed that one of the stars was growing bigger and brighter. He rubs his eyes, thinking he was seeing things. But the more he looked at it, the more convinced he was that he wasn’t.

Alex: What the…?

The star continued getting bigger until Alex suddenly realised that it wasn’t a star. It was a meteor. The same one mentioned on the news program earlier today around the time Michael reunited with his father. Alex looks away from the brightness as the meteorite flew over his head and crashes into the vast fields not too far away from the orphanage. What was more surprising to him then a literal comet landing very close to him was how the bright lights or the sound of the impact didn’t wake anyone up.

Alex: What the hell was that?!

Curious on what just happened, Alex sneaks out the back gate and wanders out into the wilderness alone. He wasn’t sure what he was going to find, but he knew it would be the discovery of a lifetime. If there was anything valuable in the meteorite, he could end up rich. The possibilities on what he would do if he had so much money were endless.

Alex cautiously explored the field until he comes across a large crater formed by the crashed meteor. The impact scared away all the sheep in the field, forcing them to take shelter under the trees by the stream further north. He was surprised by what he saw laying in the centre of the crater. The thing that fell from the sky wasn’t a meteorite or a star. It was a giant multi-coloured… gem?

Alex: What is this thing?

The emerald was emitting a strong light that lit up the crater enough for Alex to see where he was stepping. It kept on changing colours with each passing second from red to yellow, to green, to cyan, to dark blue, to purple, and finally white before repeating the cycle.

Alex: It looks… beautiful.

He slowly stretches his right hand out towards the emerald, seeming not to notice he was doing it. The emerald seemed to be responding to his approach as the flashing between colours was going faster with each step he took. Alex was mesmerised by the emerald’s energy and couldn’t bring himself to look away or back off. Its like there was a strong magnetic field drawing him in.

Alex gently places his hand atop the emerald’s smooth surface. Tiny sparks of electricity connected them for less than a second before it released a huge shockwave of multi-coloured energy which send him flying into the side of the crater.

Alex: Argh! What’s happening?!

All the built-up energy of the emerald is suddenly released from its shell and shoots up into the sky. It was so bright that Alex had to cover his eyes. The energy then came back down and headed towards him. It flew into his body by entering through his eyes and mouth, causing the boy to scream in pain as he feels his body getting shocked from the inside. His eyes and hair started glowing and changed from his natural brown to emerald-green. The energy then started forming some kind of deformed multi-coloured suit across his body while sparks of electricity shot out of his body.

The emerald shell storing all that energy started going dark from the drain. Its surface started to crack under the pressure until it finally shattered into seven smaller emeralds, one for each colour it flashed. The smaller emerald absorbed what energy remained, bringing them to life before scattering across the sky, disappearing from view in an instant.

Alex: Arggggh… Uhhhh… What is…?

Alex’s body feels numb all over. The energy seemed to have fried his nervous system, preventing him from feeling anything. And now his grasp on consciousness was slipping away as he can feel his eyelids getting heavy. He eventually falls unconscious in the crater, hitting the ground hard. His body continued to spark out arcs of electrical energy in all directions. The deformed suit, green hair and eyes dissipated, changing him back to his regular self.

Suddenly, the shadow of a mysterious figure hovers over the crater and it’s visitor. The shadow was attached to the strange, white-robed figure who’d been spying on Alex in New London in the middle of the day. He simply looks over his body head to toe before placing the back of his hand on his forehead.

Robed Figure: He is weak, but still living. My suspicions were correct… He is the one my visions foretold.

The figure then picks Alex up in his arms and carries him out of the crater. He spots the orphanage in the distance but chooses not to take him back. Instead, he started carrying him in the opposite direction, further into the forest. He appeared to be eyeballing a tall mountain far ahead in the distance. That was where he was planning on taking Alex.

Narrator: And that is how it all began. The robed figure will carry the child away from civilisation and into the wilderness, knowing what he held in his arms was no ordinary boy. Not anymore… As the man walked onwards into the night, he sensed that, at dawn tomorrow, he will witness the birth of the new form of light the world desperately needs… The Light of Chaos.

To Be Continued