Short Stories

That's My Hero

Warning: A few mentions of blood

For the first time, I'm being arrested. This battle didn't go according to plan. Don't get me wrong, I planned to lose. I always do. I just didn't plan to get caught. I always manage to escape. But not today.

Today is different. The officer is leading me towards his squad car. I flip my braid over my back and roll my eyes. They always underestimate me because I'm a girl. I could escape if I wanted to, but I've always wanted to break out of prison. Might as well let them.

The officer shoves me in, not really caring to be gentle. The door slams shut. I hear a muffled clap of thunder and glance outside. It wasn't supposed to rain today. My eyes widen in horror. Those thunderclouds aren't normal. I've dealt with them before.

I press my face to the glass, praying that I won't see him. Like all hero's, he foolishly waits for the the storm to approach. "Phantom!" I scream inside the squad car. No one hears me. I bang my fist on the window. The officers glance at me, then go back to watching the storm approach.

I grit my teeth, knowing Phantom won't flee. He never does. I let my powers loose, phasing out of the handcuffs. With a kick, the door bursts open and I'm in a dead sprint towards my loser hero. As I near, Phantom vanishes, reappearing closer to the storm. I force myself to run faster. "Phantom!" I screech.

His black head turns to me. His blue eyes glitter coldly. "Was this another part of your plan, Nightfury?" He waves a hand at the approaching storm.

"Phantom, you have to get out of here. You can't beat this guy!"

"You know him? Why should I trust you? You just want to get me out of your way!" Without another word, Phantom vanishes and reappears on top of a building.

"That idiot! He should know better than to take on Storm!" I begin to run after him. A sharp pin prick sticks my neck. I move a hand to the back of my neck and pull a syringe out of it. My vision disorients and I fall unceremoniously to the ground.

"Ha! Maybe that will even the odds," an officer says. "Well, Nightfury, why don't you enjoy the show?"

I try to force my body to move, but the toxin in the syringe has already taken hold of my limbs. I can't move at all. I can only watch. I continue to fight as much as I can, while watching my worst nightmare unfold.

Phantom stands atop the building. "Quit hiding in your storm clouds!"

A dark and chaotic laugh echos across the city. The citizens are already inside, thanks to our fight. I swallow hard. I know how badly I wore down Phantom. Even at full strength, he wouldn't be able to defeat Storm. Now, there's no chance at all.

The clouds break apart, revealing a wraithlike figure shrouded with lightning. "Hello, Phantom. My name is Storm and this city now belongs to me," Storm says.

I begin to silently beg Phantom to run, but I know he won't. He never does. That's one of the reasons why I love him. I can only watch and hope he holds out long enough for me to regain movement. Maybe I can help him if he lasts.

Without warning, Storm lashes out with a lightning bolt. Phantom barely manages to dodge in time. He reappears midair, striking at Storm with a knife. Phantom vanishes and appears, rolling on another building. Storm lands on the building and they begin to trade blows.

The officers beside me are mesmerized by the battle. "Look at Phantom go! You didn't give him much of a fight, Nightfury," they sneer at me. I don't pay attention. I'm too busy moving one of my fingers and watching the quickly unfolding battle.

Storm manages to hit Phantom with a lightning bolt. Phantom falls to his knees, but disappears before Storm can strike again. He appears behind Storm, getting in a few hits before retreating again. I can see Phantom lagging. He already expended so much energy fighting me! I can move my feet to the ankle now. It's taking too long. I continue to watch. Phantom manages to stay out of Storm's line of fire.

I can move my legs up to my thigh. My arms are working to my elbows. 'Just a few more minutes!' I silently plead. I silently scream as Storm stabs a lightning bolt towards Phantom. It strikes him in the stomach. I can see the red stain from the ground. My legs are moving and I can move up to my stomach. Storm kicks Phantom right in his injured stomach.

Phantom gags, sagging to the ground. "Pathetic," Storm spits. "No wonder Nightfury always loses to you. You're not worth her victory!" I'm able to move up to my neck.

'Just a few more seconds and I'll be there!' I scream silently.

"Unfortunately, I don't care to lose. May your death be quick." Storm kicks Phantom closer to the edge of the building. I can see  when Phantom falls limp and unconscious. Storm kicks my hero's body off the building.

With a heave, I pull myself from the ground. Running on lead limbs, I sprint towards Phantom. His body continues to plummet. I snap my hands behind my back and am propelled forward by a plume of blue fire. I catch Phantom right before he hits the ground. I quickly cauterize his wound.

"Phantom?" I whisper. "Jake?" A little softer.

His eyes flutter open. "Selene?" I smile a little. He never calls me Selene, only Nightfury.

"I'm gonna kick Storm's butt," I growl.

Jake grabs my hand, pulling my attention to him. "Please, let me help you," he groans.

"Uh uh. No way. If Storm kills you, I have no reason to stay in this desolate city," I say. "I know you hate me, but you have to trust me now."

"At least take me up with you," Jake says.

"Fine." I fly us up to Storm with a plume of blue fire beneath my feet. Jake leans against me, an arm around my shoulders. I aim my free fist towards Storm. "Hey, brother. Long time no see."

"Little sister, aren't you a sight for sore eyes? Want to help me end this miserable hero?" Storm crows.

I glance at Jake. For once, he looks at me and his gaze isn't filled with hatred. "Sorry, Storm, but you're forgetting something."

"Oh, and what would that be?"

"This is my city," I growl. "And this," I squeeze Jake tighter around the waist, "is my hero. So go find your own. This one stays alive until I decide."

I unleash a current of fire towards Storm. He screams and pulls electricity around him. I know my brother, though. I strike where he forgets to cover. Storm begins to run. He jumps into the clouds he arrived in and turns to us, still smoking. "I won't forget this, Selene. You'll both pay!" Storm yells as he flees.

Once Storm is out of sight, Jake turns to me. "Why didn't you just let him kill me?"

"Like I said, only I get to decide that." Jake raises a disbelieving eyebrow. "Ok, fine. You're my hero and if you died, I would never forgive myself."

Jake's eyes go wide at that. "What are you talking about?"

I smile coyly and plant a kiss on his lips. "Figure it out yourself. Until next time, Phantom." I let go of him and fly off. "Oh, and go to a hospital!" I shout over my shoulder.