Claire Davis:

  Three days have passed since my one and only Chameleon beat the hell out of Mad Hound. Although the poor kiddo has seemed very bummed out about it.

  My days start at 6:00 AM sharp. And I woke up exactly then. Walking downstairs and into the kitchen, I began cooking breakfast. Cooking is very therapeutic. I get to make something and see Ray enjoy it. I always like seeing the kid smile. He deserves it after everything he’s been through.

  Unless I go and wake him up, Ray always wakes up at 7:30 AM. I allowed Ray to wake up at his normal time today. It gives me time to make a huge breakfast to celebrate Ray’s first mission.

  I began setting everything up. Grabbing out a box of pancake batter, a carton of eggs, and some bacon. Before I can finish grabbing everything, I hear a groggy voice behind me, “Miss Claire, what’s for breakfast?”

  Turning around, I see Ray behind me and the flamingo onesie he’s wearing. His messy brown hair that he dyed to make it look like mine, his heterochromatic eyes of blue and green, and the bags that are under them. He lets out a yawn before walking closer and speaking, “Sorry, I haven’t been sleeping much.”

  “That’s fine, kiddo. I’ll finish breakfast, then maybe you can take a nap after you eat?” I reply. He doesn’t respond; he just nods. I watch as he walks over to the couch and lies down.

  I decided to continue cooking and began making the pancakes. And I decided to use the eggs, bacon, and some cheddar cheese to make Ray’s favorite omelet. Although I like to call every meal I make him “his favorite”, it’s obvious to me he likes the omelets I make most. It’s probably because it’s the first thing I ever cooked for him on the day I took him in. I mean, the recipe isn’t all that special compared to other things I make, so I can only assume that’s the reason.

  After about 30 minutes, everything is ready. I set out the plates and called out, “Ray! Breakfast is ready!” I see his little frame pop up from the couch and run over. He sits down and immediately starts eating. A big, goofy grin appeared on his face. I can’t help but start smiling also. I haven’t seen him look this happy since the morning before the mission. The omelet was the right choice to make.

  The events of three days ago began to play in my head. After interrupting the fight between the mutt and Ray. I sent the kid off and then put thirty-two holes into what was the hero Mad Hound. I wanted to hide all traces of Ray’s involvement. I can’t help but wonder, “Did I go overboard?”...

  Probably.

  But it was worth it. I can’t have the existence of Chameleon revealed to the world of heroes yet. He isn’t ready. He couldn’t handle it, his potential would be snuffed out before it could even bloom.

  But no matter how I justify it, it’s still a brutal murder that I committed. I don’t regret it, even though I probably should. I know that Ray most likely knows the extent of what I did. I hope he doesn’t hate me for it. I know I can’t call myself a good person. But for Ray, I like to resemble one. I hope he carries out my mission alongside me, but I never want him to be anything like me.

  I watch as the kid finishes eating, I take his plate and silverware and wash them off before putting them in the sink to wash later. Ray walks back over to the couch and lies down.

  Suddenly, a loud ringing sound comes on. I look around and spot that it’s coming from the landline phone right outside the kitchen. Ray doesn’t have a cell phone. So I had it installed just in case he needed to call me when he was alone in the lair.

  I pick up the phone. I hear the voice of a contact of mine. The Rank 50 hero, Eun-ji Choi, goes by his hero name “Sonar”. He speaks frantically, “Claire! It’s an emergency!”

  I can’t help but scoff, This man tends to blow up issues bigger than they need to be. I responded, “What? You waste all of your money on horse betting again?”

  “No, Ironhide found out about your recent return! He’s looking for you!” He shouts. My eyes widen and I feel the smirk growing on my face, “Hah. It’s only natural that the big guy would find out. He’s Mr. Rank 25 after all. Should I go say hi?”

  “Hell no! We do not need a fight between you two!” His voice rises even more. “Chill out, dude. I got this… oh, by the way. Come to my lair at around 5:00 PM.”

  “Sure. See ya then.” He says with a breathy, exasperated sigh. The phone hangs up. I walk back over to the couch where Ray lies. “So, kiddo. I gotta go, but when I’m back. We have some cool training to do. You’re gonna learn a lot!”

  Ray nods and yawns. “Okay, Miss Claire… I’ll take a nap. When will you be back?” He questioned. “I’ll be back at around 5:00 PM,” I answer. “Okay. I should be awake before then.”

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  Ray lies back down and falls asleep. I turn around. Grab my cloak and mask. Throwing them on and riding the elevator upstairs, and exiting the warehouse.

  I decided to return to the parking garage where I killed Mad Hound. I assumed that Ironhide would probably be investigating.

  When I arrive in the parking garage. I see Ironhide. A few random heroes are with him. I can only assume they’re also rankers. But I don’t exactly pay attention or remember the names of those whom I’m not hunting currently, or haven’t made an impression on me already. Ironhide looks as though he’s been waiting for me.

  “I see my informant was right. You would return to the scene of the crime.” He states. “I heard you found out about my return. So I wanted to say hi.” I responded.

  “I respect you, Ironhide. So I won’t kill you. I was always planning on saving you for last… these randos on the other hand…” I say, pointing at the three heroes surrounding Ironhide. “These ‘randos’ are the rank 47, rank 46, and rank 45 heroes.” Ironhide retorts.

  I open a small portal and drop my cell phone into it. Then I open up another one on a nearby pillar. Having a tendril hold it and hit record. “I wanna record this fight. Don’t worry. I’ll hold back.”

  Then I rush in and pierce straight through the abdomen of the hero that Ironhide pointed out at rank 47 with a tendril. Taking the tendril out. The woman falls to the floor, limp. “One down,” I state.

  The one identified as rank 46 shoots some flames at me. I snap my fingers, and I swap places with the rank 45 hero. Causing the man to get set on fire. Ironhide observes, “I see you have some new moves.”

  “Yeah. I can swap the places of two shadows, as well as the objects connected to them.” I remark. Ironhide doesn’t respond; he jumps in and puts the fire out on the other man. He motions for them to leave. “Take your comrade to HQ, see if he can still be saved!” He shouts commandingly.

  “Shadow manipulation. I see the limits to your abilities have not yet been seen.” Ironhide says, addressing me. “Yeah, I’m limitless after all.” I retorted.

  “That attitude will get you killed one day, Claire,” Ironhide says with a solemn sigh.

  “Until it does. I see no point in dwelling on it.” I say as I rush in and punch him in the chest. It stings my hand. I now see that his skin is covered in Iron, aside from his head. “I see you’re more durable now. You used to be weaker when covering your whole body.” I remark. “Although I never understood why you never cover your head.”

  Ironhide doesn’t respond and counterattacks. It packs a punch as I slightly get pushed back. I now know that I need to put some effort into it. And I thought that the top five were the only ones I'd need to try against.

  “The top five have changed dramatically,” Ironhide says as if he read my mind. “Did somebody finally give that blonde asshole his comeuppance?” I ask. God, I hope that loudmouth Paragon is dead.

  “No, but his two daughters are number three and four. So all of the top four want you dead.” Ironhide answers. “You killed one of Paragon’s children after all. I’m sure the daughters are at least gunning for revenge.”

  “As I insisted to you the night after the incident. I wasn't the one who did it. Now, unless you’re gonna do the job yourself. I recommend you stop talking and start fighting.” I say as I tap my foot. “You know I don’t kill. I believe in reformation. I’ll knock you out and take you to jail, where you belong.” Ironhide responds as he positions himself in a fighting stance.

  “You can’t reform everyone. That’s the attitude that gets you killed. Not mine.” I snarl. I snap and swap our places. Ironhide anticipates this and focuses his iron defense purely on his back. The iron covering him is growing thicker.

  But it simply isn’t enough. I bring out four shadow tendrils from the ground. I make a portal and punch my arm through it. A shadow fist connects with his front as the tendrils attack his back.

  Catching him off guard, his stomach was hit with full force. Causing him to cough up blood and pass out. “G’night, buddy.” I mock, although he can’t hear me.

  I walk over and grab my phone. I hit the stop button on the recording. I open a portal and teleport back to the warehouse. I always keep a portal there so I can teleport back with ease.

  I think next I'm going to teach Ray how to use them. He can’t just use the tendrils forever. It’s a waste.

  I take the elevator down. I step out of the elevator and put my cloak and mask back on the coat rack. Walking into the living room, I see Ray attacking a Korean man at around my height. His well-kept black hair and white jacket tell me that it’s Eun-ji. Ray is assaulting him with two tendrils. Eun-ji is simply swaying and dodging them. “Intruder!” Ray yells. I know the poor, confused boy won’t be able to hit Eun-ji. I walk over and bonk Eun-ji on the head.

  “Did you seriously not explain yourself to the poor boy?!” I shout at him. “I did, the little bastard didn’t believe me.” He retorts, matching my volume. “Well, you are shady…” I contemplate. Eun-Ji’s eyes widened as I said that, and he looked offended. Ray looks up at me, confused.

  “So who’s the kid?” Eun-Ji questions. “His name is Ray. Ray, this is Eun-Ji.” I say, addressing the pair.

  “Hi, Mr. Eun-Ji,” Ray says as he waves at him. Eun-Ji waves back before speaking, “So Claire. Why do you have a random child in your lair? Should I be concerned?… I mean, I know you have some sick habits, but…”

  “Hey, don’t talk badly about Miss Claire!” Ray interjects before further speaking, “I’ll have you know that I am her sidekick!” Ray huffs. I can’t help but find it adorable how quick he is to defend me.

  I decided to intervene so this doesn’t escalate further. I step between them and hold my hands out. “Let’s go to the training room,” I say as I point to the other side of the hallway.

  Ray and Eun-ji follow me without question. We arrive in the training room, which is just a large, matted open space.

  I turn to face Ray and Eun-Ji. “Now let’s get started, you two. Ray, you’re gonna learn this guy’s power.”