The Fall of Awesome

Chapter Three

Lindawalked to the desk where the amulet he had given her sat. The chainwas still broken. When Kevin had lived in the tower the amulet lether enter his rooms and know where he was. Whatever protections hehad set up around his rooms dropped when he stopped using them. Shehad worn the amulet for years before finally bringing it here, afraidit would be lost forever. Like these rooms were a shrine to her timewith him.

Hestepped up next to her. “I guess I didn’t make the chain strongenough. I thought I had but I also thought I would be around if itwas lost. Short sighted of me. I apologize.” He took the amulet,ran the chain through his fingers and it was whole. Just like that.

Lindasnorted out a laugh. “Freedom must have repaired it a dozen times.He wanted to replace it but couldn’t figure out how to get theamulet off the chain.”

Kevinleft the amulet sitting on his palm. Almost offering it to her. Shedidn’t reach out for it. “It is all one item, one piece. Strong,yet fragile at the same time if stressed the right way.”



Lindalooked from the amulet to his face. He was inches away. She thoughtshe could smell him. “Do you ever only say one thing at a time?”

“Ofcourse, but only really important things.” He moved slightly, andthe amulet was clearly offered. Linda lifted her hand and covered it,her fingers touching his skin. It felt warm. Before she thought aboutit too much she leaned over and kissed him.

Awesomecouldn’t slam the door behind him. They were automatic. He wantedto punch something.

Ithad all been clear when he woke up after the accident. He wasvirtually a god, immune to anything, stronger than anyone. Even thethinning hair filled in and growing spare tire had disappeared. Hehad been re-sculpted by the finest artist and made invincible.

Almostinvincible. Superheroes were nothing new and he knew there werevillains out there who were nearly on his level. They always lost. Onthe run, stuck in special prisons. No, those weren’t going to befor him. If he went the hero route he would be free to do anything hewanted and it was all good so long as he smashed the occasionalasteroid or beat the tar out of some wannabe super villain whocouldn’t see the real money and power was in the hero game.

Hewent to his data terminal. He had been trained on it, but only usedthe basic features. Awesome, whose real name was Reginald butabsolutely no one knew that, had been a lab tech before the accident.He looked completely different now so when he appeared as CaptainAwesome he refused to provide any of his crappy past. Now he was theone everyone looked up to, the one the girls swooned over, evenAmanda. She had taken him no more effort than the girls he picked upat bars.


Theterminal turned on and he watched the video of the fight with Ruler.Roger had added some data notes but they didn’t mean much toAwesome and he ignored them. He saw Ruler point something at Lindaand she fell from the sky. Then he waved a stick or something atAwesome. Did he use the stick on Linda too? No, that slut Amanda saidAwesome had been hit with something else.

Thinkingabout Linda boiled his anger higher. It was after that big fight withthe Sinister Seven. Kevin, that little punk, had gone with Nova andRapid to the hospital. Freedom had limped his nearly wrecked armorback to the tower. Awesome had just finished the press conference,letting everyone know he had saved the day and city for them, again.Then he returned to the Tower. Linda was there, alone in the controlroom, still in her torn costume.

Awesomehad always thought Linda was a babe, right out of a centerfold. Butshe was an alien and he worried she might have some weird disease, orthat the parts wouldn’t work like they were supposed to. Seeing herthere, leaned over the control panel, he realized they had to bemeant for each other. The perfect couple. He could see the photoshoots. Interviews where he slyly told reporters what she was likebetween the sheets. So he let her know he was willing to take her asa lover. If it turned out she had tentacles or something, well theycould still have the public face and he could find other girls on theside.

Lindaturned him down! Who did that alien freak think she was? Awesome wasthe greatest hero on the planet! And for that little pencil-neck,magic-rabbit wielding Kevin?

Awesomeforced himself to relax. He did occasionally destroy things bymistake and he didn’t want to have to ask for a new terminal.Everyone would think he had been worried about Kevin.



Kevin.The guy never got any press. Half the time he was here reportersnever mentioned him and he never got invited anywhere. The guy didn’teven have a costume, just wore whatever he had in the closet! Andweren’t magicians supposed to have top hats and canes and stuff?That chick from the Guardians had a cane that did all the actualmagic. Kevin was probably the same way. Just a regular guy with amagic rock or something. When Awesome found it he was going to takeit away and use it himself. Kevin would regret everything then.

Theguy never used doors. He just appeared there in the control room.Okay, maybe Awesome was being a little rough with that alien freakbut she had to know her place. Awesome had been vaguely aware the twoof them were together, but why would she stay with that loser whenAwesome was going to let her be with him? Kevin was probably justhappy any woman would pay attention to him.

Awesomehadn’t thought about it too much. He just went to shut Kevin up,then return to finish with Linda. That was the last thing heremembered until he woke up, three days later. Maybe Kevin had one ofthose sticks too? But Awesome had been bruised. He even had cuts thatwere still healing when he woke up. He hadn’t been cut since…wellbefore the accident. Kevin had been gone. Roger, who should have beenlooking to carry Awesome’s shoes around, explained Kevin had left,Linda was still on the team, Awesome was still on the team, andnothing like that was going to happen again.

Awesomewasn’t an idiot. Looking back perhaps he had gotten too close tothe line. Heroes got all the swank, villains got small rooms and badclothes. He hadn’t tried anything again, but doubted they could gethim off the team. The Super Squad was the premier team of Super Cityand he was the greatest hero in the world. Without him this teamwould be nothing, which is why they hadn’t tried to kick him off.They needed him.



Nowthat little rabbit wielder was back. Why? What had caused him to showup now? That alien freak must have called him. Ruler, maybe? No, theyhad faced worse than him. Ruler had just gotten lucky. Next timeAwesome was going to shove that stick where the sun didn’t shine.

Theterminal chimed and Roger’s face appeared. “Awesome, TheLightning Lord is back along with Mystic and Angel from theGuardians. Briefing starts in five minutes.” Then he disappeared.The guy didn’t show any respect for this betters.

Amandawatched the video again. The people falling, then flying back up asthe building rebuilt around them. Awesome, if he bothered, might havebeen able to catch some of those people before they hit the ground.Linda, who would have tried if she had seen, would have been able tosave fewer. Amanda’s power, without something to run on (and thebuilding was definitely not stable enough for that), could not havehelped at all.

Therewere other videos, other pictures. It seemed whatever needed to bedone Kevin managed. Looking at the press clippings Kevin’s actionsalways were credited went to the team. In team efforts other heroes,frequently Awesome, got the praise. It was like he didn’t evenexist. It would have driven Amanda crazy for others to get the creditfor what she had done but Kevin had stayed with the team for years.Right until after the final battle with the Sinister Seven.

Villainteams had appeared off and on over the years. They rarely stayedtogether and generally broke down under the pressure from super heroteams. A team of heroes was easily able to handle any single supervillain. The Seven were different. They appeared on the scene as ateam. The first few years they were just a street story - somethingyou heard from toughs looking to instill fear or get a lightersentence. Independent heroes were hearing it so much they sent wordto super teams there might be a new threat in town.


TeamJustice hadn’t formed yet so it was just the Guardians and theSuper Squad. They had no idea where to start looking but theirinterest was enough to get the Sinister Seven out into the open. Itwas two years of conflict, some of the worst crime and damage SuperCity had ever seen, before the Super Squad managed to locate theSeven’s base and move in.

Therewere no details of the battle. The Library only had sketchyinformation on the Seven themselves but after that battle Nova, whohad been team leader and barely survived, retired. Rapid spent monthsin the hospital and never regained his full abilities. Linda matured,acting much less confused by the actions of the people around her.Freedom had to rebuild his armor. Kevin left the team.

“INDEX?”Amanda asked.

“Proceed.”

“Whydid Kevin leave?”

“Iam sorry, that information I cannot provide.”

Amandalooked up, which was silly but she couldn’t help it. Where did youlook when who you were talking to was everywhere? “I’m sorry?”

“Icannot provide you with the answer to your query.”

“Youdon’t know?”

“Ihave the information you requested, but I am unable to provide it.”


“Idon’t understand. I thought I had full access.” Amanda wonderedif there was a special code thing she wasn’t given yet. Awesomeprobably had it.

“Youdo have full access and the information is stored in the Library, butI will not assist you in locating it.”

Giventhe amount of information in the Library that meant she’d neverfind it. “Why not?” She asked, a bit harshly.

“Idon’t think it is my story to tell.” A pause. “The LightningLord has returned from the Golden Guardian with Mystic and Angel.Freedom states there will be a briefing in five minutes.”

“Areyou avoiding my question?” Amanda asked. Five minutes was foreverto her.

“No.There is no more information I can provide in this matter.”

“Hmmph.”Amanda stood, deciding she should change into something less burned,and headed for her rooms.

Kevin’slips were warm and soft against her’s and Linda felt somethingrelax when he returned her kiss. His arms came around her leaving theamulet in her hand. She leaned closer to him, deepening the kiss,feeling herself want more. It had been years since she had seen him,years since she had kissed anyone.

Heended the kiss too soon, pulling back. Not leaving her space, movingjust enough their lips parted.


“I’vemissed you.” Linda whispered.

Hesmiled. Linda knew he could say. He had only ever been as far away asthat crystal. She had missed him, sometimes desperately, but shehadn’t called him back.

“Idon’t know if I like this life anymore.” She said. “But Isuppose it might be over anyway.”

“Oh?”

Shefelt his breath on her face and turned her head slightly so she couldlook into his eyes. “You know. I don’t have my powers anymore.Something Ruler did, I can’t…”

Hestopped her with a finger pressed against her lips. “LL andMystic…and Angel apparently…are about to land. In a few minutesRoger will call and ask us to come a briefing. In the mean time Ithink you should head to the garden and get some sun.”

Lindapulled him closer. She had wanted to stay there with him but hegently removed himself from her arms. He took the amulet from her andlowered it over her head, centering it carefully on her chest.

“There.Now, off to the garden with you. I will see you in the briefing roomin a while.” He stepped back.

Shecould tell he wanted more too. Instead she gave a small laugh. “Yesdoctor.” Then turned and headed out. Some sun?



Roger,back the in the Freedom armor, watched as Lightning Lord led Angeltoward the landing pad on the Tower’s roof. Angel was carryingMystic. Other members of the Guardian’s, the Sponge and Amethyst,were heading out to deal with the large number of minor and majorvillains who were taking advantage of the three teams being lockedup. The Independents were holding the line but it was a mess. SirPercival, the last member of the Guardians, headed for the Hall,headquarters of Team Justice. They weren’t answering calls, butafter working out how the Golden Guardian had been sealed it wasexpected the Hall would be open a lot faster.

Angeldropped Mystic lightly on the roof before landing himself, foldinghis massive wings back. The Lightning Lord landed closer to the doorthen led them inside. It was a short flight of stairs to the commandcenter briefing room.

“Where’sIncredi-Girl?” Lightning Lord asked. Code names only in front ofguests.

“She’llbe here in a moment. Captain Awesome is up now too, and will behere…”

Awesomeswept into the room. He took a seat as far from everyone else as hecould and pulled the chair next to him out a little, looking at TheLightning Lord. LL just looked confused. Roger was glad for his armorsince it hid the smirk on his face at Awesome’s behavior.

Freedomstepped up to Mystic and extended a hand. The arm moved silently andwas almost human like. Mystic, the leader of the Guardians, had metFreedom several times and didn’t hesitate to take the metal glove.“Thank you for coming.” He said



“Iapologize for not coming sooner when our aid would have beenmore…timely.” Mystic answered. Her voice, everything about her,reminded Freedom of Kevin.It wasn’t like she did or said the samethings but there was something. Maybe it was just the quietconfidence without any pride or arrogance. Freedom was confident, buthe was also full of pride in his armor, in the technology and skillthat went into building it and he wasn’t afraid to show it. Mysticand Kevin seemed on a whole other plane about such things. Kevin wasalso several leagues above Mystic on the power scale. Maybe it wasjust a magic thing.

Freedomextended his hand to Angel who was built on the same scale as thearmor. Over seven feet tall and sculpted like a roman statue, exceptfor the giant white feathered wings on his back. He wasn’t bulletproof. When shot or stabbed he would bleed like anyone but that wasall he seemed to do. It never slowed him down. Despite the physicsbeing a bit shaky he could carry a lot when flying. He had caughtFreedom in midair, back when Angel lived in the Tower, before hemoved to the Golden Guardian and joined the Guardians.

Freedomgestured at the table. “Don’t worry about it Mystic. Ruler had agood plan. He certainly taught us a few things. Next time we will bea bit tougher.”

LLspoke up. He hadn’t moved any further into the room and was stillglancing frequently at Awesome. “Have you heard anything furtherfrom him?”

“No,”Freedom answered, “but I have learned a few things.”

Everyoneturned as the door slide open and Kevin walked in alone. Freedom hadsent a message out to both of them to attend the briefing assumingthey would be together. Perhaps they were arriving separately forappearances? It hadn’t been an issue before, but that was before.Without turning Freedom watched Awesome on his internal monitor. Theother hero didn’t so much as twitch.


“Kevin!”This from Mystic, who quickly moved over and took his hand in both ofhers. “You are back?” Mystic didn’t know the full details ofwhy Kevin had left but she had contacted him through other channelsfor assistance while he had been gone. She looked at Freedom, thenback at Kevin.

“Fornow, at least.” Kevin said, giving Mystic an almost fatherly pat onthe cheek. They looked the same age but Kevin looked the same as whenFreedom first met him six years earlier.

“Incredi-Girlfelt given the nature of Ruler’s threat, Kevin might be helpful.”He said.

Mysticnodded. There was light of comprehension in her face but Freedom knewshe understood when she spoke again. “Jezebel’s tree.” Sheglanced at Angel who was staring at the two of them. “Ah, ofcourse. You have never been introduced.” She moved a few stepsallowing Kevin to approach the tall hero. “This is Angel. I believehe arrived in Super City not long after you left.”

Angeltook a half step forward ignoring Kevin’s offered hand. “I knowyou. I feel like I should know you.”

Kevin’ssmile deepened. “Everyone knows me. You can call me Kevin. I wouldlike to thank you for taking Mystic under your wing, so to speak. Onecan never have too many friends.” He pushed his hand forwardanother centimeter or so and Angel seemed to notice it. He took it.

“Thankyou.”

Freedomhad been watching Awesome who’s eyes had narrowed some at Angel’sreaction. Freedom didn’t know what to make of it either. Angel hadappeared in a crater in the middle of an Iowa corn field with nomemory of anything before waking up. He’d arrived in Super Cityabout six months after the battle with the Sinister Seven. Kevin hadbeen gone by then. Maybe Angel and Kevin had met before he crashlanded in Iowa. But wouldn’t Kevin remember?


Kevinturned back to Freedom. “Incredi-girl went to the garden for somefresh air and said she would be down shortly. We can start withouther.”

“What?”Awesome asked.

“Areyou sure that’s a good idea?” Freedom asked. The garden was a fewlevels below the landing pad and wrapped the Tower. It was visible toother buildings. With various super villains running around thinkingthey had a free pass for the day and Incredi-girl currently withoutpowers…

“Ithink it will do her immeasurable good.” Kevin said. He movedtowards a seat, adjusting his tie. Freedom couldn’t say why but hehad the distinct mental impression of the amulet Kevin had givenIncredi-girl years ago. She had worn it for years after he had leftonly stopping when Freedom wasn’t able to repair the chain. Kevinmust have fixed it. Freedom bet she had on it now.

“Sobriefings are optional now?” Awesome asked. “Because franklythere are other things I would rather be doing.”

LLhad started around the table towards the seat Awesome had pulled outfor him but stopped at this, looking at the other hero in somethinglike shock. LL had been under Awesome’s influence sincearriving.This pause was the closest thing to backbone he had shown ina while. Freedom was impressed.

“Technically,”Freedom replied, opening documents remotely through this armor’sinterface, “membership is optional. The briefings are required formembership, but it certainly won’t be the first time we weren’tall here for one. And I would point out you miss most of themanyway.” This last was a little petty, and Freedom regretted sayingit once it was out of his mouth. Awesome opened his mouth to speakagain when Speed-Girl, in a fresh costume, dropped into a chairapparently from thin air.


“DidI miss anything?”