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𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗘 𝗜. The Truth About Heroes

You don't know who is important
to you until you actually lose them.
📜 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗶

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎

❛ I 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 you, Luke. ❜

COLETTE SHOOK HER HAND OUT AS THE ACHING GREW MORE PRONOUNCED. She had been diligently signing books for the past half-hour, and her hand was finally showing the strain from the repetitive motion. The tall pile of signed books beside her feet showed how much she signed.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Colette closed the signed book in her lap and placed it onto the growing pile of signed copies, her mind drifted back to the video her father had shown her just twenty minutes ago.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette walked toward her father's office just as Marie strode past her with a devastated look. Colette's eyebrows furrowed, and she peered over her shoulder in curiosity before continuing on to her father's office.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As the large doors shut behind Colette, she turned to her father with a curious expression, pointing at the doors. "What was that about?" she asked.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Brink intertwined his fingers and rested them on his desk before he looked up at his daughter. "Sacrifice," he said, offering a single word that left Colette with more questions than answers.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Wordlessly, Brink retrieved his phone from his desk, tapped on the screen, and handed it to his daughter. Colette accepted the phone, her brows furrowing and her lips pressed into a thin line as she watched the video displayed on the screen. The video displayed the dying woman at the bar with Marie standing over her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The video displayed a news report with a reporter speaking in a voice-over. As Marie held her hands near the woman's neck, her blood powers worked to force the lost blood back into the woman's neck. The reporter's voice explained, "Last night at Skyscraper Club, this lady fell bleeding. This woman appears. She saved the girl's life."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Brink's phone shut off, and Colette handed it back to her father as he spoke. "You, Jordan, Andre, and Luke are going all the way. You guys will save thousands of lives. Four heroes are better than one."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette took a deep breath before standing up from the couch in her father's office. "I'm gonna head down to Vought A Burger. Do you want a Big Homie Burger?" she asked.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Brink looked up from his paperwork and shook his head, declining the offer for a burger. He then tilted his head at Colette and added, "You know, Colette, you should consider writing another book."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette let out an exasperated sigh, "Dad."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Brink tilted his head at his daughter with a stern look, "It's just something to think about."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette, however, couldn't help but entertain the thought that her father might be suggesting she write another book for the purpose of generating media attention and making headlines.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette nodded at her father and left his office. As she walked out, she spotted Luke approaching. "Morning, Golden Boy," she greeted him with a small smile.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀However, Luke didn't even acknowledge her as he continued walking toward Brink's office, leaving Colette with a frown of confusion. She decided to move on and soon spotted Jordan, who was in their female form a few yards away.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette called out to Jordan, who slowed their pace and turned to face her. She took a deep breath before continuing, "I'm...I'm sorry about last night. We're...friends, I guess," she admitted.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan quirked up an eyebrow and let out a small chuckle in response. "I feel like this is the best thing I'm gonna get from you, so apology accepted, Cole," they said with a teasing tone. "But you're gonna have to make it up to me. You kind of hurt my feelings," Jordan added with a wink.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette nodded with a soft smile, "You got it."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀From the corner of her eye, Colette noticed Marie approaching with a determined yet irritated look. "Do you two know?" Marie asked suddenly, stopping both Colette and Jordan in their tracks. "What Brink's doing to protect you?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette felt a sense of unease, her spine bristling, as Jordan tilted their head and asked, "What are you talking about?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Weird," Jordan huffed before they continued walking down the long hall.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀After a moment of comfortable silence, Colette glanced over at Jordan and suggested, "Do you want to go to Vought A Burger with me? I can start making it up to you with an Octo-Pie."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan glanced at Colette with a growing smile, "Only if you add a Black Noir Shake to the order."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette let out a small giggle, "Deal."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Moments later, Colette heard scurrying footsteps behind her, and then a voice filled with urgency called out, "Run!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Before Colette or Jordan could react, a body slammed into both of them, sending them crashing into the row of lockers to their right.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As the world spun around her for a moment, Colette gradually regained awareness and realized that it was Marie who had collided with her and Jordan. Blinking, she processed the situation, while Jordan angrily confronted Marie, saying, "Hey, what the fuck?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Marie didn't have a chance to respond as a venomous voice rang out through the hallway, "Marie!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette and Jordan swiftly turned around to see Luke, completely naked and his body aglow with fire, skidding to a stop just a few yards from them.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan cautiously approached Luke as the flames around his body subsided, revealing him in his full, unclothed form. Colette, on the other hand, maintained her focus on Luke's face, keenly aware of the fact that, if she looked down a few inches, she'd see his dick.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Uh, Luke, what's, uh..." Jordan paused, glancing behind them to see Marie in a defensive stance and Colette leaning against the lockers with a huff, "What's going on?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke remained silent and simply gazed at Jordan with tears welling up in his eyes.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette heard the sound of a knife being drawn, and she turned her attention to see Marie holding a pocket knife. She subtly motioned to Marie to lower the knife before returning her gaze to Luke. However, as she locked eyes with him, all she could see was a deep sense of misery in his eyes.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Maybe..." Jordan began, their eyes briefly flickering downward to Luke's pelvic area, "Maybe put your dick away?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke took a sharp breath, his expression hardening, and ordered, "Move."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan straightened their back and assumed a defensive stance, firmly stating, "Not until you chill out."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette's eyebrows furrowed as she pushed off the lockers and took a step closer to Luke, her expression filled with concern. However, she was unable to get too close, as Jordan extended their arm to prevent her from approaching further.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Her gaze shifted from Jordan to Luke, her tone filled with empathy as she urged, "Luke, we can figure this out, okay? You just need to tell me what's wrong."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette thought she briefly glimpsed a hint of vulnerability in Luke's eyes, but it disappeared almost instantly. He gritted his teeth and uttered, "Move." Colette shook her head, prompting Luke to narrow his eyes, and suddenly flames burst from his body.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette let out a small gasp, reacting quickly by grabbing Jordan's arm, and her own eyes briefly flashed purple.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Then her vision was engulfed by the flames flaring from Luke's body and towards her and Jordan.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀After the flames had dissipated, Colette experienced a sudden change in her physical form. She looked down at her body, which now appeared more masculine, no boobs in sight, and with a chiseled appearance.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀She had transformed into her male form with Jordan's abilities.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette and Jordan had both transformed into their male forms. Jordan, with a sense of urgency, motioned for Colette to go toward the end of the hall. Jordan's tone left no room for hesitation as they urged, "Go, Cole! Now!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette rapidly shifted back to her female form and nodded. She had only used Jordan's powers once before during training, and that had resulted in an accidental energy blast hitting Cate. She realized she'd likely just get in the way now.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette sprinted down the hall with Marie ahead of her, but she couldn't resist a quick glance back. In that brief moment, she saw Luke brutally slam Jordan, who was in their female form, onto the ground before delivering a powerful kick, sending them sliding across the hall and past Colette.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Witnessing Jordan's fall to the floor, Colette's rage ignited, and she swiftly turned to face Luke, her fists clenched and determination in her eyes.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Summoning all her energy and determination, Colette concentrated on the power coursing through her, creating a potent energy sphere in her hands. She released it with a cry, directing the energy projectile toward Luke with all her might.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Taking advantage of Luke's momentary vulnerability, Colette harnessed Jordan's enhanced agility, rapidly closing the distance between them. With a quick and powerful kick to Luke's chest, she sent him tumbling backward, causing him to fall onto his back with a grunt.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette raised her foot, intending to slam it into Luke's chest, but he rolled out of the way just in time. Her foot instead landed forcefully on the ground, causing a large crack to appear under the pressure.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke, taking advantage of the situation, used his superhuman speed to lunge forward and deliver a powerful punch to Colette's gut. The impact sent her flying several yards away.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke, capitalizing on the situation, used his superhuman speed to lunge forward and deliver a powerful uppercut to Colette's gut. The impact sent her soaring into the ceiling, and for a moment, everything went black. She then fell to the floor with a heavy thud, wheezing as she did.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette struggled to regain her senses as she lay on the floor, the ringing in her ears and the metallic taste of blood overwhelming her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette let out a strangled sound as Luke's hands wrapped around her neck, lifting her up into the air. Colette felt the heat of his flames running up his arms, and she wrapped her fingers against his wrist.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette desperately clung to Luke's wrist, her vision blurry and her face contorted in pain as the flames intensified. She struggled to breathe, gasping for air, but she refused to let go of his grip.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Instead, she focused on the energy thrumming just beneath his skin, and her eyes twinkled purple for a moment before flames ignited in her hair, and she didn't feel the heat anymore.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀All she felt was power.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With a surge of power, she managed to weaken his hold on her throat. Gasping for air, she kicked out with all her might, sending Luke staggering backward and releasing his grip on her neck.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀In a quick moment, Colette pulled her foot back to kick him, but he grabbed her ankle, yanking at it harshly. Falling back to the ground, she groaned as her head hit the floor, the flames in her hair vanishing.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀In an instant, Colette pulled back her leg, preparing to deliver a swift kick. However, Luke was faster.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀His hand shot out, tightly gripping her ankle. With a forceful yank, she lost her balance and tumbled to the ground. A dull thud reverberated through the school foyer as her head made contact with the unforgiving floor.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke approached Colette with a predatory slowness, circling her as though she were prey. But just as he closed in, a stern voice sliced through the air, halting his advance. "Luke."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Without warning, Jordan surged forward, closing the distance between them and Luke in the blink of an eye. Mid-flight, their form shifted from female to male seamlessly. With an expertly executed punch, they struck Luke with brutal force, sending both of them crashing to the floor in a tangled heap.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan grunted as they sprang to their feet faster than Luke could react, driving their knee into Luke's gut.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke doubled over briefly, and in that instant, Jordan shifted back into their female form. They launched a series of punches, but Luke skillfully dodged each one with ease.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With a fierce cry, Jordan launched a punch at Luke's face, imbued with an energy blast. Luke reacted swiftly, blocking the attack with a well-timed move and countering with a powerful strike.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan, displaying remarkable agility, swiftly ducked low, avoiding the counterattack, before straightening and getting back into their fighting stance with slight disorientation.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Yet, that moment of disorientation was all Luke needed. He delivered a swift punch to Jordan's chest, forcing them to shift back into their male form to protect themselves.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette writhed on the floor behind Jordan, who lunged at Luke, using their body to slam the flaming boy back several feet.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jordan transformed into their female form and unleashed a powerful energy blast at Luke. The force of the blast sent him hurtling into the pillar that connected the first floor to the second.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke's back collided with the pillar, and a cry of agony escaped his lips. Gravity soon asserted its control, pulling Luke back to the ground.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀As Luke writhed on the ground, Jordan approached cautiously, tilting their head slightly. "Luke, it's going to be alright," they said with a reassuring tone, "Calm down."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀However, as Luke rose to his feet with a grunt and a clenched jaw, Jordan realized that Luke was too far gone.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀In the blink of an eye, Jordan switched to their male form, skillfully parrying Luke's relentless attacks. However, exhaustion was taking its toll. In another swift moment, they attempted to strike Luke with an energy blast, but he expertly blocked it and seized Jordan's neck, violently hurling them into a nearby pillar.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan cried out as the pillar gave way slightly, and they tumbled to the ground. Their back ached, and fragments of the shattered pillar pelted them, only adding to the pain.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette staggered to her feet, nearly losing her balance in the process, as Luke advanced on Jordan. He unleashed a large ball of fire, compelling Jordan to swiftly shift back into their male form once again.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan managed to rise to their knees just before Luke's powerful grip closed around their throat. With relentless strength, Luke hoisted them up the pillar. Jordan gasped for air, veins pulsating against their forehead as Luke's grip tightened.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jordan's eyes flickered closed as the air slowly drained from their throat.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A sudden, piercing cry filled the air as Colette launched herself at Luke, capitalizing on his flight abilities. Together, they smashed through the glass door entrance, hurtling out onto the field.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Gasps rippled through the front of the school as students watched the fiery spectacle on the field. In one fluid motion, Colette sprang to her feet with grace and advanced on Luke, who was also rising to his feet, his body still engulfed in flames.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Somewhere behind Colette, she heard Andre's voice calling out, but she kept her focus solely on Luke, maintaining a safe distance of a few yards between them.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Luke..." Colette muttered, her voice barely audible as he glanced around, the flames around him intensifying. "Hey!" She called out more forcefully, raising her voice to get his attention.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke turned to her with teary eyes, surrounded by onlookers recording the scene. Colette stepped closer to him, extending her hands. "Don't look at them," she implored. Despite her words, Luke's gaze wandered behind her, where she assumed there was a camera.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Luke, look at me!" she cried out, growing increasingly concerned about the absence of her father and his failure to intervene.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's just you and me," she spoke softly, her voice filled with reassurance. "It's always been you and me, Luke, remember?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀The flames surrounding Luke flickered and waned as he shook his head, his voice strained with regret. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette, not entirely understanding what he meant, played along and nodded. "I know, Luke. I know you. You wouldn't do something like this without a good reason."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke stared at her for a long moment, his expression filled with conflict, before darting towards her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"No!" Two voices called out in unison as Luke wrapped his arms around Colette. However, he didn't hurt her. The flames around his body dissipated, and he shuddered against her shoulder as she held him close.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I'm sorry," he whispered against her, and she felt his warm breath on her skin as she gently rubbed his back, "I'm so sorry, Lettie."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"It's okay," Colette whispered into his ear, fighting her own urge to cry, "It'll be okay, Luke."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke shuddered harder against Colette, his voice trembling as he cried, "I love you."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette froze. Those three words had never left her lips, not even to her own father.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"I..." Colette's voice wavered, and she swallowed her own fears, allowing a tear to escape from her eye. "I love you, Luke."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀From the corner of her eye, Colette spotted Jordan, now in their female form, at a distance. Jordan tilted their head, a silent question in their eyes, and Colette nodded in response, silently conveying that she was okay.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette turned her full attention back to Luke, who began to pull away slightly. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "I'm so sorry, Lettie. Andre's dad has it, and I hope you can forgive me."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Luke pulled away, her voice tinged with bewilderment. "Forgive you? Forgive you for what?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke remained silent, his gaze drifting around the field before finally locking onto someone behind him. Colette turned to see Andre stepping closer, and the two of them shared a long and heartfelt hug.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke gently withdrew from the hug, and Andre tilted his head, saying, "Luke, come on."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Luke shook his head, and his eyes ignited with flames as he looked at Andre and Colette. "I'm so sorry," he said, his voice filled with remorse.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Flames intensified around his body, and a single tear escaped his closed eyes. In an instant, he shot into the sky, soaring 300 meters above the ground.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette gazed up at the sky, her eyes fixed on the dimming flames around Luke's body. Time seemed to slow down around her. A deafening whoosh filled the air, and then the flames surrounding Luke intensified.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀He had detonated himself in the sky.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Colette could hear distant screams, but all she could feel was the sensation of blood and tiny body parts splattering against her.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄

The fight scene was so easy, I thought it was going to be harder. So much unnecessary stress..

Also, Cole is kind of giving protective girlfriend energy...👀

▍PUBLISHED . . 10/14/23 - ♡︎ ୫
© POETICLULLS, 2023