Kyle's POV

First day of school, take two.

"All eyes will be on you, Kyle, as you not only showcase the new you as part of the Beautiful Teens, but as part of the brotherhood that will undoubtedly show you the true path of manhood," my father intoned as he watched me get dressed in the blue-and-white Perry Ellis ensemble that Lita brought over the previous evening. "Everything that I've been working hard to get you to where you are and where you'll soon be is crucial for you right now. It's not about what you've been taught to cynically scorn or believe, son. It's like Marcel and his friends said. This is a new kind of cool, a wholesome yet powerful revolution that can bring in the wave of true American goals for the common teenager. And you're part of it all."

I nodded, taking deep breaths and biting my tongue to prevent lashing out at the man who had me become a part of his spawns.

"You don't see it right away because your previous mindset is still lingering in you," Dad commented sharply as he came into the room and stared me down, making me face him. "This can be a bit too extreme for you and I know that you still resent me for this, but think of this as a way to make you see that I'm doing this for your own good. Frankly, I'm doing this as a favor for your future. If you hadn't found out about all of this earlier than planned last week, you'd still be hating me for this. But what you want to believe and what you think is best for you is obsolete, a detriment to what's really important for your life. Can't you see that?"

I exhaled deeply. "I want to," I replied calmly, giving him a neutral look. "But this is all...complex, in a way."

"It's not complex unless you make it, Kyle," I heard my mother say as she came into my room and joined Dad. "Honestly, we don't see why you're thinking that this isn't meant for you. But would you rather be happy being ignorant and lost in your cynical mindset of hating jocks and anyone who can bring out the best of you, living in a dead-end world where you're outside looking in?"

"You wouldn't, son, and you know it," Dad answered before I could get a word in edgewise. "You'd be still hateful and lost in your mind of what could've been and should've been yours. This is why your mother and I had to move you here to Berkeley and get you to come out of that shell of yours. It's been dragging you down for the longest and it's getting very pathetic and I'm not going to allow it."

"Dad, I'm only doing this because you threatened the lives of my grandparents- Mom's own flesh and blood- alongside Tamarious and his crew if I didn't fall in line with your plan," I replied harshly, now starting to get pissed off. "You said that you'd do anything to get what you wanted, meaning that I would have to give up all that made me who I was so I can be your clone. Well, as long as I'm intending to fulfill my end of the deal, you're going to keep away from those people and let them live their lives."

"Oh, I will keep my word," Dad sneered, "but you're not going to be anywhere near them, not by a long shot. Marcel and the boys and I will make sure that every bit of your free time is spent either with us, on the swimming/diving teams, or at the Titan Club headquarters where we'll make sure to make you into a REAL Titan and embracing your identity as Kevarix. You have a giant stake to claim as part of my brotherhood. And whether you want to or not, you're going to own it and rule the world with a powerful fist."

"We all have invested a lot in you, Kyle," came the smooth and dominant voice of my alter-ego Kevarix that's now a part of me. "And as I've said before we consolidated our souls into one being, the time for remaining stubborn and cynical is now gone. You're meant for so much greater things. It's time to let people know that you're meant to become a part of the coming revolution."

I shakily inhaled, knowing that I was still not used to my Titan alter-ego being one with me.

Dad circled me, looking at me wearing the outfit that Lita brought over. "Lisa, tell the Dermotts that there's a change of plans," he instructed Mom. "I think that people should get a firsthand glance at Kyle being his new self."

"How's that?" I couldn't help but ask aloud.

And judging from the grin on his face, something told me that I wasn't going to like the answer that would follow. Not one little bit.

****************

I hated it when I was right.

"No fucking way!"

"Marcel Dermott and his friends, even Kyle and his Dad alongside the principal and vice-principal? They're the Titan Club?!"

"Holy fucking shit on Jesus toast. This is...fucking hell, man! And I thought I was prepared to see almost all of the guys who have superpowers! This is fucking nuts!"

"Oh, wow! I had a guess that these guys are superheroes, but Kyle's now part of them? And his dad, too?! I'm shooketh right now!"

Those were some of the statements being made by some of the non-superpowered students (all females and a remnant of the males) as the guys and I were now dressed in our superhero garb (Dad included as his Orynyx persona) with the other male students and teachers who also were known as members of the Titan Club. Much to my surprise, it was amazing to see the latter group (the male teachers and male students with powers) being comfortable wearing spandex and leather, as if finally free from hiding things from me since my arrival.

I, of course, wasn't feeling the mutual vibes going on.

"This is nice," Lita cooed as she and Diane (both dressed in Dolce & Gabbana outfits) walked on either side of me. "Kyle, you're now a part of the biggest team on the scene. And since you now know that Berkeley is full of male Titan Club members, you can bet your bottom dollar that you're going to be kept on your toes all the time, every time."

"That's for sure," Diane hummed before we stopped to see the arrival of Tamarious and Company, an unfamiliar young man who reminded me of my former self accompanying them with his parents. "Look who's here to see us all in action. And they got themselves a new friend."

I gulped, keeping my emotions in check as my circle of misfits soon approached me as Dad stood behind me. "They are no longer your friends," he said in my ear. Out loud, "Browning and friends, how can we help you?"

Mavis, dressed in her black leather glory, smirked as she stepped forward. "We're here to see if the rumors are true," she drawled. "And from where I could stand, you made your son into one of these...well, your kind."

"This is a sad day," commented Yesenia. To me, "Are you okay, Chico?"

"He is doing just dandy, Maldonado," Marcel intoned, his voice steely yet his face full of pep. "And as you can see, we're going to make sure that he no longer has any more dealings with either of you. Besides, you have yourselces a new friend to corrupt his mind with."

The young man stepped forward, taking off his sunglasses. "Oh, my. And I'm supposed to be afraid," he said in a thick Southern drawl. "I once was part of the Cub Scouts when I was in third grade. He got merit badges in elderly courtesy, wilderness survival, and wholesale bully prevention."

"And who are you supposed to be?" Dad sneered.

"Marion. Marion Da'Mir Lancaster," the teenager said formally. "I'm originally from DeSoto, Texas, and my family's from a long line of gospel preachers."

"Oh, goody. A preacher's kid," Kaleb snorted. "Look, kid. Why don't you run along with those new friends and leave Kyle alone. He's now a part of us and you're a part of them. Our worlds will never mix well."

The young man named Marion inhaled dramically. "To be continued," was all he said before motioning the Outsiders to follow him.

"See, Kyle?" Lita pointed out. "They moved on with their lives with someone new. It's time for you to do the same with us. No need to live in the past with old memories. Time to move forward and try something new."

"Exactly," Dad said as he same to my side and squeezed my hand. "The war between the Populars and the Rejects still goes on, Kyle. You can't be seen with anyone that's a detriment to our cause. I know that you miss your old lifestyles, but this is for the best. You can keep them safe and still embrace your new outlook on life. Everyone wins."

Except for me, I thought to myself. "But they're my friends," I rebutted weakly. "I really care for them."

Marcel came to face me. "If you really believe it, Kyle, then let them go and be a part of the in-crowd," he said gently. "Be a part of the solution and be a winner."

"Let's head to homeroom, guys," Diane commented. "We can fill Kyle in on his after-school schedule during lunch. And fair warning, Kyle. This week is going to be jam-packed to keep you filled in on your first week as a Titan. You'll thank us later."

Easy for her to say. She's not a superhuman with an overachieving family. I really hate this right now. And I really hated my life.

Poor Kyle, I wish I could say that things will soon get easier for him, but that means having to lie my ass off. In the next chapter, the day continues as Kyle's at lunch before heading to the Titan Club secret hideout for his official indoctrination. And let's just say that things will get wild!

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