Pamela walked almost purposefully down the hallway, to Bruce’s office. As she walked, she nudged plants that were beginning bud, encouraging them to grow. She didn’t even knock, but rather entered Bruce’s office. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, Pamela’s long red hair; usually wild, was tamed. For now. She leaned against the door frame, watching the man who had changed the world, and made a school for children and those with powers to come. The man who was the father of her child.

“She’ll be here soon, won’t she?”

She didn’t need to say who, she knew that both of them were thinking almost constantly about the daughter they gave up, just under 19 years ago. Her expression was a little vulnerable, and she knew worry showed on her face. The day was, truly, only just beginning, the sun rising in the wide open window, giving the day a bright orange highlight.

Pamela didn’t see it, not truly, her eyes on Bruce.

“I won’t let her go again, Bruce”

“..you think I will..? She’s my daughter too, Pamela.” Frowning slightly, Bruce lowered the files he had been looking over, placing them down on his desk before he turned his back to her, his dark gaze intent and staring out the window at the rising sun, watching on as the light washed over the academy bringing with it the dawn of a new day...

..the dawn of a new era- a better era…

He was a wreck; nervous. Probably as much as she was, maybe even more; though he did all that he could not to show it, instead keeping up the wall he had long ago built in order to harden himself from the hardships of the world.

Pamela watched Bruce, hesitating a moment. She had spent the last… well, several years going through stages of anger, and resignation. That didn’t mean that she wasn’t still hurting… and despite the hardened exterior Bruce erected, he was too. She sighed, going over to his desk and sitting on the edge of it. She glanced out the window as well.

For a moment, Pamela didn’t know what to say. Was there anything to say? Had she come here looking for a fight? Or comfort from the one person in the same situation as she? She wasn’t so sure. Which made it harder to know what to do. “She’s going to be angry… “ At least, Pamela knew she would be, if she was her daughter.

“And she has every right to be” Pamela added, having never quite been on board with leaving her child, like they had. Even if it had been the best thing for her.

“She won’t be the only one; though, she’s the only one that matters…” Frowning, Bruce shook his head lightly from side to side, an exasperated sigh falling out through his lips before eventually, he turned his head, his gaze flicking back to watch her out of the corner of his eye, “If she’s even the tiniest shred like either of us, she’ll get through this.”

Pamela was quiet for a few moments. She made no attempt at all to meet Bruce’s gaze, as she debated about admitting what she had done, just over a decade ago. Finally, she said “I sent her a letter when her abilities started to manifest” She said, knowing that they had both watched her throughout the years.

“..you did what..?” Anger clearly flashing behind his eyes, Bruce turned on his heel, giving her his profile as he turned his attention completely onto the woman leaning against his desk.

“She needed to know how to hide what she could do, and why”

Pamela never regretted doing what she had, and she would do it again, without question. She knew very well that Bruce would be angered by that, and she turned once more to face him.

“That wasn’t the deal, Pamela..!” His arms dropping back down to his sides, Bruce balled both his hands into fists, restraining himself from hitting anything around him by clenching his jaw. She had crossed the line this time… nineteen years- nineteen goddamn years, and he had kept his end of the deal, while working tirelessly in order to right the wrong they had done by giving her up, only to find that she had broken her word…

“You said once that I would be able to take your word; you swore to me when we made the choice to give her up. Was I a fool to believe you..?”

Pamela didn’t move, nor did she flinch at the anger in his voice, in his actions. Her expression, her gaze, was almost challenging. Fiery. And she realised maybe she had come here looking for a fight. For a split second, she nearly responded in kind, before she realised that letting her own anger get the better of her would get them nowhere.

She waited a few moment, before she said “I did what I had to do to make sure she stayed safe. What do you think would have happened, if someone saw what she could do? It isn’t as if there are many of us that can manipulate plants, and I wasn’t going to have her used against me; against us”

She rose, and suddenly her anger just disappeared, and all she was, was weary, worried, and more than a little afraid. “I stayed away from her, I didn’t go close, I didn’t do anything, other than make sure she wasn’t going to end up in danger! If you’re going to be angry about that, then be angry. But she’s safe, because I chose to do what I did. And I’d do it again. I should have told you, but it wouldn’t have changed what I did”

“No; she’s safe because of what I chose to do..!”

His angered voice filling the rather large office, Bruce narrowed his eyes, his chest heaving lightly up and down as he did what he could to control the mess of emotions flowing through him now he knew what had happened. She thought she had done what was best; but what she did could have put a bigger target on their daughter than any other. It was stupid… and there was no way he was going to allow something so reckless to happen again; not on his watch.

“We made this choice together. No contact until it was safe. You gave me your word, Pamela- and that is now something I will not take without a very large grain of salt.” over to where she was stood, Bruce’s arms shook lightly at his side, his dark eyes hard as he looked down at her, his voice deep… and filled with a venom he hadn’t used now in quite some time, “What you did was beyond reckless- you put our daughter at risk with your careless behavior, and I will not have it happen again.”

Now Pamela did flinch, but she stood her ground. “You can't call it a choice when it was the only option” she said softly, and she shook her head. “You're right. I did put her at risk, simply by being what I am. I passed my powers to her.” Fear filled her, not of Bruce- he couldn't hurt her anymore than she had herself- but of the idea that he might force her to stay away from her. She would not let that happen.

“When she walked outside… the reaction of plant life was more than obvious. What I did was a risk, but doing nothing was an even greater risk”

She let out a slow breath, “because I would have torn the earth apart to get her back from those that would use her. And I know you would have as well” Now she looked away, no longer wanting to see his expression.

“I'm sorry for leaving you out, but I'm not sorry for doing it”

Old habits died hard; and in his restraint of not reaching out and laying a hand on her, Bruce lifted it up, slamming his fist instead down into the tabletop of his desk, causing everything that was on top to rattle violently, some of it threatening to fall off.

“Then you should have come to me..!”

Sorry..? She was sorry for leaving him in the dark all this time..? Sorry for breaking all and any trust that he had in her..? It wasn’t good enough. Nowhere near it. Sweeping his arm across the side of his desk, he sent the student files he had been looking at flying, causing the papers within to scatter about the floor around them in his anger, “Ten years, Ivy. Ten fucking years you left me in the goddamn dark. Sorry doesn’t even begin to cut it. You’ve gone too far this time, and I’m not having it any longer.”

She should never have said anything. Why had she? He could never possibly understand what it had been, to know she had a choice to make. If she'd taken the time to return to Gotham, anything could have happened. Or nothing. But she hadn't wanted to take that chance.

She stepped back from him, her heart heavy with emotion. She couldn't even tell what emotions. “And just how did you want me to do that, Bruce? I all but hide away from any sort of attention, to have her. I ignored all that was going on, so that no one would know at all. And didn't truly go back to it. So how was I meant to, without arousing suspicion?” She was nearly just going to leave it there, but… she'd get nowhere if she did that.

She shook her head, looking back to him, making no effort to hide the emotions coursing through her. The complicated mess that for so long had twisted her about. “You're not having it? You can't change the past, and you sure as hell are going to stop me being apart of her life.

Nothing will ever stop me being apart of her life. Nothing.”

She met his gaze, tears swimming in her eyes, but she made sure none fell. She would never use tears as a weapon, on anyone. “I'm not going to miss anything in her life again. We don't even know what her first words were. Or when she first walked. What her favourite colour is. We don't know anything about her, anything that we should know”

When her voice shook, she swallowed, gaining some composure. “Sorry is all I have. You've already said you won't take my word without a grain of salt, so a promise seems redundant now” she said softly, not truly knowing where to go from there.

Her words hitting a nerve, Bruce turned away from her, his head dropping to stare at the polished wood as he leant over the desk, using his hands to keep him steady. He wanted to believe her- he knew she had changed, more than most others he had religiously faced off against throughout his past, but…

“..you broke my trust, Pamela…” His voice was soft as he spoke to her… a vast contrast to what it was moments ago when he had been yelling in anger, “..tell me... just tell me how I’m supposed to ever believe you after you kept this from me..? Because I want to… I just don’t know how I can…”

Pamela hesitated, for a brief flash of a moment, she felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff. Would her words shatter everything, even more than they already had? Yet there was really nothing to it, but utter honesty. She reached out, but stopped, dropped her hand back to her side, her voice soft, almost a whisper as she said “Because…” she stopped, reaching up to wipe away a tear that fell, before it could be seen.

She drew in a breath, “... I forgave you… for breaking my heart”

Her words stung... piercing through him like nothing before ever had, though he knew she was right. He had hurt her when he left her the way that he did- and though he did what he could to convince himself that he had reasons for doing so at the time, he wasn’t so sure that he believed himself, now… or even back then…

“..you’re right… I hurt you, Pamela; and by the time I finally realized the mistake I made by leaving you, it was too late…” Shutting his eyes a moment, Bruce paused, taking a moment to himself before he turned his head, his dark eyes showing the slightly vulnerable and emotional state he was in as he met with her gaze, “..you were gone… and I’d lost you…”

Pamela watched Bruce’s every movement, as if she could figure out what was going through his mind, and she didn’t look away when he turned to her, the words we all made mistakes dying away, instead she watched him for a few seconds.

She took a step towards him, “Bruce… “ they’d both made mistakes that they could never truly fix… And maybe that was okay. She reached towards him, this time following through. “Lost implies you can never find it again”

“..I don’t know if I can…” His voice soft, Bruce lifted his hand, reaching it across his body until it was resting lightly over her own, his gaze showing the honesty behind his words- he had lost her all those years ago after having made the mistake of leaving her… now he wasn’t so sure if he could find what they once had again…

She took another step towards him, so that she was almost touching him. “There's a saying, you never know, if you don't try” she flashed him a smile, there one second, gone the next. She looked up to him, and seemed to wait for a moment, almost it seemed giving him the choice.

His lips parting slightly from one another at her words, Bruce held her gaze, his eyes searching her own for any sign that this was a joke, though all he could find was the honesty behind what she had said; though it was that which caused him to hesitate. Was it really this simple..? Could he really just take that chance, and hope that it all worked out for the best..?

Watching her for only a few moments longer, he turned to face her, his hands slipping away from the desk to instead reach out, each taking a gentle hold of her sides as he took a step closer, the gap between them closing completely as he stooped his head down, his eyes holding hers for but a moment longer before he let them close, his lips pressing softly against her own in a gentle kiss.

Pamela returned his gaze, and as he took a hold of her, she moved into him, and returned his kiss, knowing that things would never be the same… but that was okay. She let her eyes close, taking comfort from the kiss, the contact. She didn't want to break away, but she did after a few moments.

No, things couldn't be the same… they hadn't been, for nearly nineteen years… but didn't mean things were lost. She smiled, a slow, small smile.

Lifting his hand up, Bruce used the back of his fingers to gently wipe the tears from her cheek, his gaze once more meeting with hers as he twisted his hand, using it to gently caress the side of her face, taking the moment to just look at her… to take in everything about her that he loved…

She was so beautiful; always had been, both inside and out. Passionate, fiery, always willing to fight for what it was that she believed was the right thing, even if it meant getting into trouble; and if their daughter was anything like her mother, anything like her at all, then by God he was clearly a very lucky man indeed, “..I’m sorry it took me so long, Pamela…”

She hadn't been aware of the tears, but it didn't seem to matter now. His gently touch brought faded memories back to life, and she sighed softly, keeping a hold of his gaze. For a fleeting moment, she thought on what it might be like, to be a family with their daughter…

She sighed again, letting the image fade. “Sometimes things take time… “ she said softly, silent for a few moments, before saying “I'm sorry, too”

She watched him, studying him, “and now we just have to face our daughter”

“..from now on; whatever choices we make… we make them together… as a team; a family. Like old times, Ivy; just you and me…” Using the hand left resting on her side in order to pull her closer, Bruce leant his head down once more, though this time so that he could rest his forehead lightly against her own; allowing himself a few moments to enjoy the feeling of once again holding her in his arms the way that he was, “..and now Phoebe as well…”

They'd never been normal, they would never be- the things they had done, seen? What they could do? Normal was a long way from that. Team… family… Pamela had long ago given up on that, not wanting to get hurt again, she had sounded confident in the face of Bruce’s… vulnerability… and his words…

You just had to take a chance.

She gave a small nod, “together” she agreed softly, staying as she was for a few moments, before pulling away slightly, knowing they had to start moving.

Phoebe would be there soon, with the other students. A difficult morning was going to become more so. She looked to Bruce and smiled, before moving over to the window, over the grounds of the academy, and to where she could see the gates. Any minute now, Phoebe would be walking through the grounds…

Maybe she already was, mixed in with the other students just starting to gather through the gates.

The dawn of a new Era, indeed.

---

---

Phoebe walked towards the Academy, the cab driver who had taken her rather confused as to why she was asking to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere, but Phoebe hadn’t wanted to take the schools transport. She had wanted to take the time to think a few things over, for the last few months, she had felt like she was being whipped about. She was going to the Academy, a school for meta-humans and those with abilities, like her, and had been invited months ago. The message had been signed by Bruce Wayne himself, and Phoebe looked down at that signature, wondering as she had then if this was just a generic message, to all prospective students. Or if it was a personal message from the Bat himself.

She stood, hovering over the note, another clutched in her hand, yellowed with age, and torn in some places from continued reading. A message from her mother. The only one she had ever received, the only one that let her know she wasn’t an orphan. The only thing she had off either of her parents. And it was just a message to tell her about her powers… and how to control them enough that she wasn’t going to be exposed.

Pamela Isley. Poison Ivy. Her mother. Over the years, Phoebe had verified what she could do against what was known about Pamela Isley’s powers, and there were similarities. Over the years, she’d come to believe the words were true… and tried to figure out who her father would be. Would she be meeting him, now? At the academy? What would it be like? It was oddly daunting, to meet one’s parents for the first time…

She looked up at the academy, a large series of buildings, all knew, all built within the last year, all shocking in their grandor, her eyes making out each separate building, as she sought to make sense of it all. Was this to be her home? Phoebe didn’t have much money, and uprooting her life to come to the school had dipped into her savings quite a bit, the thought that she’d have no where else to go if this didn’t work out was rather daunting, and yet… it wouldn’t be the first time she had nothing, nor did she expect that it would be the last. Her parents had proven long ago that they didn’t want her…

And she had survived in life this far because of herself… she could continue to do so, for the rest of her life. Her heart yearned however for someone to call “Mother” or “Father”. Someone that she could look at, and go… ”I have their eyes. Or nose. Chin. Hair…”. Just to know that she had some connection to her parents.

As the thoughts churned around and around in her mind, Phoebe realised she had been standing there for quite some time, the sun slowly rising above her. She swallowed, and grabbed her bag, gathering her courage as she did so, and starting towards the school, walking up the long drive to the gates, other students beginning to arrive as well. She wasn’t too sure what to expect, wasn’t too sure at all, it was the first day of school, and that was always a tricky period. She glanced about at her fellows, as she moved through the gates, one of the first students to do so.

---

"... Wow."

That was the only word that the redheaded young man could find to describe the campus before him. Having lived in Hub City all his life and being used to cramped skyscrapers and crowded city streets, an academy with wide open fields and a lake to boot seemed so... Foreign to him. In fact, one could say that he felt intimidated.

But he doesn't back down. His name isn't Franklin Roger Sage for nothing. His father resisted psychological torture in a Cadmus facility for a week straight. His mother survived seeing her family killed before her. Surely, he could survive living and learning in a simple academy if even a fraction of their combined willpower made its way into his genetics. Then again, willpower isn't exactly a genetic trait, so his willpower wouldn't be affected by...

"Shut up, Frank." Frank muttered to himself, shaking his head to clear it of these thoughts. He shouldn't think so pessimistically on the first day. Sure, it was true that willpower isn't a genetic trait so his resolve could be stronger or weaker than that of his parents, but that doesn't mean he should tell himself that considering it's meant to help him cope. His father was The Question, and his mother was Huntress, so naturally their offspring would be tough-as-nails.

To calm himself, Frank took a sip from the styrofoam cup in his hand, the sugary sweet coffee seeming to soothe his nerves ('Or maybe it's just feeding my craving for caffeine,' Frank mused mentally). In addition to this, he reached into his pocket with his other hand and petted Frankie, mostly just to ensure that his furry friend was there for him.

Yeah. He can do this.

Frank wasn't surprised to see he wasn't the first person there, glancing at his future peers as they arrived and taking note of how different they all seemed. He noted that one of them, a young woman maybe a year younger than him with bright red hair and blue eyes, was among the first to actually enter through the gates instead of just loitering around the entrance. Figuring it was unwise to prolong the inevitable, Frank sighed, chugging down the rest of his coffee as he made his way through the gates and onto the campus proper.

'I'm Frank fricking Sage. I can handle this.' He assured himself mentally, despite the anxiousness in his stomach ('Or perhaps that's just my stomach acting up from all the damned coffee,' Frank thought to himself). He wasn't going to back down now.

"I'm Frank fricking Sage." He repeated, this time aloud, and that seemed to give him the confidence he needed to get on with the day.

---

Cole clutched the duffel he had with one hand...a backpack slung across his back. He studied the school for a moment before exhaling. His father hadn't found him yet so clearly he wouldn't find him here. He strode from where he had been an air of confidence forming about him. For once he was dressed more casually...a black buttoned shirt sleeve shirt with a cuff of silver on each sleeve paired with a more casual pair of black pants ending with grey colored wing tip oxfords. His hair a bit tossled from flying earlier, but it worked on him.

Cole barely glanced at any of the other students. None of them mattered yet after all. Though a head of gleaming red caught his eye for a moment before he focused on walking. His steps light as he walked a bit away from the redhead. It was clear he had no idea how odd it was that he was walking behind anyway with how silent he was.

As Cole continued walking he pulled out a pair of sunglasses and put them on...adding to the display of confidence he seemed to have. Part of him wondered if he would find his mother here....or at least some skills to understand this realm. His hands then slid into his pockets. He heard a guy talking to himself and felt his mouth twitch. Frank frickin sage seemed to be building up courage.

---

Jonathan let out a sigh as he neared what he assumed to be the entrance to the school. From the amount of people there, he could only assume that much. Pearl and Lapis brushed against his legs and he stopped. He knelt down and brushed his hand against their heads to comfort them. At least the school allowed him to keep the two Ragdoll cats. They may not have been dogs but they were still pretty much trained to help him.

He stood up once more at the sound of someone talking to himself. Something about him being "Frank fricking Sage" and that he can do it. He wondered what he was up to. He searched for the person who was muttering to himself and landed on a rather nervous aura. He made a mental note of him. Frank Sage. At least he knows one name. Now time to figure out the others. And to memorize their voices. He had his work cut out for him after all. It reminded him of the first time he went to school. It was exactly like this. So much unfamiliarity.

He began to tap his cane against the ground again as he trudged on forward, careful to avoid the people around him. There was another person who had a different aura from the others - different from human. Huh, interesting. Then there was another one who seemed more distressed than the others. He walked forward rather aimlessly, aiming to find someone who knows the school layout well so he would be able to head towards his rooms. The school hasn't given him a map (that he could actually read) yet so he was going in blind.

Literally.

---

Megumi looked up at the building just beyond the school gate, in awe of what the place was to accomplish. A school for Superhumans, both Heroes and Villains. Her eyes lit up with anticipation, and she had her arms raised to her chest in excitement. The one year of peace between Heroes and Villains ever since the treaty was signed had led to this. She couldn't even begin to imagine what the future would hold. Ok, maybe a little.

Looking around, Megumi could see that her fellow schoolmates were not as enthused as she was. Some looked anxious, some looked confused, some looked..... like other things. That was fine, though. It was the first day of this new academy, and it was a fresh start for just about everyone here. Everyone was special, and no one was special. It was all perfectly fine. She began following the others through the school gate, ready to begin the day.

As Megumi walked, she heard a small growl. Immediately locating the source to be her stomach, Megumi determined that her usual hearty breakfast was not enough today. Fortunately, she had prepared snacks for just such a scenario. Rummaging through her bag, Megumi pulled out a small bun filled with ham and cheese and popped it into her mouth, savoring the taste as she ate it. Hunger abated for now, Megumi began to find someone for her first goal: make a new friend at the academy. Instantly locking onto the redhead who had been one of the first to enter the gates, Megumi walked over to her, looking Phoebe in the eyes as she waved and said, "Hello. My name is Megumi. Nice to meet you." She would still have the same expressionless face and quiet emotionless voice as always, but perhaps things would be different this time around.

---

---

---

---

Things here were vastly different from what they were back home…

Turning her head so that she was able to glance out the window, Naevia shifted her body over the backseat of the limousine, her legs crossing over one another as she watched the scenery passing them by- this world… it was hardly believable that this city shared the very same Earth as the savanna’s she had roamed all her life. While her own home was so vastly technologically advanced, it still held fast to the deep culture and traditions of their people; this city was so… busy…

The gentle growl emanating from her left catching her attention, she tore her gaze away from the cityscape, instead allowing it to linger over one of the two large animals that laid at her feet as the sound of her mother’s voice filled the air, commanding her ear, even though her dark eyes remained fixed upon the felines lain on either side of her.

“..Naevia… una kiila kitu unachohitaji..?”

“Yes mother. And should I have trouble, I shall seek out father for guidance.” An annoyed expression flickering across her otherwise gentle features, she reached out a hand, her fingers disappearing into the soft mane of the lion closest to her- Kovu… he was always so much more docile than his brother, Crixus, though both had always been gentle and full of love when it came to her. But then she supposed that was inevitable when she had been the one to raise them from cubs.

Taking a few moments to relish within the memories that flickered across the forefront of her mind before eventually, her attention was brought back over to the woman sitting opposite her- her mother… Mari McCabe… The woman was a beauty; both a model and an actress- one that was known throughout the world for her photo-shoots and roles on TV and the big screen, “..tamaa… you have nothing to fear for me…”

“I shall always fear for you, Naevia. You are my daughter… the heir to Wakanda, and voice of the animal kingdom.”

Her attention caught by the stirring of her lion’s as the limousine slowed to a stop in front of the academy gates, Naevia made no move to get out, she knew better than to interrupt her mother while she was in the middle of one of her lectures… even if it happened to be one of her smaller ones. Remaining silent, she kept her gaze on the woman sitting before her eyes, letting her know that despite the fact that she might not like it, she had her full and utter attention at that precise moment.

“..be sure to never forget where it is you come from…”

“..ndiyo mama…” Bowing her head out of respect towards her mother, and of what it was she was asking of her, Naevia began to move, climbing out of the limousine and back onto her feet as the driver opened the door for her. Things were going to be very different from now on…

Her gaze torn from the large and rather imposing buildings that were spanned out behind the cast iron walls surrounding the academy, Naevia’s attention fell, watching on as the two lion’s followed her lead, each of them taking up their place on either of her sides. It didn’t matter that she was being uprooted from her homeland in order to take up the invitation, and to attend the academy for those who were (in her father’s words) like her… none of that mattered…

With Kovu and Crixus by her sides; she would always have a piece of home with her… she would never be alone…

“..kuja…” The single word fell from her lips confidently, causing each of the lion’s to growl contently in response as the three began to make their way forward and through the gates into the academy, her arms swinging lightly back and forth at her sides in time with her hips as she moved.

“..baba amepanga kwa ajili ya malazi yetu…”

Barca carried nothing with him, why would he, when he already had a room? His father had already arranged it, and Barca wasn’t one to lug things with him. He fully expected to just breeze through this academy. What could he learn, that he didn’t already know? He drove to the school in his own vehicle, shamelessly ignoring signs- why would he bother, when he already knew what they said? -and speeding on ahead, making his way in good time towards the school. He slowed when he reached the grounds, but didn’t enter the school gates, instead, he pulled to a stop. He looked towards the school, not terribly impressed, but he had seen the plans, the working for it all… in his mind.

Even now, he could bring it to mind, the entire layout of the school… He closed his eyes and sighed a little wearily, taking himself to the part of his mind that wasn’t overrun with information. Sometimes, even with his incredible will power and consciousness, Barca enjoyed not having to shift through countless information to hear his own thoughts. He sighed heavily, and leaned back in his chair. Why would he want to be the first one there? Then he wouldn’t be able to appear important. Letting his abilities range, he touched the minds of several people near him. There weren’t many that appeared interesting enough for his attention.

One girl was in agony over her parents, that she might actually meet them… that could be fun. As he searched for information about this girl in his mind, this Phoebe, he was shocked to find that there was nothing written down about her, not even a birth certificate, or even a student file that would connect her to super parents aside from one note, written by Pamela Isley; A.K.A Poison Ivy. Frowning over that lack of information, he moved onto the next person.

Some guy was chanting 'I'm Frank fricking Sage. I can handle this.' in his head, and Barca rolled his eyes at the almost child-like behaviour, not even bothering to search further into his store of mind for anything else about him, figuring dealing with the guy would be tedious at best, and downright agonising at worst. One boy... one boy he couldn't even seem to get a read on. He frowned over that, trying to find a way in, but not succeeding. It was like trying to hold onto air, it just parted around his fingers and left him with nothing. Now that certainly was interesting... the boy didn't seem to even notice his presence, was he aware that he could do what he was? Leaving the boys thoughts, Barca was rather thoughtful for a few moments, pondering over what he had learned so far, and how he could use it to his own advantage. And thoughtful on why that boy was immune to his telepathy.

Shaking his head, he once more began to dip into others minds, not finding anything wrong with doing that. He hastily retreated from one guys mind, who was going a little moony over his cats- Cats for goodness sake! He opened his eyes, his gaze turning towards his white owl, in his cage. Glaber. The rather gorgeous owl was asleep, and Barca knew the animal would be until night. He’d take the owl over any other animal any day. Sighing, he returned to his spying, everything he gathered from those he read being stored away, for later use. If it was worth it, of course. One girl was getting a little philosophical Everyone was special, and no one was special. He laughed aloud at those words. If only she knew. Chuckling to himself, he made a move to get out the car, stopping as he saw a limo pull up nearby. He raised an eyebrow, wondering who was important enough to warrant an escort in a limo. He focused his telepathy on the limo, and the girl within it, not even bothering to follow the conversation she seemed to be having with her mother, at least not having it being his focus. Why bother, when he didn’t know if it was worth it yet? The girl seemed to thinking about… Africa? That was enough to intrigue his interest- there were only a few supers he knew off that were from Africa. For a brief moment, he tuned into the conversation the two appeared to be having, following the girl’s thoughts as he did so.

Sadly, the conversation seemed to be a lecture of some sort from the girl’s mother and Barca sighed softly. He waited for the girl to get out, before doing so himself, watching her with two lions. He retrieved Glaber from the back seat, carrying the cage by his side, he waited a moment or two before following the girl, a little wary about the lions… although he supposed he could always blast them away if he wanted to. So, what did he have to fear?

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Alexis woke up with a single thought in her head.

" First day begins " she repeated the words as a mantra the whole morning. While doing the morning exercises, while showering, while doing everything.
The only moment when her thoughts finally stopped was when she arrived at the Academy.
Her eye color changed to a bright red that seemed as if they were glowing and the cab driver didn't seem to care at first but when her hair color turned black, red, green and again red, he seemed scared.
Alexis smiled at him with a razor sharp teeth that grew as the cab driver looked at her and said with a voice that sounded angelic in a way, completely the opposite of her appearance.
" Don't worry. I don't bite. " she paused long enough for the driver to try to smile and say something when she added " Much. " she threw a 100$ bill at the driver and left the taxi, all while laughing at the scared face of the driver.

" This will be fun. " she thought.

Alexis looked at the Academy and the students that were entering it. Kids mostly but some looked older, almost near drinking age. She shook her head in annoyance and her hair color once again changed it's color into black and then back to a fiery red. Only her eye didn't seem to change, they were still glowing red.

Scanning the scene more closely, Alexis saw a guy looking at every new person entering the Academy campus, a girl with a few lions and nothing else of importance to her. She light up a cigar, took a deep drag from it and entered the campus.

@Caits

The young woman's expression was stiff and decided. The circumstances that brought her to the academy she was none too pleased about. Placed here by her human caretakers, if they could be referred as such, for the purpose of educating and integrating her into their culture. A detestable venture in her own mind as she wanted nothing to do with this world or the people on it. Many of them were rude or uncivilized, not warranting her time or attention.

Thus far she'd not spoken to or looked at anyone beyond a simple glance. Accustomed to hauling her own things around she had impatiently hauled a small case of luggage. Having arrived on the planet in biosuit it seemed she had nothing suitable to wear and was provided simple human clothing. She wore a simple white dress lightly adorned with pink flowers. They had refused to give her anything more. Such treatment put off the alien and the mood lingered even now.

Observing the facility it was at least clean in appearance and comparable in size to some of the nobles academies. The experience shouldn't be altogether terrible, present company excluded. The myriad of different people made her wonder just how chaotic this place must be to produce so many variations. As she understood they did not adapt in the same way as she which meant that they were often locked into whatever form they were born. Glancing down at her own hand she made note of her own skin tone. It had changed twice already, the environment of earth playing havoc on her life cycle. It was a much more human skin than the purple or blue that she ordinarily had. having never been off Suteruraru she had merely heard stories that visits to other words resulted in physiological changes to fit in with the locals. Still she had retained her strikingly colorful hair, of which Esuterura was pleased to have not lost in the turmoil.

Whist thinking to herself she became aware of an individual poking at her mental barriers. The boy had no luck getting into her mind, she be far more adept and arguably in another league when it came to telepathy. Without looking she shot back a message to Barca. "It's not polite to intrude on others thoughts, boy." The communication carried with it a fair amount of power like a sharp prick to the the brain. Esuterura had no intention of being gentle toward anyone that would be so careless. The others seemed to be moving on so she followed.

_{Location: The Front Gates; The Academy.
Interacting With: N/A}

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For any avid cloud-watching hobbyists who had their heads held up high up to the open skies across the country they would be treated to the sight of a flaming streak, something not unlike a shooting star, that flew at subsonic speeds deadset towards somewhere. Meanwhile several hundred feet up in the air a teenager was on the phone whilst heading towards his first day of school, "Yep sorry Dad I completely forgot about these timezones you talked about but I'll still be able to make it on time if I push it." Incomprehensible chatter came from the phone and somehow he was able to make it out over the roaring winds that blew against him, a credit to his superhuman senses given his current speed being well above that of anything flown commercially, "Don't worry I won't be late for my first day at the Academy... and I'll be looking forward to seeing you as a teacher too Dad. Well gotta go now, I won't be able to hear you after Mach 1. See you soon!" After hanging up the phone and slipping it back into his pocket the white-haired teen braced himself for a moment before shooting off, more than double the speed he was travelling at before, the clap of a sonic boom made clear throughout the land.

Eventually a man-sized fireball would found its way to the gates of the Academy in a flamboyant collision with terra firma, fortunately all it, or rather he, left was a notable scorch mark on the pavement and some scant open flames quickly snuffing out, in its wake was a large smoke cloud. Sol Quill, the sentient Infinity Gem would promptly step out of the smoke, dusting himself off after his landing strategy left him covered in ash. He glances around his surroundings, taking an eyeful of the campus and being somewhat impressed by his first educational institute that he had ever attended or will attend. Speaking of first impressions he was quite pleased with his job in scoring points with who he assumed to be his future classmates, there was a mixed variety of individuals that had showed up along with himself and with them would come an even more diverse collections of powers but he wasn't too concerned about that, I mean what could? To end off with a high note Sol gives out light handshakes with a cheerful expression on his face to everyone he could find in sight, it couldn't hurt to add onto his already impressive introduction.

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With her earbuds firmly in place inside her small ears and the music playing loud enough to block out the chirping of the early birds, the young woman who had been dubbed Alexia Warren not so long ago walked the of the tall wall casually. She had arrived at the academy some time ago, and had used that time to walk a fair amount of the length of the wall to get a view of the campus and her future temporary home. The property she discovered was quite large with multiple buildings inside the long barrier. The open land with it's lack of skyscrapers outside the perimeter was vastly different from the familiar surroundings of New York. The fresh air was rather pleasant. Now, Alexia made her way back to the front gates for the sun was up and the academy would be opening.

She had taken an earlier flight than she was told. If she hadn't Alexia probably wouldn't have come. Why did she need to go to school? After all, Alexia had been bred to dawn a costume. Bred was clearly the wrong word, yet the fact remained. As she walked the wall the girl's light brown eyes would towards the academy's main building glancing at the windows. Alexia assumed they were both in there. One took part in her creation while the other had took pity upon her. One had left her for dead while the other gave her shelter. She was created by the villain to snuff out the hero. Now, here at this school for super-powered youngsters they were together supposedly all on the same side. So it seemed...


As she neared the gates Alexia saw many students had already entered the property and were making their way up the long drive way towards the school. Alexia dropped from the lofty barricade with grace and ease, a feat very difficult for an average human. She adjusted the strap of her duffel bag upon her shoulder as she began to follow behind her soon to be classmates. A black pair of converse high tops with checkered shoestrings made hardly a sound as she walked along the asphalt. The faded pair of jeans that hugged the curve of her hips and rear nicely had large tears at the knees. She had been told that torn jeans was fashionable. A gray crop top with The Rolling Stones logo in the center with the words 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll' written over it completed her current outfit. The short top left her midsection mostly exposed showing off her flat tummy and revealing just a hint of a six pack. She currently wore no make up, not that she needed it. Inside the duffel were the few clothes she owned besides the outfit she now wore, all of which were bought by the hero that had taken her in not so long ago. Much like the duffel bag that hung from her shoulder Alexia's clothes were nothing special. Many would call them vintage. Not vintage like the high priced items one would by at the mall, but truly vintage clothing once worn by others and purchased at a local Goodwill store. Except for the undergarments which were obviously bought brand new. The only other bit of clothing that would be considered new was the bodysuit provided by her creators just for her. Also included inside the duffel were a few school supplies, mainly spiral notebooks, pens, and an ipad. Finally, three novels were included in Alexia's bag. Or rather, three graphic novels that feature each featured different superheroes. Neither of the books were in the greatest of condition for they too were picked up at the Goodwill.


Alexia hadn't seen the fireball streak through the sky nor did she witness its landing, but she did indeed feel the impact a few feet behind her. She spun around, her long thick brunette locks whipping back, to see what had happened as she thought perhaps something had hit the outer wall and maybe to vehicles had ran into one another. Instead, emerging from a cloud of smoke and smoldering pavement... was a boy. Though somewhat curious as to his means of transportation, Alexia was not so much impressed by the boy himself. Brushing her hair back in place Alexia turned around once more to continue her trek towards the school.

Light was one of the late arrivals to the school, having slept in a crummy motel the past night. Apparently she had missed most of the chaos that was new people coming together and meeting, as she only caught the glimpse of Mr. "I'm a flying fireball" making a flashy entrance, with not that many people all that impressed, having gone past the gate already. Light wasn't going to be late her first day, especially since this school provided rooms and everything so she wouldn't need to sleep at cheap bug ridden motels all the time. Ripping at the air, Light formed a black tear in space, and hopped through it, a second hole appearing behind Mr. Flashy Fireball who had his arm still outstretched as people passed by.

"Flashy doesn't work so well with future heroes, huh?" Light said in Sol's ear, having popped up from behind him. She walked by soon after, giving him a light high five as she moved with the rest of the students. So far it was what she expected, lots of weirdos, at least in comparison to the people on the streets. People with cats, lions, people with different skin or looks like hers (Although the latter wasn't nearly as common), and just generally what you'd expect from spandex people. She was hoping someone would do something to catch her eye to make this fun, as needing to go through this place before she could explore this world with a heroes license would be boring otherwise.

Today was a big day for them. A day they would experience a lot of firsts. Zack was nervous and he knew that his brother had to be even if Griffin would never show it. They would be starting high school this year. It would be their first time in a public school. Their parents had homeschooled them while they worked out how to balance everything. They had carefully chosen classes so they both had classes that appealed to them. Each of them had about half the day.

Zack stood behind Griffin as his brother flew them to the academy. He was careful not not to touch Griffin. He had learned quickly that his brother didn't like to be touched from behind. But he wanted to offer Griffin as much reassurance and comfort as he could. "There it is."

Griffin nodded. He had chosen to arrive in their yeti form. It was bigger and stronger than their human form and he thought it would send more of a message. He didn't like the idea of being around so many people. Especially people that had powers that he couldn't even begin to imagine. But Zack needed friends and this was the best place for him to learn the fighting skills that he needed to protect them.

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"Are you sure that you want to do this?" Kathein smiled sadly at her father's question. He blamed himself for what had happened. But Katherin knew it was her fault. Her father had done the best he could for her. She knew that. But he was too willing to overlook her mistakes. Her father wasn't capable of being tough on her. Which wouldn't help her gain control of her powers. She needed that control so she didn't hurt anyone.

"We both know that I have to dad. As much as I love you dad your not tough enough on me. I'm never going to get the control of my powers. I can't lose control again. Next time I might seriously hurt someone. This is the best way for me to learn. Plus it's a great opportunity for me to make friends. I promise that I'll call every day and I'll be home as often as I can." Her dad smiled sadly but nodded. He accepted that she had made her choice. She kissed his cheek before he got out of the car. She took a deep breath. She tried to calm her nervous but they showed. The air around her was noticeably colder and she left a trail of frost behind her.

Connor hadn’t quite left, and was running a little bit behind, only just racing out the room he had barely even settled into only to leave it for his own dorm room at the academy. He wasn’t too late, but even so, his parents were already gone, most likely preparing themselves for their first classes. Or his mother would be anyway. His father would probably just make it up as he went along. He snagged his breakfast, chucking the previously hot bacon and eggs into the microwave, while he hurriedly made sure that he had everything. His backpack, blue and silver, wasn’t really a backpack.

Inside the pack was his ironman suit. It wasn’t made to hold anything else, and Connor had a small carry bag with his school things. Running his hand through his unbrushed hair, having forgotten to run a comb through it, Connor turned to the microwave, retrieving his food he quickly engulfed it, putting his plate into the sink, he darted out the house, pack over one shoulder. He still hadn’t brushed his hair, and it didn’t seem like he was going to, as he jumped into his car- a rather old pick-up truck that he’d worked on throughout high school, now running well.

He started towards the school, and his interactive AI, Ignot, instructed him on the best route to get there. He reminded Connor about what classes he had already signed up for, and that the few things he hadn’t already had delivered to the Academy were being delivered that afternoon, and Connor anticipated that he’d be spending the weekend getting his dorm room all set up with his workbench. Which was rather something he knew he could do well. Interacting with others was a rather abstract concept to Connor… quiet and solemn, Connor studied situations that were social, and generally wasn’t a part of them.

Most of the them, that is.

Making his way towards the school, Connor pulled up into the albeit small car park, that seemed rather empty- he supposed that other students weren’t aware of it’s existent yet, those that could drive that is. He got out, glancing about, before slinging his pack over his shoulders, and heading towards the school gates. He looked over it the gates, and the students entering taking it all in. All in all, the students seemed to be typical of any heading to school. There seemed to be some interaction, some fooling about and others just unsure what to do. He wasn’t entirely too sure what to do for himself…

For the first time, he wasn’t known as Tony Stark’s kid, but rather as… just someone else. All through school, the name Stark had had kids amazed, or thinking he was entitled because of it. All Connor had wanted to do was learn… What would it be like, to go here, and not be any more special than anyone else? He smiled to himself, and started towards the gates.

“It’s not polite to Intrude on others thoughts, boy”

During his rather intrusive exploration of the other students minds, and his slight… fascination with the Lion Girl, Barca hadn’t quite noticed that one mind seemed to be- or made a half-arsed attempt- at being resistant to his telepathy, similar to that boy from early. He looked up, narrowing his eyes slightly. He immediately shielded his own mind from mental intrusion. Leaving only open the line of communication. After all, he wanted to be able to.. Confront the girl. And she was not going to like it.

First, he responded quite clearly, with his own mental stimulation of pain riding on the thought, in such a way that if she read his mind again, it would be there with the thought. Since he wasn’t going to bother using any small amount of effort to break through the girls defenses, even though she did deserve it. Trying to criticise him? Really? Ah, and yet, you intrude upon my own thought, my my, not a good example are you, or is this a case as do what I say and not what I do? Tough luck, Little Girl. If I really wanted to bust through your defenses, I could, but why waste the effort?

He dismissed the girl from his mind, he had as far as he was concerned, dealt with her. And why should he spend more time on her than he needed to? If she proved to be a problem, why, he’d just deal with her in the most direct way possible. He was not going to have an annoying little gnat trying to lecture him on what was polite and what wasn’t, when she did it herself. He was so tired of “Righteous people”. Turning his attention back towards the Lion Girl, Barca pondered the situation a moment. On the one hand, he was rather interested to learn about the African supers, on the other, he didn’t know if it was worth it.

So much was beneath him… and would the Lion Girl prove challenging enough, or just another bore like the Gnat Girl? He pondered the choice for a few moments, an odd little piece of information floating to him, out of all the knowledge he held in his mind. You never know until you try. Now, why would that come to mind? Such things did happen, of course. Random occurences of information just intruding into his mind… and so far, he hadn’t gone wrong following them. Twisting that around in his mind for some time, he eventually nodded to himself, starting over to the Lion Girl.

He stopped when he neared the girl and her lions, perhaps a little wary of the great beasts. He shifted Glaber’s cage, keeping the owl close to his side, he looked to the girl ”Are they going to attack me if I say hello?” Barca could be quite charming when he wanted to, and he gave her a charming smile, waiting for her response. And for what her initial thoughts were on him.

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Blissfully unaware of the intrusion of his mind, Jonathan slowed down as he was unsure where they should exactly go. He heard something pull up, a car. When he looked back, he saw that there were two huge animals walking with a person. Um. A... lion? From the shape of the aura, he assumed it was a lion. Maybe he'll find out at a much later date as everyone present would be in the same school as him for a whole year, or maybe even more.

Then there was a sudden impact - the sound and vibrations made that clear enough for him - and he was curious at to what made it. It was another human, it would seem. It was followed by yet another impact. Were the students trying to give a first impression to remember them by? Wouldn't they just be called "Mr./Mrs. Crash"? Ah, but he didn't see what exactly happened. Maybe they made a spectacular entrance that all of the people who could see would be amazed by. Ah too bad he couldn't see it. From the commotion of some other people though, he could tell that it was certainly impressive. Impressive in a good or bad way, he doesn't know.

Ah but what was interesting was the other... thing that had made an impact. While he could still see her aura, it was lot more different than say an alien. It was a whole other thing that he has never seen before. He couldn't even make out the form of this being. This is very interesting. He wondered what kind of... uh, person, for lack of better word, she is. As he was busy thinking about the many different auras and emotions, Pearl and Lapis stopped walking and turned their attention to the male approaching their master. Jonathan did not notice them as he was lost in his own thoughts.

So when he fell into step and talked to him, he jumped lightly and turned his head to the source of the sound. Even if he was lost in thought, he should have heard someone walking so closely to him. But, now that he was listening closely, he made no sound aside from his breathing and when he talked. He didn't have his spatial recognition activated at all times, especially at cases like this since there were mostly living beings around him. It would seem that he forgot an important rule when in unfamiliar areas surrounded by unfamiliar people - don't let your guard down. Well, no use worrying about him now.

"Ah, I think I'm fine?" He relied with a certain hint of uncertainty. He had no idea where he was going, only following the wave of students who were moving forward. Thinking that the person who had approached would know better than him, he resolved to ask. "I just don't know where the assembly will be. Do you know where it is?" He didn't want to dump all of his blind problems to this person whose name he currently did not know. He figured, again, that the school would handle whatever he needed to function in this academy.

Phoebe looked about her, looking over the other students, she was a little hesitant on going over to anyone else, instead she was content for the moment to watch. Part of her was hoping that… maybe someone was going to approach her… claim her… but she kept that part as small as possible. She hadn’t had those feelings since she was a little kid, and prospective parents would come around, to look over children… there was always that hope that someone would go “She’s the one”. It had never happened of course, and Phoebe had ended up in the Orphanage to the end of highschool. It was a feeling that made her heart beat slightly faster with excitement, an old child’s dream, and she tried to ignore it as best she could.

She saw that there was one person, who appeared to be blind, and she went to go over to him, but stopped when she saw that someone else had approached him. Not wanting to be rude, or overwhelm the boy, she stepped back, and looked around once more. She looked about as someone approached her and smiled warmly, "Hello Megumi, I'm Phoebe" She said cheerfully, a little taken aback at the rather emotionless display the girl was giving out, but not disheartened by it. The girl had approached her, and that meant that she wanted to.

So Phoebe would be friendly. Because that was who she was. She folded up her letters, and slipped them into her pockets, wondering what the actual process was in conversing in this school. It wasn’t like it was normal school… She supposed it was a learning curve for all… And then she thought that she could just… treat it like a normal conversation. ”How are you? This is just a little overwhelming, isn’t it? But I’m amazed to be here” She hesitated a moment, before continuing.

”Do you have any abilities, powers? I… I can manipulate plants” And for the first time, Phoebe realised that for the first time, she could use her abilities openly. Finding the prospect… enlightening, and she smiled, thrilled, opening a hand, and in it, she formed a pink lily, giving a small laugh of delight.

Sure that she was appearing weird, she blushed, and said a little sheepishly ”I’m sorry, I’ve just never had free reign with my abilities” She explained, gently cupping her hand around the lily.

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Alexis was looking at the students with a mild disgust.

" Most of them probably come from wealthy families or normal families. Why couldn't the students here be around her age or older? Most of them are kids, living sheltered lives while others...like me, gone through hell and back only to find out...that it wasn't enough. " thought Alexis as she walked, taking regular drags from her cigar.

As she walked, a small explosion could be heard and felt a few meters from her. She looked at it, her skin already making itself harder and changing it's color into black. A kid went out of the smoke and Alexis shook her head.
" Showoffs. I would totally like to see him deal with 6 attackers without his powers. " muttered Alexis under her breath and continued walking.

A girl with red hair looked at the "Explosion Boy" too before she continued walking. Something in her appearance made Alexis wanna talk with her, she looked nice and had a body that gave Alexis a few ideas. A smile crept on her face and she walked a little faster to catch up with her.

Alexis's eyes were still glowing red and her skin was slowly changing back to it's normal color but patches of the unnatural black color could still be seen. She approached the woman and said, while keeping a small distance between them so as to no intrude into the personal space of someone that could, for all she knew, explode on touch or something.

" Showoffs, huh? Got a quick question for you. Where is that assembly thing that we are supposed to go to? " her voice changed drastically from when she was talking with the cab driver and now it sounded normal, more human-like than before.