There were flaws in human psychology. The ability to conceive of good, in all of its nuances and contexts, coexisting in the overwhelming capacity to commit the opposite of good. Young men and women idolized speakers that said their truths, and were willing to forgive minor hypocrisies, when on principle even the slightest infringement should be a betrayal. Innocent boys and girls continued toxic relationships with people that had not changed upon first meeting, hoping they would change in the future. Until a loved one’s knuckles met their unblemished cheek, and the innocence was lost forever. But the outcome was unsure even then. Some would finally run. Some dug their heels in, hoping to withstand, instead of hoping to be happy. Either way, at the very least, the relationship affected no one else but two adults who had made their own choices.

I’m Nathan Bevis of Channel 55, let’s talk about the rather strange times we’ve found ourselves in with Doctor Caldwin from the Institute for Supergene Research, who has been here before. Doctor, it only seems yesterday that we were discussing so frivolously, the M.A.G.E games.

Oh yes, short months ago.

And I believe you mentioned that they were uh like…

Like gladiatorial combat arenas.

Right. So what’s happening? Right now, what’s going on?

Well what’s new to many isn’t to me. I’ve argued against glorifying the games for a long time and I’ve endured countless gen S’s sending me sardonic hate comments online and to my actual house!

What were some of the things they’ve said?

Well let’s pick out one out of a ten that weren’t just insults but contain an actual argument. Some have said, and I paraphrase, ‘You might as well ban video games since they depict violence’. That aside, the games weren’t depicting violence. They are violence.

So why now, Doctor? Why are people paying attention now?

Because no one thought- no one conceived of the idea that the violence could ever turn on them. Like a naïve girl worshipping a serial killer, it never occurred to young gen S’s that heroes could flatten their city if their mood swung that way.

Well what about decorum? Why would a supe do that to their adoring fan base? Why would they turn on the neighborhoods in which they grew up?

It’s not about logic, or psychoanalysis, or possible motives. We’ve all seen the video, right?

Of Victory?

That’s not new. There have been videos since forever on Liveleak, SuperVoyeur, 6chan. Not just of Victory, but of other extremely powerful heroes who play judge, jury, and executioner. And here’s the scary part. Most of the time, they’re right.

I beg your pardon, Doctor?

Supervillains are exceptional dangers, and require exceptional consideration. We are content to sleep at night knowing that heroes are sanctioned killers that would kill the most dangerous villains outside of the justice system. Let’s say ninety-five percent of the time, they made the right call. What about the five percent?

What are you implying?

I am stating that we as a society are worshipping well-meaning supermen who are trained, legally empowered, stone-cold murderers five percent of the time. And there are thousands of heroes in America.

There was a shattering, palpable, like the breaking of a spell. And the ungifted seemed to collectively understand what they were standing in front of. Lyssa didn’t know what she was expecting to happen, but she had never felt her heart beat harder. Little by little, the ungifted crowd backed away, dispersing quietly. No example needed to be made.

On the giant screens, the video looped again. Victory, the ever-bright. Victory, the implacable. Victory, the gore-hound. This was what a hero looked like. And the ungifted protestors were standing in front of hundreds of gifted. It was as if the civilians finally realized the fundamental difference between their opponents. One by one, the crowd went home. Journalists asked the moving horde what their thoughts were, and confused answers were given. As the ungifted citizens retreated, they moved away from the heroes standing guard on the streets who had been there the whole time.

It all seemed anti-climactic. But the last thing people ought to want from these sorts of events was action. Lyssa uncrossed her arms, glad that the silly movement was over. She had been nursing a headache since the march began. The Primum was certainly doing something in her subconscious.

“Never stop paying attention.” Jackson’s words. Lyssa didn’t know why she recalled them now. But she was eternally grateful to have done so. She moved before she thought, reaching out with her hand.

The bullet bent midflight and struck the asphalt. Then the echoing ring of a gunshot was heard. That was when the crowd began to scream and chaos truly rang out. Lyssa was breathing hard, her hand still outstretched. She had seen movement on the rooftops, and felt the faintest presence of metal in the shape of a tube.

“Shooter!” Ace Pilot shouted. He raced towards the rooftop immediately. There was barely a struggle.

The gunman was subdued, but not before they managed to shout, “Humans inherit the Earth!”

The steely skinned hero who had been standing on the sidewalk moved to the middle of the road.

“Alright, kids, go back to your dorms,” he said with a deep, gruff voice. “Keep that energy though. Channel it into your studies and practice. Prove them wrong. We don’t need to be like them.”

Among the students, Lian was being consoled by a huddle of supportive classmates. The wispy trail had been obvious; bullet had been intended for her. Lyssa had bent it just enough, missing Lian’s head by half a foot. No one noticed the slight change in trajectory. It appeared as nothing more than a close miss.

“Let’s get out of here,” one of the students said. “We’ve made our point. They chose violence.”

Lyssa went home on her own. She had no interest in the circle of comforting praise.

When she walked within five blocks of the school grounds, a drone hovered in front of her. She showed her ID card. Satisfied, the machine went to confirm the identities of every student shuffling home. M.A.G.E was pushing their digital fence farther and farther. It was hard to argue against the idea, especially following the recent events.

The other girls were already asleep by the time she returned to the room. Lyssa went to bed and slept dreamlessly, though her thoughts were anything but calm.