"Do I really need to go shopping again? Homecomings not that big a deal."

"I was instructed by ma’lady to make sure you wear something fancier than a hoodie." Jack hummed as we perused the aisles of monkey suits.

"It's just one stupid dance." I huffed.

He stopped and picked up a small white button-up, and a black vest. I cringed looking at it, that looked so constricting…

“Hey, it’s a good excuse to pull a hot girl close.” He snickered and held out the shirt toward me. “Yeah, get you a blue tie and a black jacket. You’ll knock them dead.”

“Geez, this makes me wonder what Zack's gonna wear."

"I heard from Annual he was trying to buy some satin robes and a crown."

"Of course he is.."

"By the way, you two kiss and make up already?"

He tossed the vest and button up to me and continued to look around.

"You could say that yeah, thanks again for leaving us there. That was just what we needed."

"I am psychic after all." He teased as he grabbed a jacket.

"Yeah, right. How could I forget the frozen telepathy trick."

"It's all in the ice cubes I put in your drinks."

I paused for a moment. Was, was he being serious!?

"Y-your joking, right?" I asked hesitantly.

He just smirked and moved the jacket over his shoulders. Then proceeded to walk off.

"Jack...Jack!"

…

"Are you sure we have time for this?"

"Stryder, do you know what fun is? Or did you crap it out this morning?" Jack huffed as he continued to type his name out.

Jack thought it would be a grand idea to ask some random group of people if we could join their game of laser tag. And I had a mini heart attack as he introduced me. I unconsciously moved my hood over my head and tried to not make eye contact. It had been a while since I met new people without Zack around, or without my mask. I forgot how nerve-racking meeting new people was. To make matters worse, Jack deliberately put us on separate teams. I was on the blue team, and he was on the red.

Before we got to go inside, we had to type out a name we wanted to use at the front desk.

I crept up behind Jack and looked over his shoulder. I was curious what name he was gonna use. And then I almost forgot I wasn’t with Zack. His name was 'Your mom'. Of course, it was your mom.

Jack moved out of line and went to join his team. But before he walked inside, he turned back to me and winked.

"Good luck! And by the way, I plan on using my gifts in there!" He cheered right before he shut the door.

He's going to what!? Is he psychotic!?

"Come on kid, put your name down!" A guy from my team called out from behind.

"R-right!" I replied as I quickly stepped forward to the computer.

Name, what name should I use…?

….

"The knight huh? You a fan of the Alley of justice?"

I jumped as I heard one of the guys on my team speak up. Crap! I knew making my name the Knight was stupid! What's wrong with me!? I couldn't think of anything else, I just panicked and put it down.

"O-oh yeah!" I replied with a nervous laugh.

"Hey me too, it's crazy to think the comics are coming to real life!" He chuckled.

And oddly enough, I felt myself relax a bit more after that.

He was a big guy. He was about Jack's height and was a wall of muscle. He had on a backwards black cap and looked really excited. Before I could reply, the lights suddenly went out. And the faint purple glow from the arena illuminated the area.

Di-di Ding!

My vest chimed this tune and suddenly turned a bright blue color. The gun on my arm flashed green, then turned the same shade of blue.

"Game time!" The man cheered and scurried off.

That's when it hit me. This blue glow was just like the mist I emanate when I use my strength. Hell, my eyes can't even be properly seen in here! Did Jack do this on purpose? Is that why he told me!?

"Do you know how to have fun Stryder?"

His mocking words wiggled their way into my mind. Alright then Jack, game on.

I activated my eyes and just enough strength to increase my speed. I'm gonna obliterate his team! I kneeled down and got ready, then I charged off!

The place’s layout was built like a crashed space station. Upstairs was a broken down lab, and the downstairs was the sight of the crash. There was an alien ship in the middle and scattered glowing debris around. The rules were simple, the last man standing wins. And everyone had two lives.

I quickly ran from rock to rock, keeping a lookout for the enemy. But I wasn’t having any luck, it was like my team was the only one here. I leaned against a rock and looked up at the upstairs railing, and that’s where I saw it. The faint red glow. There was somebody there scoping out the floor below like a sniper. If I can wall run up the side and jump to the railing, I could get behind her.

Without a second thought, I bolted forward at the wall and started running up it. Once I was high enough, I kicked off the wall and over the railing. I took out my gun and aimed it at her, and that’s when our eyes met! Look who has the high ground now! I pulled the trigger and shot her chest plate. And it immediately flashed green. I landed and rolled to my feet beside her.

“H-how did you?” She started to talk but I just ignored her.

We were behind some glowing styrofoam rock. I didn't waste any time and I just charged out. As soon as I turned the corner, I could see a gun pointed at me. I used my eyes and quickly saw the green line coming from her gun to aim. It was child's play to dodge and keep forward.

They seem to panic as I got close and slid back behind a glowing cabinet. It was only about seven feet tall, and I've jumped higher. I jumped over the cabinet once I got close and landed behind him. Before he could even react to my landing, I already had his plate turning green.

"Two players from blue out of the game!" I heard the announcer call out.

What!? Already!? I quickly moved out and saw the railing to my right. I Kong vaulted over it to the ground below. Well, I guess I should kick it into overdrive then! I'm gonna be the winner!

From there I bounded all over the map, taking out person after person. It didn't take long for it to just be me and one other person. I was a little more hesitant since I mysteriously lost a life. I had no idea who took it either. I was way too in the zone earlier, so I didn’t pay attention to the A.I saying the name of my killer.

So I decided to see if I could bait the person out. I stayed leaning up against the wall and slowly peeked around the corner. Nothing, I quickly moved back and took a sigh of relief.

"Boo!"

I immediately tried to turn to the voice, but my head was the only thing that moved! My feet were stuck to the ground!

I heard the slightest movement behind me, and I quickly activated my strength to increase my movement speed. And as I turned around, I saw the barrel of Jack's gun pointing at my chest. I snatched the barrel and lifted it up to the ceiling. Then I held my gun out to his chest to fire. But then he just vanished!

CRRRR!

"You have been killed by your mom!"

I heard the A. I on my gun announce.

"Forget I can teleport?" He snickered.

Then all the lights came back on. Crap, he beat me!

After the game, Jack told me he wanted to get a burger. So we checked our scores and said our goodbyes. My team praised me for my awesome parkour skills, apparently I killed most of the other team. They wanted us to play another round, but I admit I was a bit tired after all that. But refreshed at the same time.

We sat back at one of the seats in the back corner. Jack ate his fat double cheeseburger, while I ate a chicken bowl from chipotle. I noticed people a lot of people were staring at Jack. I almost forgot how unusual white hair was.

"Hey, aren't you ever worried you'll get recognized? I just realized you never hide your identity."

"That's because I don't give people the chance to remember me. But, if someone wants to make noise, I just kidnap them and let Arthur deal with it." He said nonchalantly as he took another bite.

Intimidating, clever, and lazy. Impressive.

"I see," I replied as I took another forkful of rice.

"Besides, didn't seem like you were too concerned about keeping secrets back at laser tag."

I felt the warmth rise to my cheeks out of embarrassment and didn't look up at him.

"Y-yeah, my bad. I guess I got carried away.."

"Yeah, you've been getting carried away a lot lately. Normally it takes a lot of build-up to get you to fight seriously. Yet you agreed to fight Zack without hesitation." He set his burger down and gleamed over me.

"So talk, what's that all about?"

"Well I uh, I can't really explain it. It's been a while since it's acted up like this."

"Lux told me about it, and I have a theory."

I sat back and looked him over. Wait, was the laser tag thing just bait!?

"Alright, what is it?"

"She told me you really started getting into tournaments a little after your mom passed away. That correct?"

"Yeah, sounds about right."

"And you quit a little after you knocked out a guy and got disqualified from the finals."

I looked away from him.

"Yeah, that's right."

I shuddered some as this chill ran down my spine. I started to tap on the table as the memory started to come back to me.

"I think fighting was your outlet."

The words hit me like a truck. It was like the wind got knocked out of me just hearing that.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I looked back at him.

"Simple, you had issues at home. Your dickhead dad started acting up around then, plus you were isolated from your sister, and too scared to see Annual. Zack would be the only outlet. But knowing you, you probably felt too guilty to be around him. Sound about right?"

Geez, was he really psychic?

"Yeah, sounds about right actually. Martial arts always felt so freeing to me. I guess that would make sense..." I sighed and leaned back into my chair.

It was weird, all of the sudden everything seemed to make sense. And as that clarity came in, I felt like I really had no idea who I even was. To me, it didn’t make sense. Was this really me? Did I really enjoy hurting people?

"My dad took me out of classes soon after that. He told me I shouldn't even be allowed to leave the house. So I was grounded, for what felt like years. Till I just got used to not leaving."

He nodded.

"You got a lot of stress on you right now." He leaned back in his chair. "Between worrying about your city, Zacks feelings, and the frustration with the girls. I'm sure you've got a lot pent up."

I chuckled a little and shook my head.

"Ya know, honestly. I never even registered I was stressed. But now that you mention it. I have been feeling really overwhelmed lately. All these changes I've been going through, all these people relying on me. Plus I can't let my guard down with the girls. I might make some stupid hormonal mistake. Feels like I need to be perfect."

As the words came out, I felt lighter. Like the air somehow became easier to breathe.

"Well, there is a lot on you. And I'd be lying if I said you can just forget it all. But don't forget to take care of yourself. The more you neglect yourself, the more reckless you become. Treat yourself every once in a while. And if you can't do it for yourself, do it for the people around you."

I nodded.

"Thanks, I think I really needed to hear that."

"Well, I can't really take all the credit."

"Hhhmm?"

"I called Icarus about the observation stuff. He gave me the theory, but the advice was all me. It's funny, even while he did his little deduction. He didn't even realize he was describing himself too." He sighed. "I really don't get you hero types."

I chuckled.

"I see, well tell Icarus I said thanks. I'm a little uncomfortable with my info being put out like that. But, since it all ended well. I guess I'll let it slide."

"Good, because I definitely wasn't gonna apologize." He snickered and got up. "On that note-"

"Ice cream?" I asked as I stood.

"See, now you're getting it."