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SUPER ZER0 Chapter 1: Ninety-Six Percent…

It’s tough for people to make transitions sometimes, especially if it’s something like moving. Remember going from elementary school to middle school, or maybe preschool? Oh boy, that was tough, huh? Then going from high school to college? Going to place your probably know little to nothing about, meeting new people and having to start over from the bottom of the barrel to become something of a college legend. And that one day, people who go to that college will go, “Hey, remember that guy..? Damn he could party.”

Well, I’m not making that transition right now. Actually, I am moving in with an old friend of mine back in my hometown of Super City. Yeah, going to spend a year or two there, working of course, and then I’ll get some loans and go into college. But I can’t wait to get to Super City, I mean a real city! For a couple of years now, I’ve been living in the middle of No Where and Good-N-Lost, no celebrities or even moderately important people come through there. The most exciting thing that happened in the last decade was a chicken that could apparently whistle ‘Tik Tok’ by Ke$ha. How long has it been since I’ve been back here? Thirteen, maybe fifteen years ago?
I left so long ago I have little to no memory of my hometown. Then again, there are a few small things that cross my mind when I think about the city. I remember something weird about it, like there was… Damn, the word escapes me every time I have it. All I remember is my parents telling me that they were going to miss being famous, which baffles me, since they were some of the dorkiest people I knew.

Regardless, I’ll probably see some familiar faces, which makes me happy, yet a bit nervous. I mean, what am I going to say? I can’t just walk up to people I haven’t seen in over a decade and go, “Hey, remember me? Issac Virtue from Little Super Street, I was the one who ran around in his underwear.” Not only is it rude and awkward, but they would probably not need to know that last part.

“Please bring your seats to their upright positions, as we are preparing for landing. We hope you enjoyed flying with us today.”

Oh thank God, it’s almost over; never been really good with flying, ever since I crashed my radio-controlled helicopter and it poofed into flames. I flopped up as the blanket slid off into the floor. Yawning, I ran my hands through my messy, burnt sienna-ish hair and flopped over in my seat, my head banging against the top of my knees as I groaned. I wanted to be safe and sound on the ground, and if I could – once I got off this deathtrap – I would kiss the ground thirty times before grabbing my luggage.

Finally the plane taxied in to the airport, I swiftly grabbed my duffle bag and guitar and left the plane. Who knew airports were so confusing to navigate; turn left, right, then go down an escalator and stand on your head, and you’ll find your way to the bathroom. The one back home had ONE gate and ONE plane: the epitome of simple. Then again, before now, I never flew in a plane, so I really don’t know what the simple form of an airport is. The point I’m trying to make is that they need a simpler layout to airports, let alone have three floors!

I grabbed my bags from the luggage claim and went to the food court to grab some grub, since all I have had were peanuts and 7-UP for the past six hours. As I sat down with my food and gear, I forgot that I was supposed to text Gene, my pal, when I got into the airport. I pulled out my phone, sleek and silver, and popped it open, turning it on. Once I got some signal, the message finally came in:

“dude, u there?”

I sighed, Gene was never one to spell out his words in text – whether it be a letter, a text, or an online game – and it irritated me, being the Grammar-Nazi that I am. I texted him back:

“Yeah, I just got off the plane and am getting some food. I’m up on the second floor next to the railing over-looking the entrance. Also, use real words, dude. XD”

I set my phone on the table as I unwrapped my burger, doused in ketchup and filled with green peppers – yeah, I know, sounds gross, but it’s actually delicious – and I chomped upon it with great fervor. After devouring all of my food and draining the remaining drops of my root beer, I peered over the edge of the railings to look around for a sign of Gene. I realized that he might’ve been here waiting since I got here, but he should’ve said something… Oh wait, my phone!

I grabbed my phone and flipped it open to reveal I had missed a call! Damn it! I clicked the Call Back button and it began ringing. After a few rings, it picked up, “Yo.”

“Hey, Gene?”

“Yeah, dude, where are you? I’ve been looking for like half-hour or something, man.” He didn’t sound pissed, but he definitely didn’t sound enthused about all of this.

I stood up and went to throw away my trash, “Yeah, sorry man, I was eating. Peanuts and such, ya’know?” I slunk back to my chair, exhausted and jet-lagged, and plopped down, “So, how have you been, man? Been happy with that one girl, ya’know, Kait?”

I heard a loud groan come from the other side of the phone, “Dude, don’t even bring it up. We’re having… Difficulties.” Difficulties? With Kait? Then again, she was always one for confrontation and arguing, the girl never knew when to give up. Sometimes it’s a thing to be admired, but in her case, it just makes her look like a b***h. Still, for it to affect Gene this much, they must’ve had one hell of a fight.

“Well, I haven’t had much luck, especially since… N left me.” Yeah, I had a tough breakup, too. It happened just last summer, and it happened so fast, I really don’t remember what happened. Ever since she left, I refer to her as ‘N’, since even saying her name causes me to get nauseous. Well, our relationship lasted longer than anticipated, her being a model and all. Last I heard, she was in Montreal, doing a photo shoot… Not that I keep tabs on my exes. Other than her, I haven’t had a real relationship before, not even a fling.

“Ouch, tough break man, she was a catch. Model, singer, artist, has her own perfume line,” He sighed, “She was perfect… Why did she date you?”

“Haha, very funny, at least my ex isn’t a know-it-all succubus queen!” I’m jet-lagged and tired, so he had it coming. Besides, every time we talked, we exchange banter like this. It’s the main reason we became friends in the first place, we liked to poke fun at one another.

“Ha! Nice one.”

“Thank you, found me yet?”

“Yeah, I see ya! Look to your left and toward the giant panda-suit guy.”

I raised an eyebrow, “There’s a guy… In a panda suit?”

“Yeah, it’s weird, right? Then again, it’s not that strange when compared to the rest of the city.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Dude, don’t you remember? Ninety-six percent of all the people here a-- er-- dude.” What? It cut out near the end? And what was that about ‘ninety-six percent’? I feel like I’m forgetting something… Anyway, I peered over the railing and saw a very tan guy with a mane of black hair waving me down. Next to him was… A giant panda, yup, it’s Gene.

I went over to the escalator and rode it down to him, nearly dropping all my junk when he hugged me, “How was the flight?” I pulled away and gave him a glare, “Haha, too soon?” He helped with my stuff as we got to his car, a nice black-n-white Charger, “Do you like?”

“Dude,” I patted the sleek hood, “How did you afford this? Aren’t you… a DJ or something?”

“Dude, I’m a DA. I’m a District Attorney.” He opened the door and slung the bags into the back, “I’m a lawyer, man.” My eyes shot open, “What?”

“Umm,” I looked at his clothing, a Hawaiian button-up and torn shorts in Winter, his beard was scratchy and messy, “Well, you just don’t strike me as a DA type, ya’know?”

We got into the car, “Dude, I was kidding.” Damn it! He got me good, “Anyway, the kind of business I’m in requires that my car is fast.” A fast-car job? What is he doing, running stuff for the Cartel? I decided to leave it alone for right now, besides it would be a bad way to start off the day in my new home.

As we drove through the city, some of the sites took me back, especially Mega Park; that was my usual hangout when I was a kid… I think? Man, it was so long ago, it all seems like a blur, like a movie that skips a scene every now and then. The buildings were massive, and I mean massive, the kind of massive that should only be used in terms of extreme largeness. If only back in Winfield was it this big, hell even a fraction bigger would be nice.

“Over here,” Gene pointed across me and out to a small apartment building jutting out into the street, “This is where I live. Now, it’s where you live, too.” Wow, it looked plain, but it had a strong presence to it, like a superhero lived there or something. It sounds ridiculous, but that’s how it looked, like a superhero’s Fortress of Solitude or a Batcave. Of course, there were no crystals or bats to it, but then again, it wouldn’t be much of a secret base if it stood out like that, right?

My new home is on floor five, room thirteen, so it’s Fedor Drive, Smackdab Apartments, Room 513. It sounds so official I should have a plaque or statue erected for this very day in memorial for my first apartment. Gene knocked the door open with his back, creating a loud bang as we walked in. A walk-in kitchen on the left, with a little bar area separating it from the living room. The living room had a nice, red recliner facing away from us, the couch next to it could seat three people easily; however, it will be my bed until the spare bedroom becomes available. Apparently, Gene had a party and some less than legal things happened in the room. The hazmat team deemed the room unlivable until further notice.

The television was nice and wide, although it was kind of bulky. Still, better than the TV I had back home. In front of the television were an Xbox 360 and PS3, “Alright! Video games! Thank God! My PSP ran out of juice on the plane man. I’ve been itching to play since!” I dropped my junk near the couch and dropped down to the ground as I clicked the power button to the TV.

Before I could even grab a controller, he grabbed my arms, “Dude, not right now. We need to go somewhere first.” He pulled me up off the ground, “Look, in order for you to live here, you need income. I got mine, Kait has hers, now you need one.” I groaned, damn you job-searching!
We decided to simply walk around, since it would be a hassle trying to park everywhere around here. The first few stops turned up nothing, either I was too young or too… Me. I know, but they gestured to all of me as they said, “I cannot work with this.”

We entered a store called ‘The Pik’, and immediately I loved it: guitar stuff everywhere! I’m no master on the guitar, but I’ve loved the guitar for the longest time, “Gene…” I gave him a serious look, “I have to work here.”

“Well,” a voice popped out, “We actually have an opening, we need guys to organize the inventory and make sure everything is working fine.” We turned around to see a guy in faded jeans and a button-up black
shirt, “The name is Skip, and I’m the owner of the Pik.” He stuck a hand out to me as I gently shook it, “Well, I know many people, but I don’t think I know you. Are you new?”

I stuttered a little, “Y-yes, I’m Issac Virtue, I lived here quite a few years ago, up on Little Super Street.” I looked around the store, “I-I’m a guitar player, so working here would be great. I mean, I’ve had a few lessons, so I’m not really a master, but not a novice. Does that make me an amateur? Why am I ranting?” I looked between Gene and Skip, a confused look on their faces, “Um, I think I’ll stop talking right now.”

Skip laughed hardily as he patted me on the back, “You’re Kent’s kid, right?” Kent was my dad’s name… Wow, were he and mom actually famous? I nodded and Skip made a toothy grin, “Well now, ain’t that something? Well, if you want, you can work here. You start two weeks from now, okay?” He turned and left, going back to his business, I presumed.

As we left the Pik, Gene patted me on the back, “Congrats man, took me a few weeks before I got a job. Then again, my job pays better than yours, haha.” He stopped suddenly and pointed down the street, “Hey, let’s go get some drinks.” Down the street was a place called ‘SUPER PUB’.
“Um,” I paused, “Isn’t that a bar? I mean, it has alcohol only, right?” He nodded, “Well, I’m nineteen man, I can’t go in.”

Gene rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small card, “That’s why I prepared this for you.” He handed it to me, “A Welcoming Present, you could say.”

I took the card and looked at it: It had my name; my birthdate except it was two years older now, making me… Twenty-one. I scoffed, “Dude, is this a fake ID?” He smiled innocently, “You remember the last time I got drunk, right?” Oh my God, that was the worst baby shower I ever went to…

“Dude, don’t worry. I know you won’t get drunk. And even so, I’ll be there to make sure you don’t get drunk. So there you go.” He seemed so confident – so sure – of his plans, but there was one major loophole.

“Uh-huh, and what if, by some chance,” I scratched my chin, “You were to get drunk?”

“Pfft, come on. I’m a natural,” He stroked his beard as he looked to the sky, “Did you know I studied Drunken Fist?”

“No, you watched Drunken Fist,” I rolled my eyes, “Besides, I also researched Drunken Fist, and it doesn’t require you to be drunk!”

He shushed me, “Look, it’s almost dark, meaning we don’t have time to do our banter. Let’s just go in, have a shot or two, then leave. Okay?”

We went to the bar… Three hours later…

“Dude, we need to go,” I said, tugging at Gene’s arm, “It’s been three hours!”

Gene sat in his chair, surrounded by three girls – each of them in some skimpy or revealing attire – as he held two beer bottles in his hands, “Oh, co-come on! Jusht a few more minutesh!” He smiled to the girls as he shook me off again, “G-girlsh, girlsh, I want you to meet my dear friend, Ishaac. Ishaac, this ish Natasha, Ming, and… And…”

The girl on the far right, blonde bombshell, chuckled, “Dusty, my name is Dusty, haha.”

Gene nearly burst out laughing, “Dushty, ish it?” He leaned closer to me, and said in a hushed tone, “More like Bushty, ya’know what I’m shayin’?” He lurched backward, nearly falling out of his chair in laughter. Dear God, my first day back and I have to drag his sorry, drunk a** back home… Wait, I don’t know… Oh s**t! I don’t know the way back to the apartment!

I called the bartender over, “Hey! Bartender! Do you know how to get to Fedor Drive?”

The bartender, cleaning a glass looks at me with an upturned corner of his lips, “What do I look like, a ********’ GPS?” He scoffed and moved down the line to where I couldn’t talk to him. Perfect. How much would a taxi cost to drive us? We walked a pretty far way, plus it was a one-way street, meaning we would have to drive around, which could be longer or shorter… What am I going to do!?

I decided it would be better to go look for a map than to sit around here. I grabbed Gene, “Look, we need to go. It’s late, I’m tired and am on east-coast time. I need you to guide us back home, okay?”

I think Gene finally got it; he started getting up but had a little trouble standing and fell into my arms, practically knocking me over. The girls he was hanging out with began pleading for him to stay, “Shorry ladiesh, I musht go now. I have shtuff to do, ya’know.”

The tall Russian, Natasha, pouted, “Ohhhh, Gene, please don’t go!” She laid a hand on his shoulder, pulling him around to look into her eyes, “Please?” For a moment, I thought I saw her eyes glow… Wow, I think I had too much, too. Good thing we didn’t drive here, otherwise, who knows what would happen?

The other girls popped between me and him and tore us apart, Natasha setting Gene down in a chair and me being pushed into the bar, Ming and Dusty seemed intent on not letting us leave, for what reason I have no idea. As I struggled to get away from the two ‘ladies’, Gene looked like he was falling asleep in that chair, with Natasha looming over him, her eyes locked onto his. What the hell was going on? It was as though they had Gene under-

“Cut it out,” A strong female voice bellowed, “You sluts and your Charming Eyes…” From the corner of my eye, I saw a woman step into the bar, wearing a pair of skinny jeans and red tennis shoes. Her halter-top was a bright and vibrant red, but what really caught my eye was her skin: it was a dark shade of red, maybe she’s part Cherokee or something? Her hair was waving all over the place, a shade of fiery orange. All of this made her look like she was someone you did not want to mess with. Too bad she already got involved with the girls and us.

I couldn’t see much, but I saw Natasha being pulled around punched squarely in the jaw, sending her flying across the room. Ming and Dusty let go of me as they charged the heroine, but were tossed aside like ragdolls. That woman’s movements were so fluid and yet so strong, kind of like an Amazoness…

Dusty went in with a strong left punch, but the girl merely grabbed her arm and pulled her in, lifting her so that their necks were parallel to each other. She then fell backwards, breaking a table or two as Dusty cried out in pain. The woman launched onto her feet, completely un-phased by her own attack. As Ming came out, she stabbed at the woman with a knife, but the woman dodged every stab and stroke.

Ming roared at the woman, “Step off, skank!” Another stab toward the woman’s mid-section, but the woman grabbed the knife and yanked it away, throwing it into a dartboard – Bullseye – and proceeds to roundhouse kick Ming in the face.

Ming falls to the ground, not moving an inch, “Ha, like weapons can do anything against me.” Wow, this woman was tough, she took down two women – one of them was armed, too – without breaking a sweat. Wait, wasn’t there a third girl? I looked around and spotted the Russian trying to sneak up on the heroine!

I point at Natasha, “Hey! Behind you!” Before I could blink, the heroine delivered a powerful elbow blow with her right arm to Natasha’s face, eliciting a scream and a spurt of blood. Thinking this was over I stepped toward the woman and Gene, still drunk and partially-sleeping in the chair. I turned to the woman, “T-thanks. You saved our asses.”

The woman cracked her neck and wiped her bloody elbow off on some napkins, “No need to thank me, I just can’t stand people who use super-powers to steal from people.” Super-powers? What was that all about?
“Haha, super-powers?” I grabbed Gene and tried lifting him onto my back, no good, “Heh, I mean, there’s no such thing as super-powers. Gene was just drunk that’s all.” Then again, those women were really against us leaving. Maybe they were trying to rob us, but to do it in a bar..? Why didn’t anyone try to help, save for the Heroine?

“The hell’re you talking about? You must be a tourist or something,” She pinched her nose, “Hell, it’s the reason this place is called Super City. Ninety-six percent of all people born in this city have super-powers.” Say what? This place… It has super-powered people? And it’s ninety-six percent of all people? That’s ridiculous, preposterous… But, the image of the glowing eyes entered my mind, as did the Heroine’s strength and speed. How else would you explain it?

“So, what you’re saying is,” I paused, still trying to pry Gene from his chair, “Is that this place, Super City, is home to couple hundred thousand super-powered people? That this is a breeding ground for super-heroes?”

“Look, this is taking forever,” She walks over and effortlessly lifts Gene over her shoulder and walks outside, “Let’s talk more out here.” As we walked outside, she didn’t even look me in the eyes, “So, where do you live?”

“Excuse me?”

She stopped and rolled her eyes, “Look, you’re obviously lost around here, so do you want my help or not?” I was about to say something when I got a good look at her eyes, a piercing green, like it was glowing, “What!?”

“N-nothing,” I turned and went a little bit ahead, “Um… We live on Fedor Street, in the Smackdab Apartments.” I think I offended her just staring like that, but was it my fault? I mean, she looks so… I mean, dear God her body, her eyes, her strength… Dear God she’s my anti-existence, it’s Bizzaro Isaac! Heh, it’s ironic that I’m making a reference to Superman and I’m talking to someone who has super-powers.

As we made our way up the street, the quiet tension was killing me, “So, you have super-powers, too, right?” Wow, that was so subtle; I think the ninjas are jealous…

“Yeah, I have super-strength and enhanced agility. Plus, my skin is very resilient to all sorts of weapons and attacks… They call me Hellkat.” Wow, Hellkat? Hmm… Kat, huh?

“So, I guess since your alter ego is Hellkat, ‘Kat’ is your name?”

“Actually, no… My name is Marie.”

“… Marie?”

Huh, go figure, her alter ego has nothing to do with her real name. Then again, it would be easier to know the secret identity if their name was part of their hero name. I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about this rationally, when just a few minutes ago I was in the midst of a super-human battle! This was insane, this was ludicrous, this is… Actually, kind of nice. I mean, I’m hanging out with a cute girl on a semi-chilled night under a smog-masked moon with my drunken friend hanging off her back. Yeah this is something to send in to Penthouse Forum… Not that I’m a part of Penthouse Forum.

We reached the corner of Fedor Street and Ninth before anything more was said. Surprisingly enough, she was the one who broke the silence, “So, what kind of powers do you have?”

“… You’re kidding, right? I-I-I’m human; plain, normal, nothing amazing at all,” I pulled at the skin on my face, patting myself, “Ya’know, human.” I never had powers, never even knew powers existed up till maybe half an hour ago.

“That’s surprising,” She caught up to me and eyed me suspiciously, “Usually, the only people who come up here are either super-beings or Agents. And you’re way too young to be an Agent.” She smirked, “Also, you’re a bit light, aren’t you? Barely got any muscle on you.”

“Oh excuse me, Miss Marie Muscles, sorry I don’t have super-strength,” I said sarcastically, with a touch of venom on the tip of my tongue, “Maybe I should just take your powers, or maybe you could lend’em for the night so I can get my drunken friend home?”

“Ha, I’d like to see you try.” She punched my arm playfully… Too bad it felt like a metal bat during a homerun swing.

We reached the doorstep of the apartment building and Marie passed Gene off to me, who felt significantly lighter. Maybe he was getting over his bloating and lost some weight? As I pulled the door open, I turned back to see Marie walking away, “H-hey!”

She stopped to turn around, a scowl on her face, “What now? You want me to carry him upstairs?” Man, she really has a bad attitude, doesn’t she? Then again, she saved my a** and helped me carry Gene back home, which was a long distance. I guess I’m wearing her patience a bit thin.

“N-no. I was just wondering if I’d see you again sometime?” What am I even thinking? She’d probably kick my a** if I even looked at another woman… Wait, why am I even thinking of dating her?

“Probably not, I’m busy most of the time.” I kicked the ground a little and turned to walk inside, “Hold on.” I looked back to see Marie walking up to me, scribbling something on a piece of paper, “Here.”

She handed me the piece of paper:
Marie
297-0065

“Um, th-thanks! I’ll call you sometime then.” She nodded and rolled her eyes as she walked away, “Oh yeah! My name is Isaac!”

She turned and walked backwards, “Nice to meet you, Izzy.” Izzy..? I think I like Izzy…

Okay! Tell me what you think? I wrote this with minimal proofreading, so if there are any places that have problems, I plan on ironing them out later on. biggrin