Pious

OOC: Hopefully, this is the last time I'll have to defend this thread. I'll put it simply, and clearly..

"Vanguard Scholarship" Open RP was NOT designed to challenge or *rival* Superhero 101 and I hope to God that it never does.

It is a shame that the opening post has sparked off an arguement, yes, some things would have been better off worded differently or left unsaid, but let us stop publicising complaints (PM is there for a reason) and just enjoy some acting; partake or observe.

BIC: Two glossy-black SUV's came flying off a hill, landing on the tarmac with a heavy bounce.

"Lily, this is dangerous" said Rose. "It's well past midnight and we're racing through the streets of Steel Canyon!" She was shouting through her right-side window. This was the sort of irresponsible stunt her twin sister would pull, Rose did not approve, but failed to contain her competitive side.

"Look out!" came Lily. A huge truck was approaching at top speed, and Rose was doomed to crash.

"(censored)!.. Transfero.. locus!" she muttered as the monster truck sped past like a steam train.. she was gone.

"Cheater!" Lily shouted, as Rose appeared a hundred yards ahead.

"It was an emergency!" she replied, glimpsing at her rear-view mirror.. she caught a flood of white light and Lily too was gone. "Great, I bet she went straight to the Uni."

Hello again. Here is Part Five: Justice Upheld

Part Five: Justice Upheld

Pious stood outside the Kings Row hospital, waiting for reports on Delta T’s conditions. Vengeful thoughts clouded his mind, he found himself imagining several ways of punishing his brother, all of which involved some sort of execution. The doctor stepped out, passing the costumed hero a saddened expression.

“I’m sorry… she’s gone.”

* * *

“How does it feel, to be a hero?” Jackson wondered. “My whole life, I have envied my brothers. An envy that became hate, hatred to the super-powered.” He was standing across the street, marvelling at the Freedom Plaza.

“But now, I have become that which they all hunt… I am a murderer.” From the distance, Jackson could hear the faint sounds of Police drones. He turned around to see a dozen of them hovering towards him, led by none other than Pious Hunter.

The two stood face to face. “My god, what has happened to you Jack?” asked Pious.

“Good to see you too little brother” Jack smirked, “unfortunately, I don’t like your friends… call them off, now.”

“Or else what?” Pious felt brave. He was confident that the drones would beam the criminal straight to prison any minute now.

Jackson chuckled. “Little old Pious, I heard you got expelled from school, about time if you ask me.” He paused, his face suddenly becoming stern. “Don’t get cocky,” he warned. “I have people to see; places to be… now get you shiny new toys and beat it kid!”

“Jackson Hunter, you’re under arrest for the murders of Michael and Marcus Civil, Eva Phoenyx and Anna Kelvinova.”

“What! She died?”

“You have the right to shut the hell up, anything you say can and will be used as evidence against your f-ugly [censored]…”

“Are you threatening me? You think you’re a cop ‘cos you got drones flanking you?” Jack opened his claw, inching closer to Pious with a menacing swagger. The drones bleeped loudly.

“Stand down!” Pious commanded the drones, “you want a fight Jack? I’ll give you a personal hell!” His hair suddenly flared up in a blinding white glow, spreading across his entire body. The street scene shimmered out of focus, replaced by a dampened environment, littered with fallen trees. The ground disappeared around the two men, leaving nothing but hovering lumps of rock. The horizon was drenched in a bloody red, dark clouds and a blue moon. Lightening painted the skies and thunder could be heard from a distance. “Welcome, to my world.”

Jack merely chuckled. “Nice trick, but your illusions won’t deceive me!” He ran off a hovering rock, expecting to walk across the air. “We’re still in the city, and the street is right here under my feet..” but he fell.

“You’re full of yourself Jack. Fall to your death!”

He fell and fell, wondering when he’d meet the ground. As he did so, he corrected himself and leaped… seemingly off the air. “You won’t fool me pretty boy.”

“I have a few surprises for you,” said Pious, firing a giant bolt of sheer force directly at Jack. It hit him square in the chest, sending him back down the pit.

“This is irritating! Stand and fight!”

“You think that’s irritating?”

Without warning, a door of white light appeared directly behind Pious. Jackson emerged, claws drawn back like a catapult.

“Nice try” said Pious, enveloping himself in a powerful force field. Jack swiped and swiped with no success, he just couldn’t penetrate the field. “Nope, try harder.” The troll-like man eventually wore himself out, having executed all his most skilful attacks. “Pathetic! You’re going to the Zig.”

The drones appeared almost instantly, a strange contrast to the illusionary dimension. With no further ado, a dozen beams zapped across the air, directly at Jack.

“No. No!” he screamed, fading under the lasers. Another shimmer of daylight and the illusion dropped.

“Thank you for your services,” he told the robots, before taking to the air, tears rolling.

* * *

Right.. Pyraci (Mike) and I are now scripting the Trailer. We'll be shooting it later on this afternoon and I was wondering if anyone wants to be a part of it..

We need three costumed heroes and a handful of casual-dressed civilians. If unsuccessful at finding roleplayers, we'll shoot around the in-game civilians and shout a broadcast for three heroes.

Outlined.. the three heroes exit the Freedom Courts in Galaxy City and a Caped Hero pursuits them.. he backs them onto a wall, with civilians recognizing him as the infamous "Y.Freeza". His bad reputation precedes him, and the three heroes are scared.. he speaks.

We also need a vote/suggestions on a catchy one-liner for Y.Freeza's line. Basically, he intends on recruiting the three heroes.

1. "As heroes of the city, rise.. and answer to the call of duty."

2. "Your time has come.. to answer the call of duty."

Call of Duty is the title of the first of three episodes so we'd prefer if the line ended with those three words.

Please contribute any ideas/suggestions/advice you may have and erm, if you wanna be in the movies.. please do say.

hmm.. it is now 10th April.. and I had *no idea* there where new replies to this thread. sorry i've been quiet.

[ QUOTE ]
kinda blocky ..should try a higher res or something

[/ QUOTE ]

oki doki.. i'm sure Mike'll take that into consideration.

[ QUOTE ]
BTW, what is the music called that you use for them? I know 1 or 2, but what are all of the songs called?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, Mike is *finally* gonna register onto the forums so he'll be able to tell you himself. he'll also be able to post these himself and receive the credits I've been passing onto him.

Now, people complained that downloading the videos individually was annoying.. i agree. i was rather n00bish back then.. i have corected this now, by looping em all into one.

I want this thread to die. 'cos I have a new one that Mike and I will be using for the DCSG Movie . he's going to sort out a problem with the Trailer.. by re-doing the whole thing and we'll have it up on that thread asap.

yeah.. do you have any other movies with Statesman's stats? I was there but only got to see manticore..

Loved the last two movies!!! brings back memories. EOB was awesome. i want them to do another event! i reckon they should host more events like that.. per issue release or somink.

((ruffruffruffruff. me enjoyed that last one Acenra. i'm sure Pious would love some Airvetian-something-something tutoring him a few blasts although it'd be more of a *temporary power* than anything))

"The sun is briight, the moon is pink, I'm dancing in the waters.. the water o'lake old shigans.. I'm smoking, I'm drinking, I'm farting like a piggg-"

"Pious! Cut it out." said Myrtyl

"What're you trying to say?" he joked.

"That you can't sing! Now shut up already and focus."

Pious sighed. "Man, biology is so boring" he whined, leaning across the library tables towards Myrtyl. He pursed his lips and shed the light, going invisible.

"No, Pious." said Myrtyl, unable to hide her smiles. "No, I am not going to. Nah-han, not until you demonstrate some comprehension of deoxyribonucleic acids, the basics at least." She made a guess at the location of Pious' head, reached out her hand and pushed him away. "I'm serious" she chuckled.

"Oh man." he groaned, loosening up and becoming visible. "Fine, okay.. deoxyribonucleic acids.. deoxyribonucleic acid, D.N.A, is a long chain of nucleotides which consist of Deoxyribose, Phosphoric Acid and Nitrogenous bases.. blah blah blah. Happy?"

"Yes," she answered, full of smiles. "Glad you were listening, we've got just over thirty minutes left so lets cover diagrams and I'll talk about RNA before we hit class.. I think thats what we're covering today."

"What!?"

"What?"

Pious sighed, "well I'm glad one of us is keen to study, you're a good influence, to be honest."

"Aww, thanks hun. Now, book."

"Yeah yeah," he groaned, picking up his biology book. "How do you know we're covering NRA today? Does Ebony have access to teacher's programmes or something?"

"Nope, but dad does."

"Oh. Who's your dad?" Pious put two and two together and was dreading the answer.

"Dirigente of course.. silly"

"Oh my god" he gaped. I'm with the Headmaster's daughter? Jesus Christ! Pious' eyes widened in horror. My girlfriend is the head's daughter? "You lay a finger on her and lets just say your NRVS sessions'll become centred around the Devouring Earth" "So that's why he was so harsh on me."

"Oh yeah, the Devouring Earth." Myrtyl suddenly let out a loud chain of laughter. "Your punishments. Dad told me!" she managed, inbetween loud giggling.

"You keep laughing at me and I'll get mum to drop you in the Serpent's Teeth as well," he joked. "I swear to god, she'll do it."

Myrtyl shook herself from the fitts, massaging her cheeks. "Oh, that was a good laugh. So much for Biology, look at the time." She stood up, packing up her books and becoming invisible. "C'mon Pious, we should hurry up to class."

He hurried away his books, swung his backpack over his shoulders and with a blur of light, he too was gone.

| Diary Entry | Lt. James Dyne | 10 April 2006 | 02:10 AM

Dear diary,

I am physically exhausted. Every night is the same.. I cannot sleep; my eyes refuse to stay shut and it seems my brain is incapable of rest until Master Shan and the rest of the clan are found.

As teacher of physical education at the Paragon University, heroes of the city look up to me, and my lack of sleep is beginning to show.

I must do something... but what?

The only solution is to follow my heart and commit to one purpose.

I love teaching. But I love my Clan.

However, the search is dieing. Gamitowa has lost all hope and has accepted our master as 'dead'. Considering how far we have come, Cauto and I would rather die than quit now.

The 'Devils of Kimone' must pay for what they have done. They destroyed the Shan Clan temple and stole our possessions. They stormed our individual homes, robbed our food, our clothes and our gold. The attacks were bloody, and aparantly, Cauto, Gamitowa and I are the only members who escaped... I refuse to believe that.

Last night, Cauto and I met the Devils, right there in the Bloody Bay, we fought long and hard but yet again, we were outnumbered.

* * *

Unless...

| End |

* * *

The following morning, James ran through the school doors, barging through the students. After several accidents, he decided to simply teleport.

"Translocation" he muttered, placing two solid fingers on his forhead before vanishing through a shower of bright light.

* * *

"Professor Dean"

"James, good morning."

"Sir, you are aware of my.. personal troubles.. last night, I had an idea.." James paused. The headmaster gave his full attention.

"I'm listening.."

"Would it be okay to select a handful of willing heroes, and teach them the way of the Ninja?"

James was on his way to the Gymnasium when he overheard the receptionist giggling away about Ash Black

"Girls." he sighed.

It was precisely 2:32 a.m on saturday morning. The skies outside was pitch black and streets were so quiet one could here a pin drop. James was having trouble sleeping, maybe it was the excitement of a new semester; new heroes to meet and new students to teach, either way, his eyes would not stay closed. He climbed out of his sheets, sliding into his zori socks and approaching the window.

"Shan.." he began, in a whisper so low, only he could make out the words. "Where. are. you?"

He turns around and paces across the room before walking into his wardrobe. Two minutes later, James emerges in a full ninja outfit, pulls opens the window and crouches on the ledge.

"I have walked the four corners of the earth looking for you master.. without result. Once again, I am restless, and once again, I search.. Sensai, I will find you!" and without warning, he leaps off across the moonlight.

"Hello there, welcome to Paragon University's Vanguard Scholarship. Meet The Headmaster, Prof. Blade and Lt. Dyne" said Rachel. Greeting the superheroes as they approached. "Teachers and staff are expected in the staffroom in a few minutes time, but if you are a student, please feel free to familiarise yourself with the building and fellow heroes."

((to clarify the difference between Paragon High and Vanguard Scholarship Open RP.. 1) The setting is a university and not a highschool, thus age is not really limited. As long as your hero is under level 20.. 2) because it is a one-year scholarship course, every participant's hero will find him/herself pretty much in the same class as everyone else. 3) the time-table is more or less real-time, this allows participants to know precisely where their hero should be during the day. note, being abscent from the forums doesn't necesarily mean your hero/teacher will be abscent from class. Lets just have some IC fun!!))

OOC: Eve, well worded me thinks.

BIC: "Morning. I'm Rachel Stone, the receptionist here at Gimry Ridge. The school is part of the Paragon University, but we're here in the beautiful Steel Canyon. Here is the School Map which also details the subjects taught and some of our Staff and Teachers. The Vanguard Scholarship is a one-year programme for the Protector of Innocents which would see you as a Keeper of Peace and earn you a cape upon graduation. Your TimeTable and accomodation details will be available for collection after your initial medical examinations. Feel free the see the building while you wait, but please, stay clear of the second floor. Thank you."

((i advise you save the .jpg's and open it with pictureviewer or equivalent for a better view. If the link is empty, please assume the jpg is under improvement/updates))

The sunset glimers across the atlantic ocean, colouring the clouds of dawn with beams of red and orange. The horizon was a sooting artwork, contrary to the dampen heart of this corrupted man.

Every dawn, he would lie on the highest towers of the Arachnos' iron fortress. Only to wake to another day of insanity and pure villainy.

The man rises with the air of a ressurected corpse and stands to his full height; his tall frame blotting the sunlight and casting deadly shadows across the Port. His bright yellow hair cranes forward like fangs from a japanese anime. He is bathed in black silk, with the broken skulls of dead heroes on either shoulders. He wears their bones as a mighty collar, with an iconic waterfall of ink-black silk, draped across his back. The stolen cape flutters in the morning wind, as he walks onto the ledge, ready for his daily chant.

"I am the infamous dark destroyer, loathed for who I am. I cannot see, I cannot feel, and so, I do not fear. I am the prince of illness, emitter of evil. I am the masked menace, a gruesome murderer. The uncanny, caped crusader.. proud Shogan of the Dark. ...My name is Shin'."

Suddenly, from high in the skies, something approaches. It flutters back and forth like a butterfly in the cool summer breeze. Shin' obviously did not see it coming, nor did he hear it. It clapped him across the face, hanging off the spikes he so dangerously chose to wear.

Shin was enraged. Nobody interupts his morning chant! He clasped at the air, swipping for the fluttering sheet of simple print. He clutched at his face, stabbing his hands with his own spikes. Screaming in pain, he staggerd about, eventually falling, landing limply on cold earth.

"Shin, you blind fool. Get off ya ars!"

"Kage! Kage, help me."

"Whats this?" asked Kage, yanking off the leaflet and reading it aloud. "Mercenaries Ball...this is tommorrow! Right here in Port Oaks.. hmm whatever." he said, discarding the crumpled sheet. "Shin! You lazy ol' mute, the Shogans are off to Cap Au Diable, meet us there!" and with that, he sped off.

A ball? Shin thought, climbing to his feet and searching for his fashioned bones. Villains gathering.. sounds like a party.

((so like, what time is this thing? after a year of playing, i'm still not clued up on co-ordinates, heck.. i'm baffled by bearings in general.. whereabouts is this RP spot?.. assuming the meeting will be IC ))

[ QUOTE ]
New layer, rotation, expansion, transparency..

[/ QUOTE ]

sorry.. what?

[ QUOTE ]
DOITASHI MASITE


[/ QUOTE ]

eve, what does that mean?

[ QUOTE ]
Good work on the comic so far.. Chapter 5 has the best displayed attack names. Keep that up

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you!

[ QUOTE ]
It really looks like you either used MS paint or that you didn't put any effort into it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, I've used MS Paint. I found it so much easier to type into Microsoft Word's Word Arts, then paste into MS Paint for any manipulations, and then into Photoshop. Although I have noticed the rather odd contrasts the bubbles now hold.. I will either return to shrinking then slightly or filtering them as well.. or use whatever fonts you can provide me, I will definately have a play around.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
ARIGATO GOSAIMAS

[/ QUOTE ]
ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah.. thought so.

EDIT: Can I quote your comment on the back cover?

Chapter 4: Judas is now accessible

Approximately 3 minutes read, with 3 pages

((Yeah, when that happens, I try to stand by and do/talk about something else that wont affect the status quo. *shrugs*))

((we really should try a "classroom" event.. have it led and organised so that the forum roleplayers (especially those who have shown interest in the school but not entered yet) can get a chance to *group up* and actually do some actual interactive rp... maybe Vol shud role a teacher and set up somink like a training at the gym or some kinda sports events.. i dunno. i think most of our characters are developed and have have pretty much settled down now.. what dyu think?))

"On second thought, I've been worried about Natoe, I should go look for him, nice meeting you Xyn. I should see you around soon." Pious said, jogging off towards the main staircase.

I'm beat, forget Natoe; I'm off to sleep. he thought, reaching the third floor and turning a corner. He slid his card through his dormitary door and entered the room. The lights where off, but he didn't need them. Sliding into his covers without another thought.

* * *

Damn. The spandex.

"g-Xnn" Pious pronounced. "Has a nice sound to it. Is that like an alias? Whats your real name?"

He backed out through the main doors, shaving the light around him and going invisible. He released the light and became visible again, swapping the colours of his clothes from blue to black, then white, and back to blue. He was clearly showing off.

"Well, I'm Pious.. it getting late and I aint got any classes. I've just been over to Icon and the place is awesome. You wanna go for a walk?" Pious asked.

"Woah!" Pious exclaimed. "Watch where you're going lady. I'm not even invisible." he paused. "Deja vu... have we met before?"

* * *

A wash of white light and Mrs Alexis appeared at the school gates, Pious in hand. He was a brand new outfit; white silk-like spandex that covered his entire body from his toes to the turtle-neck.

"Mrs. Alexis, I feel like a ballerina" he said, but she was gone.

He walked through the main doors, entering the foyer as he projected his blue jeans, blue t-shirt and white trainers.

There. Those I decieve wont see my quay tights.. I hope.

((you know, I've never been able to make out the lyrics to that song. oh, and thank you. ))

"Pious.." Headmaster Dirigente sounded disappointed as Pious entered his office. "Sit down at that desk over there" he continued, motioning at a desk in the far end of the room. "There are many gifted illusionist who choose to fashion illusionary clothing.." Pious was gobsmacked, ".. indeed it allows flexibility of movement and creativity of the outer appearance; some can even change their body form to impersonate others, or simply morph into objects." Pious tried to make out where this way going. "But all of these great illusionist, never walk around bare. In a school of gifted youths, you can never tell just how many of then are capable of seeing through your illusion. Are you following me?"

"Absolutely, headmaster. I've been exploiting this new power since I figured it out. I honestly didn't think anyone would see my boxers." Pious explained.

"I know. I can read you like an open book, now sit down and write your essay." His tone was casual, yet authoritative. he whirled around and took his own seat.

An hour later, Pious was glad to have written six pages. He could only assume the word count would sum up four-thousand already, so he concluded,

They swarmed in after the brave heroes. All was silent for about fifteen minutes. Then a tremendous explosion rippled out from the open portal, tearing through the Rikti base and instantly annihilating everything within a square mile. Only one hero, the utterly invulnerable Ajax, managed to survive the blast. He had been taken captive by a Rikti stasis ray and rendered unable to follow his team-mates into the portal. Now he was the sole surviving witness to their apparent victory.

Pious looked nervously at Dirigente, and decided that his conclusion to the disappearance of Hero1 and the Vanguard's Omega Team was rather incomplete. He continued,

The Vanguard and the other great hero organisations of the world scarcely existed anymore. With the exception of Statesman and a few others, all the world’s greatest heroes had died in the war. Trillions upon trillions of dollars of damage had been done to the majority of the world’s most populated cities. Paragon City was the worst hit of all. Once a shining beacon of light and prosperity, now much of it lay in ruins. It didn’t take long for criminals to start reasserting themselves, and new heroes were needed. It was the beginning of a desperate time that would last for decades.

Pious looked over the ink of his work and sighed satisfyingly. That should do it. I'm exhausted.

"Exhausted, from writing an essay?" Dirigente exclaimed.

Darn it, forgot he's a telepath. "Well, err, I mean." Pious stuttered.

"You're either lazy or unfit. Take the essay with you. I grade it an A. You did well to recognise Hero1 as a descendant of the Hero One. Well done, you've proven yourself a british."

"You knew what I was writing? The whole time?" Pious questioned.

"Yes." said Dirigente. "You're and intelligent boy Pious. Great potential, and with more control over your genetic gifts, I think you will make one fine hero."

Pious was fixed with a permanent orange on his cheeks. "Thank you headmaster, I promise I'll do my best." And he meant it. He'd remembered the sacrifices made in the Rikti Invasion; many great heroes had died. "Since I read the books at the library, the word 'hero' has meant a whole lot more."

Dirigente glared at him for a long while, a proud smile formed on his strong face. "Same time tommorrow Pious, I want you hear in my office."

"More detention?" Pious was shocked.

"Yes. You're too easily influenced and I'm going to have to beat it out of you. We'll be using the NRVS, I'll teach you some tactics. Get you up to the standards of a fifteen year old student. I understand Miss Myrtyl will be aiding you in biology."

"Yes sir, I'm very much looking forward to it, sir."

"She was all you were thinking of during your essay. I'm surprised you managed to pen down such good grammar." Pious' orange turned a cold blue. Dirigente was suddenly stone serious. "If you lay a hand on her.. lets just say the NRVS sessions will become rather centred on the Devouring Earth." he warned.

Pious gulped, if there was anything that frightened him most, it was the Devouring Earth. His mother would abandon him on Talos' outer islands as punishment whenever he was naughty.

"Good, I'm glad we undersatnd each other." Dirigente said, with a smile that only frightened Pious more. "Pious, I have work to do. Go and see Mrs Alexis, she'll take you over to Icon and get you some spandex. It'll keep you free of movement, and cover up the muscles you so love to flaunt."

"Flaunt? Oh no, you've got it all wrong?" said Pious.

"Don't deny it, I know your thoughts. Now get out of my office."

* * *

Pious exited the headmaster's office, walking towards the secretary's desk. "Evening Mrs Alexis"

"Evening Pious. I'll be right with you."

"No problem, I'll take a seat right here."

"To be honest, I dont quite understand why Dirigente wants you in new clothes, your dungarees and jeans do you just fine."

Pious smiled. Finally, someone I can fool.

Pious browsed the Hero/Villain History & Culture section, running his fingers through the spines in a hurry.

Jee, everything here is Statesman, Freedom Phalanx, Dawn Patrol.. whatever happened to.. ah there we go. Pious thought, pulling out a book titled 'Hero One and The Cold War'. He flicked through it, and decided he needed at least one other. He spun round to a second shelf and skimed through.

Hero1 and the Vanguard Pious thought, pulling out the book. "These should do." He hurried to a nearby desk and sat down, flicking through the first book.

***Seeing more clearly than either government what was about to happen, the Earth’s premiere heroes took it upon themselves to stop the madness. Organised by members of the Dawn Patrol and Freedom Phalanx, a group of two-dozen international heroes sprang into action. They neutralised both the American space launch and the soviet missiles before either could fully deploy, and sent the world a message: they would not tolerate such behaviour. Hero One (Great Britain’s foremost hero and predecessor to the Vanguard’s Hero1) stepped into the limelight to negotiate a peaceful solution to the crisis.***

"True British. You tell 'em Hero One." said Pious, more to himself than anything. So that's why Dad hates politics. Government sure can be hot-headed. I wanna be a trusty hero too, I'll stand up tall like Headmaster Dirigente and stop missiles and stuff. He shut the book and gazed dreamily through the window.

Moments later, a sudden noise from behind woke him with a start, he spun around but saw nothing.

"Hi" the voice came from nowhere, and Pious recognized it instantly to be Myrtyl.

"Hey Myrtyl" he replied, pulling open the second book.

"Whatya doing?"

"Err, light reading."

"Liar"

"Yeah well, I'm sure you already know what I'm doing Myrtyl, you follow me everywhere." Myrtyl fell silent.

***Matters were growing more desperate with each passing month, so the Vanguard, led by Hero 1 in November 2002, decided to try Dr. Science’s daring plan.***

"I can see through you're illusion you know" Myrtyl interupted.

"What?!" Pious exclaimed in a whisper.

"You can't decieve me. To be honest, I find it very fascinating. You must have so much confidence in yourself. To walk around bare all the time."

"No way. You can see through the illusion? What colour are my boxers then?"

"White. I dont think it matches your blue jeans."

Pious just stared. A long silence followed, broken by silent giggles from Myrtyl.

"Okay, alright, so you can see me. I dont care, its hot outside, and plus, my body gets plenty of air. The freedom of movement is amazing. You should try.." Pious words trailed off, a sudden realisation hit him with recoil. Myrtyl was giggling relatively louder. "What do you look like under there?" The giggling stopped. "Yeah, unlike everyone else, you can see through my illusionary clothing, now its only fair that I see what you look like."

"Nice try, Pious"

He sighed, "why not? What are you hiding under there?"

"I saw your reaction when you met my mum, she quite literally seized your voice. I like you better when you're not nervous Pious." she paused.

"Ebony, is very beautiful. I admit, I was almost mezmorised by her appearance, and I have no doubt she has that effect on all males."

"You boys are the same. Looks is everything!" she sounded upset.

"No. oh no, I was merely explaining my first impressions. Ebony is a lovely lady, very kind and helpful." Another silence and Pious suddenly felt like he was being watched. "Myrtyl, you still there?" there was no reply, and Pious returned to his book.

***They assembled the best and brightest heroes in the world, leaving only skeleton crews to man the defences. They then split into two teams, one led by Statesman, named Alpha Team, and one led by Hero 1, named Omega Team. Alpha Team was much larger, consisting of over 1000 heroes from across the globe. They launched a full frontal assault on the Rikti main troop concentrations, drawing as many alien troops into the fray as possible. This was a dangerous ploy, and it proved costly. In the ensuing titanic battle, 800 of 1000 heroes died, along with some 50,000 Rikti soldiers.***

"Wow, these Rikti must've been quite the threat" he said.

"What about me Pious, what are your first impressions?"

Pious was taken aback, he had assumed she was gone. "Myrtyl, I like you, you're rather like me; playful. I actually can't forget the joke you played on me this morning." The two laughed. "Yeah, that was funny. Very clever." A short silence and Pious grew concious of his large smile, quickly correcting himself, he imagined Myrtyl was smiling too.

"If you like, I can tutor you. Get you up to standards."

"That'll be great. How old are you Myrtyl? What grade are you?"

"I'm in your classes. I'm fifteen. Can you do me a favour?"

"Depends, if it involves smoking, then no." he joked.

"Go invisible" she said, and Pious did so. He heard her lean over to him, and felt her lips touch his.

* * *

Whoa. Pious thought, as Myrtyl withdrew, some seconds later. Now that, is what I call a first day of term. "If I could see you, I'd kiss you back" he joked.

Myrtyl chuckled, "I can't see you, I had to guess."

Pious smiled, releasing the light around him and becoming visible. "Will I be having an invisible tutor, or do u get to see you?" At this, a sparkle of orange glitter releived her body, revealing her appearance.

Wow, I just kissed that? Myrtyl was an exact copy of her mother. "Wow, you're absolutely beautiful."

"Yes, thats what you said about my mother."

"You've kissed me, no way can I ever be nervous now."

"My plan exactly."

Pious tried to avert his eyes, but he couldn't help but marvel. Myrtyl's hair was gleaming in the afternoon sun, the blonde streaks were silkier than his. He lowered his eyes and watched the lips he'd just felt, he snapped awake and looked back into her eyes. Her pupils, faded from blue to pink, of all colours.

"How dyu do that?" he asked. "You're eyes, it changed colours"

"I could tell you, but it'll become a long biology session and I'd rather you finished your research."

"Damn it, you're right. I've only got fifteen minutes till detention." He pulled the book closer to him, and bent back over to read.

***Omega team consisted of 50 of the world’s best and brightest. The humans had found that the Rikti were particularly ineffective when it came to dealing with magic based powers, so there were quite a few magicians and artefact wielding heroes on Omega Team. Using an ancient Charm of Invisibility, the team managed to slip into the Rikti main portal base unseen.***

"Oh look, Omega Team used invisibily to penetrate the Rikti base. See, thats something I'll be doing after I graduate" said Pious, looking up at Myrtyl.

"Omega Team? Oh those guys are long dead."

"Myrtyl!"

"What?"

"That's heartless!"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I have every faith that. Hero1. Will. Return. Again." she spelt. They both chuckled. Pious returned to the book.

***They were discovered, but now it was too late. They fought their way through to the gateway - five of them fell captive to the Rikti in the process. It was one of these captives who later escaped and provided the only witness to what happened next. Omega Team disappeared into the portal and the Rikti were thrown into a panicked frenzy.***

* * *

"Times up, handsome. Detention time."

"Yeah, I should be on my way. jee, I dont have enough material for four-thousand words." Pious said.

"Bahh, dont worry yourself. Dirigente is a nice man. Just do your honest best."

"Okay, I'll see you later tonight?" Pious called, as he back out of the library.

"If you squint your eyes really really tight, then you might just". They both chuckled, and Myrtyl disappeared in another wave of orange sparkles.

((you should have someone take a look at that! seriously c'mon why is he bleeding?))