The Superhero's Son Omnibus Volume 2

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Arriving on the roof of the House, which was quite windy and cold today, I saw that the Neocopter was no longer on the pad where it usually sat. Instead, there was a huge, strange-looking plane that looked like a UFO with a giant cannon on top. It was painted black and gray, with a weird number painted on it that I didn't understand. The symbol of the G-Men was emblazoned on the front, however, which was how I knew that it belonged to them.

My parents were already standing near the weird plane, along with the rest of the Young Neos, plus someone I'd never seen before. He was a strong-looking guy whose age I couldn't guess due to the fact that his face looked … off. It was hard to describe, but his face didn't really look like it fit the rest of his body. It was almost like he had stolen someone else's face and was wearing it like a mask over his own. What made it look even weirder was how the rest of his body looked pretty normal, which made me wonder what his superpower was.

As I walked up to the plane, I noticed that Dad, Mom, and the other Young Neos were standing away from the G-Men agent. Dad, who was wearing his full Genius costume, stood between Mom and the agent as if he didn't trust the guy. And, even though I didn't know who this particular agent was, I had to admit I didn't trust him much either, mostly because of his weird face.

“Ah, Bolt,” said Dad, looking at me as I approached. “Glad you came here promptly.”

“And you've packed all your things without having to be told, too,” said Mom, smiling at me. “I'm so proud of you.”

I was determinedly not looking at the rest of my team— who I could hear giggling and snickering among themselves—when Mom said that, because I was pretty sure that Mom had singlehandedly destroyed whatever respect my team had for me as a leader with that one comment. I sometimes thought that Mom actually did have a superpower: The ability to embarrass me in front of other people at any moment.

Regardless, I said, “Are we leaving right away, then?”

“Of course not,” said the G-Men agent, rolling his eyes. “We're just going to be spending the next several minutes standing around awkwardly in the cold New York wind.” He shook his head. “Kids these days.”

I looked at the G-Men agent in confusion. “Are you the pilot?”

“Aye,” said the agent. He glared at the plane behind him. “Mostly because I'm the only one in the whole Department who knows how to fly the damn thing.”

“What's your name?” I said. “Uh, I mean your superhero name, that is.”

“I am the Uncanny Mimic,” said the agent. “But you can just call me 'Mimic' for short, if you can't remember my full superhero name.”

Mimic's abrasive attitude rubbed me the wrong way, but I tried to speak to him politely anyway. “Mimic? Does that mean you can shape-shift or something?”

Mimic sighed heavily, as if he was anticipating my next question. “Yes. I can change my face and body shape to look however I want. I am one of the best spies in the federal government as a result, and a fine pilot, as well.”

“Can you shape-shift right now?” I said excitedly. “Like, give me a demonstration of your powers?”

“Demonstrate my powers?” Mimic repeated. He turned his nose up at me. “Such disrespect! I am not some kind of sideshow attraction at a circus. I am a respected and experienced member of one of the most efficient superhero teams in the world. I will not demonstrate my powers just to amuse a teenager.”

Dad made a weird noise— which sounded like a distorted snort through his helmet—when Mimic said 'efficient.' Mimic, however, must not have heard it, because he didn't look at Dad. He just stood with his hands on his hips, looking as offended as if I had just slapped his mother.

“Oh, sorry,” I said. “It's just that I've never met a shape-shifter before and I always thought it was a cool power.”

“Yes, we are a rarity in the superhero community, which is why I am so important,” said Mimic. “But I shall accept your apology, as it appears to be done in earnestness and I am not one to withhold forgiveness from those who apologize for offending me.”

“Is that why you still haven't forgiven me for that time I punched you in the face?” said Dad.

Mimic glared at Dad. “Because you have never apologized for it. And besides, it wasn't just a 'punch.' You hit me with your electrified gauntlets and I had to have facial surgery to put my face back together.”

“What a waste of our tax money,” Dad commented. “After all, that surgery clearly didn't help you look good.”

Mimic looked like he was about to start arguing with Dad, but then he closed his mouth and shook his head. “Ah, never mind. What's past is past. I have orders from Director Smith to make sure that you three get to the Compound quickly. Director Smith does not like lateness, so all three of you should get on board the hovercraft now.”

“Okay,” I said. “But I want to say good bye to my teammates first. It'll take just a second.”

“Fine,” said Mimic, though he sounded annoyed. “Just be quick about it. I do not want to be on this stupid Island any longer than I must.”

I nodded and walked over to my teammates as Mom and Dad climbed up the ramp into the hovercraft itself. I stopped in front of my teammates and looked at each of them.

“Guys, I don't know how long I'm going to be away or when I'll get back,” I said. “I don't even know if I'll get my powers back. This might be the last time I ever see any of you, at least here on Hero Island.”

“We understand, Bolt,” said Stinger. “We're going to do everything in our power to find and beat Robert while you’re away. Maybe we'll even figure out how to get your powers back.”

“Thanks for the thoughts,” I said. “You guys just stay safe while I'm away, okay? Robert is dangerous. He's got a ton of powers and is probably looking for more. I don't want to return here only to discover that he's stolen your guys' powers. Or worse, have killed you to get them.”

I looked at Blizzard, who hadn't said anything yet but seemed like she wanted to, though I was really looking at her because she was the second strongest after me in the team. “Especially you, Blizzard. I don't want to know what Robert would do if he had your powers.”

Blizzard nodded, but seemed like she wanted to say something to me. I didn't really know what, though, so I said, “Blizzard, do you have something to say to me?”

Then Blizzard did something I didn't expect: She actually hugged me. It was a very brief hug, probably no longer than a second or two, but it took me by surprise anyway. In fact, it was so brief that I wasn't even sure it had actually happened or if I had imagined it before Blizzard said, “Good luck, Bolt, and stay safe.”

I could still feel Blizzard's cold hands on my body, but I said, stuttering just slightly, “Uh, sure, thanks.”

Then I heard an impatient sigh and looked over my shoulder to see Mimic standing there, his arms folded over his chest and his foot tapping against the platform. He even glanced at his watch, which told me that I needed to go fast.

So I just said a final goodbye to the rest of the team (lingering just slightly on Blizzard, but only because her hug was still fresh in my mind) and then turned and walked over to the hovercraft.

Passing Mimic, I heard him mutter under his breath, “Teenagers …” in a dismissive, contemptuous voice.