Prologue

Dialogue- "Example"

Thoughts- 'Example'

Sounds- Example

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"Haha, this loser doesn't even have a mom!!" These words left the mouth of the loud and obnoxious bully of my childhood as the other five children in the vicinity laughed with him. I remember the incident as if it was yesterday, the first of many fights I had in my life. 

Crack! Was the sound of his jaw as I punched him with as much force as my five year old body could muster. I remember entering a blind rage as I charged the other kids as well, throwing as many punches and kicks as I could before being restrained by my kindergarten teachers. 

I remember it hurting, the pain I felt from being punched and kicked myself. I won the fight, but not without taking a few hits myself. I remember seeing the other kids crying and squirming in pain as I was pulled away. It felt... satisfying. Dishing out the pain I felt they deserved was a pleasure like no other at the time.

"My son, in this world there are two types of people." My father lectured me, pausing for a second to allow me to digest his words before continuing, "There are those who use their strength to put down and hurt others wrongfully. And there are those who use their strength to protect the weak, and to eradicate the scum of the earth. I tell you this because you are strong, son. Choose wisely how you use that strength. I'm proud of you for defending yourself, but keep my words in mind." He stated as he looked into my brown eyes with his own.

Now at the time, I couldn't understand his words fully, but they sparked a feeling in my heart that I would never rid myself of, or that I would even want to. That was the moment I decided that I would use my strength to fight against the scum of the earth.

The National Institution of Powered Development is a government-funded institution created to train the next generation of superheroes who would defend the planet from people who use their power for illegal acts.

I begged my father as soon as I turned six, the minimum age required to join, to sign me up.

The process was simple. With the consent of my guardian, I would be taken away from the age of six and provided with the best quality tutoring. You would be taught many things, ranging from basic school curriculum to extensive martial arts training, and ability training. Seeing as the mass majority of people on the planet have at least one ability, it was only natural you'd be trained in the use of them.

First, however, you'd need to pass the qualifier to enter. For each selection, they only accepted twelve students at a time. Each student would be chosen by the guardian they're most favored by and enter their faction where they would learn under multiple mentors including the aforementioned guardian. There are twelve factions, with twelve corresponding guardians.

The first test I took in the qualifier was simple. That being the aptitude of ones ability. Most people get one from one of their parents, some people are born with their own completely different ability, or two abilities. However, only thirty percent of the population are born with two, making it a rarity. This is important to know because what ability you're born with could be the difference between you passing or failing the first test in the qualifier.

I have two abilities. The first was present very early in my life, that being teleportation. I'll explain the second later. Teleportation was considered by most to be a weak ability, especially because at the time I had to concentrate to actually use it.

I stood amidst the group of twenty-four children who would be taking this test nervously, for the first time in my life I had been in a truly unfamiliar place, having been taken away from home on a bus filled with other children. There were kids of ages ranging from six to ten here, being on the younger end of the spectrum I felt quite scared of the older kids at the time, their figures coming off as imposing to me, a six-year-old boy.

When it was my turn I nervously walked onto the stage whilst twisting the tight curls in my hair. A large man with a very muscular figure approached before speaking, "So, you're the son of Isaiah? I expect much from you. Introduce yourself by your full name and age, then demonstrate your ability to us."

I nodded my head before speaking in my small voice, "Hello, my name is Ikechukwu Collins, but you can call me Ike for short. I am six years old." I lightly squinted my eyes to concentrate afterward, it took about five seconds before there was a popping noise and I found myself standing behind the man. He allowed me to catch my breath before speaking to me once again, "Quite disappointing for you as his son. If you wish to pass you must do well on the next test."

I once again nodded my head before standing with the children who had taken the test. We were all separated, and sent with a different person who would take us to a dorm where we could rest for a few days before the next test.

During the following week, I spent my time talking to my father over the phone, as visits were only permitted after qualifiers were over.

When the time came for the second and final test, we were all escorted to a large room covered in protective material. The same burly man with brown hair from before approached the center of the group before speaking, "The rules are simple. All of you will fight, without the use of your powers. The final twelve will be selected by whichever guardian would like to adopt you into their faction. Now, on the count of three. One." We all began frantically preparing ourselves, to fight in the huge free for all.

"Three!" The action of the man suddenly skipping to three caused us to lag for a second before the most ruthless of us began attacking the children nearest to them. I had to duck to avoid a sudden attack from an older kid from behind. I retaliated with a punch of my own to his gut, but the only thing I got in response was a heavy punch to my nose, blood trickling out.

He continued throwing his wild punches at me as I backed up quickly in an attempt to dodge his punches. It didn't take long before I backed roughly into the hard wall behind me, nearly tripping. I was trapped, however, in that moment I had an idea that just barely managed to gain me a spot.

Pulling my leg back, I waited for the perfect moment before flinging my foot forward as hard as possible, kicking the kid square in the nuts. He paused before grabbing his crotch and hunching over in pain. I quickly grabbed his head with both hands and swung his head as hard as I could into the wall. Didn't take long for the boy to begin crying in pain and for me to be announced the victor.

I was the twelfth person to have passed the selection and was directed over to the center of the room with the rest of the children. I sat down in an attempt to catch my breath and began waiting to have my name called.

I was called as the last person to have passed and the man from before began speaking, "Alright allow the selection to begin. Anyone who wishes to have this child join their faction, raise your hand."No hands were raised. Well except one. A tall, imposing man with long hair and intense features. He was dressed head to toe in military-looking gear. "Nuke, I'm surprised you'd show interest in such a child." A beautiful woman with short brown hair voiced her surprise.

"You may not see it Lilith, but this boy will be great." Responded the man whose name I now knew was Nuke. or at least that's what they called him. He looked toward me before gesturing me to come closer. I approached him confidently before he addressed me directly, "Boy, I am Nukpana. I hope for a long and prosperous relationship between the two of us."

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