Chapter 13 : Getting a mentor
[Author note : Here you go, guys : a new chapter of the Iron-Lad Squib. Almost didn't have the heart to continue posting because of... Never mind ! In this chapter I've tried a little bit of comic relief but I don't know how funny it is, really. I at least hope to make some of you smile !
On another note, I'll start posting other stories I've written (or am still writing) on Patréon to give more content to those who'd be interested. Those include Fan-fictions and original stories. I'm not sure whether or not I'll post anything on Webnovel however... Maybe a synopsis or part of a chapter ? Anyways I'll start posting in the new few days.
And, as always : if you're interested in my stories or want to encourage me, please check out my Patréon : https://www.patréon.com/user?u=66371596 (replace the é by a normal e) or look for Cathbel on their website
KoSP : 2 advanced chapters
The Squib who became Iron Lad... In DC : 3 advanced chapters
Enjoy !]
During the next few days, the three heroes worked tirelessly in the aftermaths of the attacks. Ned, given his origins and his need to keep a few cards close to his vest, restricted himself to the transport of people, merchandise or the lifting of heavy charges. His armors could provide first aid, but… To the trained eye, it would be obvious that it wasn't just tech ! In the fight, he hadn't thought of it. However, now that the adrenaline was gone, that his injuries had been mended (after and during a long sermon from his mom), he realized how reckless this had been. He didn't regret helping and he'd do it again if it came down to it, of course. Still, in the last few days, he'd been worried of having his identity exposed to the magical world.
If that happened, not only MACUSA would be after him, his new bestie, Voldemort would come knocking… No matter the immigration policy of magicals in the US. And so, he decided to keep a low profile.
Looking to his left at the news crew following his every move, he amended in his head : as low a profile as possible, anyway.
Although the three heroes took turns helping out in Metropolis, others had also come to provide aid in this time of need. A caucasian male in green with a domino mask was seen flying around, lifting things or helping the paramedics travel over the destroyed roads by encasing them in a green bubble. The Green Lantern… Perhaps, Hal Jordan, but Ned couldn't be sure. He was a long way from home, though…
And another : fast as the lightning emblazoned on his chest, dressed in mostly red, with a bit of yellow and a tinge of white. Barry Allen, AKA the Flash, coming straight from Central City. The man transported and rescued even more people than he did, simply because of his speed. The squib felt it unfair really…
He had to spend years working on the designs of his armor, its systems, the enchantments and the materials… Learning to forge goblin silver, even ! When All Barry had to do was get struck by lightning… The same was true for Superman and Green Lantern for that matter ! Superman was an evolved race of alien who processed the light of a yellow sun much better than humans, while Green Lantern was chosen because of his great will…
Ned shook these thought out of his head and returned to work. After a while, Steel came to take over :
« Lad, it's time ! Go rest a bit, alright ? »
Ned sighed and just as he was about to thank the man, he heard a voice swiftly coming closer :
« Here we have Doctor John Henry Irons, AKA Steel and his yet unidentified sidekick, Silver Lad ! Let's see if they can speak to us about the progress of the repair… »
« He's not my… » John started to say, but was interrupted by the hand of Ned on his shoulder. He just had an idea…
« Come on, sir. The jig is up ! It's obvious a young man like me wouldn't be able to build something like my armor without some kind of advice. » Turning toward the blonde woman, he asked : « Who are you, miss ? »
« Cat Grant for the Daily Planet. So, you confirm that it is, in fact, Doctor Irons who built your armor ? »
Ned shrugged and clarified :
« Not exactly. The original designs were all mine as you can tell by the difference between our two armors. I just consulted Doctor Irons a number of times for a few problems I encountered… He did, however, offer to supervise the armor and myself as I started out on my journey to become a hero. »
In his ears, Ned could hear Mel's confusion about the situation :
« I have no recollection of such events… »
That's because it didn't happen, Mel. It's just a smokescreen for the magical world… If any of them are paying attention to no-majs news anyway. It's better they believe the armor is completely tech-based instead of a result of technomancy… I'm guessing there aren't a lot of people working in this field, right now and narrowing down the people who could build something like this would be easily achievable.
« That's… not completely stupid. Bravo, Ned ! » Mel replied to his thoughts jokingly.
Steel, on the other hand, didn't seem thrilled about this :
« What are you doing, kid ? Why are you lying ? » He whispered through gritted teeth.
Similarly, Ned answered :
« I'll explain as soon as they leave. For now, let's humor their questions and get back to work, alright ? »
And so, they did for about 5 minutes. And though they were in the spotlight because they didn't wear uniforms and fought in a battle straight out of a science-fiction movie, they didn't forget to commend and praise the work of the police, paramedics and firemen who were, just like them, working tirelessly. In fact, compared to the two who were extremely dependent on their suits of armor, these people continued, sometimes late into the night. Ned highlighted this fact and spoke about how he admired them.
Later, the two were standing on the roof of a building untouched by the battle.
« So ? » Steel asked, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. He was obviously displeased. It was understandable… After all, his suit was originally designed for the military, specifically to take down Superman. However, Irons stole the suit and decided to keep it for himself. Now, people would think that he helped, or even designed another suit for a nobody !
« So… Ahem. It's a little difficult to explain. My situation is complicated and I… I can't afford people to link my civilian persona with the one wearing this suit. I figured, it'd be better if people thought it was based off of your technology… » He frowned, though it couldn't be seen : « To be honest, it kind of breaks my heart. I spent years working on it and now… People will think I'm just your knock off, but… It's for the best ! »
Thankfully, he'd been working on his original armor and it looked nothing like the one that appeared in the Daily Prophet for the battle in the Ministry of Magic a few months ago… Well, except for the silver and blue coloring that is, but the journal didn't have colors ! Hopefully, it'd be enough to fool anyone asking questions…
« And you don't care the trouble you might put me in, is that it ? » Irons asked, a hard edge to his voice.
Ned tilted his head, a gesture made not at all cute by the fact that he was wearing a full suit of armor.
« Isn't it your armor ? I mean, you patented it and everything, right ? »
« It's… complicated. » He sighed and started to explain : « The military originally funded the research and development of the Steel armor… At the time, with the emergence of Superman and his admission to being an alien, General Lane was… paranoid. He wanted something he could use in case of an alien invasion, or Superman proved to be… an enemy. But, then, Lex Luthor showed up… They managed to capture Superman and… Well, they tortured him, trying to figure out what made him tick. » He shook his head. « That's when I decided that it was too much and I didn't want my technology to have any part in this. I took the armor, as well as any schematics and data on their computers and left… »
At this point, Ned continued :
« So… You're afraid that the military or the government will sue you for not only using your tech but also sharing it with an unknown like me, is that it ? »
« I can take the heat ! » Steel exclaimed. « It's just… You should have talked to me about it before springing this on me ! »
Ned sighed :
« You're right. I'm sorry ! It's just that the occasion was perfect… This journalist already had it all figured out for us and basically written the story. I figured I might use it… I didn't think… It was selfish. Again : sorry ! »
John Henry Irons glared at him for a few more seconds before he shook his head :
« Alright, kid ! Alright ! I get you didn't mean anything bad, but now… I'm supposed to supervise you and your armor, you remember ? »
As if time had stopped, Ned stilled almost perfectly. Neither his muscle or any part of his armor moved or made a noise. He thought : I did say that shit, didn't I ?
« You did… Idiot ! » Mel whispered in his ears.
Feeling melodramatic, Ned made a fist aimed at the sky and said :
« Nooooo~ ! » Before he fell to his knees, and hands, head down.
« Yeah ! That means that we have to at least pretend like you're my sidekick… »
« Partner ! » Ned corrected instantly, raising his head from his prone form.
« Eh ! I don't make those names. The medias do ! Whether I call you my partner or not, they'll just call you a… »
« Sidekick… Damn it ! »
Ned was only half-playing the drama queen. Although, he didn't like the idea much, it was something he had expected somewhat. After all, the news had already portrayed him as a 'young hero just starting out' and now that he revealed that Steel was his 'mentor', the papers would just start to call him his 'sidekick', because it was easier and more impactful… Or because it allowed them to put him down a bit, make themselves feel better about their lives or something. Ned didn't really know. Nor did he care.
He got back up and commented :
« So, now that you're my mentor… I guess I can't just get back home. » He looked Steel in the eyes and asked, with a slight smile in his voice : « Where to, boss ? »
* * * * *
Later that evening, Ned was explaining his new status to his parents as they were eating dinner.
« So, you're using Mister Irons reputation to cover up the fact that you've created your armor, is that it ? » Ed asked, an eyebrow raised.
If there was something his son was known for, it was his pride in his intelligence. He often jokingly bragged about how he was a genius only seen once in a thousand years, if not more and that his creations would bring the human race to the stars. Not sure what they'd be doing up there, though… So, the fact that he basically lied about his own achievements was surprising, to say the least. Edmond nodded :
« I think that's the smart play, here ! Even thought the footage of the fight was taken from a distance, your mother and I could easily tell it was spell-fire your armor generated. It might be because we knew about it, but still, having a known no-maj acts as the one who helped build your armor is a good cover. »
Ned nodded and acknowledged, though he wasn't happy :
« I know. It was a spur of the moment thing and I think it was brilliant, but… Why do I feel like crap, now ? »
Ed chuckled and Sarah smiled. She brushed a hand in her son's hair as she told him :
« That's simply because you don't like not being recognized for your hard work. It's perfectly normal ! In this case, however, I think you need to squash that feeling : you did good ! » She shrugged : « And who knows… If what you say, that the Statute will soon be impossible to maintain, happens, then you won't have to live this lie anymore. »
« Yeah… You're right ! Besides, it's not like I'll only operate in Steel's shadow. In time, we can say that I've outgrown his teachings or whatever… And since he's based in Metropolis, I can also become New York's hero ! »
Sarah's caring and doting gestures suddenly changed, when she gripped Ned's ear and pinched it hard :
« Ow, ow, ow ! Mom ! »
« I don't want to hear it, mister ! Now you listen and you listen well, okay ? Your father and I were worried sick about you seeing you on TV like that… We thought we'd lost you ! We'll be much happier and more relieved knowing this mister Irons has your back ! I do not want you to leave his side and I certainly do not want you to stop this apprenticeship or whatever… Do you hear me ? »
« But, mom ? » The pinching turned more painful. « Ouch, ouch ! Okay ! Okay, I give ! Please, stop stretching my ear like that or it'll stay stuck… » His mother let go of his ear and he started to rub it, as if that would help… « Damn… I hope you didn't turn me into some kind of elephant-man with only one giant ear ! »
Sarah smiled darkly as she promised :
« I can work on the other one if you want ? »
She stood up, and so did Ned as the two started running around the table. One chased while the other tried to keep away… Meanwhile, Ed watched it all with a smile on his face, eating his food.