Chap Four

I had always thought my plan was flawless, even as I stood, re-thinking it, everything had but only one flaw and that was my outfit itself. I bit my lip, my cheeks sore as I puffed them, even with all my features covered in the blackness of the clothes, it seemed so childish and I wanted to cringe. I opened Mark's bag, rummaging through it until I successfully located a wig, with locks of silver. The guide had remained silent as I examined it with worry and I tried hard to shrug it off.

I removed the towel, wrapping Mark's brown hair and put the wig, shuddering as its artificial silver locks brushed against my nape. I slid the rest of Shadow's outfit with glee, it was my first step towards finally returning home. I slid on the dark glasses, hiding my dark blue orbs and looked at the window, hesitantly as I imagined jumping out.

Going through the front door could compromise things as, this was more than a school for raising heroes and controlling abilities. It was to curb the outbreak of villain ideologies in the students, I smirked, lucky me, I get to ruin it. I took a long shaky breath and jumped out the window, manipulating the air into keeping me afloat.

The screechy sound of something echoed through the giant school and I shuddered, the actual opening of the academy started today which also benefitted my cause. I pushed the air, I had managed to solidify and as it propelled me to the cause of commotion, I sent a spiral of lightning to the sky, the shades of purple painting the darkening sky and as I reached the crowd, a loud noise followed.

"Lightning user! State your business here!" The blonde woman using the sound amplifying machine stated, fear obviously in her voice.

"My name is Shadow," my monotone voice started, "I'm here to cause trouble and get revenge on the people that killed me. Cutting all crap, I am simply a villain."

"Clearly not," Hero Black scoffed, leaning on the white walls nonchalantly, "I mean, what kind of villain costume is this? You look like a cos player." I raised a brow, he was getting on my nerves.

"The older a person, the wiser," I stated, "Although your mouth says otherwise."

"Watch your tongue, young man." I yawned.

Other heroes had gathered at this point, everything seemed to be going according to plan. I raised my hand, channeling the blood in Hero Black and raising him to my level, his mouth, ears and nose had blood slowly dripping out of it.

"Put him down!" someone yelled, her body outlined in a tight blue leotard.

"Nope," I circulated the blood, stopping it from reaching the heart and he gasped, his face white, "part of your ability is immortality which should come with eternal youth so I don't expect you to die so easily."

I sent a wave of lightning, making sure it entered the veins where his blood was and in an instant locating the ability crystal in Hero Black with closed eyes, a small stone attached to the heart and thought of destroying it, before losing connection as it exploded. I watched as he squirmed mid-air and smirked as I looked at the terrified faces of the other heroes. He had become limp, his breathing barely noticeable and I sighed as I let him drop to the floor.

"I hope this wasn't your strongest superhero, because being a villain wouldn't be fun without an archenemy."

I spotted Jake, his eyes were on the almost dead body of Hero Black and his lips were in a twisted smirk, it seemed he didn't like Hero Black as much as I did. I sent a wave of lightning down and watched as everyone lost consciousness. I let myself down and grabbed Jake's still body.

"Let the boy go." I looked at a woman, her dark hair covered in a purple cloak and sighed.

"You look strong but I seriously can't fight you right now, another time maybe."

"Wh-" I cut her off as I covered the place in mist, leaving to execute the next phase of my plan.

I watched with keen interest as Jake slowly moved as he battled with consciousness, the binding of the ropes restricting his minimal movement. He fluttered his eyes slowly and in a swift moment, opened them, the small orange streaks of light coming from my flames illuminating the dark forest, reflecting in his eyes.

"W-where am I?" he asked, his voice raspy as a result of his forced slumber. His eyes widened and his rapid gasps for air echoed through the forest. "Shadow!" he mumbled in a panicky manner, trying to stand up, a reflex action despite knowing otherwise.

"I prefer Ricky… don't you?" I pulled down the hood, taking off my glasses and wig and watched the slight glimmer of familiarity in his gaze as I unmasked myself.

"I-I thought… when you called yourself a villain, I thought you were kidding, I mean we were both tired and slightly in a food coma." I raised a brow before sighing.

"That's what I get for thinking you're smart, never making the same mistake again. And to think, I missed a potentially great battle just for you." I could see him shudder and I smirked.

"W-what do you want from me?" I inched closer to him, smiling as he squirmed and placed a finger on his cheek, caressing it gently. "Are you gay?" I stopped, before cackling loudly, "O…or autistic while being gay?"

"Sweet Jake, you make me laugh. You're handsome, I won't lie, but," I continued to caress his cheek, "I'm not into same sex relationships. You know I had a crush once, her hair a cute shade of pink and big brown eyes. She was part of the people that bullied Jake so much, but still cared for him behind the scenes and could never share this with anyone, right until the moment Jake died. I wonder how she is now."

"What are you talking about? I'm right here! And Amy is no bully, the girl doesn't even know you." I chuckled again, basking in his discomfort.

"I'm talking about my old self and my own Amy." He seemed extra confused but I chose to ignore him, he would know when the time was right.

"What do you want from me?"

"I want you dear Jake… to kill me?"

"W-What the heck?"

"Not now of course, but if I ever stray from the mission. For now I need you to be my guy in a chair, while your ability will be useful for me in defense, you're well known as the last shadow user which will compromise our identities as we still a small duo." He blinked rapidly as if trying to comprehend my ranting.

Bullied kids like him were so easy to manipulate and him not being a superhero fan made him much easier to turn to the dark side.

"What do you say Jake, be my partner." He sighed and I chewed on my lower lip.

He looked at me, eyes full of resolve although his face held hesitation.

"I'm in."

Jake and I walked in awkward silence, my villain costume was kept in a dimensional space Jake could create with his shadow and as we reached the giant fence, separating the large school from the rest of the world. I took in a deep breath, manipulating the air and flying us into the open window. We opened the door, unready for the commotion in the hallway. We looked at each other before following the crowd who all went to the assembly hall.

Hero Black walked into the stage and the place fell silent as everyone took in his current state. He had both his legs bandaged and walked on crutches made of metals.

"The villain Shadow made his debut today and was fortunate enough not to face off with Rogue Witch," my ears perked, my revenge was playing out better than planned. "The school's opening will be postponed as we will be conducting a proper search for Shadow." I gulped, I was so dead.