Broken Heroes

Aaron launched a kick at James. He looked like a shining blue arrow as he made contact with James’ chest. James reeled for a moment, but soon brought a gigantic arm onto Aaron. He blocked the attack, crossing his arms, but flew back from the force.

“Jane, how do I beat him?” Aaron asked her telepathically.

“I’m… not really sure. All I know is that I was his limiter. That’s why he’s so powerful now. Our link is gone,” she looked to the ground.

“That’s okay,” Aaron’s kindness radiated in her mind. “That process only worked because they didn’t let you be strong.”

Jane looked to Aaron with tears in her eyes. Here, before her, was the man that would become the Captain – he was every bit as loving as the Captain, too.

“Right,” she nodded. “I think I can disrupt his energy, but I have to get closer.”

“Done!” Aaron yelled. He launched Jane with his telekinesis. Her hands began to glow yellow as she prepared her attack. Right before she made contact, James erected a large magenta shield. Jane was sent flying back.

“Jane!” Aaron yelled, enveloping her in blue energy. “Wow…” he was astounded seeing his psychic powers with a visible manifestation.

“It worked,” she whispered, rising to her feet. “We have to try that again!”

“Alright,” Aaron gave a smirk. He ran toward James creating a large telekinetic field. As he reached James, he launched Jane from behind him. She met with another wall of magenta energy as Aaron braced himself against a kick from the magenta giant.

“It’s going to work at some point,” Aaron said, resolute. He did another mad dash, glowing a violent blue. The giant brought its fist down, about to hammer Aaron into the ground. Aaron created a shield above him to guard from the impact. A moment passed before he realized no contact had been made.

“Jane?” he turned to her. She was frozen in astonishment. All she did was shake her head.

“No, Blink,” a familiar voice said in the distance.

“You’re okay!” Aaron was ecstatic at seeing the young man again.

“I am. But you gotta hurry. It hurts to do this for very long,” Blink’s voice was shaky. Aaron could sense the immense effort Blink was using to freeze time.

“Got it,” Aaron nodded at Blink before he rose into the air. He paused directly above the magenta giant and smirked. “Hammer…” his voice low, Aaron slammed immense telekinetic force onto the giant, knocking it into the ground. He could feel time resume and sensed confusion from within the mass of energy.

“Now,” Aaron said to Jane. She ran to the giant again, but made contact with another wall. Aaron felt a slight pang in his head when she hit the wall of energy.

As though she could feel Aaron’s concern, “It’s okay. My powers protect me,” she dusted herself off.

“Good. I think he can sense you, though,” Aaron realized. “He knows what you’re about to do.”

“Can you do something about that?” she asked.

“We can see,” he shrugged. “Blink, how much more can you give.”

“I’ll say ‘when,’” Blink shrugged. He was more interested in helping Aaron than worrying about himself.

“I trust you,” Aaron smiled. “We’re all synced now. You know what to do,” he spoke to his friends telepathically. The magenta giant rose and swiftly swiped toward Aaron. Blink froze the giant right before he hit Aaron, allowing him to dodge. He flew into the giant, knocking it back. Jane ran to its leg and discharged her yellow energy, disrupting its construction. Blink let go for a moment; the giant regained animation and stumbled because of its leg. In seconds, the leg was intact again.

“Jane, what do we need to do?” Aaron asked her.

“We need to get James. Can you use your telepathy?”

“No. I can’t reach him.”

“Maybe I can disrupt the energy around him to give you access. Will that work?”

“Worth a try,” Aaron threw her at the giant with his telekinesis. As he saw another magenta barrier erect in front of her, he flew to it, smashing it with psychic energy. Jane moved forward and touched the giant’s body, applying pressure and power to reach inside. She was quickly thrown back, unable to penetrate the body too deeply. Aaron flew to catch her.

“This is taking a lot…” He panted, lowering her to the ground. His own energy was dimming. In the distance, he could feel someone stirring.

“It’s the only way,” Jane pleaded with him. “Besides…”

“We don’t have to kill him.” Aaron shook his head. “I have a new idea.” He could feel Jane and Blink’s agreement in his head.

Blink froze time, allowing Aaron to batter the magenta giant with walls of telekinesis. After a few hits, they could see the energy begin to dissipate.

“Not yet!” Jane yelled. Aaron and Blink nodded. Aaron blasted the giant with a couple of hits, until he felt Blink fading.

“We can do this without you. It’s okay,” Aaron offered.

“Nah… Just one more…” He froze time again, allowing Aaron to get in another hit. After the impact, Blink crumpled to the ground.

“We have to hurry…” Jane spoke softly.

“Okay,” Aaron sent her flying at the giant. Her body was wrapped in a thin sheath of her disruptive energy; she shot through the giant, leaving a space for Aaron. He flew in and grabbed James’ head, using the advantage of physical contact to send intense psychic waves through his mind. He could feel the giant disappearing, James’ energy fading, as he pushed the waves deeper. Before he was done, he felt a pain in his stomach. James, whose eyes had rolled into the back of his head, had stabbed through Aaron’s body with his magenta energy. Aaron reeled but held onto James’ head, finishing his task. One last wave made the giant fade completely.

Aaron and James fell to the ground. Jane ran to check on them, worried about her brother and newest friend. As she reached them, a blue flash made her cover her eyes.

“I have this, Jane,” an older Blink said to her. She stopped, trusting him. Blink leaned down to pick up James as Campbell awoke.

“Aaron?” he was groggy from James’ attack. “Aaron!” he yelled as he saw Aaron unconscious on the ground. He ran to him as fast as he could. Before he reached Aaron’s body, he saw the walls of a hospital room.

“More than just time,” the older Blink said calmly.

“What… He needs to pay,” Campbell pointed to James.

“No…” Blink shook his head, cradling James in his arms. Nearby nurses began to work on Aaron, Blink, Arie, and Miche.

“Believe it or not…” Blink looked down, full of remorse, “he’s still just a child.” In his flash of familiar blue light, Blink disappeared.