1

“I can’t believe it worked.” the young scientist said in amazement. After five years of research and development, he had finally done it. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair and looked around at the lab he practically lived in, noting the now large stack of pizza boxes in the far corner. He only ever left to go to the bathroom, which wasn’t near as often as it should be.

He was sitting at the main desk of his lab, which oversaw  four cylinder tanks, each maybe four feet tall and a foot across, which each held a … well, to be specific, Nano Bionic Elemental Controller, or N.B.E.C. for short. It was basically a large clump of nano-bots, each set designed to create similar but different components/reactions inside a human body. These components, once constructed inside the body, would allow someone to control one of the four main elements, those elements being fire, water, earth, and air.

The first tank held a pile of darkened metal that rested on the bottom of the tank, right above a flame with the equivalent heat of a welding torch. The metal itself was on fire, yet the computer confirmed that the nano-bots were all functioning perfectly, if not exceeding normal capacity. These nano-bots were designed to give a human the ability to create and control fire, along with programming to make other necessary adjustments, such as heat resistance, and minor superhuman abilities, such as strength, speed and endurance.

The second tank held an orb of silvery metal suspended in water, which was spinning around the orb. Yet the scientist hadn’t put any water inside the tank after he engineered the N.B.E.C. They had created it. After testing the water, it was revealed that it felt and shifted form like water, but didn’t do anything if you drank it. This N.B.E.C would control water, along with programming to make adjustments for underwater environments, and superhuman abilities.

The third tank held a solid gray cube that vibrated in place on top of a pile of dirt. Given the proper computer code, and once installed, neural command, the cube, composed entirely of nano-bots, could cause the dirt to move into a certain form, and even create seismic waves. It also gave the human adjustments for subterranean environments along with largely enhanced strength, durability, and endurance.

The final tank contained a funnel of nano-bots, spinning around in mid-air, making a silver cloud. This N.B.E.C would give a human the power to create and control winds of great speed and  if successful, allowing possible flight. It was also programmed to make adjustments for high wind environments and greatly enhanced speed, with normal superhuman strength and endurance.

The scientist had done what none others could do. Create biotechnology that would possibly allow humans to control the elements without severe mutation. He quickly double-checked everything, scanning the various computer screens.

Being sure everything was ready, he slid his chair over to a larger screen, about 10 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Quickly typing a username and password into the computer, he accessed the video conference shortcut. A window popped up with multiple people’s names listed. Scrolling down to the one he wanted, he clicked it which brought up another window that wasn’t supposed to be there.

“Sir, I strongly suggest you don’t do this. The Nano Bionic Elemental Controllers aren’t ready for test subjects yet. Some of the test results proved failure.” the computer’s female voice said, the new window displaying a wire-frame head, mouth moving as it spoke, just like a real human’s  would.

“I know, but it has to be ready. They said their offer for volunteers was limited time only.” The scientist sighed.

“They aren’t ready to be installed. You know what would likely happen if they were installed into a grown human.” the machine warned and the scientist nodded. Given that it was so much foreign material inside one’s body, the subjects would most likely die of shock and the N.B.E.C.’s would most likely be lost.

“Let me start the conference.” The scientist simply stated. The computer head sighed before closing its eyes and disappearing, showing the video conference screen. The scientist sighed, thinking of the computers words. He had created his A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) right out of high school practically, allowing it to sort of evolve into what it is now. ‘She’ made sense, but he felt he had to give the N.B.E.C’s to the government, given their other option for worse results would mutate the subjects to the point they weren’t even human.

The screen snapped on to a man of about 50, dressed in the clothing of a high-ranking military officer, left chest clad in many colored ribbons and badges. His graying hair was cut to regulation, making him quite intimidating when paired with how wide his shoulders were.

“Do you have any results for me, doctor?” The general questioned and the scientist scratched the back of his neck, realizing how stiff he was after sitting there for who knows how long.

“I have completed the controllers, but the tests were… less successful than expected.” The scientist stammered and the general raised an eyebrow.

“How much less can you go from 60 percent?” the general was clearly growing impatient. The scientist hesitated.

“Um… 20 percent.” The scientist mumbled and the general grew red with rage before sighing and staring at the scientist.

“James, you realize what you’re offering compared to our other offer. You have four less than possible units, where our other offer has 500 units with 99 percent chance of success.” The general explained and James frowned.

“I’m sorry sir but a grown man can’t possess this much foreign material inside them. And your other offer, how many units did you say? 500? Which means you’ll most likely have to purchase 499 control collars to tame your ‘enhanced’ soldiers and agents.” He explained and the general frowned.

“I’m sorry, but that’s a cost we’re willing to pay.” The general blinked off the screen, leaving James in his dimly lit lab. He turned off most of the lights because they tended to make glare, which is the last thing you want when making nano-bots.

James rose out of his chair and stretched his legs and arms. To say the least he was disappointed. He had really wanted to create a better solution to amplifying soldiers and government agents. The other was so barbaric, it made James sick to his stomach. That’s when James realized what just happened.

Those five years were a waste. Nothing had worked right. No one could withstand the mass of the N.B.E.C’s and the nano-bots themselves were too wild to use without the tanks and computers. He got angry enough to pick up a flamethrower he had bought to study for the Fire N.B.E.C and set the pile of pizza boxes in the corner of the room ablaze. It burned for a few seconds before a series of small nozzles appeared from the ceiling, swivel to point at the flames, and shoot fire extinguishing foam until the fire was out.

James sighed before setting the flamethrower down and walking towards the door. He bumped into the edge of a table, forgetting the exact placement of the rest of his lab, spending so much time in the N.B.E.C area. After hitting a couple more tables, James had the house computer turn the lights on.

Bright, white light flooded the room, causing James to cover his eyes. It had been awhile since he had last seen so much light. The rest of the lab looked just how he had left it, crammed with things for the N.B.E.C project. The whole laboratory, about the size of a football field, was divided into sections that each helped him along the way during the last seven years. Chemistry, robotics, computers, and all the others.

James sulked past them all and got to the end of room, where double doors were set up. James pressed his hand against the touch screen panel so it could scan it. The panel shown with green light and up/down arrows appeared. He pressed up and yawned as he waited for the elevator. The doors slid open and he stepped in and hit the ‘3’ button.

The doors slid shut with a hiss and the elevator lurched up. James turned and watched as layers of rock shot past him through the glass walls. They finally broke through the surface and shoot up to the third story of James’s house.

2: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

James, Four Years Later…

James walked down the hall and peeked his head inside the first door on his left. Inside, lying on his bed all wrapped up in his blankets, was Flint. The little four year old boy snored softly. James smiled before he flipped on the light and walked over to Flint's bed. Flint groaned and pulled his blanket over his head.

James laughed as he pulled it back and watched as the boy slowly opened his eyes. James smiled down at him, being only slightly distracted that Flint's eyes were such a shade of brown they looked almost red, maybe even a dark red.

"Daddy, what time is it?" he mumbled, yawning. James tussled the mop of brown hair on top of the toddlers head.

"Time to wake up, of course. Today is a big, big day." James said, throwing the blankets down to end of the bed, uncovering Flint completely. He groaned as he sat up and stretched his arms out. James smiled and looked around Flint's room. The walls were painted red, Flint's favorite color, with most everything else being red or orange or even yellow. Not much was in the room except for a bed and dresser. The bathroom wasn't ready yet and James thought that Flint would like to decorate it himself once he know what kinds of things he wanted. The slider door on the opposite side of the entrance door led to a balcony with a bonfire pit on it. Flint did like having s'mores.

"Breakfast is in 10 minutes. Get dressed." James said before leaving. He shut the door behind him and proceeded to the room next door. He slowly opened the door to see basically the same set up bedroom as Flint's room, except with a blue, light blue and white color scheme. Sitting on her bed, playing with her little navy blue stuffed octopus, Mr. Tentacles, was Marina. She was also four years old, like Flint.

She looked over at James as he walked in with her deep blue eyes. She smiled and set Mr. Tentacles down.

"Hi, Daddy." She said, twirling her shoulder length brown hair with her finger. James smiled before sitting down on the edge of the bed and staring down at Marina.

"Why are you up so early?" James asked and Marina shrugged. She pulled back the covers to show she was in her little one piece swimsuit. That's when James noticed her hair was wet.

"Marina, did you go swimming this morning?" James asked and she looked down at her feet.

"Yes, Daddy." She mumbled and James exhaled loudly. He knew putting a kiddy pool on her balcony would lead to this.

"Marina, you know you're not supposed to swim without me or the house staff watching you." James explained to her, and she looked up looking sort of mad.

"But Daddy, it's a kiddy pool. It's not like I'm going to drown. Plus I wore my floaties." She said and James wrapped his arms around her.

"I know, but you are very, very precious to me. I just don't want anything bad to happen to you." James said and Marina hugged him back best she could.

"I know, I promise I won't do it again." Marina pouted and James released her.

"Get in some dry clothes now, big day today." He smiled before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. He walked over to the door directly across from Marinas room. Pushing the door open, James was alarmed by just how loudly a four year old could snore. Sprawled out on the bed was Clay. He was a bigger than most the kids, not with fat, but with wide shoulders and added height. His room was practically the same as the others, but had a green, brown and tan color scheme and out on the porch was a sandbox. Clay loved to build things up and destroy them.

"Clay, it's time to wake up." James said aloud, without any response. Sighing, James walked over and shook the child. Still Clay snored on, returning to the same position. James then decided to push him off the bed, landing Clay with a thud on the floor. James looked over to see him still sleeping.

James checked Clay's pulse, then decided that there was only one way to wake him.

Yelling, James shouted, "Breakfast in 10 minutes!"

Clay sprang to life and stared up at James with his dark green eyes.

"I'm up. Will there be pancakes?" he asked frantically and James smiled.

"Maybe. You won't know until you get down there." James said before leaving, listening as Clay scrambled around for clothes. James founded a pair of underwear and threw them behind him.

Walking out the door, James then went to the final door, next door to Clay and across the hall from Flint. Pushing it open, James was hit by a breeze. James looked around to see that all the fans were running in the room, the ceiling fan and the stand fan next to the bed, and the doors to the four year old's balcony were open. Laying on the bed, head turned towards the fan, was Windsor.

James smiled at the sight before shutting the balcony doors, staring through its glass floor for a moment, and turned to shut the stand fan off. Once that was off, Windsor woke up, staring at James with gray eyes, about the same gray as a storm cloud.

"Why'd you turn the fan off?" Windsor asked, sitting up and throwing his covers off. Windsor could not sleep with almost all his fans going and the balcony door open. James thought it might have been the noise that helped him sleep.

James sat down on the bed and looked around the gray, white, and black room. James thought it was strange that he'd picked those colors and had him checked for color-blindness, but he turned out good.

"It's time to get up, big day today." James said and Windsor stared at him.

"Is it the big day you were talking to Uncle Will about?" Windsor asked and James focused on hiding his surprise. He'd thought he'd had that conversation in private, but Windsor was very stealthy for a four year old.

'Uncle' Will was probably James's best friend. He came over so often to help with the N.B.E.C: Phase 1 that James's kids had started calling him their uncle. Will has a variety of skills, like a piloting license (plane, helicopter, jet, anything in the air), great at anything construction wise, and anything destructive, and had combat training of almost all kinds (martial arts, wrestling, military close combat and close combat/ranged weapons training).

"You should try not to eavesdrop so much, and yes it is. Breakfast in 10 minutes." James stated and Windsor nodded. James smiled before getting up to leave. At the door, just before closing it, he could hear the stand fan turn back on. Closing the door, James walked down the hall to the stairs. He figured he'd leave the elevator up because the kids liked to use it. Walking down the stairs to the living room, which was connected to the kitchen, James jumped onto the huge couch that took most of the living room, which was maybe half a soccer field in size. Bringing out his smart phone (which he had built himself), James clicked on the news to the 84' inch screen TV using the home computer app.

Finding nothing particularly interesting with today's news, James stood up and walked over to the 12 foot window that stretched across the whole wall, showing the country side, and 'The Playground' which was under construction. He had preferred to live away from the mass population for several reasons, but mainly so he could invent and test his creations in peace. Thankfully, the only invention so far that had a problem was the first prototype Helijet, which ended up crashing to the ground not far outside Chicago, Illinois, but James had smoothed that over with the government. He smirked as he remembered how far even his first prototype had gone, from Sacramento, California to Chicago in just over 15 minutes.

Getting back on topic, 'The Playground' was being built to help train and monitor the new… units. It looked similar to a football stadium, about the same size, maybe taller, with a tinted glass dome over the top. Inside was a huge space that could be changed and divided to simulate just about every environment in the world, on the first floor at least. There were several levels below ground level, doing the same as the top floor most of time. Also inside the building had specially equipped medical bay, living quarters, an armory that had armor and weapons that James himself had mostly invented, and a monitoring center that kept track of pretty much everything.

James watched some of the workers on the roof before hearing a scream from upstairs. He turned to see Mr. Tentacle sail over the railing of the second floor (the second floor was partially lofted). James caught it and waited as Marina came running out of the elevator to retrieve her stuffed animal, followed by Clay laughing, Windsor yawning and Flint walking calmly behind them.

Marina grabbed Mr. Tentacles and hugged him fiercely. James turned to Clay crossing his arms and raising his eyebrow.

"Clay, what did we say about taking your sister's stuff?" James asked and Clay stopped laughing and shrugged.

"I don't remember." He said before turning away quickly. James tapped his foot and Clay froze and stopped.

"Yes you do. Stop taking your sisters things or you'll get in trouble, got it?" James scolded and Clay pouted and nodded. He walked over to the kitchen table, which was maybe 10 feet at the moment. It could be expanded to 18 yards for parties and what not.

The other three kids sat around the table in their usual spots, which was strangely the same order their rooms were in, Flint sitting next to Marina on the left of James, who was at the head of the table, and Windsor next to Clay on James's right.

The waiter of the kitchen staff (which consisted of one waiter, two cooks and a dishwasher) brought food from the kitchen to the table.

"Waffles this morning, sirs and lady." Mr. Ganderson stated as he set plates out.

Mr. Ganderson was one of older staff members, of maybe mid- fifties. He was James's second waiter and he hasn't needed another since.

"Thank you, Mr. Ganderson." James said before eating, with the kids chiming in "Thanks" after. Flint ate two usually, Marina ate one, Windsor maybe one and half, and Clay ate around eight waffles in a sitting. That boy could eat.

After breakfast, James let the kids take a swim in the big pool, which was the size of a competitive pool (25 yards). Marina was really excited for that, even if it was the second swim of her day. After making sure Sally, the housemaid that was a trained lifeguard and certified by The Red Cross, was watching the kids swim, James walked to the elevator.

Once inside, James scanned his hand on the pad and along with the six floor icons appeared an icon labeled 'Lab'. The hand scanner/touch screen upgrade had become needed because of unauthorized visits to the lab by four little kids that tend to get into things better left untouched. The first time, Clay just reached up and hit the buttons. That's when the touch screen got installed. James made it as complicated as possible for the four year olds without inconvincing himself. The hand scanner was installed after Flint figured out the order of the 10 dots on the screen to press to unlock it. Nothing had been broken in the lab yet, but James didn't want his… the children getting hurt, or his lab.

And because the touch screen looked cooler, of course.

After descending to the lab, James once again walked past the front part to go back to the N.B.E.C section, which now looked somewhat like a vault, completely sealed so even if the kids got down into the lab they wouldn't get into it.

After scanning both hands, his eyes and his feet, and entering a paragraph of dialogue, the hydraulic doors hissed and slid open. James entered and looked around at what he'd been building for the past four years. Inside, surrounded by various monitors and a long desk in a semi-circle, was a row of four black, metal, cushioned chairs.

These chairs were inclined at 45 degree angle and looked like a person in a way, if a person could stand straight at such an angle. Along the chair were restrainants that would hold a person down at the forehead, forearms, wrists, chest, waist, mid-thigh and shins. Around the chair were quite a few robotic arms that were designed to inject needles into the subjects.

James sighed as he grabbed a tablet computer off a table and linked it to the house's mainframe. Grabbing a file from his personal server, he brought it up on one of the screens lining the wall behind the chairs. Looking it over, he started adjusting each chair to the size of the specific subject.

After making the final adjustments to the last chair, James got up and sighed. He looked over to the computers and started making programming fine-tuning to the nano-bots. He wanted to make sure nothing went wrong, because if it did, his life's work, and quite possibly his career, would be over.

During the fine-tuning, the computer speaker beeped on.

"William Garrison is requesting permission to land, sir." The computer announced, one of the unused screens switching to an aerial view of a sleek, black jet. It looked sort of like a mix between a stealth bomber and an F-22 fighter jet. It was large enough to fit maybe eight people in the cockpit, with additional storage area in the back. It doesn't look it from the outside, but this thing was armed to the teeth, or wing maybe. Being Will, he needed weapons.

"Permission granted. He might surprise the kids. He wasn't supposed to be here until three." James smiled, watching the aircraft slow and begin to descend.

"The kids won't be very surprised. They are awaiting his landing." the computer stated and the camera panned down to show the kids landed up, heads turned to the sky. He smiled before noticing that they were standing exactly where Will needed to land.

3: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Flint

I watched as Uncle Will's airplane landed on the landing pad, spinning so the back hatch faced the four of us.

Clay started running forward to meet Uncle Will before Windsor stopped him, saying he needed to wait for the door to open first. Marina waited patiently behind me, holding Mr. Tentacles by one leg and sucking on her thumb a little (she was still breaking that habit).

"I didn't know Uncle Will was coming." Marina said, swinging her stuffed animal around.

"I didn't either, but I think Windsor knew." I answered, looking over at Windsor who was staring at the airplane that had just turned off, making everything quiet. Windsor did like airplanes a lot. Windsor had said something about Uncle Will earlier when we were swimming.

"Where's Daddy? He's usually always here to meet Uncle Will when he gets here." Marina asked and I shrugged.

"He's probably doing something in the lab." I answered and Marina nodded. Daddy has been in his lab a lot lately.

With a loud hissing noise, the back of Uncle Will's airplane opened up like a ramp and Uncle Will walked down it, a bag over his shoulder.

Uncle Will was a really tall, taller than Daddy even, big strong military guy, as far as we could guess. He had really wide shoulders and pretty big arms, but he wasn't out of the ordinary looking at him. We figured that he couldn't because of all of his stealth missions. Of course, that's just what me, Windsor, Clay, and Marina think. Daddy says we shouldn't talk about him much.

But anyways, Windsor let go of Clay who ran forward to meet Uncle Will. Clay thought he was awesome, which he was, but Clay looked at him as an idol almost.

We all kind of made our way forward. Windsor, Marina and I got to him just as he reached the end of the ramp.

"Hey, little dudes, what have you all been up to?" He asked us boys, messing with all of our hair. He then bent down to be eye level with Marina.

"And how are you, Sweetheart?" Uncle Will asked her. Marina pulled Mr. Tentacle up to her face to hide her smile.

"I'm good." She mumbled through the stuffing. Uncle Will laughed and stood back up, walking towards the house, with us surrounding him, Clay and Windsor carrying on two conversations with Uncle Will.

I smiled up at him most of the time, the other times glancing at his bag. Usually there were big bags with big weapons of some kind that Daddy fixed for Uncle Will, but this one was smaller, and wasn't gun shaped.

"Hey Uncle Will, what's in your bag?" I asked and Uncle Will looked frowned for a moment, before smiling and opening the bag.

Inside were sweets of all different kinds. Chocolate bars, wrapped little candies, donuts, all that stuff.

"Presents! Dig in kids." Uncle Will laughed, watching Clay fly into the bag, grabbing as much candy as possible. Marina grabbed some of the small stuff, Windsor catching the things that Clay threw behind him. I reached to the bottom and grabbed some of the candy bars. As I was searching around the bottom of the bag, something sharp poked me in the finger, causing me to yelp.

Pulling my finger out of the bag, I saw a drop of blood resting on my finger. Windsor looked grossed out a little, Clay was un-fazed, and Marina just looked worried. Uncle Will stared down at my finger while quickly closing the bag and flinging it over his shoulder. He bent down to examine my finger.

"Something poke you?" he asked, wiping away the blood. He seemed very concerned for some reason, watching it like he thought it was going to start moving or something.

"Yeah, something in the bag." I replied. It had only hurt for a second. Uncle Will stared at it for a couple more seconds before getting up and continuing towards the door.

"Probably just a wrapper cut. Onward, little troopers." Uncle Will announced and we followed him. I sucked the blood off my finger as we walked.

Uncle Will opened the door, with us kids following closely behind him. I looked ahead to see Daddy coming around the corner, smiling when he saw Uncle Will.

"Will, it's been too long." Daddy laughed as he and Uncle Will shook hands. Daddy then looked down at us.

"You kids have to remember to stay out of the landing zone." Daddy said to us kids and we just sort of pouted. Uncle Will just smiled.

"That's ok James. Next time I'll just land on them." Uncle Will and Daddy laughed. Windsor and Clay frowned, Marina squeezed Mr. Tentacles tighter, and I just smiled. Uncle Will would never land on us… would he?

"Ok kids, go play. Uncle Will and I have to talk in private." Daddy waved us away and escorted Uncle Will to the living room. We all started walking away, Marina in the lead, then me, with Windsor and Clay to my right. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Windsor grab Clay's sleeve and whisper in his ear. Clay smiled and nodded and they turned around and started back towards the living room. Marina turned around and pouted.

"They are going to get us in trouble." She sighed and I nodded. I stared back down the hallway.

"I'll go get them before they do." I told her before turning around and running down the hallway. Moving slower and quieter as I got closer to the living room. I turned another corner and saw Windsor and Clay leaning against the wall, listening intently to the conversation going on in the living room. I walked up from behind them and tapped Clay on the shoulder. He turned and looked at me, his face confused. I motioned to both Clay and Windsor and pointed back down the hall.

Clay's face got all serious and he pointed at his ear, pointed to me and then pointed into the living room. I tried not to give in to my curiosity, but it got the best of me. I started listening, picking out Daddy's voice, sounding slightly panicky, and Uncle Will's voice which was quite a bit deeper than Daddy's.

"You sure you really want to do this James? You sure don't seem like you do." Uncle Will said, and I heard someone move in one of the chairs, most likely Daddy.

"I know, but it has to happen now. If it doesn't it might cause problems as they develop. The whole plan was that it grows with them so it's not invasive but natural. Plus I need your help. It's going to get rough." I heard Daddy explain.

I really didn't understand what they were talking about, but it sounded like they were talking about us. And whatever it was, it didn't sound fun.

"I know, you've explained that. But are you prepared for the possible casualties?" I heard Uncle Will ask and there was a long silence before Daddy spoke.

"I have to be. Besides, I've designed them to do exactly this. They'll be fine. I'll just need your help until they're completely adjusted."

Uncle Will sighed and more silence followed. All three of us listening leaned in closer than ever, trying to hear anything more that would be said.

That's when Oscar came.

Oscar was our family pet. Some of you might be thinking Oscar was a dog or cat, maybe a lizard or something.

No, Oscar was a tapir, a Malayan tapir to be exact. A tapir looks kind of like a big pig/ant-eater. Oscar is colored black on his front and his… hind quarters, and white in the middle. He looked like an Oreo cookie kind of.

Oscar was different from other tapirs though. Daddy has genetically altered Oscar to do a lot of things, such as have night and heat vision, being able to hear just about anything, even breathe fire. Daddy altered and trained him to be basically security. He prowled the house and surrounding grounds, even slept outside our bedrooms sometimes. I never really thought about it until now, but that was a little strange.

I guess we were more important than I thought.

Another thing with Oscar… he was always getting us in trouble. Whenever we were doing something that Daddy might not want us to be doing (Such as going in his lab, taking walks around the house at night, eavesdropping, etc.), Oscar would emit a very, very high pitched sound that could pretty much be heard anywhere in the house, and Daddy had a special receiver on his phone that detected the noise as it is emitted, making sure he knows there's trouble.

And he was staring right at the three of us as we were eavesdropping. Oscar looked at us for a split second more before lifting his head, a sign that he was about to emit 'the noise'. That's when Clay grabbed a chocolate bar from his pocket and waved it in front of the tapir. He lowered his head and sniffed the bar, following its movement of the bar.

"You want the chocolate, boy? You want it?" Clay asked in a whisper and Oscar nodded his head, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth like a dog, "Go get it!" Clay threw the bar as far down the hall as he could, which was pretty far. Clay had a pretty strong throwing arm.

Oscar ran down the hall at top speed, even losing his footing on the wooden floor a little bit and sliding.

Windsor high-fived Clay and we all returned to eavesdropping.

"Well, I think it's time to round them up. Time to get started. It's going to be a long day." Uncle Will said and I could hear them both getting up, Daddy grunting in response. That's when me, Clay and Windsor ran, Windsor being ahead, and then me, and then Clay. Windsor was a pretty fast runner.

As I slid around the corner, I saw Daddy and Uncle Will rounding the corner. Luckily they didn't notice us because they were too busy talking.

Climbing the stairs as quickly as possible, we finally made it to the second floor, which is the 'kids' floor, and took a right towards our playroom. Our bedrooms were in the opposite direction. Running into the playroom I saw Windsor breathing hard and I turned to see Clay slamming the door shut and leaning against it.

I'll admit. I was tired. We sat down right on the floor and I looked over to see Marina staring at us from her seat at her tea party set, along with Mr. Tentacles and other stuffed sea animals.

"Have to outrun Oscar?" she asked, pouring fake tea into a seahorse's tea cup.

"Nope. Daddy and Uncle Will are coming to round us up to turn us into something 'in-base-ive' that could kill us!" Clay explained and Marina looked confused before turning to me.

Catching my breath, I explained as much of the conversation as quickly as possible, knowing that Daddy and Uncle Will would be here any second. Just after I finished, we heard footsteps, probably from the steps.

"Quick! Play with something, and we were here the whole time." Windsor said quickly before he grabbed a toy plane and played with it. Clay crawled over to his LEGOS and started stacking random bricks together. I ran and slide, grabbing NERF gun off the floor and fired off a few darts randomly at the Velcro target, surprising hitting one in the center circle.

I was taking aim for another just as the door opened, revealing Daddy, no Uncle Will, staring into the room, watching us play. We all looked over at the door, and I hoped Clay wasn't freaking out to the point that Daddy noticed.

"Hey kids, time to head down to the lab." Daddy waved and Marina got right up, grabbing Mr. Tentacles as she slid out of her chair and started walking towards Daddy. Windsor glanced over at me nervously for a second before setting his plane down, trying to waste time.

Watching Marina walk towards Daddy, I knew I couldn't let her go alone. I set down my NERF gun and walked to Daddy and Marina.

"Hey Daddy, we'll meet you at the elevator. I need Windsor's help with this last part of my… thing." Clay said and I saw that he had stacked together enough LEGOS that they looked like a tower as tall as I was.

"Fine, but hurry. I know… well hope you guys can't get to my lab without me." Daddy started walking away, Marina following closely behind him, eager to see the lab. It was a rare occasion, and even though it was probably going to be where we all died, I had to admit Daddy had some pretty cool stuff down there.

Before I started following Daddy and Marina, I turned so I faced Windsor and Clay.

"You guys can't be in here for more than a minute after I leave, otherwise he'll know something is wrong." I explained before running just long enough to get close to Marina.

The three of us took the elevator down to the main floor, Daddy letting me hit the button. I'll admit, it was fun.

Once on the main floor, on the walk to elevator that could take us down to Daddy's lab, Uncle Will walked towards us with five cups of juice on a tray and a cup in his other hand. Uncle Will walked up and handed Daddy the cup in his hand and then grabbed another cup from the tray, taking a sip from it. Lowering the tray so Marina and I could grab a cup, we each grabbed one. Marina sipped hers and just smiled.

"Thanks Uncle Will." Marina smiled before taking another sip and asking Mr. Tentacles if he wanted some.

"No problem, sweetheart." He said laughing before taking another drink of his. I sighed and smelled the juice before drinking. Turns out it was just apple juice, my favorite, and pretty much all my family's favorite. I took a big drink and smiled. If I was going to die, at least I got to drink my favorite juice beforehand.

That's when the elevator bell went off and the doors opened to show Clay and Windsor standing in it.

"Apple juice!" Clay yelled happily, grabbing a cup and drinking all of it in one gulp. He smiled and looked up, his green/brown eyes wide.

"That's really good apple juice." He sighed, making Daddy and Uncle Will laugh and the rest of us smiling. Windsor took a cup and sipped it.

"Be sure to finish that quick. You all know the rules for the lab." Daddy said and me, Clay, Marina and Windsor all sighed at the same time.

"No liquids in the lab." We said in unison and Daddy smiled, Uncle Will looking a bit confused. Once we all finished our juice, we set our cups on the tray and Uncle Will set it on a table nearby, where one of the house staff would pick it eventually.

"March down to the lab, kiddies!" Uncle Will yelled in his military voice, causing us to laugh and file into the elevator. Us kids standing in the back, Daddy with his back to us so we couldn't see the code to get into the lab and Uncle Will right in front door, so he would be the first one out. That's when I remembered why we were going to the lab in the first place.

I glanced over at Windsor, who looked at me nervously, shrugging his shoulders slightly and jerking his head towards the door.

So even he thinks we have to go along with it, I thought to myself and looked back at the door just as doors slid open with a hiss, sliding apart to reveal the wonderful playground known as, 'Daddy's lab'.

The Lab (for short, instead of Daddy's lab), was pretty much a cavern dug out of the bedrock under the house, metal supports bracing the ceiling, fluorescent lights attached to cables hanging from the ceiling. On the ground, The Lab was divided into sections, each section used for a specific field of science, like the one had a super huge microscope, which Daddy said he used for studying cells and DNA, was the Biology section. Another had a large workbench with tons of metal parts and tools, with a table behind it with a robotic pincer arm that still had all of its wires exposed, was the Robotics section.

Daddy had quite a few leading down either side of The Lab, but probably the most impressive was the back section of The Lab, The N.B.E.C section. I'd actually never seen the inside, or even what a N.B.E.C was, but the outside looked cool. It looked kind of like a giant metal curved wall, as if a giant metal sphere was buried in the ground and you could only see the top left section of it. A huge reinforced door was cut into the middle of it, with a huge scanning console to the right of it. It scanned a ton of stuff just so you could get into it, hands, feet, eyes, and Windsor once told me Daddy had to scan his butt, but I doubted it (Clay believed him.).

"Kids, I really need to you to listen to me. This is very, very important." Daddy bent down so he was eye level with us all. We stood in a line in front of him, slightly curved at the ends, going from left to right me, Marina, Clay and Windsor. Daddy looked me deep in the eyes, making sure he had my attention, then did the same to Marina, Clay and Windsor.

"You are about to enter a very important room. This is a project that I've been working on for a long time. You four play an invaluable part in the whole project. You are quite literally the bread," Daddy pointed to us, "to the butter." Then he pointed towards the N.B.E.C room. "It's an operation that will hopefully help humanity survive what I think might happen in the near future. It may hurt a little, but it won't last long."

"Now I have one important question for all of you." That caught all of our attention. Daddy sighed before asking, "Will you help me out with this?" This caused all of us to hesitate. This had to be the thing that they were talking about earlier in the living room. I looked down at the floor, thinking hard. Daddy did say we were going to be fine, and this was really, really important to him. I could tell that just by looking at him. He was slightly shaking, turning his head to each of us in turn, waiting for the answers that would either make his project become a success, or a waste.

Looking around I saw that everyone else was deep in thought too, or maybe even just too scared to say anything. I don't think Marina really knew what to think. She hadn't listened to the conversation in the living room like the rest of us. I looked over at Clay to see his eyebrows together, deep in thought. I turned to Windsor who just had his arms crossed and stared at Daddy, probably thinking of saying no. That's the answer I was leaning towards before I looked back at Daddy again.

He was looking straight into my eyes, almost begging us to do this one thing for him. I couldn't even think of how he would be if we said no. He spent almost every day down here, spending a lot of time and I guess a lot of money. That's when I realized that saying "No." wasn't an option at all.

I stepped forward and Daddy, and I think the rest of my siblings, looked at me.

"I'm ready. You just have to promise me one thing." I said and he looked at me, one eyebrow slightly raised.

"And what might that be?" Daddy asked and I looked him straight in the eye. I thought about back down and not saying anything, but I looked back at Marina, who stared at me with her big, blue eyes and I gave in.

"If anything goes wrong, you save Marina, Clay, and Windsor before me." I said sternly and Daddy looked shocked, along with probably everyone else in the room. Daddy stammered, finding a loss for words.

"Even though that won't happen, I promise you that." Daddy said, and that's when Marina stepped forward, holding Mr. Tentacles to give to Daddy.

"Keep him safe." She said and forced her beloved stuffed animal into his hands. Marina stepped over to stand next to me. I looked back to see Clay stepping forward and just looked at Daddy and smirked.

"As long as it only hurts a little, I'm in." Clay said before stepping behind Marina and all of our attention turned to Windsor, whose eyes went left and right, watching Daddy and then us, over and over. After ten seconds, he stepped behind Clay.

"If everyone else is doing it, I'm doing it." He said a little loud. I looked over to see Daddy near tears, staring at us with a big smile.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" he practically yelled, hugging us all in one big hug. We hugged for a while before Daddy released us and walked over to starting unlocking the door. We stood in a group, waiting for the door. I found myself staring at the creak of the door for some reason, almost eager to do something that five minutes ago I was trying to avoid at all costs.

The console beeped and a heavy click echoed through The Lab. The huge doors slid open revealing four black, metal chairs, each a different size. We all walked forward, which gave me a better look at the room. The chairs were in the inner section of the semi-circle room, with a glass wall between inner and outer section of the whole room. The outer section contained a long, glass desk that I recognized as one of Daddy's transparent touch screen tables, with a touch screen computer built into the glass, attached to the glass wall. On the opposite wall were monitors that showed various things, most really confusing, but four of the screens viewed something interesting.

Each screen was showing a glass cylinder filled with very different things. One held what looked like a flaming pile of black powder, the next filled with water and a floating silver orb, another with a pile of dirt and a gray cube sitting on top of it, and the last contained little grains of something flying around in a little funnel. I turned my head to see Marina, Clay and Windsor staring at the same screens.

"Hey Daddy, what are those things on the TVs?" Clay asked and Daddy looked up from the touch screen table, which looked like it was making calculations for something, lots of numbers scrolling down the screen.

Daddy turned his head to the screens and then looked back to the calculations, "Those are what this project is all about. The things on the screens are called "Nano Bionic Elemental Controllers" or N.B.E.C for short. That reminds me," Daddy tapped the table a couple times.

"Computer, prep the N.B.E.C for the operation." Daddy said aloud, and the female voice of the house computer was heard throughout the lab.

"Nano Bionic Elemental Controllers now prepping for procedure. Hello, children." the computer said and we said our hellos. I liked the house computer. She was nice to me, but kind of strict with Windsor. She doesn't really have a name, but I think it would be weird not having the house talking back to you.

"So Daddy, what is this thing you're doing?" Windsor asked, staring at the chairs in the other part of the room. I watched as the screens viewing the N.B. winked off in a row, I guess because they were 'prepping' for whatever was about to happen.

After about a minute of just standing around, Daddy turned toward us and motioned us to the far left of the room. On the wall was a door with a small panel attached. Daddy flipped a switch on that panel and the door hissed open to reveal a small room. And when I say small, I mean for one person to stand in and that's it.

"Ok, I need you guys to each hop in here to get marked for the operation." Daddy explained, motioning to the room, "What's going to happen is some lasers are going to make little black marks to help us know where to operate. Everyone understand?" he asked us and Marina backed behind me a little bit.

"Sounds like it's going to hurt." She mumbled and Daddy shock his head.

"No, no honey. It's completely harmless." He reassured her and she just nodded. Daddy looked up at me.

"You ready?" he asked and I sighed before stepping forward into the room. Once inside I turned to face out when the doors slid shut, leaving me in a small cylinder room lit with red light. The doors also shut out all the noise, leaving the room in complete silence. I focused on my breathing, trying not to think about what was happening. A lot has happened since I woke up this morning. As I was reflecting on that, a loud noise pierced the silence.

"Calibrating lasers," said the house computer, the voice loud against the silence. I stood awkwardly, distracting myself by watching my hand, which was red due to the coloring in the room.

"Flint, close your eyes until I tell you to open them again. The lasers could harm them." Daddy's voice echoed through the room and I did as he said. As soon as I did, I heard a loud buzzing noise, followed by a high pitched whining, and then a click before it was silent again.

"You can open your eyes." Daddy said and I did. The first thing I noticed was what smelled like smoke. I looked down at my arms to see black dots and lines darkened into my skin. I rubbed my hand over them and felt that the hair on my arm was burned off exactly where my skin was darkened. Looking at myself, I could see marks on my arms, legs, chest, hands, and feet.

I looked up as the door hissed open and I stepped out, my siblings looking at me in wonder.

"It's not bad at all. Didn't feel a thing." I smiled at my siblings and they seemed to relax. Clay was the next to go in. He came out staring intently at the marks on his arms. His marks looked about the same as mine, except his lines were thicker. Windsor went in, and came out trying to rub the lines off his arms. His markings looked like mine and Clay's, except his lines were thinner. Then it was Marina's turn. She went in, with a bit of encouragement from Daddy and us. She came out, but her lines were different than mine, Clay's and Windsor's entirely. Her lines were wavy, where ours were straight.

Daddy asked us to line up so he could examine our markings. He lifted my arms and had me turn around, making sure the marks were perfect.

"Ok, Flint. Can you go stand in front of that first chair there? Daddy asked. I walked over and stood there until he was done with the others.

"Alright, into the chairs you go." Daddy said as he lifted me into the chair. I sat back, feeling strangely relaxed, as he strapped me down around my legs, arms and torso.

"I'm going to go get your siblings ready. You just relax ok" he said finally and I rested my head in the headrest. It was really comfy, thinking back. After maybe 20 minutes, I heard Daddy's fingers tapping on his computer table. A door hissed shut, but I was too relaxed to even lift my head.

"Ok. Procedure will commence in 10 seconds. Good luck guys." Daddy's voice came over the speakers. I could hear the house computer naming off things that were happening. I didn't catch much before I went out, but I did catch a little.

"Procedure activation complete. Readying N.B.E.C. 1, 2, 3, and 4 for injection. Putting subjects out now.."

And that's the last thing I heard before my life changed forever.

4: Chapter 3: Flint

Chapter 4: Flint, Ten years later…

The first thing I heard was my alarm. I didn’t even open my eyes. I reached over to my side table, grabbing around it to try and find my alarm clock. I found it and slammed my fist on a button. Turns out that turned it up louder. I slammed another which made it start vibrating to the point it was shaking the table. I groaned into my pillow and slammed a small fireball onto it, holding it there until the noise stopped with one last drawn-out beep.

I finally opened my eyes and saw that what was once my alarm clock was now a puddle of plastic and electronics with a few pieces of charred metal on the edges. I sighed and sat up, stretching my arms. I looked out the window to my balcony to see daylight, maybe about 9:00 o’ clock in the morning. I grabbed my phone and checked the time, since my alarm clock was… out of order.

It was exactly 9:00. That happens to me a lot.

“Good morning, Flint. Would you like to know the schedule for today?” the computer asked, the sudden voice slightly surprising me.

I yawned before replying, “Sure. Why not?” I swung my legs around and stood up. I walked over to my ‘dresser’ and taped the shirt icon on the screen. My eyes still half closed, I clicked the random button and after a brief buzzing, a black and red shirt slid into place on a rack that was set up. I took it and put it on. My dresser was really a big robotic closet. I type in a set of clothes, they show up.

“Today you have training at 10:30 in The Playground, lunch at 2:00, free time until 9:00, and some nocturnal training later tonight.”  The computer listed, and I smiled. I had an hour and a half before I had to train.

I walked sluggishly into my bathroom and turned the faucet on. I thought a splash of water might help wake me up a little. I started cupping water in my hands and instantly could smell steam. I quickly tried to splash water on my face, but I only felt a small drop, which quickly evaporated. I rubbed my eyes open so I could see clearly. Looking around the bathroom, I could see my mirror completely fogged up from steam. I looked down at my hands to see they were still steaming.

I groaned once again. This was the third time this week I had glitched. I was getting way too hot…

I guess I should back up a little bit and tell you about myself. My name is Flint Ignis Piercen. I am the one of four children of the billionaire inventor Dr. James Piercen. I’m 15 years old and am a sophomore in high school. I’m about 6’2” tall. I really like technological stuff, like Dad. There’s also another small detail. I am what you might call a superhuman. I’ve been biotechnologically enhanced by my Dad to help protect humanity and save the world and other stuff like that.

Where can I start off with my abilities? Well I guess I have enhanced vision, hearing, touch, and taste. I have even higher advanced smelling. I have slightly enhanced strength, speed, endurance, and reflexes. Along with all that, I can create and have limited control over fire, which is where my middle name, Ignis, came from. It’s Latin for fire. The word ‘ignite’ comes from ‘ignis’. So far I can make fireballs, shoot fire streams from my hands like a flamethrower, heat things up, and some other fire things.

All of this is run by my N.B.E.C, which is basically a bunch of little nano-bots that have constructed mechanisms and caused  changes inside my body to enhance me.

A glitch is when an N.B.E.C isn’t working properly. Sometimes it’s something small, like now. Other times, it’s a bit more… explosive. At least for me it is.

“Computer, can you tell Dad I’m glitching?” I asked the computer. I placed my hands in the pockets of my shorts, which are fireproof. I have a lot of clothes that have been either fireproofed or were made by Dad for me so I don’t burn everything.

“Dr. Piercen requests your presence in the lab.” the computer stated. I sighed and walked out of my door and was immediately met by tons of different scents, most of which were coming from Marina’s room. Not all of Marina’s were bad though, the perfume and stuff. The smell coming from Clay’s room however, made me want to throw up.

Great.

Remember how I mentioned my super enhanced smell. Usually it was toned down, to avoid having a sensory overload (because quite frankly, everything has a smell), but that apparently was also glitching because I could smell just about everything.

Holding my nose shut with both my hands, which didn’t help much, I ran downstairs. As I was running past the kitchen, I saw Marina at the counter eating a bagel, who was staring at her phone.

Marina was my one and only sister, and she’s an awesome sister. She’s shorter than me by maybe a head. Like the rest of my family, she has brown hair, the only difference is hers is about shoulder length, her being a girl and all. Her eyes are what really catch people’s attention. Saying they were blue would be an understatement. They were the same color as the ocean, a really, really deep blue. Today she was wearing a blue shirt and jean shorts.

“Morning, Flint. Why are you holding your nose?” she asked, looking up from her phone, her bright blue eyes examining me curiously. I stopped and looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

“Why do you think? I replied, my voice sounding funny with my nose plugged. Marina laughed and returned her attention to her phone.

“I’m just messing with you. Go get fixed up.” she smiled and I continued on my way, “Oh and by the way, Rachel’s coming over today. Be careful, Sparky.” Marina laughed and I groaned, which also sounded funny.

Whenever normal people were in the house, like friends, we all had to try extra hard not to use our powers. We had to keep them a secret because apparently, the majority of the population would be scared of four teenagers that could control the elements. I guess if I was normal and knew Clay had the power to literally move earth, I’d be scared too. Plus, I didn’t like being called Sparky when I was annoyed.

As I groaned, I sent a cloud of sparks into the air. I groaned in my head. There was this glitch that Dad never has fixed. Sometimes when I get embarrassed or excited or annoyed (or pretty much anything that’s different from calm) I would breathe sparks. That’s how I got the nickname.

This time was because of a little, little, little crush I had on Rachel. No big deal.

I walked over the elevator and hit the button with my elbow. A few seconds later the doors slid open and, using one hand to pinch my nose shut and the other to use the touch screen, hit the button for the lab. The doors slid shut and the elevator accelerated down. I watched the concrete of the house’s foundation pass by and the bedrock start out the glass walls of the elevator as I went farther down into the earth.

After a few seconds, the doors opened with a ding, revealing The Lab. Usually I would stop and look around, but I ran past everything. I was starting to smell my shirt burning, which meant I was getting really hot. I knocked on the door of NBEC unit with my head and waited. After I few seconds the doors opened and I walked in, seeing Dad typing away on one of the touch screen tables.

“Hey bud, how’s your morning?” he asked before turning around and looking me over, “I see, well go sit down. I’ll prepare your check-up.” He hit a button on the wall and the door leading to the chairs slid up. I walked through and lied back in Chair #1, my chair. It was still as comfortable as the first time I was in it all those years ago. I’ve pretty much grown up with it.

I waited a few seconds before I heard gears moving. I didn’t look, but I knew the other chairs were sinking into the floor. After that noise stopped, my chair slid over to the center of the room. I looked above the door to see big screen showing an a outline of a body with the likeness of my own, with different stats along the sides. My body was glowing a dark orange color on the monitor.

“So what’re the problems, Flint?” Dad asked as he stood beside my chair, messing around with a tablet computer that he used for our check-ups (the name for when he fixes our NBECs).

Dad, or as he’s known to the world, Dr. James Piercen, leading scientist of most any science out there, but mainly biotechnology. He was about 6 foot tall, with the same brown hair as the rest of my family, cut short. He was wearing a white lab coat over a black t-shirt with jeans on.

“I’m really hot and my nose is going crazy.” I explained, taking my hands off my nose so I could talk normal.

“Well your body temp is only at 110 degrees. At least you’re not on fire again. Those are easy fixes.” He explained as he tapped his tablet a few times before walking behind my chair. I knew what was happening so I lifted my head. Dad slipped a helmet thing onto my head.

 Basically what the helmet does is connect Dad to the little nano-bot in my head that would then send messages to the rest of my body to get things back under control.

Simple, normal stuff of course.

Dad walked past my chair and out of the chair section. I could see him typing some things on the table before looking up at me.

“Fixed the programming. Ready Flint?” Dad asked and I gave him a thumbs up. I knew that I would be knocked out for a few minutes maybe, while my body readjusted itself.

“Initiating re-programming. Five seconds.”  the house computer counted down until I blacked out.

5: Chapter 4: Marina

Marina

I sat at the bottom of the pool, staring at the surface, watching the light ripple as the water moved. I liked being in the water. It helped me think. I’d been in the pool since five o’ clock this morning, and since then I’ve kind of lost track of time.

I started back up to the surface, pushing off the bottom of the pool with my feet. I broke through the surface and took a big breath. I swam to the edge and pulled myself out. I walked over to a small patio table, which is where I keep my phone, shoes, and some other stuff while I’m swimming.

I grabbed my phone to check the time, not worrying about my phone getting wet (Daddy made it waterproof). It read 7:00 o’clock. I’d only been underwater for two hours.

 I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Marina Aqua Piercen. I’m 15 years old and am a sophomore in high school. I’m like… 5’ 6” tall. I’m the only daughter of the four children of Dr. James Piercen, who’s a basically a billionaire inventor guy. My brothers can get SO annoying sometimes, but I love them anyways (don’t tell them I said that). I love the beach and most of all the water! It’s so much fun! I love surfing and I’m on my school’s swim team.

Also, I can control water. Daddy put something called an N.B.E.C . inside me at one point, so I guess you can call me superhuman. Aqua is Latin for water, hence my middle name. I can make water do pretty much anything I want, breathe underwater, and create something kind of like water. All I have to do is combine the oxygen in the air with hydrogen my body produces somehow and a water substitute is made. I can also breathe underwater, which is pretty awesome. I also have enhanced speed, reflexes, endurance, and some strength (not as much as my brothers). I also have enhanced eyesight, smell, touch, taste, and majorly enhanced hearing. I have way better hearing than everybody else because it helps me in the water. I tend to use that a lot.

Setting my phone down, I held out my hand and focused all the water to it. I felt all the water dripping on me slowly make its way towards my hand. First my arms were dry, and then my torso, until eventually I was pretty much entirely dry with a sphere of water in my hands, rippling as air hit it.

Throwing that into the water, I grabbed my clothes and put them on over my suit. I slipped on my flip-flops and grabbed my phone and went inside. I slid the sliding door open and stopped just inside. I could hear my brothers all still sleeping, Clay most of all. They were all the way upstairs in their beds, but I could still hear them, amongst other things.

I started my way towards my bedroom. Walking across the living room, I reached the stairs. All of the ‘kid’s’ rooms were on the second floor. Making my way up the stairs, I check my phone for messages. There’s one from Rachel.

Rachel’s my bestest friend ever! We met way back in kindergarten and have been friends ever since. We’re practically inseparable. She’s also on the swim team with me.

I opened the message and it read, “hey. My mom tlked w/ Sally so I can come over later today :D I no you’re swimming right now so txt me when u can.”

I smiled. I love hanging out with Rachel, and we did a lot. Pretty much the only time she wasn’t was when there was mandatory training in the Playground when Uncle Will was here. We usually just watch movies, swim, go to the beach, or just sit around in my room and do whatever. It’s awesome!

I hit reply, “awesome! Can’t wait to see u :D”. I hit send as I reached the top of the stairs. I turned left towards my room.

My phone buzzed again. I looked down to see a message from Jake. My smile got bigger. Jake was my boyfriend. We’ve been dating since late 7th grade. It’s been… wonderful.

“Morning beautiful <3  :)”  his text read, and I felt my cheeks get red. I hit reply and started typing.

“Y do u have to say tht? Thnx though :) y r u up so early, weren’t you out late last nite at a family party?”  I finished typing just as I got to my door and hit send. I opened the door and walked straight into the bathroom. Setting my phone down on the counter, I got ready for my shower.

Before I could even turn around my phone buzzed. I smiled. Jake was always on top of texting back. He’s so sweet, even though it maybe a little annoying sometimes.

“Yea, I got 5 hours of sleep. I’m fine :) i wanted to tlk to u.” he said and I sighed. Why doesn’t he just sleep?

“Jake, u can tlk to me only after u get some sleep. U need it! I’ll tlk to u later k. Sleep jakey :)”  I replied and continued getting ready for my shower. Hanging my suit on the towel rack, I took my shower (I’m not walking you all through that).

After I was done, I dried myself off and I went over to my closet to pick out an outfit. My closet had a touch pad so I just picked what I wanted and it popped out. I choose just a blue t-shirt and jean shorts. It’s not like I was leaving the house for anything. Plus, I LOVE the color blue. My room was even blue.

I walked back into the bathroom and grabbed my brush. As I brushed my hair, I grabbed my phone off the edge of the counter to see I had two new messages. Both of which were from Jake.

 “I hate it when u pull tht card on me… fine I’ll sleep I guess.”  Was the first message. The second was, “Hey im all rested up now. So we can tlk right? :)”. I sighed and shook my head. I checked the time the two messages were received. The first was 7:15, and the second was 7:26.

I hit reply, “Jake! I’ll tlk to u at 9:00 ok. i WANT u to sleep or rest or something”  I thought for a second, and knowing Jake’s way of thinking, I added “I’m not mad at u. I just think u shood rest. We stayed up late tlking two nites ago. Just rest up ok :) i <3 u jakey :D” I hit send and smiled.  I played the ‘I want’ and the ‘<3’ cards. He would have to go to sleep now.

I finished brushing my hair and jumped onto my bed. I grabbed my favorite stuffed animal ever, Mr. Tentacles, a blue octopus. I placed him on my side table and just laid on my bed. Rachel and I texted back and forth for like an hour before I realized I was getting hungry.

“Computer, is there anything special for breakfast this morning?” I asked the house computer as I stood up.

“Nothing this morning. Today is Sunday. Remember you don’t have school tomorrow. It has recently been scheduled that Rachel Barry is coming over. I’m sure you are aware of this.” The computer replied.

“Yes I am. Thank you, Computer.” I said out loud as left my room. Outside my door, I stopped for a moment, listening to my brothers. Windsor and Clay were still sleeping heavy as ever. Flint on the other hand was just getting up. I could hear him yawning. I looked down at my phone. It was exactly 9:00. If there was one thing you could count on with Flint, it’s that he always gets up on an hour flat. In this case, not 8:59, not 9:01, but 9:00.

I walked down the hall and back down the stairs to the living room. As I reached the end of the stairs, my phone buzzed. I looked at it to see Jake’s name flash on the screen. I smiled.

“I hate it when u do tht…” his message read. I laughed as I walked into the kitchen. As I opened the bread cabinet, I hit reply, “Oh shut up, u no u love it :) we can tlk now tht ur all rested up” I hit send. I grabbed a bagel and sat down at the counter.

“I know but still. I would much rather tlk to u.” I couldn’t help but smile at Jake.

“I would 2, but i also want u to sleep sometimes :) I promise I’ll still b here when u wake up :) so now tht we’re tlking, wht do u want to tlk about?”  I asked him, taking a bite off my bagel. I heard a door open and close upstairs, probably Flint.

“… I have no idea… wht r your plans for today?” I could heard Flint coming down the stairs quickly now. Must be glitching or something. Unless the computer told him Rachel was coming, then he’d be sparking. I smiled to myself. Flint was always sparking around her for some reason. He might have a crush on her or something, but I don’t want to bring it up.

“Rachel’s coming over :D” I typed and sent to Jake. A few seconds later he replied.

“Wait… she left? ;)”  Oh, he thinks he’s so funny. It’s kinda cute though.

“Only for a little bit… u think you’re soooo funny. Wht r your plans for today then?”  I asked just as Flint was running past the kitchen. I looked up at him.

“Morning, Flint. Why are you holding your nose?” I asked and he stopped dead in his tracks, giving me a chance to look him over.

Flint is about a head taller than me, maybe more. He’s one of the most fit people I know, lean, but really strong. He’s really smart too, especially with tech stuff. He was wearing a red shirt with black shorts (which I knew were fireproof). His eyes were hard to explain. They were brown, yet they almost glowed red, but not in a scary or overly noticeable way. Like everyone in my family, Flint had brown hair, which was cut short.

“Why do you think?” he replied, his voice sounded funny with his nose plugged. I laughed a little just before my phone vibrated, showing a text from Jake.

“I have no idea :P… I actually have to go do chores :( ill tlk to u later though Marina :) cya!”. I returned my attention to Flint and smiled.

“I’m just messing with you. Go get fixed up.” I said. When he started walking away, I shouted “Oh and by the way, Rachel’s coming over today. Be careful, Sparky.” I laughed as I heard him groan accompanied by the sizzle of sparks.

I finished my bagel, swiping the crumbs off the counter onto the floor. I started walking back up to my room. I needed to change into my training suit for training in half an hour. Just as I got to bedroom hallway, I got a message on my phone, from the house computer.

It read, “Please try and inform Clay of Rachel Barry’s presence in the house. We don’t want another close call.”

I swiped the message away. The ‘close call’ was about a month ago. Clay got mad at Windsor (again) for some stupid reason and Clay decided to create a new boulder in our yard and throw it at Windsor… just as Rachel and I came around the corner. It landed quite loudly, and it took probably 20 minutes before Daddy convinced her it was just one of his little projects… which is why we have a catapult in the garage now.

Knocking on Clay’s door, I waited a couple seconds before walking in. Looking around, I just sighed.

Clay’s room was… well… it was a mess. The floor was littered with all sorts of food wrappers, magazines, and dirty clothes.  Over in the corner was weight-lifting bench, all the weights crammed onto the bar. The one thing in his room that was clean looking was a glass cabinet in the corner, filled with Clay’s rock collection. That probably sounds stupid, but there were some pretty cool rocks in there. And lying there, sprawled out of the bed, covers tossed to the floor, and cuddling a pillow, was Clay. I watched him sleep for a little bit, trying to zone out the snoring that I swear was shaking the house.

Clay was… well… huge. Even lying down, you could tell that. Standing he was about 6’ 6”, and huge shoulders. He was physically intimidating, but he really was nice, a little on the dumber side, but we love him anyways. Right now he only had basketball shorts on, which are what he usually sleeps in.

Creating a ball of water in my hand, I threw it on his face and waited. The ball hit his face and soaked his face. Abruptly, the snoring stopped and I could hear his breathing change. I watched as Clay slowly sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes and yawning. Cracking his neck, he turned his head towards me and stared at me. His eyes were a stunning dark green, with brown around the pupils.

“Mornin’. Would you please dry me off?” Clay asked, his voice sounding really tired. I smiled as I raised my hand and focused. I drew the water out off of Clay and out of the bed and pillow, making water droplets float in the air. I put them back together in a ball and absorbed it into my hand (I don’t know where the water goes after that).

“We’ve got training in 30 minutes, bud. Go eat and get in your suit. Oh, and Rachel’s coming over after training and stuff, so please keep yourself under control.” I explained to him and he just yawned again and started getting up.

“Alrighty then, I’ll see you in a bit.” Clay mumbled and rolled off his bed and onto his feet. He threw on a green tank top and yawned.

I smiled as I turned and crossed into my room to get ready for today’s training.

6: Chapter 5: Clay

Clay

I woke to a splash of water to the face, feeling the water drip down my face, soaking into my pillow. I laid there for a moment, feeling really comfy. I slowly opened my eyes to see Marina standing by my bed, smiling. I slowly sat up and rubbed my eyes. Yawning, I turned my head towards Marina and stared at her.

“Mornin’. Would you please dry me off?” I asked her, almost yawning again. She raised her hand, and I felt the water on my face being pulled toward her. I always thought that was pretty cool. In a couple of seconds, she had all the water in her hand before it absorbed back into her palm.

“We’ve got training in 30 minutes, bud. Go eat and get in your suit. Oh, and Rachel’s coming over after training and stuff, so please keep yourself under control.” She explained. I blinked and yawned.

“Alrighty then, I’ll see you in a bit.” I mumbled and rolled off my bed and onto my feet. Looking through a pile of clothes by my bed, I found a clean-ish shirt and threw it on. I felt Marina walk away, probably to her room. Yawning once again, I slowly made my way down to the kitchen.

Ahh, I should probably tell you who I am. Well, my name is Clay Terra Piercen. Yes, my middle name is Terra, it means ‘earth’ in Latin. I don’t care that if it sounds like a girl’s name. Anyways… I’m 15 years old and in my second year of high school., but I’m really big for my age… well… really big for any age really, clocking in at about 235 pounds of pure muscle (mostly). Standing at six foot five inches, people tend to think I'm intimidating, but I think I’m a pretty nice guy.

Well, I guess I can also tell you about my powers. I can control rocks and the earth and what not. Basically, I can shape and reshape most earthy materials, cause small tremors, move the ground, things along those lines. I’ve recently learned how to make loose sand into a harder, sandstone like formation, which is really fun to hit things with. I also have vastly enhanced strength and endurance, which helps when the things I need to lift aren’t made of stone much easier, along with enhanced speed and stamina. Along with that, I have enhanced senses, mainly being my sense of touch. I can sort of feel vibrations in the ground and stuff. It helps me find faults and different types of rocks by feeling the vibrations coming off them, kind of like 3D mapping something. I can also apparently see, smell, hear, and taste better than other people, but I’ve never been a different person, so I couldn’t tell you for sure.

Well, once I got to the kitchen, I opened up the fridge and started grabbing stacks of leftover pancakes from yesterday, along with a container with last night’s spaghetti. As I threw the spaghetti in the microwave, I grabbed the maple syrup from the cabinet and a fork from a drawer. Ripping the plastic wrap off the pancakes and drenching them in syrup, I dove into the pancakes (yes, they were cold. It’s not weird) while the spaghetti was in the microwave.

As I finished my pancakes, I set my plate in the sink softly (if I’m not careful I tend to break things) and waited a long time for my spaghetti. I still don’t understand why Dad, who’s a really smart inventor guy, couldn’t build a microwave that didn’t take forever. The microwave finally beeped, and I grabbed the container and my fork. Sitting at the counter, I started devouring spaghetti and feeling the sauce all over my face (I didn’t care).

“Clay,” The house computer’s voice making me jump and almost spill my spaghetti, “Training begins in 10 minutes. Also, I must inform you that Rachel Barry is coming to the house today. Please remember to limit your abilities use to private areas.” The computer finished.

I sighed as I got up and started heading toward The Playground. Okay, so I messed up once and launched a boulder at Windsor because he was being annoying as ever. No one told me Rachel was here, so it’s not my fault.

Walking out the sliding door in the living room, I started making my way towards The Playground. By the way, the Playground isn’t actually a playground. It’s really a super big, mostly underground, super tech-y training facility my Dad built. It’s underground because Dad says we need to keep it secret from the government and stuff, which is ridiculous because I can feel just how big it is and exactly where it is by stomping the ground with my foot (not that hard to find).

Eating my spaghetti, I entered into the entrance of Dad’s garage, which held his collection of fancy cars, military vehicles, and a little hanger for aircraft. He had a tank that I loved to drive, except last time I almost flattened one of his expensive sports cars (he doesn’t know that, so be quiet). Walking to a bank of tool cabinets, I reached under the edge of one of the tool cabinets counter to find the three buttons. I pressed each in a certain order, which made a section of the wall to slide back to reveal a small touch pad.

I pressed my hand against it while dumping spaghetti into my mouth (it was starting to get kind of cold). The scanner started beeping and glowed green for a second before the hidden elevator doors (which looked exactly like the garage wall) slid open with a small beep. Stepping in the elevator, I pressed the one button on the panel and the doors hissed shut before the elevator shot down into the earth. I calmly ate my spaghetti as I traveled deep into my element of earth. It was strangely comforting, maybe it’s not strange because of the fact I control stone and that stuff, but it’s comforting anyways. The doors slid open once again as the elevator stopped. I stepped out into a hallway lit with LED lights hanging from the ceiling, the cables coming straight out of the bedrock (parts of the Playground were built in hollowed out bedrock). Walking into the 2nd door on the left, I entered the guy’s locker room (at least, that’s what me and the guys call it). The locker room looked a lot like a high school locker room, except far less lockers (because it was only used by like five guys at most, if you included Dad).

Setting my spaghetti down on a bench, I opened up my locker and began changing out of my clothes. Once I was down to my boxers, I grabbed my training belt from my locker. It was made of matte black metal and plastic with various compartments to hold stuff. I slipped it around my waist and locked the two ends together in front of me. This caused the buckle to glow green for a second before beeping momentarily. Then it did something that will probably always amaze me. The belt’s edges started to ooze a black fluid substance, which then began running up my torso and down my legs, leaving behind black fabric like stuff. The ooze ran all the way down my arms, up to my neck, and down to my ankles, leaving me in a black, skin-tight suit of spandex material. The only color besides black on the suit was green, which was in a stripe that ran along the outsides of my body, all the way from my armpit to my ankle. There was a green ring that wrapped around the collar of the suit.

I should probably explain the ooze stuff. The ooze is really all these little nano-bots, like the ones used to give me and my siblings our powers, carried this special substance that hardens into a super strong spandex like material. The suit can resist more damage than you’d imagine, and it could self repair itself to a certain extent. I once tried cutting it with a knife and the knife made a small little line that you could barely see, and in moments, oozed itself back together. Dad made it himself, but the public only knew about the prototypes (he keeps the good stuff for himself).

I grabbed the matching training boots from the bottom of the locker, which were also black with a stripe of green on them. Stepping into them, more ooze came out from the rim of the boots and attached to the fabric on my ankles, making it fit perfectly.

Returning to my spaghetti, I walked out of the locker room into the main training area, and let me tell you, it was huge. Today, it appeared to be the jungle area, with huge trees and big rocks. High above was what appeared to be a sky and sun, but I knew it was just panels and atmosphere controls, because we were quite far underground.

I began to look around for Dad and my other siblings to see when we would start training. I walked start into the jungle and began looking in the trees for movement. I stood still for a second so I could scan (and eat up my spaghetti) when I heard a faint whistling noise. Scrunching my eyebrows, I turned around just in time to be slammed right in the face with what I felt to be (using the vibrations caused from being slammed in the face) a swinging log. Flying through the air, I ran into a tree and slid down it, hitting the ground.

The worst part, my spaghetti was sent flying into the underbrush, leaving me with a fork. I threw the fork like a throwing knife into the log and it stuck with a THUMP!

“Stupid swinging log.” I mumbled as I brushed some grass from my hair. Suddenly, a fireball came sailing in from over my head and hit the cable that was holding the log, causing it to snap, crashing it to the floor. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Flint and Marina walking up to me, Flint's hand still smoking from the fireball.

They were both wearing almost identical uniforms as I was, except instead of green, Flint’s color was red and Marina’s was blue.

“Nice air time there, Clay.” Flint smiled and I just sighed.

“Yeah thanks, Sparky. Did you know your girlfriend’s coming over?” I taunted and Flint’s face turned red.

“Rachel isn’t…” Flint mumbled, then stopped talking all together. He was so easy to get going.

“Clay, Flint, be nice. Clay, did you have spaghetti for breakfast again?” Marina asked and I nodded, “Well it’s all over your face, lean down.” Marina commanded, reaching out with her hand. Sighing, I leaned over and she began wiping the pasta sauce off my face. Her eyebrows scrunched together, and she let a little bit of water appear on her thumb and used that to wipe my face.

“All better.” Marina smiled, lowering her hand.

“Thanks sis,” I said before looking into the sky, “So has anyone seen Windsor?” I asked, and Flint shook his head. I laughed.

“Uncle Will is going to kill that Air-head.” I grinned to myself

7: Chapter 6: Windsor

Windsor

I woke up this morning listening the all of my fans running, feeling the air blow through the sheets on my bed and ruffle my air. I smiled and I rolled over and grabbed my phone off my bedside table. On the screen, a message flashed, “Training in progress”. I smiled to myself.

I loved being fashionably late.

I clicked past the training message and checked out today’s schedule. I liked knowing what was happening so if any major social events came up I knew just what I was missing at home. Scrolling through the list, I noticed Rachel was coming over. I smiled to myself, remembering the time I had almost gotten Clay in so much trouble for using his powers in front of people. It would’ve been so great. I didn’t mind too much when she came over either. She was pretty cute, even though Marina has way hotter friends.

Hey, I’m going to introduce myself to you. My name is Windsor A. Piercen, son of the super famous scientist/inventor/millionaire Dr. James Piercen, which let me tell you, is pretty great in itself. I’m sort of a celebrity in the science world, and well… all of the world really. My middle name is Aire, which is “air” in Latin, but that doesn’t sound as cool as ‘A.’. I’m 15 years old and a sophomore with only a week or so of school left. Even though honestly, I’ve been ready for school to be out since it started in the fall.

Swinging my legs over the edge, I hit the switch on my side table, which turned off most of my fans, minus the ceiling fan and a standing fan in the corner. I stood up, making my way over to my bathroom, scrolling through my various social media feeds. I slid in my socks across the bathroom floor and stopped in front of the mirror and took my morning selfie. The girls seemed to like when I posted pictures of my face and upper body.

Speaking of my face, as I stared intently at my forehead, I saw the very beginning of a zit. It was only about the size of a period at the end of a sentence, but that stuck out to me like it was the size of a baseball. Super sight has its disadvantages, but there aren’t many.

Oh, I should probably tell you about my superpowers and stuff too. If only I didn’t have to keep it a secret, I would have so many more girls after me, if that’s possible. For starters, I can control the air around me and stuff through the use of little robots inside my body. Through some scientific stuff the little robots attract air molecules and through that I can do what I do. Dad’s explained it to me a lot, I still don’t really care how it works. I’ve created mini tornadoes and compressed air to knock over cans and stuff. By far the coolest thing I can do is what most people only dream of doing. I can fly, and I don’t even need wings to do it. My body is adjusted so things like my eyes and lungs function normally at high altitudes and speeds. Let me tell you, flying is one of the greatest feelings in the world, being able to just launch into the air, or even just hovering around, which was really hard at first but it’s getting easier. Also, I have super sight, meaning I can see really far away and up close, and only sometimes at the right angle do I see glimpses of what I guess might be ultraviolet light and stuff.  Along with that, I have all my other super senses, smell, hearing, all that good stuff. Adding onto that, I have superhuman speed, faster than all my siblings, along with enhanced strength and endurance and what not. Let’s just say, I’m pretty super powerful.

I got done with all of my bathroom stuff, scanning the various social media feeds to see where the party was at tonight. Of course, I was always welcome at any of them, even some of the college parties, except those get a little crazy sometimes. Suddenly, I got a text from one of my friends on the track team…. Couldn’t tell you his name, he was new to my group, because he was in my phone as “The New Guy”.

“hey, party at Pete’s house. And u know who’s going to b there.”  Pete was a good buddy of mine, and he had quite the parties at his house, and his parents are totally cool with it. The best part about this party in particular was that Pete promised me he would invite this girl I was going after. I’m pretty sure her name was Dorothy or something. Whatever it was, she is quite the prize, and I intend to talk with her tonight. Of course, I would have to sneak away from nocturnal training. Not a big deal, I’ve done it so many times, and my night vision is so good it’s basically pointless to train more.

Hopping in and out of the shower, making sure to use all my special shampoos and conditioners, I wrapped a towel around myself and started brushing my teeth. Ok, so the shampoo and conditioners thing probably sounds a little much, and I do love my hair, don’t get me wrong, but I have to use special hair products so my hair is flight worthy. After making sure my teeth were sparkling white, I took my time picking out my outfit for tonight. Walking over to my computerized closet, I started scrolling through some of the presets Marina had helped me pick out one day. Finally, I decided on a blue-gray v-neck t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Setting that outfit aside, I typed in my morning workout outfit, which consisted of a gray tank-top and shorts made of the same material as my training uniform, the kind of spandex-like material. Making sure my tank-top was properly tucked slightly into the hem of my shorts and my phone was in my pocket, I started doing stretches, like those you’d do before running. As I bent sideways to reach my toes, I looked carefully around my room. The walls were white with gray accents. Kind of a plain room overall, but I keep it very, very clean. Mainly, dust drove me insane, because I can see it so closely, it’s like snow falling on everything. The fans helped a lot, but I also had Dad install me a state of the art dust filter in my ventilation for Christmas one year. That stuff drove me insane. Also, everything has to be exactly where it’s supposed to be. I’m really OCD about my room being clean, not very many people know that, and I’d like it to stay that way please.

Anyways, after I finished stretching, I walked out of my room onto my see through balcony, staring at the ground beneath me. I smiled as I stood right up on the railing and balanced there for a while, feeling the breeze. Warning to normal human beings: Do not try the following actions at home; these stunts should only be performed by trained, amazingly awesome superhumans only.

Closing my eyes and concentrating, I activated my nano-bots that are in charge of my main power, the power of the air. Hearing, and feeling, the familiar hum of the nano-bots coming to life, I smiled and leaned forward, plummeting to the ground. Waiting just a few more seconds, feeling the wind rush past my face, I opened my eyes to see the ground closing on me fast. Feeling my powers hum loud, I blasted air underneath me with my hands and used my feet to propel my forward. I flipped my body over and propelled myself into the sky.

I grinned as I shot over the house and keep going higher and higher into the sky. Once I got to a comfortable height, I flattened out my body and floated on my stomach for a second, seeing the familiar little orange flag far off in the distance marking the edge of my “safe fly zone”.

See, Dad set up a special area for me so the government wouldn’t detect me on their satellites and radars and what not. Basically, Dad just set up this satellite thing that allows the government to see all the other things in the area, like commercial aircraft and storm clouds, but they couldn’t see me darting through the air. My nano-bots give off a special sound that I can hear when I’m nearing the edge of my safe zone, which is good because I never know exactly how high I can go.

Focusing on the sky once again, I willed air to shoot from my feet, propelling me forward quite quickly. Normally, people wouldn’t be able to breathe at the speed I was going, but thanks to my modified super lungs, I was breathing perfectly fine. Feeling the wind blow past me is probably my favorite feeling in the world. I closed my eyes and spread my hands slightly to feel the breeze flow through my fingers.

Suddenly, I heard/felt a humming that was louder than the normal drone of the nano-bots’ humming that allowed me to fly. I opened my eyes to see the orange flag right beneath me. Panicking, I yelled and scrunched my body, bringing my legs out in front of me. This caused me to shoot back the direct opposite way I came. To explain why that happens real fast, my feet and calves basically act as thrusters, compressing and blowing air out, which is where my main flight power comes from. My hands and forearms act the same way, except I mainly use them for steering because I find it easier.

I flew back above the house, slowly descending back to where I was just above roof level. Instead of being safe and un-cool, I simply shut off my superpowers, the humming dying down and the rush of wind becoming less intense. I flattened my body out and glided, aiming head-first for my balcony. Unfortunately, I was gliding a bit too fast. So, right before I smashed my face into my glass-bottomed balcony, I stretched out my hands and blasted the floor, doing something like a somersault in mid air. My feet found the floor and I landed, throwing my arms into the air like a gymnast finishes their routine.

Quickly changing out of my workout clothes, I slipped on my party outfit and decided to head down to the kitchen to sneak some food for breakfast. After that, I would come back up to my room, play video games, watch TV, and jam out to some music. It’ll be a long, extremely taxing process, but what’s better for a reward than an epic party?

Nothing I can think of anyways.