“I’m on my way!” Starmaster walked across an open field. He approached the levitating person.
The Master of Mental sat in a meditation pose, hovering above the ground. Her purple skin emanating a strong glow.
“Ah, one who uses my blessings approaches.” She spoke directly into his mind.
Starmaster responded with a telepathic voice. “Mental, I’m here to check on you.”
“You are here at the orders of BADGE from Director Nova. He wants to know where we are and what we are doing.” The thoughts in his head were rifled through and he saw her examine the conversations he had with Nova just an hour ago.
“Very good. I suppose a creature made up of mental morphons would have exceptional telepathic powers.”
With a clever smile on her face, she answered him. “I am what I am.”
“What are you doing here?”
Reaching down, she caressed the grass. “Here, long ago, was a source of great wisdom. A library was here before it burned. Many brilliant minds came here and educated themselves. I can still feel the residual mental power.”
“Power? These people had morphonic powers?”
“No. This was before the Morphons enhanced the humans. However, morphons enhance what exists. Morphons do not create powers, they give them a new strength, a new avenue of use.”
Starmaster sat next to her. “I see. How interesting. I suppose you have a point. Strength isn’t new, super heroes just have enhanced strength. And, technology wasn’t created by morphons, we just use it differently. I never considered this before.”
Mental closed her eyes and suddenly he had a glow around him. She said, “You had a powerful mind before the morphons changed you. This is why your powers manifested in telepathic and telekinetic ways.”
“Yes, I don’t wish to sound arrogant, but I was always more thoughtful, more willing to learn than the people around me. I suppose my mind was stronger, though I never really realized that until this moment.”
Mental opened her eyes and looked at him. “In all humans is the capacity to grow, learn, and be something greater than they realize. However, many choose to remain small for it is comfortable.”
“Are you saying all humans could be superheroes? That everyone could be enhanced with Morphons?”
“No. The ability to tap into the strength of Morphons is unique to a few. However, all humans do have the ability to be more than they give themselves credit. In my short time since awakening, I have learned that many humans limit themselves and it makes me sad.”
Starmaster gave this some thought, diving deep into her wisdom. After a moment, he asked. “I was wondering. What... exactly... are you? A living creature, a human given powers… or something else? I…”
“Someone is coming!” Mental stood up, ready to fight.
Starmaster was to his feet the moment he heard engines roaring their direction. Half a dozen black helicopters blazed across the skies. “What are they doing here?” Starmaster readied for an attack.
“I cannot sense minds on those approaching vehicles.” Mental said, as though it caused her pain.
“They are a secret organization that has been giving BADGE trouble. I have seen that helicopter design in an image from BADGE.”
Mental snarled, “I have seen it as well when they tried to take Merlin’s Tome before Magic awoke.”
Starmaster laughed, “I doubt they’re ready for a god-like creature and a superhero working together.”
“I am not a god, do not be arrogant, be focused.” An energy filled her hands.
The ground shook hard, and dirt sprayed everywhere. Both stumbled and had to regain their posture.
A familiar voice spoke behind them. “Surrender or this will get messy.”
Starmaster turned and audibly gasped. “Arx? Where the hell did you come from?”
“Let’s just say I have a new agent and he’s setting me up for one hell of a new part to play.” Arx lunged at Starmaster to punch him.
Starmaster blasted Arx back with a telekinetic power. When he went for a second blast, Arx used a special device on his arm to create an energy field that absorbed the attack.
“Enough!” Mental opened her hands as a massive wave of psionic energy exploded out and sent Arx tumbling away.
“Good hit!” Starmaster said and then vanished, reappearing right next to the fallen Arx. He went to hit the man in the face when Arx kicked his leg and toppled the hero.
A strong breeze whirled around the fields, and deep shadows fell over the fight. The helicopters arrived, with mercenaries jumping off. Mental used that psionic blast one more time before they hit her with a wide, purple beam of energy from strange weapons.
Starmaster used a powerful wave of his own telekinetic powers and sent Arx stumbling back. He then vanished and reappeared near Arx and nailed him with a foot in the back. However, his victory was cut short when he saw the hoards of Mercenaries rushing toward his location.
“Starmaster to BADGE, HELP!”
***
Small shuttles darted to and from the orbital League Wars Arena. Several dozen space suited workers diligently repaired and upgraded the facility. Director Nova observed all this activity from the large windows in the mess hall of the BADGE space station.
“Good afternoon, Agent Justin. Who is this?” Nova asked.
“How did you know I was behind you?”
Nova pointed to the glass. “The reflection.”
“Ah. Well, this is Dr. Stone, Brian Stone.”
Nova turned around and took the red-headed doctor’s hand in a firm shake. “Glad to meet you. Yes, Dr. Stone. I have heard great things about your work with morphonic energies.”
“I’m pleased to be so well known. I’ve only been studying the phenomenon for the past three years and barely scratched the surface.”
“At this time, Dr. Stone, you’re the greatest expert we can trust.”
Dr. Stone asked. “Agent Justin wasn’t entirely clear about why you asked for me specifically. I assumed BADGE had the greatest minds for understanding the unique powers granted through morphon energy.”
“We have extensive knowledge in the field of superpowers. However, recently there has been a rise in new individuals, creatures calling themselves Avatars of Morphons. I don’t understand them and that annoys me. However, what annoys me more, an evil organization has been seeking them and desiring their knowledge. To what ends, I do not know. We need to know more about this situation so we can properly protect the Earth. That is where you come in, doctor. Study the morphons and these creatures will be a top priority.”
“I see. Well, I will do my best for the good of Earth.”
Just then EB slammed into Nova and jumped up and down, “Nova, Nova, Nova!”
Nova snatched him mid-air, holding him by his ears. “What is it?”
EB pointed back. “Just got a message from Starmaster. Something big is happening. Those mercenary jerks are attacking Mental, and there are TONS of them.”
“Crap.” Nova dropped the bunny and pulled out his comm. “Nova to Leagues, converge on Starmaster’s location, NOW! Be prepared for a fight.”
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