Super Issue #1 - The Illumination

                It was the year 1979. The evening’s warm summer breeze blew through the fields as a young teen played baseball with a group of friends. Today was no different from any other summer day in America. However as the sun began to set, casting reds and oranges across the sky, the people of Earth began to feel…something.

                At first, only a few felt the slight vibrations moving through the air. Eventually the feeling became so intense that nobody could ignore it. The whistling of a high pitched sound, just barely audible to humans, was heard throughout the world. Animals cowered at the noise, and most people assumed it had to do with some sort of radio broadcast. Yet after ten minutes, that sound was still growing stronger. All of a sudden, the sound stopped. And what followed remains a scientific mystery to this day.

                A brilliant flash lit up the western hemisphere of the planet, blinding anyone who saw it. For a brief second, any human who was in direct contact with the light felt a flash of heat move through their body. In a moment, the light was completely gone. There was no damage done anywhere on the planet, no burns from the reported flash of heat, and no radiation poisoning was ever found. For the next couple of minutes, everyone thought the flash caused absolutely no change in anything. Then the mutations started.

                The first metahumans, as they would eventually be called, to exhibit abilities were the unlucky individuals who gained physical mutations. Fur, tails, claws, wings: as their bodies changed, these individuals experienced worlds of pain unlike anything a human has ever experienced before. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason for who mutated and how fast. The only thing certain was that the flash of light was the cause. But the physical mutations weren’t the only changes to be seen. Other abilities flared up, ranging from spontaneous fires starting through touch to entire towns being rendered unconscious from psychic waves. Everywhere in the western hemisphere, from northern Canada all the way to the tip of South America and even stretching into Western Europe and Africa, humans began showing signs of superhuman abilities.

                The resulting pandemonium was catastrophic. The governments and peace-keeping agencies tried desperately to contain the growing epidemic, yet they were powerless in this situation. Within a week, entire cities had fallen due to the chaos and uncontrolled abilities of these new metahumans. Riots broke out all over the countries, with America being hit the hardest due to its high population. As the country was torn apart, the world wondered what would happen once the dust settled. How could life go back to normal after the flash of light? The answer quickly became apparent: it couldn’t. The end of human dominance over the planet was over. These were the first days of a new era:  the age of the metahumans.

One month later…

                “How are the subjects doing today?” The man in the military outfit walked with purpose in the center of a small group of scientists. He was the perfect picture of military professionalism: clean cut, well-groomed, and dressed in a pressed military suit. Despite the chaos running amok in the world, he would not tolerate disorganization on his base.

                “Subject 008 reached his theoretical maximum output last night and is currently in intensive care.” One of the scientists was reading off notes on his clipboard. “That leaves only subjects 001 and 004. Neither has burnt out yet, and if some new calculations are to be believed, they won’t for a very long time.”

                “Explain.” The military man did not any surprises. He was doing this project all on his own, considering the American government was basically down on one knee and out for the fight. As soon as these powers started emerging, he saw the militant potential. If a person could have an army of these new metahumans, he would be unstoppable.

                “With every test we put them through, they grow stronger. They are both very eager to learn about these new abilities they possess, and have yet to slow down on the training.”

                “What about mental deterioration?” The man interrupted the scientist.

                “Oh, um, so far both have passed the psyche evaluations. Subject 001 had two flags, but it isn’t anything to worry about at this time. If he continues to be flagged, then we will have to pull him from the program. But Subject 004 is in perfect mental health.”

                The man grunted acknowledgement. “Are they being tested at the moment?” A different scientist produced a test schedule and confirmed they were. “Then I want to see what they can do.”

                In the room, a young teen was concentrating. He focused on the target twenty yards away, willing it to combust into flames. After a few minutes he stopped, unable to ignite the object. Finally he raised his hand and, using it similar to a magic wand, swished it left and right. The final point was directed at the target, which exploded into flames. The teen was excited, but also slightly disappointed. While it seemed he needed to use his hands to help focus his power, the other boy didn’t have to make any movements at all. With just a thought, Subject 001 could ignite fires within a certain radius. That radius was growing every day, along with his power.

                Subject 004’s name was Nick. When the flash happened, he was terrified. He was lighting anything he touched on fire, and he had to run away from home to protect his family. He was quickly picked up by a military convoy, and soon found himself in this base, training with scientists to understand his abilities. There were quite a few people here who could all control fire, however one by one they were removed for various reasons. Now there were only two left, and Nick did not like Subject 001 at all. He was a trickster who had fooled the scientists into thinking he was enjoying this. But Nick knew the truth: Subject 001 wanted nothing more than to escape and use his immense power to do whatever he pleased.

                Today after his training, Nick was brought into an interview room along with Subject 001. The scientists were explaining that the man in the military outfit was the boss of this base, and he wanted to find the strongest soldiers he could. The scientists believed that Nick and Subject 001 were potentially the strongest pyrokinetics around. The military man wanted to see firsthand how powerful they were, and had scheduled another training session right now to watch.

                Suddenly the military man’s chest burst into flames, his screams filling the tiny room. The scientists panicked, trying to run out of the room. But the doors were on fire as well, trapping everyone within. Nick turned to Subject 001 and was horrified. His entire body was coated in flames, and he started cackling like a lunatic. Subject 001 turned towards Nick and blasted him with a fireball. Nick was knocked down but relieved to find he was not burned.

                Subject 001 stood over him menacingly. “I don’t believe we were ever formally introduced,” he sneered. With the room starting to collapse on them, Subject 001 leaned closer to Nick. “I am Inferno! And you are dead!” With that, the newly dubbed Inferno blasted up through the roof, knocking what remained of it down on Nick.

                It took Nick almost ten minutes to burn away the pile of rubble he was under. Once he did, he saw a startling picture before him. The military base was destroyed, with fires spreading across the area. Military personnel were trying desperately to stop Inferno, but he was unleashing all the power he possibly could. Nick knew he had to do something to stop Inferno, but he had no idea what. Rushing towards his enemy, Nick started throwing his own fireballs at Inferno. The flames did nothing but catch Inferno’s attention. With a roar, Inferno sent a wave of fire towards Nick.

Nick plunged right through it, and continued trying to stop Inferno. Screaming in rage, Inferno created an enormous column of fire around Nick, trying to burn the seemingly fireproof teen. Nick held his hands up and forced the column of fire to stay back. In the ensuing struggle, Nick managed to match Inferno’s control, and with an effort of will Nick dispersed the fiery column.

                For a moment, Inferno was stunned. In that moment, a shot was heard and Inferno’s blaze went out like a light. His limp body fell to the ground, and Nick stared as an older gentleman emerged from behind an overturned tank. At the older man’s command, a team of soldiers quickly ran up and injected Inferno with something. Nick realized Inferno was not dead, but merely unconscious.

                The older gentleman walked up to Nick and extended his hand. “Thanks for the help kid. Not sure I would have had that opening without you distracting him.”

                Nick smiled, but his gaze returned to Inferno. “What’s going to happen to him?”

                “We’ll keep him sedated,” the gentleman said. “At least until we can build a cell that can hold him. He’s too dangerous to be left awake.”

                “That makes sense,” Nick said after a moment. “But what about me?”

                The older man studied Nick for a moment. “I believe I can find a good use for you, if you’d like to join me.” At Nick’s nod, the man continued. “My name is General Kenneth Bridge, and I’m putting together a little something I like to call the GMA.”