Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Frontier #13 - A Cure for Everything pt. 2



Jackson stood on the landing strip, watching the little jet taxi to a stop. The plane opened and Marian climbed out of the cockpit, brushing her curly hair out of her face. She jumped down from the plane and smiled when she saw Jackson waiting for her.
“Sorry it was such short notice. I needed to get away.”
“That’s quite alright, Marian. You are welcome here anytime.” Jackson put his arm around her and they walked from the airport back to his quarters. They made small talk along the way, but Jackson never mentioned he noticed her red eyes and dried tears from the flight over.
After catching up in a gazebo over-looking a stunning garden, Marian popped her question. “I want you to train me,” she said confidently. “I need to become stronger.”
Jackson put down the drink he was sipping. “You already are strong, Marian.”
She shook her head, “No, I’m just a good fighter. I’ll admit to that; but I’m not very powerful. I feel so inferior sometimes. My powers are just…so limiting.”
“My dear, if you believe that, then it will be true. But there is no limit to a person’s abilities if they push themselves hard enough and use a little imagination.” Jackson waved his hand around, signaling to the Eagle and all aboard it. “Look at what I’ve created, and my ability is summed up as generating electrical charges. You can’t let simple terms define what you can do, however. You have an amazing gift, one that many would want. Think about it, Marian; you are completely resistant to fatigue. You never wear out during physical activity. You can exert yourself as much as you want, run as fast as you can, without needing to rest. Your immune system is also incredibly boosted to the point where I bet you can’t even remember the last time you were sick. With anything you do, you will become bored before you become tired. That is something everyone strives for, but you have it already.”
Marian smiled at him, “You’re right, it is useful, but it’s still not powerful compared to metas like Tony or Natalie.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others, Marian. Your ability might not lead to great physical power, but power isn’t measured by how much weight you can lift, or how much damage you can cause. Power is measured in many different ways. You just need to find your own niche. You said you were a good fighter; so train yourself to become a great fighter. Strive to become the greatest fighter in the entire world; you can do it, with your gift. Then tell me your ability doesn’t make you powerful.”
Marian sat back in her chair, contemplating what Jackson just said. “I could do that, yeah. But I would need a good teacher. My dad used to spar with me all the time, but he’s been really busy lately and we haven’t in a long time.”
“Your father is a remarkable man, and one of my role models. He teaches others how to work hard at what you believe in, and to never give up, no matter what happens. He would be the best to train you, Marian. However, I think learning from multiple people is the best way to become a well-rounded and highly skilled individual.”
“So you’ll train me?” Marian asked, so excited by that premise that she cut Jackson off, something she knew he does not like.
Jackson merely smiled. “I’ve never taught someone how to fight before, but yes, I will do my best to teach you what I know about combat.”
Marian threw her hands up in joy. “Yes! I can’t wait, I’m sure you’ll be surprised at how good I am already. And I can only get better from here!”
Jackson laughed at the young woman’s enthusiasm. “Well, this should be an interesting few weeks.”

Outside the hospital room, Steve sat in an uncomfortable looking chair, watching the minutes go by slowly. Suddenly the door opened, and he jumped to his feet. Cure walked out, drying her hands on a towel that was lightly stained red with blood.
“How is she?” Steve asked frantically, but then collected himself quickly.
Cure gave him a warm smile, and Steve felt his anxiety slip away under the presence of her healing mind. “Go have a look for yourself.”
Steve walked quietly into the room, and cried out in happiness when he saw Natalie sitting up in bed with her eyes open.
“Steve,” she cooed softly, and he bounded over to her side.
“Oh, Natalie,” he wrapped his arms gently around her, pulling her close. “Thank God you’re okay; I thought I lost you.” Steve started choking up, and Natalie caressed his arm.
“I’m fine, my love. She healed me right up. A little scar is all that’s left.”
They both looked towards the doorway where Cure was leaning. “Looks like my job here is done,” she said with a smile. “Let me know if you need anything else, Nat. It was fun meeting you two.”
As Cure walked out of the room, Steve got up to give her his thanks, but Natalie stopped him. “It’s okay, Steve. You don’t need to say anything. She knows words can’t describe our thanks.”
“I’ll pay her back one day, Natalie,” Steve said sitting down. “A favor this big won’t go unrewarded, not if I can help it.” He looked at his wife and put his arms around her again. “But for now, let’s just get you home.”
Natalie sighed, feeling the warmth of Steve’s embrace. “After everything that’s happened, nothing sounds better to me.”

                The college campus was still reeking with the smell of garbage and filth when Matt returned that night. The clean-up crew was wearing hazmat suits, despite the earlier report that nothing here was toxic. Half of the science hall was destroyed, and that was where the highest concentration of stench and waste was located. Matt closed his eyes and concentrated, trying to sense where the metahuman went. After a couple of minutes, Matt gave up. Without using his powers, the meta would be nearly impossible to detect. With a heavy sigh Matt flew back home, disappointed in himself and vowing to find and subdue this new threat.

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