[color=lightblue]"Alex, could you go get the cabbages from the yard before it rains please?"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"Alright alright one sec, jeez."[/color] [color=lightblue]"And be quick about it! I just put the kettle on. Got brekkie all ready, so don't let your toast and tea go cold!"[/color] Alex slipped on his white earbuds as he headed outside. The air was cold, misty, obviously because it was still the morning out in the countryside. The cold ate through the thick jacket he wore as he strode out into their yard, well, to be more precise, their back yard, which was massive. Rows of tomatoes, lettuce, mint and other assorted produce grew silently in their little patch nearby, while a small orchard held apples, cherries, even strawberries. Homegrown goodness that tasted delicious fresh off the vine or stem or wherever. Bobbing his head gently to a beat, he stooped to grab one of the empty plastic baskets lying around and strode on over to the veggie patch. The rest of their stuff wasn't ready yet, but the cabbages were. Reaching the row of fresh, leafy green veggies, he stooped to uproot the first one and felt a pang of pain shoot through his lower back. Not big, but enough to make him stand up and stretch a bit before carrying on. As he picked each head of cabbage up he inspected it for worms or other hangers-on, shook it once or twice to dislodge most of the dirt, then chucked it in his basket. This process repeated until he stood with an empty dirt row and a basket full of green. Without waiting to wash up, he pulled a leaf from one of the heads and popped it into his mouth, relishing the healthy crunch that it had. Just right. Perfect for salads. Or, in their case, selling. He shrugged his shoulders, hefting the basket into a more comfortable position in his hands (not like it mattered) and returned to the cottage. Inside, he plonked the basket and its contents next to the kitchen sink, where his sister was busy peeling a potato that she then dunked into a pot of boiling water. [color=lightgreen]"That's the cabbages done. Anything else, m'lady?"[/color] Shirley looked up at him with a wry smile, then smacked him gently with the handle of the peeler. [color=lightblue]"Go wash up, ya loaf, and come have some brekkie."[/color] And thus their day went on in such slow fashion. It had always been that way, ever since they'd left the Fourth and come back to the UK. Leaving their superhero lives behind had been easy enough; the clothes and identity hiders were just that, clothes, and they went into closets and boxes at the end of the day. Though Alex hated to admit it, a small part of him missed the crime-fighting life, but bygones were bygones. They'd left it behind. Let the younger, more heroic PGs handle justice dispensing in the world. The Mackeys were getting old (not really but still), and he for one just wasn't feeling it any more. Now the life they led was slow, lazy, uneventful but stable. A life they had before being thrust into all this death and doom and disaster. The scars from their time in the Fourth were still bare, healing but painful to reminisce upon. Had it really been nine years since then? Nine slow, painful years of mending and recovery, of mourning and of grief. Alex took a bite of his toast, slathered with jam as he liked it, and thought back. When they'd first contacted the enigmatic Vivian Pang the siblings had thought that they'd be in for a good old fashioned romp. They didn't expect their villain to be a telekinetic terrorist, though, and the death that followed in the wake of that revelation was simply too much to bear. Especially Nicole. After attending her funeral, the Mackeys had left. It had reminded them too much of their own parents, killed without so much as a thought. Alex was the one that had made them leave. Shirley didn't want to, as much as the death hurt her. She wanted revenge. The memory brought a faint, wry smile to his lips as they ate. She was always the hot-headed one, furious and willing to get hurt in the name of vengeance. Only through sheer force of will did Alex manage to drag her away from the whole fiasco. Convincing her that dying in Nicole's name simply was not worth it, the Mackeys left America, vowing not to come back unless it was absolutely necessary. And they never did. Not for the Fifth, not for the Sixth, not for the invasion, though the last had been painful to watch. But even through all of that, the Mackeys had no reason to return to the fold. Alex and Shirley were simply content to stay here in London, tending to their grocery store as their parents had in life. He polished off the last of his toast and potatoes and stood, taking his plate to the sink. Shirley was still eating, as slow as she was, he knew she was thinking about the same things he was. He could see it in her. Being a little pepperpot was telling in the way she carried herself; the way she bounced her right leg when she was deep in thought, her furrowed brows and pouty expression as she recalled something that made her fume inside. Alex knew all her tells. She was restless. Aching, wanting to do something instead of nothing. Shirley was a fighter, not a thinker. But he wasn't. All his life he'd spent protecting her physically where she couldn't herself. Bullying in school, to harrassment outside in their adult life. With her body she got hit on a lot, but with him by her side at least the perverts stayed away. Life was simple. Easy. Well, easy enough anyway, without the responsibilities of being a "hero". [hr] [h3]Several hours later...[/h3] [color=lightblue]"C'mon Alex, it'll be alright!"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"I don't know, Shirl. You know I've never been great at these social things."[/color] [color=lightblue]"Oh relax, you loaf. You'll fit right in. You're just complaining because you have to wear a stuffy suit and tie."[/color] [color=lightgreen]"Formal events are boring, Shirl. I don't even know why you take me out to these things."[/color] [color=lightblue]"Oh shush shh shh! Not another word, let me adjust your tie."[/color] Dainty hands adjusted the navy blue tie around the collar of a crisp white shirt. Alex sighed as she tightened the knot and straightened his jacket and shirt then stood back with a grin to admire her handiwork. [color=lightblue]"Perfect! Except you need to lose some weight, Godzilla, otherwise I won't be able to find clothes that fit you anymore!"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"I'm not puttin' on weight, Shirl, honest! It's me shoulders, you always forget that they're broad!"[/color] She giggled and placed a finger over his lips to shut him up. [color=lightblue]"I'm just toyin', you goof! Besides, I know you like the food at these socials. Don't lie. I can see it in your eyes."[/color] Alex tried his best not to react but in the end his sister's infectious charm made him crack a smile. [color=lightgreen]"Guilty as charged, Shirl. I'll behave."[/color] She smiled and tutted him as she led him out the door. [color=lightblue]"Good! And this time, try not to trip over someone's foot and demolish the dessert table, Alex. Those crepes and bon bons were delightful, y'know."[/color] [color=lightgreen]"Yeah, well, explain something to me, sis."[/color] [color=lightblue]"Hm?"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"Why exactly are we going to a social commemorating the UK's supers again? I thought we'd left that life behind."[/color] Shirley stopped in the middle of slipping on her evening dress, stunned for a second. Then, almost without pause, she continued dressing herself. [color=lightblue]"Well I thought it make for a nice change of pace, y'know? Besides it'd be nice to see some familiar faces after spending ages out here alone, right?"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"But -"[/color] She cut him off with a finger to his lips. [color=lightblue]"Ah shush! No complaints! We're going and that's that!"[/color] [hr] Alex sat in a sedate silence at their table. His sister beside him was busy chatting with her friends that were around them, though he barely knew who they were and who they were supposed to be. The social, held in a small convention center in the center of town, was mainly attended by psygens present to honour those of the past; heroes dedicated to the protection of their fair city and, by extension, the world. Men and women who'd fought, bled and died for their country and for the safety and sanctuary of the Earth. Big names, big faces, even a celebrity or two were present. But lost in the sea of faces was Alex Mackey. Ever since he'd distanced himself and his sister from the public spotlight he'd grown unfamiliar with the public scene in London. Of course, his family was part of that public scene; the Knights Anglais were once the prima donna superhero team based in London. Though he could never live up to the legacy that his parents had left behind, during the brief period that had followed they'd tried to fill their shoes as best as they could. But after the Fourth Division, Alex had given up. As he stared out across the hall, through the faces, he tried to recall faces but none came. People walked by and waved hellos, even greeting him by name at times, and he waved back and returned courtesies to complete strangers. He was started out of his reverie by his sister nudging him on the arm. [color=lightblue]"Alex, what's wrong? You haven't even eaten a bite of your bread pudding."[/color] He looked down at his plate. It was true. He was in no mood to eat, even if it smelled and looked delicious. Alex's mind was elsewhere. Without a reply, Shirley instead went back to socialising, leaving her brother to dwell in his thoughts for a while. Just then, a young man stood from his table and gently rapped the side of his glass with his knife, calling the attention of those present. When he spoke, his voice reverberated all around the room though he spoke softly. A psygen, of course. One with the powers of sound. [i][color=lightgreen]Just like mum...[/color][/i] "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today as part of the 30th Annual Commemoration of Heroes. I'm sure all of you present understand the significance of such an event. Though my father, the man known publicly as Union Jack, known to me as Paul Billingsfield, is no longer here with us, it is through events like these that we remember the actions of those that have fallen in the line of duty, as he did, along with those that step up to replace such valiant heroes." A chorus of agreements and 'hear hear's echoed round the room as some raised their glasses in a toast. Alex studied the young man's face. Hints as to his lineage did indeed reside there; the strong, cleft chin, small ears, sharp upward-pointing nose and narrow eyes that had once been Union Jack's defining features were everpresent in his son, Boy London, also known as Arnold Billingsfield to those that knew him personally. He and his sister had once admitted the sound manipulator into the Knights Anglais, and after they'd left the Fourth, they too had left the hero team in his care. The memories, once repressed, slowly began flowing back into him as he looked round the room once more. After a brief pause, Arnold began to speak again. "To start off today's dinner, firstly I would like to thank, on our behalf, the wonderful caterers of Total Hospitality dot UK, who have once again generously provided our meals this evening, as they have been for each and every one of our dinners." A small round of applause and several compliments to the chefs rang out from the room. After the clapping died down, Arnold continued. "Now, this year's dinner is rather special, for we have several guests tonight that have returned into the fold, at least for tonight, but we all hope for good. I will get to who these men and women are later, but for now, I shall move on to commemorations. Tonight, we remember the lives lost in America just two years ago, when the unnamed interstellar menace arrived in a small town and utterly destroyed it, and in so doing destroyed the lives of several of the UK's finest. To Bloody Mary, Hybrid, War Pig, and Mainstream, we raise a toast to you tonight." As the assembled supers raised their glasses in respect, Alex glanced at his sister, whose expression remained impassive. "Next, to the lives of those that perished in the recent disaster at the London Eye, where a rogue psygen wreaked such havoc that the whole of London had to be evacuated. To Warframe, Mako, Firework and Lunatic, we raise our glasses to you." Again, another toast. Alex remained impassive. He didn't know any of these people. None of them made him feel anything. His sister, however, felt otherwise, as not long after she leaned against his shoulder and he felt her draw a shuddering breath. "Finally, we commemorate our founders. The men and women of our fair city that took up arms when we needed them the most. To Excalibur, Banshee, Union Jack and Lady English, we raise our glasses as a salute to your bravery, courage and fortitude in the face of danger. The Knights Anglais and our allies offer our thanks to you in forging such a strong team of supers to keep us safe. May your actions live forever in our memories." Having never been to an event like this, Alex was surprised. Their parents, Excalibur and Banshee, or more accurately Robert and Arwen Mackey, were still being remembered to this day? He barely recognised Lady English as being Arnold's mother and Union Jack's wife, but as he took a sip of his champagne and lowered his glass, he couldn't help but feel a little proud at what he'd been a part of. The Knights were their parents' doing, and without them they wouldn't have grown to be the people they were today. Their host set down his glass and straightened his dinner jacket. After a moment of silence, he continued on in his booming voice. "Now, onto the happier portion of tonight's dinner: the introductions! Tonight the Knights are accepting three new members into the fold, and I would like to invite them to stand up and introduce themselves! Please, stand up!" Alex watched Arnold extend his arms and hands in a gesture of welcome as two women and a man from the crowd stood. The first lady, dressed in a gown of dazzling red, made her introduction as Scarlett Clarke, or simply Scarlet. Her powers were that of camoflage and deceit through decoys and hallucination. The next, a young woman called Levia, was a hydrokinetic, a power she demonstrated by levitating champagne from her glass into her mouth and manifesting a ball of water in midair from water vapour. The last, the young man who called himself Balance, displayed acrobatic skill and precision so fine, he balanced himself on the edge of a proffered knife without falling at all and hopped across several tables by way of their placecard holders without toppling anything. Applause came from all around as the three new recruits showcased their talents and abilities to dazzling effect, which their host quietened with a wave of his hands to command their attention once more. "A very warm welcome to the Knights, Scarlet, Levia and Balance! Thank you for your bravery to step into the life of a superhero, where we do the things that most dare not. Now, onto our last event of the night before we proceed with the dinner proper, we welcome back several distinguished supers who have returned to say hello, or even to return to the Knights. Firstly, let me be the first to welcome back Autumn into the Knights!" An older man with auburn hair and blue eyes stood and waved with a sheepish smile on his face as their host continued. "Autumn has spent many years as part of an aid effort in Africa, providing food, clean water and resources to poor, ailing families all around the continent. Today, he has returned home as the company he is employed in has allowed it, since a new super has taken his place in Africa. Welcome home, Autumn!" More applause rang out in the room as the host waited it out. Once silence again reigned, he began speaking again. "Next, I welcome, from America, visiting supers Polygon and Matrix! Welcome to London, the two of you, and on behalf of everyone here, I hope you enjoy your stay!" Alex watched as another young man and woman stood from the far end of the room and waved, smiles on their faces. Scattered applause echoed from around the room as they sat. Then, unexpectedly, their good host turned to face them. Alex caught the former's gaze as his mouth opened to speak. "Finally, after a very, very long absence, we welcome back Alexander and Shirleen Mackey, known to us here as the Tower and Beacon respectively, and whose parents we saluted not a few minutes earlier. Their parents, Robert and Arwen Mackey, founded the Knights Anglais, and without them we would not be where we are today. Alex and Shirleen, we thank you and your parents for all your hard work and dedication in the Knights, and we welcome you back with open arms!" His eyes widened as Shirley yanked him to his feet while applause built from all corners of the small room. Alex shielded his eyes from the flashes of phone cameras and tried his best to smile and wave as the crowd present whooped and whistled at their presence. Were they really that appreciated? Alex kept this question to himself as they seated themselves and returned their attention to Boy London. "Now, without further ado, I welcome you all once again to the 30th Annual Commemoration of Heroes, where we remember heroes both past and present. Enjoy the meal and feel free to mingle, ladies and gentlemen! My work here is done." The psygen spread his arms and smiled warmly as the final round of applause rang free, while waiters and waitresses ambled into the room with the first course of the night. Shirley turned to him and smiled. [color=lightblue]"See? Wasn't so bad, right?"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"I guess..."[/color] [color=lightblue]"Oh bloody hell, Alex. Stop being such a bloody stick-in-the-mud and enjoy yourself for once! It's not healthy to mope about all day, alright?"[/color] Alex merely nodded as he tucked into his meal. His mind was racing with thoughts, but they worried and troubled him. Why had his sister suddenly taken him to one of these gatherings? If not for the food, what else? What was going to happen now that they were back in the public eye again? His train of thought was interrupted by a buzzing in his pocket. His phone. He pulled the slim smartphone from his pocket and swiped to answer the call as he excused himself from the table and moved outside where it was quieter. Once he could hear himself, he spoke. [color=lightblue]"Hello?"[/color] [i]"Alexander Mackey?"[/i] A puzzling voice. One he didn't recognise immediately. [color=lightblue]"Yes, who is this?"[/color] [i]"A friend. I want to meet you and your sister on the roof of the convention center. Alone, please."[/i] A chill went down his spine. Suddenly he did not feel at ease at all. [color=lightblue]"Why?"[/color] [i]"I will disclose the reason once you and your sister appear on the roof. I cannot risk doing so now, else someone hear."[/i] [color=lightblue]"And why's that? Who are you hiding from?"[/color] A sigh, peppered with white noise. [i]"Let's just say it involves a matter of the utmost secrecy. Time is of the essence. Come up here. Now."[/i] Without warning, the voice hung up. Frustrated and confused, Alex returned inside to get his sister, who was talking to the two visiting Americans. He tapped her on the shoulder, much to the displeasure of the Yanks. [color=lightgreen]"Sis, trouble. We're needed on the roof."[/color] Confused, Shirley gave her brother a look even as she waved goodbye to the two American supers. [color=lightblue]"What? Why? Dinner's just started, Alex."[/color] [color=lightgreen]"Listen, Shirl, look here."[/color] Alex raised his phone into her face, making her recoil back a bit from how close it was. Displayed on its screen was the unknown number that had called him just moments earlier. [color=lightgreen]"This number just called me just now. I don't know who it was, but the voice told me to meet it on the roof like now. Said it was extremely important, something about a matter of the utmost secrecy, exact words."[/color] Shirley thought for a bit, biting gently on her lower lip as she considered her brother's words. Without a sound she rose. [color=lightblue]"Alright, let's go."[/color] [color=lightgreen]"What, just like that?"[/color] Taken quite aback, Alex stood there even as his sister made her way through the chairs towards the door. [color=lightblue]"Yeah, just like that, Alex. If it's so important, we have to go there, yeah?"[/color] [color=lightgreen]"U-uh, right. Wait for me."[/color] Together the brother and sister made their way upstairs towards the roof. After a brief tussle with a lock that Alex broke through sheer strength alone, they emerged out on the roof in the cold evening air. Breathing clouds of mist, Alex looked around for his mystery caller. [color=lightgreen]"Voice said it'd be up here! I don't know where though."[/color] [color=lightblue]"Then we wait, Alex."[/color] Shirley crossed her arms and rubbed them gently, shivering a little in the cold. Where was their mystery caller? And would they do any harm to the duo?