[IC] Academy of Heroes and Villains

[SomeoneSomewere]

Austin said," if it's important then a shower can wait. I suppose people can smell blood as easily as I do. Let's go then." He walked out, noticing a general movement of the students. "I think people are heading to the auditorium." He looked back at Connor and Kyra.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Kijani slid into a front seat at the side, idly cracking her knuckles while she waited. Her eyes flickered to Anthony. "So... what's going on with your girlfriend, Anthony? What's this all about?" She leaned back in the chair and crossed her legs in front of her, her pose relaxed to combat the tension in her mind.

---

Devika settled somewhere in the back and started idly writing on the back of a sheet of paper. She did this from time to time when ideas hit and stuck around. This time she was pondering the benefits of psychology in a fight. Surely there had to be some way she could make herself mentally stronger.

[MarshiestMallow]

Connor nodded, "Wonder what's going on, guess we will find out" he quickly back tracked to grab his pack, before returning to Austin and Kyra

[knight125]

Anthony glances at Kijani before saying, I suppose our esteemed Principal just answered your question." He then stands and claps louder than everyone around him while waiting for Sue to take the stage.

[SomeoneSomewere]

Austin tilted his head," I hear clapping. I suppose were late. Hurry." He dashed down the hall, slowing so they could keep pace with him. Going inside, he swiftly made his way down at the seats and he sat down, clapping, waiting for Connor and Kyra to join him.

[MarshiestMallow]

Phoebe sat down and within moments had risen again to clap for Sue, still wondering what was going on. Celebrate Sue? She clapped hard, thinking quickly. What had she missed?

Connor nodded, and quickly joined Austin, glancing about

[Dioxide]

knight125 said
Bruce Wayne

Soon, a small group of staff members take their seats on the stage, followed by Bruce Wayne, who stands in front of the podium. Bruce clears his throat, and then says in a clear voice, "Today, we have the distinct pleasure of celebrating one of the fastest learning students in Academy history. You all know her as a sweet, fun-loving redhead, while I know her as the young woman that caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to my school. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand to your feet and give Ms. Sue a round of applause." With that, Bruce steps back and joins Mimic, Iron Fist, and Hank McCoy in clapping for Sue.

Sue

It never crossed her mind that Sue would ever get on stage ever again; since the opportunity seemed to just fly by whenever it even came close to presenting itself. There was no time for anything as petty as a performances or ceremonies, though the former was disproved already with the Valentine’s Ball, so why not a Graduation Ceremony?

Sue stood just behind the large red curtains of the stage, watching the staff stand up and clap for her after the principal’s opening speech. She damn near pissed herself in how nervous she was. She would have cursed herself for being nervous, since this was not her first time in front of a large crowd, but fear and loneliness came and struck her hard.

As she took a step out, displaying herself to the audience, the crowd went wild. Besides the obvious clapping there were cheers that thrilled and sent a spine-tingling chill down her back. As she walked, time appeared to slow down to a halt, as Sue recalled the past few hours that decided her fate.

It was not a few hours ago when she was pulled away, requested to the principal’s office through the telepathy of the Martian Manhunter. She’d had no reason to be afraid, but still she was worried of what the principal might finally do to Sue – if he’d decided she was too much for the school to even possibly handle.

A knock on the door, and her perceptive ears caught Bruce’s words: “Come in, Sue.”

She sat down, and facing her was not the normal stoic face the Dark Knight donned – it was still striking, serious, but with a glint of pride and excitement that was so subtle but definitely present.

Bruce Wayne, with his ever-commanding voice, spoke: “Do you know the purpose of The Academy of Heroes and Villains?”

”It provides a teaching, helping hand into achieving what we want to be. Good or bad, the Academy is there to help.”

“Essentially, correct. So with that in mind, why do you think I called you here?”
”Because… I’m not doing well enough?”

“Quite the opposite, Sue – in fact , we believe that you were one of the fasting learning students in this school, ever, to a point where we do not much to offer you anymore. Of course we can’t simply send someone off whose abilities and skills grow beyond our guiding hand. We need to make sure they have had the right mind to do whatever it is they want to do, even with villainy.

Sue, we believe you have the heart, mind and soul of a true hero. Therefore, I personally would like to tell you that you are eligible for graduation.”

The seconds that past with Sue’s lack of response seemed forever. The thought she was ready to graduate and become a full-pledged hero? That was all she ever wanted, and she accomplished it ahead of everyone in the very few months of being here.

But the thought of leaving her friends behind… leaving Anthony…, she was morose for that brief second and…

No.

This could work, she thought.

She finally came back to reality, and saw Bruce Wayne looking back at her.

”Okay. Thank you.”

“Congratulations, my dear. You deserved it. Go pick up your things in your room and meet up in the auditorium.”

---

The memory faded, and she was back on stage, looking out into the crowd.

If she wanted to make this work, for leaving her friends behind, she needed to think this through. Sue felt the heat of the spotlights on her, her heartbeat faster than ever. It was all she could do but to faint, so she coughed and cleared her throat. The audience laughed.

She waved Anthony, who was very noticeable even through the thick beams of light, and signed as she caught his attention: ”Translate for me!”

Anthony walked up, and the two were facing each other, their sides to the audience. Sue had time to think about what she had to say as she packed her things but it didn’t matter as much when all eyes were on her. Sometimes one just had to wing it

Sue motioned her hands, and Anthony spoke them out, he trembling, speaking in a shaky voice of sadness and vulnerability:

“I remember when I first arrived. You all looked at my funnily with my guards around. I remember I could barely reach for the rung on the obstacle course and I fell flat on my butt hard. I remember the nights where I slept alone in a room far away from everyone else. All of this was because of who I was.
I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that I did not want my powers. I was already a mute but I had a fantastic, artistic life that was going to lead me to greatness. These powers of mine, as everyone is familiar with, are so gosh-darned powerful. I thought they were a curse.

But you guys saw better in me that I could actually be worth something, something whose destructive powers could be used for good. You guys never gave up on me. I got so good that I am now eligible for graduation but I felt as though it was unfair, considering how much I felt I owed everyone for sticking with me.

Which is why I am going to ensure, no, vow, to all of my friends and everyone, that I will never forget you. I will do my best to make you all proud. Thank you so much for sticking around. And I’m sorry, Bruce, I owe you one!”

As the crowd cheered and gave their applause, Kijani, Katherin, Phoebe, Anthony, hell, everyone received a hug from an energetic Sue Cassidy. Phoebe received plentiful kisses all over her face where Anthony planted one right on her lips, her eyes teary and his hug tight, not wanting to let her go.

”I won’t leave you, boo. I love you.” she winked.

Bruce Wayne walked forward, as did the staff members, and pulled Sue in for a picture.

The principle yelled outwards: “Sue Cassidy, you have officially graduated from the Academy of Heroes and Villains. You will forever be remembered in our history and hall of fame. Make us proud, but try not to break any more ear-drums or public property.”

Sue grinned wide and proud, and darted for the auditorium exit, and out onto the field where she clapped and propelled herself out to the skies.

That was the legacy of Sue Cassidy.

---

Several days later

The news reporter on the TV could barely hold herself together in delivering the news:

“A giant meteor the size of New York had just materialized out of nowhere and is now heading straight for Earth. In just a few short minutes, the meteor will enter our atmosphere and make contact, potentially wiping us out and destroying the planet. Is there anyone that can help us!?”

In the live newsfeed, however, there was hope. The cameraman motioned the video-feed to follow the red-headed flying figure. The news reporter’s tone suddenly changed, to excitement and hope: “There she is! It’s the new graduate! It’s Echo!”

With her arms wound back, she sprung them forward to a clap, but the sound amplification did not spread radially, but in a cone, directed only at the meteor. Perhaps one of the loudest volumes that can ever be perceptually conceived by man, it destroyed the meteor almost instantly, sending the debris away back into space.

“Earth is safe once more, thanks to the efforts of our valiant, powerful superheroes!”

The live news feed cuts to Sue Cassidy, now Echo, who’d just landed back on the ground, flashing her ever-lovely smile, completed with her new costume and trademark headphones. Not a second later, she propelled herself away again, off to save the world from another travesty.

This was the beginning of Echo.

[knight125]

Anthony stands motionless with his eyes closed, breathing slowly through his mouth to keep his composure. "I love you too, mi amore" he thinks as Sue speeds away.

[MarshiestMallow]

Phoebe brushed away tears, continuing to clap, watching Sue leave. As soon as Sue was gone, Phoebe went in search of Katherin, pushing through the crowd, wanting her friend. She rubbed her eyes brushing away more tears. She couldn't believe this, not because Sue wasn't worthy, but simply because she had imagined them all leaving the academy at the same time, graduating together. Obviously not. She crashed into Katherin, and hugged her.

[KatherinWinter]

Katherin couldn't believe what she had seen and heard. She had never imagines anyone graduating so soon. Still there was little doubt the Sue was the strongest of them all. Katherin wasn't the least bit surprised when Phoebe found her and nearly crushed her with a hug.

---

Zack was curious about the girl graduating early. He had seen her but never interacted with her. Still she must have been someone special. Many of the other students were sad to see her go.

[MarshiestMallow]

"I don't care what you have on tonight, I'm cooking us food" Phoebe said, "And we're just gonna hang out tonight, okay?"

[KatherinWinter]

"Yea that sounds good." Katherin replied with a sad smile.

[Mistress Dizzy]

Kijani was admittedly sad to see Sue go. She was a bright light in this crazy place. Her eyes flickered to Anthony, and for a moment she felt a pang of sadness for him. She recognized someone trying to hold something inside, and so she let him be. There really wasn't anything to say to this, anyway. Any words of comfort would be trite- besides, she figured those two wouldn't let each other go too easy. She gathered her things and headed out.

---

Devika had received a hug from Sue, who was brilliantly happy, and sad at the same time. She was obviously popular with the other students. There was a sadness in the room, but it was mixed with excitement. She supposed they were sad to see her go, but happy to see that she was making a name for herself by graduating so quickly. It was a pity that Devika didn't know her better.

[MarshiestMallow]

"good then" Phoebe said pleased, looking over the auditorium sadly. "Who am I going to use sign language on now?" Her voice was heavy with emotion, and she sighed.

[KatherinWinter]

Katherin shook her head. She had never mastered the language. Still it was always possible a new student would need the skill or that Sue would return. Katherin wished she had words to express her sadness, but there simply weren't words to describe how she felt about being friends with a hero.

[knight125]

Suddenly, Anthony's face becomes an emotionless mask as he climbs down from the stage and exits the auditorium. His long legs bring him to the parking lot within minutes and, thirty seconds later, his car is nothing but a quickly fading dot on the horizon.

[MarshiestMallow]

Phoebe sighed once more, then said, "So...what now? Do we go back to our last lessons, or is school over for the day?"

Kalinda shielded herself from the emotions of those around her, politely clapping and cheering with the rest of the students, but she hadn't known Sue at all. She rose when it appeared over, and started out the audioturm with a weary "I'm going to see about food and sleep" to John

[Anime_Freak]

Kyra had watched all this happen. She had never met Sue, or had a class with her, but she knew enough about her by what her classmates had told her. good luck... she thought, which was her silent way of telling her goodbye. She looked over at Austin and Connor. "I guess it's over...."

[SomeoneSomewere]

Austin clapped and cheered with everyone else, having chuckled at the broken eardrum thing. He was generally the one who suffered the most from her powers, but he was sad that she was leaving. Even if he didn't know her very well. He turned to Connor and Kyra and said," I gotta get out if here, this volume is killing my ears." He patted their shoulders and then began to weave his way out of the crowd and towards the doors.

[Anime_Freak]

Kyra stood and followed him, her usual 'deep in thought' expression plastered across her face. Who was she? Oh, whatever..... If I didn't know her, it doesn't matter... she thought, trying to remember if she had ever really spent time or had any interaction with Sue.