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Blue Shadow Part 1

Mark Madison was sitting in the back seat of his father’s work car listening to music.  The scenery outside the window had become more and more urbanized as his father got closer to their destination.  Next to him were the few bags of stuff they were bringing, mostly clothing, since they were staying at a family friend's house.  He’s already made sure his backpack was packed properly a few times now but he had to look one more time since they were almost to New York City.

    “Everything good son?” Mr. Madison asked.

    Mark paused his music and answered “Yeah, just being sure I packed everything I wanted to.”

    “If you’re looking for the old monster movies, they’re in the main suitcase.  I don’t know if you know but Mr. Smith and I used to watch old films like that.” Mr. Madison said glancing back at his son.

    “You’ve mentioned before yeah.  That’s not what I was checking though.” Mark said putting the backpack down.

    “Well, I hope you have it then because home isn't exactly close.” The man said.  A few moments passed and he asked “Did you hear about The Mirage character running around the city?”

    “Yeah, sounds like he’s trying to be some kind of real-life superhero.” Mark said, keeping his tone in check.

    “It sounds like this person’s putting themselves in needless danger.  Did you see if the police have leads?”

    “Not that I’ve seen.  I have read that the weapon busts the NYPD’s been pulling off have him involved.  Maybe he’s just a little too useful for them to want to figure it out.” Mark said.

    “I’d like to think that isn’t the case all the same.” Mr. Madison said and sensed the conversation had gone cold.  Taking a moment to think, he said “Hay, remind me to message your mother when we arrive.”

    “Of course, dad not a problem.” Mark said and started listening to his music again.

    The school day had just ended for the Smith children and they were walking home with Jenifer.  While walking Jenifer and Tyler held hands as she said “So Susie, Tyler tells me you’re getting some house guests.”

    “Yeah, an old family friend of dads; he’s the head of a C.I. information base.  Apparently, his son is also coming along.” Susie said as she walked just in front of them.

    Tyler rolled his eyes, slightly, making his girlfriend ask “What don’t you like him or is he really young or something?”

    “It’s not that.  He’s only a year younger than me and he seems like an alright guy.  It’s more like my dad and his dad were best friends when they were younger so they want us to be friends.” Tyler explained.

    “Right, I get it now.  I don’t know if I should feel fortunate or not to be able to relate.” Jenifer said.

    “Like Tyler said, he’s alright.  Has a little sister with some kind of vision problem so he spends a lot of time watching out for her.  Being a little sister myself, she’ll probably be happy to not have him there a few days.” Susie said, slyness in her voice.

    “You just wait and see how long it would take you to miss me.” He said lightly punching her shoulder.

    Jenifer stopped walking, halting the whole group, and said “Alright you two, I’ve got to get going.  I’ll see you around and I’ll thank you one last time for the necklace.”

    “Well, it was Valentine’s Day so I thought you would like something.” Tyler said, a little sheepishly.

    “Well, I love it, thank you.” She said and left.

    As the two siblings walked home, Susie asked “Have you realized yet the scarf she gave you for Christmas is the same as hers?”

    “Yes, with one minor difference.  The one she gave me has a light bolt stitched into it.” Tyler said seeing their house come into view.

    “Ever observant as always o brother of mine.  Just let me know when you’ll need help picking out a gift again.” She said as he unlocked the front door.

    Not long after Tyler and Susie got home their father arrived; being sure to remind them about their guests.  The three when over last-minute details to be sure the house was presentable.  Tyler pictured his mom pointing out things they would miss, like the fact the blanket hadn’t been washed for a while and things no one would notice, like the placement of coasters.

    He happened to look out the front window as he saw a Convergence Industries-branded car drive down the street.  Turning his head slightly, he said “Hay dad, I think Mr. Madison just passed us.”

    At that moment his father’s phone rang.  He laughed slightly as he answered “Hay Dug…Yeah, my son happened to be looking out the window and saw you pass the place…Go around the block and you’ll see me outside.”

    Mr. Madison drove around the block and parked in front of their building.  Stepping out of the car he said “You weren’t kidding when you said you lived on Central Park.”

    “How’s it going old friend?  Been a while since we’ve seen each other.” Mr. Smith as he gave the man a hug.

    From the back seat of the car, Mark stepped out.  It’s been a few years since Tyler and Susie had seen him.  He had his blond hair longer than they would have guessed and he seemed a little underdressed for the weather.  He looked over the siblings, likely assessing how time has treated them.  Finally, he said “Hi guys.”

    “Hay Mark, let’s help with your stuff.  How was the drive up?” Susie asked.

    The two started unloading the car while he talked about the drive.  Tyler noticed his backpack didn’t leave his side the whole time but had to keep moving to get the stuff inside.  Light snow started to fall so they didn’t go anywhere that night.  The two men caught up in the kitchen while the three teens talked about The Mirage.  Afterward, the guests settled in for the night and got to sleep.

    The next day, everyone woke up with plans for the day; see the city.  As they started their outing, Mr. Madison talked about how he used to live in the city but moved out, about, twenty years ago.  Mark had only visited the city a few times so his father always thought it was a good idea to do some tourist activities.  They were first going to walk around Central Park and see some of the sights there.

    Tyler, again, noticed that Mark wasn’t wearing much to keep warm; a thick hoodie, gloves, and a winter hat.  He was falling behind in the group, as the adults talked at the front of the group, so Tyler fell back.  Walking alongside him they made small talk and he noticed that Mark didn’t directly answer some questions, mostly about non-school activities.  However, he did talk a lot about his love of music and his exercise routine.

    The group saw a few notable places in the park and moved on to different sightseeing spots.  The last stop of their day was going to the Empire State Building.  Walking into the lobby Mr. Smith bought express pass tickets for the whole group.  When they got to the 86th-floor observatory, they went in different directions.  The three teens went outside and looked over the view.

    “Amazing view, isn’t it?” Mark asked as he adjusted his hat.

    “The view’s good here; I prefer the higher view personally.” Tyler said, picturing the view as he would fall from the top.

    “You mean the 102nd floor?  How much of a difference can twentyish floors make?” Mark asked as he started walking along the observatory.

    “Believe me, it can make a world of difference.  Personally, I prefer the view here; feels less like I’m disconnected from the city.” Susie said, lightly elbowing her brother.  Turning to him, she asked “Did it feel like there was a draft in the elevator by the way?”

    Mark quickly, a little too quickly, turned to them and said “I didn’t notice anything.  Just cold today I imagine.”

    Raising his eyebrow, Tyler said “Said the man wearing a hoodie, scarf, and hat.  Either way, I think Mark might be right.  The 102nd floor is higher but it’s all enclosed.”

    Coming up behind the teens, the two fathers walked up.  Standing next to them Mr. Madison said “So, what do you think son?  I know your sister would love the view from here.”

    “Maybe next time dad.  Tyler keeps promising the view from 102nd is better.” Mark said, eyes fixed on the city.

    The group then went up to the 102nd floor and took in the view.  Tyler and Susie stepped away, walking to the other side of the room, to talk privately.  They looked over the view over lower Manhattan as Tyler said “Still not as good as the view from the top of the building.”

    “At least in here, there’s no chance you’ll fall to your death.  Are you going out tonight with our house guests here?” Susie said taking a quick look over her shoulder.

    “Don’t see why not.  Not like we had to give up our rooms for them to find space to sleep.  Besides, crime doesn’t stop because we have company.”

    I’ll just have to watch how loud we talk; don’t how heavily they sleep.”  Looking over the view once again, she said “You know, I see the appeal but not the falling part.”

    Tyler put an arm around her as he said “It’s about the sense of freedom dearest sister.  However, I don’t recommend it; it’s terribly dangerous.”

    “Shut up, just enjoy the view a minute.” Susie said, resting her head on his shoulder.

    The group was back home just before dark; having enjoyed dinner at a nice restaurant.  Night came and it was time for Tyler to head out as The Mirage.  He geared up and still marveled at the new boots and helmet.  The helmet was like the last one; just a small design change with most of the new features being in the display.  The new jet boots were like the gantlets; a complete piece that now used energy cells to boost him.  He only had one more piece to make and he would be able better handle fighting The Order.

    Heading out into the night, Tyler started his normal routine through Manhattan.  The night was unusually quiet but he considered that a good thing.  He was resting on top of a café in NOHO when Serene said “Sir, there is activity on police scanners related to your area.  A silent alarm was triggered in a nearby office building.”

    Tyler thanked the A.I. and headed to the location.  The silent alarm was triggered from the third floor and it wasn’t hard to guess where; flashlights were moving around franticly.  He entered through an unlocked window and moved into the cubical area of the office.  When he got closer to the source of the lights the space was notably colder and he found three men knocked out on the floor.  Looking over them he found that they had handcuffs made of ice on them; it was also at that moment he heard a stairwell door open.  Quickly looking at the door, he saw a flash of blue go through the door.

    Quickly thinking about his options Tyler followed the person through the door.  Entering the stairwell, he caught a quick glimpse of the figure in the lobby.  Jumping off the stairwell, using the grappling hook to soften his landing, he landed on the ground level and followed the figure.  Dashing through the lobby, and seeing nothing amiss, he burst through the lobby doors and saw no trace of where the person went.

    He heard a cop car coming so he made himself scares as Susie said “Serene measured that temperature reading in the office and is already scanning for it to find that guy.  Did I see that those guys had ice handcuffs on?”

    “I don’t know how but yes you did.  One of you let me know if that temperature signature comes up.” Tyler said as he scanned the area from another office building.

    Tyler moved up into Midtown, not far from Bryant Park, when he heard a woman call out.  On the edge of the park, he saw a woman slumped up against a tree and another woman standing there; holding her purse tightly.  As he landed on the scene, invisible, he saw that the woman had ice handcuffs on.  Seeing the other woman still standing there he turned visible.

    She looked a little stunned but he said “I don’t mean to alarm you ma’am but can you tell me who did this.”

    “It was someone dressed in a light blue ninja costume.  I don’t know how, but he made ice out of thin air.” The woman said and then took off.

    Tyler decided he needed to take a break from his rounds to think about this person he was following.  He was pacing along the roof of Manhattan Cardiology as Susie said “So an ice ninja.  I mean that just sounds ridiculous.”

    “Yeah, it does, but you are talking to someone who figured out a way to become invisible and fights an underground weapon-dealing organization.” Tyler said looking over at Greenacre Park.

    “Yeah, but that’s all done through technology.  We’re talking about thermokinesis here, really think about that.” Susie said as he heard an alert come up on her computer.  “Hay, speaking of thermokinesis, your suits temperature sensors picked up that signature close by.”

    Tyler tried to think about where it could be coming from when he heard someone talking to themselves in Greenacre Park.  Looking over the park again, he saw a figure sitting by the waterfall, a figure dressed in blue.  He landed in the park, invisible, by the descending stairs to watch the person for a moment.  He had on a light blue jacket with a hood, a white sash as a belt, light blue pants, bark blue boots, fingerless gloves, and snow-white hair.

    Become visible, he said “So you must be new in town.”

    The man quickly stood up as a sword made of ice appeared in his right hand.  Taking a moment to look over him, he said “Wait, you’re The Mirage.  How did you find me here?”

    “We both happened to be in the same area and I’ve followed your work tonight.  Didn’t answer my question.” Tyler said walking closer to him.  He watched the sword to make sure he didn’t make any sudden movements.

    Seemingly not noticing how closely he was being watched, the man said “Just blowing through as it were.  I’m Blue Shadow by the way.”

    Blue Shadow extended his free hand and Tyler fought the erg to shake it.  He did, however, walk closer and said “I just like knowing what goes on in my city.  I’m guessing that you’re used to doing this back from where you’re from but know I’ll keep an eye on you.”

    “I get it; I’m in your territory.  I won’t be here long so you don’t have much to worry about.  Just helping where I can.” Blue Shadow said as his sword fell to the ground as snowflakes.  He looked around and continued with “Actually, it was cool to meet you but I’ll see you around.”

    With that, he put his hand by his mouth and breathed out.  A cold fog filled the area and obscured Tyler’s vision.  He heard ice instantly freezing and Blue Shadow was gone.  As the fog cleared, Tyler asked “Soothsayer, there are temperature sensors all around the city, right?”

    “Yeah, already pulling them up and tracking.  This Blue Shadow guy is quick, just about to pass the Park Acene Armory.  Turning into Central Park from east 66th street and taking it all the way across to the west entrance.  Looks like they're turning up Central Park West and ...Wait, he isn’t.” Susie said as he heard her get up.  She then said “Be right back.”

    Susie crept from her room and halfway down the first-floor staircase.  She pulled out her phone as one of the living room windows started opening itself.  As she started recording it became apparent that a slim pillar of ice was opening the window.  A moment later, Blue Shadow hoisted himself through the window and took a quick look around.  He grabbed the window as the pillar of ice disappeared, slowly shutting it.  He put down his hood and shook his head; changing the snow-white hair to blond.  Mark stood there as he took off the blue jacket, being sure to take another look around.

    She snuck back into her room, putting her headset back on, and saw Tyler pacing on top of the building.  Lightly tapping her mic, she said “I’m sending something into the server for you to pull up on your display.”

    A moment later he pulled up the video she took on his display and laughed to himself.  Sitting down, he said “What are the odds?  We should probably tell him we know.”

    “Sir, I would like to interject.” Serene said, suddenly cutting in.  “He will likely not react well to you knowing so you might have to reveal your own secret identity to comfort him.”

    “Interesting suggestion Serene, it’ll be taken into consideration.  Mirage, you might want to consider coming back yourself; if we haven’t seen any sign of The Order, I doubt we will at this point.” Susie said.

    “Not bad suggestions the both of you.  I’ll be back shortly, just going to go up east side first.” Tyler said and boosted off the roof.

    After arriving home, Tyler started trying to think of a way to talk to Mark about being Blue Shadow.  He woke up the next morning and met his sister standing outside her room, watching the video again.  She looked at him and asked “So did you come up with a plan yet?”

    “I think I’ve got something, don’t worry.  Come on, smells like breakfast is already made.” Tyler said as the whiff of eggs and bacon rose from the kitchen.

    At the breakfast table, Tyler told the group he wanted to take Mark out to some of his favorite spots around the city.  Both fathers thought it was a good idea for the three teens to go out and see the city on their own.  The three left not long later and headed out to some of their favorite locations.  Of course, Tyler had a single motive in mind for their outing.

    The brisk air made the walk a little slower than he would have wanted to get to Greenacre Park.  Walking through the entrance Susie made a comment about how the place was empty.  They walked to the back, by the waterfall, as Mark said “Nice place, you guys said there are more places like this.”

    “Yeah, this one just happens to be my favorite.  I’ve always loved the waterfall personally.” Tyler said as they took seats at a table.  A moment of silence passed as Susie gave him a look.  Glancing back around the place, to be sure no one was there, he said “So, we need to talk to you about something.”

    Susie pulled out her phone as she said “I don’t really know the polite way to say this but we know you’re Blue Shadow.”

    Mark kept his composure but didn’t know how to react right away.  After a moment, he said “What do you mean?  Who is the Blue Shadow?”

    “Listen, I’ll cut to the chase.  We have a video of you coming through the living room window dressed in the costume.” Tyler said as Susie played the video for him.

    Mark was a little shaken up and looked around the park again.  Finally, he said “Listen guys, you can’t tell anyone or show that to people.”

    “Trust us, we can keep a secret.  I was hoping I could take a quick study of your abilities at The Lab.” Tyler said. He took a quick look at his sister, raising her right eyebrow, and looked back at Mark.  With a small laugh, he said “I told you last night that I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

    Mark leaned his chair back a little as he said “Last night?  You didn’t say anything like that last night.  The Mirage told me that…”  He quickly sat up, leaning on the table, and said “You are good at keeping a secret apparently; the both of you.”

    “Come on, let’s get something hot to drink and maybe you’ll tell us what your story is.” Susie said, getting up.

    As they walked to the Roost Mark told them his story.  When he was ten, he first discovered his abilities by freezing a bottle of water.  At first, he had a hard time controlling his powers and he distanced himself.  It took some time for him to get a hold of his powers; probably helped by moving to Eldensite.  His parents bought him a costume so nobody would recognize him when he was practicing his abilities.  In the last year, he started helping people as a natural extension of his abilities; slowly settling into a nightly routine.  His family knew what he was doing, trusting them, as well as his best friend, Jasmin.

    The day came and went by without much more happening.  The siblings did walk around the city some more and showed Mark some more stops in the city.  The next day was going to be Madison’s last day in the city and Tyler was going to take his new friend to The Lab to study his abilities.  However, the night was to come first and it was time for the boys to head out as their alter egos.  Tyler left earlier than normal but didn’t leave the area of his home.  He watched Blue Shadow exit out a living room window and head south.

    It was a quiet night, at least in Greenwich Village where he was hanging out, as far as he knew.  Hanging out by the waterfront the road was, mostly, silent until he saw three vans rush south down West Street.  He noticed the last one didn’t have a license plate so he followed them.  They all made a hasty stop along the road as people from the last van opened its back doors and three people got out.  They were dressed in all black, covered head to toe, and started toward Old Pier 48.

    Mark noticed a woman standing there, though her features were less clear.  He watched for another moment and noticed that the people had guns attached to their hips.  Rushing over, he knouted one of the people out with an ice shard he made from the ground.  Before the group could turn around and see what happened, he made an ice sword and slashed at another person.  The third started to draw their gun as he rushed him, knocking him to the ground.

    Turning to the woman, Mark said “I would suggest getting out of here ma’am.  Things might get out of hand.”

    “I think you misunderstood the situation lad.” The Matriarch said as her agents got back up.  Grabbing her side-arm she said “You’re not The Mirage so why are you interfering?”

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