It was a typical day in Toronto, Canada. The street was bustling with cars and people. It was always noisy, with cars honking people shouting and screaming their heads off. I don't blame them, though; it's not every day that a nuke is set to explode in a minute and a half. So, I guess it's not your typical day.
By the way, did you know I could fly? Yeah, that's what I'm doing right now, carrying a nuclear bomb despite it being twice my size. My clothes are torn after getting into a scuffle with an evil Captain America, and now I'm most likely going to die with a good chunk of people in Toronto. I can't believe I'm doing this crap; I'm only freaking ten years old. It's a lot, I know.
The only thing repeated in my mind as I soared in the air with the bomb was:
"How the heck did we get here?"
RED
??? Earlier
JUSTICE
I sighed deeply as I stared at the boy in the mirror: a boy with messy black hair, big nerdy glasses, and a squishy face. I sighed deeply at my appearance and the predicament I was in. It was the last day of school before the summer started, and my classmates and I got to go on a field trip today. If it were any other kids, they would be ecstatic. Unfortunately for me, I'm not like most kids.
I wanted to stay home and sleep through another boring summer until September. I hope my reputation status will reset by then. But my parents wanted me to go as they couldn't leave me at home alone while they were busy at work, which is unfair because my sister, Athena, is at my grandma's house along with my dog, Poochie. They say that since Athena was only in grade three, her not going to school isn't as serious as me skipping a day. So freaking unfair.
I stared at my reflection, ensuring nothing wasn't anything on my appearance or clothing. I don't need my reputation dragged lower than it already is. Black hoodie shirt and black pants, perfect to blend in the crowd. The only thing messing up my appearance is these big, dumb, dorky glasses. If it weren't for the fact I wouldn't be blind without it, I would have stepped on this thing.
With everything seemingly decent, I left my house. It didn't take long for me to get to school—only a three-minute walk—one of the reasons why my parents allowed me to walk alone. I'll spare all the details of some checkups and attendances. I wasn't paying attention anyway. After everything was settled, my class and some kids from the other class entered the bus.
I sat on the bus chair on the windows side. It felt okay, but it was not good or bearable. I stared at the empty seat beside me as the other students loudly talked among each other about the trip. I sighed deeply and lay my head in my seat, only to find someone lightly kicking my shin. I groaned internally, already knowing the one responsible.
My head shifted to meet a tall boy a year older than me. He had dirty blonde hair and dark blue eyes. All of his clothes were black, and his shirt had a cartoonish skull insignia in the middle. The boy looked to be your average bully because he was one: Jimmy Bullard, the biggest bully in our school. Despite being 11 years old, he looks like he could pass as sixteen.
His large hulking frame towers over me, and his blue eyes look at me coldly.
"You know the drill."
I quickly dug into my pockets and handed him five dollars in cash. He looked at the money before giving me a nod and before leaving to bother another student for money. I glared at his back and clenched my fist. It was irritating that he kept getting away with his bullying. His uncle was the school's principal and often protected him from trouble.
The only good thing about Jimmy is that, unlike most bullies, he usually leaves you alone as long as you pay up. If you don't, he will annihilate you. Everybody hated him. Huh, that's an exciting idea; will I be recognized as a hero if I beat him up? I could already imagine it, the entire school cheering for my name as I defeated the terror of Harvest Hills School. But that was nothing but a pipe dream; my noodle arms might just shatter if I were to hit Jimmy. I sighed deeply as I felt the bus finally start to move. I just hope this last field trip is at least fun.
RED
45 Minutes Later
JUSTICE
After a long bus ride, we finally arrived at the science center. The Uni-Labs, a famous laboratory, takes in the best scientists from all over the globe to research and create stuff for a better future for mankind. This was one of if not the best place for tourism. I've been here a few times with my parents, seeing really cool technology.
Like there was a guy there who has a helmet that can control a robot and make it matches his movements. Another thing I saw was see a small asian woman lift a large beam with her futuristic gauntlets. There were many pretty cool things in this place. Problem is that I had people talk to, like with my parents or sister. And unfortunately no one on this bus is really inclined to talk to me.
Everyone already has their own established friend groups, and I doubt they'll let me in on the last day of school. Hopefully after next year, my reputation as a weird kid will be gone. But knowing my luck and after years of being alone, I'm not holding my breath. We got off the bus and before we entered the large building, the teacher gave us the usual rules of staying close together and not running. After five minutes of the teacher yapping we finally could go inside.
Uni-Labs are always tidy whenever I come over, but today there seems to be a lot of people. Men and women with varying ages, all wearing lab coats running around frantically to one destination to the next. I'm not surprised, after all, this was a special day for Uni-Labs, its demonstration day. You see, Uni-Labs is basically a super college for lab geeks. Anyone who gets in is offered prestige and a lot of job opportunities from the government.
Though it's like a college, I've heard from my Mom not anyone could just get in, and no matter how much you have, you cannot buy your way to enter. You already have to be an accomplished scientist with an extremely good resume. You'd have to be the best among the elites to even have a chance of becoming a student here. The best and easiest way to enter was through demonstration day, where you showcase to everyone the thing you invent. It had to be an invention of some kind.
So even if you find the mathematical formula of infinity and godhood, you're still going to get overlooked. No, it has to be an interesting technology that could greatly benefit humanity. Our class was greeted by our tour guide that led us throughout the building, showcasing a myriad of inventions as well as Uni-Labs history. I tuned the history gibberish off and looked at the fantastic inventions that were built here.
Like gloves that can stick to any surface. A gun that shoots out white goo that freezes people in place and also a flying glider. While I wasn't a lab geek, far from it, I was still amazed and curious about how these were built.
"Follow me everyone." A pretty young woman gestured towards us.
We were led to a large metallic door which opened automatically. There were many scientists that set up their own booths showcasing it to people. A lot of them were tourists, and some of them were men wearing military uniforms looking at inventions with cold interest. Though what instantly caught my eye is that in the middle, was a large circular device. When I say it was big, it was really big.
It towered anything I've seen in the lab. It took up most of the space too. From what I could see, the circular has a lot of wires connecting to it, and there must be a lot of electricity to power it. Curiously though the scientist wasn't there showcasing and showing it off. Maybe they left it there for intrigue for a future demonstration? I mean it got me hooked.
I wonder what this machine could do? Before I could dwell on it for a bit further, my teacher informs us that she will let us wander around but needs to be back at a specific time and location. Honestly that's kind of irresponsible leaving ten-year-old kids to go around whenever we want. But hey that's how the plot will go forward. So other kids instantly disperse, going around to look at the coolest inventions.
Meanwhile, I immediately headed to the washroom, locked myself in the stall and started playing Super City on my phone. While I do love Uni-Labs and its fantastic technology, seeing it a billion times and experiencing other cool stuff made it dull a little. And besides there being a lot of people even if they aren't talking to me makes it hard to breathe. I probably might start to experience a panic attack. So it's best for me to just chill in the washroom and wait for the day to be over.
Time passed for who knows how long. Too entranced with beating Jester with Soup Man before the washroom door was open loudly like someone kicked it. I nearly dropped my phone in the toilet too. I pulled my legs up in order not to be spotted by whoever it was that just entered. I see two pairs of legs walk inside and begin to converse.
"Richard, this is stupid! We haven't tested the damn thing!" A fearful voice said.
The other pair of legs swiftly turned to the other one, I could hear the other man growl at his colleague.
"You're the dumb one here, you almost blurted to the others that we weren't ready!"
"We aren't, we didn't test it in this machine like the smaller one!"
The angry man scoffed. "Look it will work just fine, okay? I know what I'm doing."
They paused for a minute before the angry man sighed before speaking softly.
"It was our dream that we could finally become scientists for Uni-Labs. Isn't this what you want?"
"...We're done Richard, I'm not going to part with this."
The other guy turned around and was about to walk before the man shouted.
"Are you going to walk on me too? You're just like your Mom, abandoning people when things get tough!"
The other man froze at the angry man's words. But instead of replying, the other man just silently left the bathroom.
"Wait-" Richard tried to stop the other guy from leaving but the words died in his throat.
After a few minutes, he just silently stood there, not moving an inch or a sound. A loud sigh escapes his lips before he goes over to the sink and I can hear the running as the man splashes his face or hair, I didn't know before finally leaving. I was once again left alone in the bathroom. That was hardcore and awkward like the man I let out a deep breath. Is this how kids feel when their parents argue? Yikes.
RED
30 minutes or something???
JUSTICE
I rejoined my classmates and teacher after some time passed. It was almost time to head back, which made me sigh in relief. Finally, I can go home and do something more of my speed.
"Attention, everyone!" A loud voice called out.
Everyone turned to the source of the voice which turned out to be a young adult man that seemed to be in his twenties, possessing combed brown hair and had circular glasses. Honestly he kind of looks like he could pass as a live action Peter Parker. I smiled, amused at the thought. My eyes darted to look at the expressions of the other scientists, some seemed to be annoyed.
After all this man just took everyone's attention away to their inventions and to his. Although I can see some curious faces amidst the crowd. I mean why wouldn't they be? This guy was standing behind the large circular machine I saw earlier, the one that dwarfs other inventions in this room. And we would assume that this was his creation.
"I'm Richard Dracos. And here today is my invention." Richard said oozing with confidence and presented the large machine to everyone.
Wait, Richard? Could that be the same guy that I heard argue with another person back in the washroom?
"Richard, this is stupid! We haven't tested the damn thing!"
I swallowed a lump in my throat and all of a sudden my body started to heat up. It didn't take long for my hands to get clammy and cold sweat dripped down my face. I tried to calm my beating heart down but each time the word repeated like a broken record.
"Richard, this is stupid! We haven't tested the damn thing!"
Okay, calm yourself, Ben Armstrong. He seems confident in what he is doing! I mean he is a scientist, they're supposed to be smart! The excuses made my heart steady a little though the desire to run away was still present. I looked at the teacher who looked fascinated with the machine and its possible function.
I could tell her, but would she believe me? I don't want to humiliate myself for being wrong. I could already see the other kids giggling and the adults disapproving stare. Yeah, I don't want that heat, I'm sure everything is all going to be fine.
"You see everyone uses cars which emit harmful gases which affect the environment and sometimes the distance is far too great or costly to travel."
He walks around the machine, never losing his confident smile.
"That's why we-I built this machine called GATE. Go Accelerate Teleportation Electronics. It serves as a portal for fast travel."
As the man spoke those words, people whispered amongst each other in disbelief. I also couldn't believe what the man was saying. I've seen many fantastic inventions in this place but I've come across something like that. Not even close. This sci-fi level of madness!
Despite everyone's whispers and doubts the man never lost his swagger, in fact the disbelief made him even more giddy.
"Yes, I know I'm aware that it sounds impossible, like a portal? That only exists in science fiction. Well folks it is science, but it is fiction no more..."
Richard pauses dramatically, letting his words sink in.
"But words are empty, allow me to demonstrate my life's work...I would suggest stepping back a little, everyone."
He pulled goggles out of his lab coat and put them on. Almost immediately everyone heeded his words and took a step back. The crowd's curiosity was now in its peak, wanting to see if it failed causing Richard to be a huge laughing stock or we could do something beyond our wildest imaginations. However I was an outsider, I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to see if it would succeed or fail.
I just want to run off here, the bad feeling choking me, making me breathe harder. Richard gives a thumbs up before quickly going to the side of the large machine and seemingly starts pressing buttons. After a minute, we could hear a whooshing sound. It reminded me of an old PC pushing itself as it plays a modern AAA game. Electricity sparked in the center of the GATE.
The electricity soon became wild, the zaps of lightning hitting other smaller inventions and causing sparks causing everyone to gasp in alarm. Now they are what I'm feeling, uncertainty and fear. Before anyone could book it, Richard flashes his pearly whites at us.
"It's okay everyone, that happens normally!" He shouts.
Though I could imagine it, I could have sworn that his voice shook a little. After a few minutes of button mashing, Richard's face slowly devolves into panic as he presses a lot of unseen buttons. His fearful expression caused my heart to froze. And after a while he slowly backs away from the machine, before dashing towards us.
"Everyone, run away! The machine is going to-!"
His words were cut off, when the machine suddenly illuminated a bright light and not only that there was a shockwave that caused everyone to tumble back, I could the screams even as my ears rings. Once my eyes got into a focus, I could see the GATE's empty spaces wasn't nothing but empty air anymore. Instead a glass like whatever, that shined different colors mainly blue in the middle of the portal.
"What is that..." I uttered, in a horrified voice.