Prompt 1- Hero
The street seemed to swim before him, rolling and pulsing along with the ache in Arthur’s mind. But even as his focus wavered, he forced himself to remain airborne, refusing to dip further down towards the road. The pain shooting through his side was overwhelming. He was pushing himself and his powers far beyond his limits, and he knew it, but he could not stop. To touch down there, in the middle of this battlefield of a city street, would mean certain death, both for him and his teammate. Matthew was counting on him. Arthur faltered in midair, his feet sinking down to only inches above the broken pavement. He struggled to fly higher. His brain pounded with the stress of using so much power. If only he could rest, just for a few moments-
“Arthur, look out!”
Arthur spun towards the sound of Matthew’s voice, raising his arms to throw up a shield as quickly as he could. It wasn’t enough. The force of Strafe’s lightning sent him tumbling backwards, his whole body screaming with pain as he fought both to keep himself in the air and to hold his shield steady. Without it, he knew he would already have been dead. Pressure built up inside of him, demanding to be released, his arms shook, his teeth clenched, his heartbeat pounded a deafening tempo in his ears.
His back struck the brick wall with a sickening crunch, and he cried out as a wave of agony leaped up his spine. He slid down the wall to land in a crumpled pile of limbs on the sidewalk below it. The remnants of his shield flickered and died. Every ache, every wound, seemed to swell in intensity, and the simple action of lifting his head felt as though he was trying to raise a boulder.
“So this is it?” Strafe’s heavily accented voice echoed around the street. “This is all that the great Albion can offer? I am disappointed.” The soft click of polished boots as he landed upon the ruined asphalt was nearly drowned out by the roar of the flames his lightning had caused, burning away in abandoned cars and buildings.
Lifting his head as high as he could, Arthur pressed his trembling hands to the ground and tried to shove himself onto his feet. He barely raised himself an inch or two before falling back again. His powers flickered dimly in the back of his mind, demanding that he channel more energy through his body, but he was too weak to even consider it. Still, he scowled at Strafe, summoning all of his anger and determination into his glare. He did not dignify the man with an answer.
Strafe snorted and strode forward. “Magneto said you would be a challenge.” He grabbed the front of Arthur’s uniform, lifting him up off the ground until his feet dangled in midair. “I could crush you so easily.”
“Do it, then,” Arthur snarled. His hands clutched at Strafe’s through the material of both of their gloves. He had not expected to die here, not like this, but if that was to be the case, he was not going to do so with his head bowed.
“Arthur!” Matthew’s desperate yell drew Arthur’s eyes over Strafe’s shoulder, back down the ruined street to where the younger mutant was struggling against both of Strafe’s partners, Shinigami and Angeli. Matthew’s body faded in and out of sight as he moved, but Shinigami’s incredible speed and flexibility stopped him from escaping, and the more violent of Angeli’s two personalities kept forcing him into the open with their blinding glow. Arthur’s powers tried to surge forth again, yet all he managed to channel was a simple spark from the tips of his fingers, which did not even penetrate Strafe’s thick gloves.
“Don’t try to help your friend,” Strafe warned him, shaking him slightly where he still dangled in the air. Arthur sneered at him. These would be his last moments, he thought, held helplessly above the ground in the grasp of a ruthless mutant. Yet Strafe didn’t kill him right away. He hesitated, staring up into Arthur’s face. “It does not need to end this way,” he said slowly. “If you would only see the truth, and join our cause-”
“Never,” said Arthur, his grip tightening around Strafe’s wrists.
Strafe’s expression hardened. “Then you leave me no choice.” His blue eyes flashed with light, and Arthur watched as it coursed down along the side of his neck, beneath the collar of his uniform, shooting towards his own body to electrocute him. Arthur held his head high and waited for the end.
But it never came. Instead, there came the sound of hooves, and the snarl of a wild cat, and then Strafe was being knocked aside, lightning shooting up into the air. Arthur fell heavily back to the ground. He stared, eyes wide, at the mountain lion tearing at Strafe’s torso and legs. It weaved and dodged as Strafe attempted to shock it, displaying far too much intelligence for a simple beast. Arthur’s breath caught in his throat. If it was not just a lion, that would mean-
Strafe groaned when sharp claws managed to hook into his leg, and down the road Angeli whirled at the sound. “Ludwig!” they yelled in the gentler personality’s voice. The unnatural glow faded, and Matthew took the opportunity to vanish completely, sending Shinigami’s next strike wild.
“No, stay focused!” Strafe barked, grasping at the fur on the back of the mountain lion’s neck and heaving the creature away from himself. Its claws screeched across the asphalt. Strafe didn’t spare a glance at his bloody leg, and lifted himself back up into the air, keeping his gaze focused on the lion on the ground below him.
All Arthur could focus on was the mountain lion. Strafe and Angeli and Shinigami faded into the background. Even the pain of his wounds seemed to disperse. This was it. If that lion was not just a lion, as Arthur thought- as Arthur almost knew it was not, he would have to change again. He would have to reveal himself.
And he did. The mountain lion lunged forward, leaping into the air. As its front legs lifted off the ground, they shifted, widened, flattened out. Golden brown fur entwined to form inky feathers. The lion’s muzzle sharpened into a beak, ears vanishing into the white feathers that sprouted atop its head. Hind legs and paws became crooked talons, and the long, flexible feline tail spread out into glossy tail feathers. But it was the eyes that caught Arthur’s own stare- eyes, which should have been the gold of a raptor, were shockingly, heart wrenchingly blue.
The eagle screeched, voice piercing through Arthur’s mind, and dove at Strafe. The air around them quickly became a tangled mess of electricity and feathers and blood. Arthur couldn’t make out who was winning, or whose blood it was that kept dripping down to the pavement. He forced himself into a seated position, resting his back against the wall and wincing at pain that flared through his body again at the movement. His mind called for him to channel enough power to heal himself, but he was just too tired. He fought to keep himself from falling over onto his side.
A pair of hands seized his arm, and Arthur immediately lashed out at the owner with whatever strength he had left. Matthew flickered into view in front of him. “Arthur,” he said, voice quiet and soothing, “you’re bleeding everywhere. We have to get back to the Institute.”
“He’s here, Matthew,” Arthur hissed, ignoring the younger mutant’s words. He clutched at Matthew’s arms and stared over his head at the furious tangle of Strafe and the eagle. Beyond them, Angeli and Shinigami seemed to be simply watching and waiting, both unable to fly and unwilling to turn their backs on their ally.
Matthew hesitated. “I know he is.” Still, he didn’t look up at the airborne battle. “But he’s not our main priority right now. You are. Can you heal yourself at all?”
Arthur shook his head slowly. “I’ve used too much power already.” He looked down at himself. Blood was pooling around him, seeping through the fabric of his uniform. The sight made him dizzy.
“I don’t know if I can carry you,” Matthew said. His voice was oddly fuzzy, and Arthur lifted his head to stare at him again. The boy’s face was swimming, his mouth shaping words that didn’t sound like what Arthur was hearing, his violet eyes wide. Arthur parted his lips to say something about it, but instead of laughing, Matthew looked horrified. Arthur felt two hands grab his shoulders and shake them. He couldn’t seem to fight them away, no matter how hard he tried to lift his arms.
Then Matthew’s eyes weren’t violet, but blue, bright and blinding. His lips kept moving, and Arthur couldn’t understand a thing. The flickering light of the fires was beginning to dim. Someone called his name, and the world went black.
**
Beep.
Arthur cracked one eye open and winced at the vibrant light that shone in. He clenched it shut again.
Beep.
His whole body felt numb. He twitched his fingers experimentally, brushing them along the thin sheets of the bed, and they reacted, but it was almost like his hand was a completely different being to himself. He groaned.
“Ah, Arthur, you’re awake.”
That voice… Arthur forced both eyes open, squinting, and turned towards the source. Professor Charles Xavier smiled at him from his chair. “You’ve been out for almost two days. I’m glad you’ve awoken.”
“Two days?” Arthur pushed himself up on his elbows, then struggled to sit upright. His arms shook from disuse, and he would have fallen back to the bed had strong hands not lunged out to catch him. He turned to thank whoever it was- Scott, most likely, maybe Hank or even Ivan.
But it was none of them. Instead, Arthur found himself staring up at a pair of brilliant blue eyes shielded by glasses. He gasped and tried to pull away. “Alfred!”
Alfred at least had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed, though he didn’t let go of Arthur’s body until he was seated with his back against the headboard. “Hi, Arthur.” His voice was deeper than the last time Arthur had heard it, and he realized with a start that it had been over four years since that day.
“What are you doing here?” Arthur demanded. His gaze roved across Alfred’s face and body. He was tall now, with broad shoulders, muscular arms, a strong chin dotted with stubble and a heavy brow. One of his ears was pierced. Yet even though most of him was strange and new and mature, Arthur could still see the traces of the boy he used to know. The blue eyes were there, though partially concealed by his glasses, and his hair remained golden blonde. Even the ridiculous little cowlick still stuck up proudly from his part. It made his heart ache with nostalgia.
Though the question was directed at Alfred, it was Professor Xavier who replied. “I apologize, Arthur. I was going to tell you when you returned from scouting.” The professor gestured at Alfred. “He came to me three days ago, asking for sanctuary from an agency that has been following him. I was wary at first, understandably, because having him disappear into my institute would attract unwanted attention. But when he showed me the extent his abilities, I knew he would be more of an asset to us than a hindrance.”
“I’m one of you now,” Alfred added. “A member of the X-Men.”
Arthur stared at him. The words, though perfectly sensible, seemed to flow in and out of his brain, unwilling to stick. Alfred, an X-Man? Every time he tried to make sense of it, his mind conjured up the image of the child that Alfred had once been, the sweet and innocent boy who was so proud of his powers. “What?” he said faintly.
Alfred frowned, obviously confused, but the professor only smiled. “Yes, he is now a part of your team. He will be working side by side with you and his brother on your future missions.”
“What?” Both of them said it at once, and Arthur cast Alfred a wide-eyed stare only to see it returned to him. He cleared his throat. “Professor, you can’t mean-”
“That is exactly what I mean, Arthur,” Professor Xavier said firmly. “I know all about your history together, both from what you’ve told me and what you’ve allowed me to see. However, I trust that you will be able to put aside your differences for the greater good. Your powers work well together. You have proven it in the past and I have no doubt you will do so again in the future.” He held both of them with a sharp look. “You are part of the same team now. I expect you to work together, fight together, and protect each other. Even if you cannot manage to rekindle your friendship, I will not tolerate having you sabotage your own missions because you are both too obstinate to try.”
Swallowing heavily, Arthur nodded. He turned to face Alfred, and found that the other mutant was already staring at him. Arthur coughed, feeling his cheeks flush slightly, and looked down at the sheets. “I’ll… try, if he does.”
“I’ll try, too.” Alfred’s voice sounded hesitant, though, almost awkward, and Arthur was relieved that he was not the only one who felt the tension.
“Very good. I’ll see both of you tomorrow morning after breakfast. Make sure Matthew comes along as well. Arthur, get as much rest as you can. Magneto and his forces won’t stay away for long, even if they were taken by surprise.” Professor Xavier wheeled himself out of the room, the doors shutting with a soft click behind him.
Arthur and Alfred sat in silence for a long moment, a strange, wavering silence that was full of the things they both wanted to say and could not. Finally, Alfred cleared his throat and pushed himself to his feet. “Well, I’d better go. Hank said he had a few things to teach me-”
“Thank you,” Arthur blurted.
Alfred froze halfway to the door. “What?”
“For saving me.” Arthur scowled down at his hands, then up at Alfred. “Not that I needed it. I could easily have taken on the three of them by myself.”
For a few seconds Alfred only stared at him, eyes wide. A grin slowly crept its way across his lips. “Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow, Artie.” Before Arthur could protest the use of such a ridiculous nickname, Alfred was gone, the doors sliding shut once more.
“Oh hell,” said Arthur after a moment. He allowed himself to sink back into the sheets, covering his eyes with the palm of his hands. “Oh hell.”
Alfred had certainly grown up, and Arthur had no idea what to do about it.
**
A/N- The first in what will hopefully be a few one-shots for this Summer Camp thing. Obviously an X-Men crossover.
Strafe is Ludwig and has the power to manipulate electricity, Angeli is both Lovino and Feliciano (two souls in one body) and they can cast a light powerful enough to see even invisible things, Shinigami is Kiku and has super speed and the ability to understand what an opponent is going to do before they do it (not mind-reading, just intuitively). They're on Magneto's side. Matthew is Lutin, and he can disappear and reappear at will. Alfred is (now) Skin-Walker, and he can transform himself into several different kinds of animals- mountain lion, eagle, coyote, wild horse, and bison. Arthur is Albion, and he can channel magic from the world around him and control it for his own use.
I put a lot of thought into this. I hope it makes sense? More characters will show up later, and I'll tell you about their powers then.
“Arthur, look out!”
Arthur spun towards the sound of Matthew’s voice, raising his arms to throw up a shield as quickly as he could. It wasn’t enough. The force of Strafe’s lightning sent him tumbling backwards, his whole body screaming with pain as he fought both to keep himself in the air and to hold his shield steady. Without it, he knew he would already have been dead. Pressure built up inside of him, demanding to be released, his arms shook, his teeth clenched, his heartbeat pounded a deafening tempo in his ears.
His back struck the brick wall with a sickening crunch, and he cried out as a wave of agony leaped up his spine. He slid down the wall to land in a crumpled pile of limbs on the sidewalk below it. The remnants of his shield flickered and died. Every ache, every wound, seemed to swell in intensity, and the simple action of lifting his head felt as though he was trying to raise a boulder.
“So this is it?” Strafe’s heavily accented voice echoed around the street. “This is all that the great Albion can offer? I am disappointed.” The soft click of polished boots as he landed upon the ruined asphalt was nearly drowned out by the roar of the flames his lightning had caused, burning away in abandoned cars and buildings.
Lifting his head as high as he could, Arthur pressed his trembling hands to the ground and tried to shove himself onto his feet. He barely raised himself an inch or two before falling back again. His powers flickered dimly in the back of his mind, demanding that he channel more energy through his body, but he was too weak to even consider it. Still, he scowled at Strafe, summoning all of his anger and determination into his glare. He did not dignify the man with an answer.
Strafe snorted and strode forward. “Magneto said you would be a challenge.” He grabbed the front of Arthur’s uniform, lifting him up off the ground until his feet dangled in midair. “I could crush you so easily.”
“Do it, then,” Arthur snarled. His hands clutched at Strafe’s through the material of both of their gloves. He had not expected to die here, not like this, but if that was to be the case, he was not going to do so with his head bowed.
“Arthur!” Matthew’s desperate yell drew Arthur’s eyes over Strafe’s shoulder, back down the ruined street to where the younger mutant was struggling against both of Strafe’s partners, Shinigami and Angeli. Matthew’s body faded in and out of sight as he moved, but Shinigami’s incredible speed and flexibility stopped him from escaping, and the more violent of Angeli’s two personalities kept forcing him into the open with their blinding glow. Arthur’s powers tried to surge forth again, yet all he managed to channel was a simple spark from the tips of his fingers, which did not even penetrate Strafe’s thick gloves.
“Don’t try to help your friend,” Strafe warned him, shaking him slightly where he still dangled in the air. Arthur sneered at him. These would be his last moments, he thought, held helplessly above the ground in the grasp of a ruthless mutant. Yet Strafe didn’t kill him right away. He hesitated, staring up into Arthur’s face. “It does not need to end this way,” he said slowly. “If you would only see the truth, and join our cause-”
“Never,” said Arthur, his grip tightening around Strafe’s wrists.
Strafe’s expression hardened. “Then you leave me no choice.” His blue eyes flashed with light, and Arthur watched as it coursed down along the side of his neck, beneath the collar of his uniform, shooting towards his own body to electrocute him. Arthur held his head high and waited for the end.
But it never came. Instead, there came the sound of hooves, and the snarl of a wild cat, and then Strafe was being knocked aside, lightning shooting up into the air. Arthur fell heavily back to the ground. He stared, eyes wide, at the mountain lion tearing at Strafe’s torso and legs. It weaved and dodged as Strafe attempted to shock it, displaying far too much intelligence for a simple beast. Arthur’s breath caught in his throat. If it was not just a lion, that would mean-
Strafe groaned when sharp claws managed to hook into his leg, and down the road Angeli whirled at the sound. “Ludwig!” they yelled in the gentler personality’s voice. The unnatural glow faded, and Matthew took the opportunity to vanish completely, sending Shinigami’s next strike wild.
“No, stay focused!” Strafe barked, grasping at the fur on the back of the mountain lion’s neck and heaving the creature away from himself. Its claws screeched across the asphalt. Strafe didn’t spare a glance at his bloody leg, and lifted himself back up into the air, keeping his gaze focused on the lion on the ground below him.
All Arthur could focus on was the mountain lion. Strafe and Angeli and Shinigami faded into the background. Even the pain of his wounds seemed to disperse. This was it. If that lion was not just a lion, as Arthur thought- as Arthur almost knew it was not, he would have to change again. He would have to reveal himself.
And he did. The mountain lion lunged forward, leaping into the air. As its front legs lifted off the ground, they shifted, widened, flattened out. Golden brown fur entwined to form inky feathers. The lion’s muzzle sharpened into a beak, ears vanishing into the white feathers that sprouted atop its head. Hind legs and paws became crooked talons, and the long, flexible feline tail spread out into glossy tail feathers. But it was the eyes that caught Arthur’s own stare- eyes, which should have been the gold of a raptor, were shockingly, heart wrenchingly blue.
The eagle screeched, voice piercing through Arthur’s mind, and dove at Strafe. The air around them quickly became a tangled mess of electricity and feathers and blood. Arthur couldn’t make out who was winning, or whose blood it was that kept dripping down to the pavement. He forced himself into a seated position, resting his back against the wall and wincing at pain that flared through his body again at the movement. His mind called for him to channel enough power to heal himself, but he was just too tired. He fought to keep himself from falling over onto his side.
A pair of hands seized his arm, and Arthur immediately lashed out at the owner with whatever strength he had left. Matthew flickered into view in front of him. “Arthur,” he said, voice quiet and soothing, “you’re bleeding everywhere. We have to get back to the Institute.”
“He’s here, Matthew,” Arthur hissed, ignoring the younger mutant’s words. He clutched at Matthew’s arms and stared over his head at the furious tangle of Strafe and the eagle. Beyond them, Angeli and Shinigami seemed to be simply watching and waiting, both unable to fly and unwilling to turn their backs on their ally.
Matthew hesitated. “I know he is.” Still, he didn’t look up at the airborne battle. “But he’s not our main priority right now. You are. Can you heal yourself at all?”
Arthur shook his head slowly. “I’ve used too much power already.” He looked down at himself. Blood was pooling around him, seeping through the fabric of his uniform. The sight made him dizzy.
“I don’t know if I can carry you,” Matthew said. His voice was oddly fuzzy, and Arthur lifted his head to stare at him again. The boy’s face was swimming, his mouth shaping words that didn’t sound like what Arthur was hearing, his violet eyes wide. Arthur parted his lips to say something about it, but instead of laughing, Matthew looked horrified. Arthur felt two hands grab his shoulders and shake them. He couldn’t seem to fight them away, no matter how hard he tried to lift his arms.
Then Matthew’s eyes weren’t violet, but blue, bright and blinding. His lips kept moving, and Arthur couldn’t understand a thing. The flickering light of the fires was beginning to dim. Someone called his name, and the world went black.
**
Beep.
Arthur cracked one eye open and winced at the vibrant light that shone in. He clenched it shut again.
Beep.
His whole body felt numb. He twitched his fingers experimentally, brushing them along the thin sheets of the bed, and they reacted, but it was almost like his hand was a completely different being to himself. He groaned.
“Ah, Arthur, you’re awake.”
That voice… Arthur forced both eyes open, squinting, and turned towards the source. Professor Charles Xavier smiled at him from his chair. “You’ve been out for almost two days. I’m glad you’ve awoken.”
“Two days?” Arthur pushed himself up on his elbows, then struggled to sit upright. His arms shook from disuse, and he would have fallen back to the bed had strong hands not lunged out to catch him. He turned to thank whoever it was- Scott, most likely, maybe Hank or even Ivan.
But it was none of them. Instead, Arthur found himself staring up at a pair of brilliant blue eyes shielded by glasses. He gasped and tried to pull away. “Alfred!”
Alfred at least had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed, though he didn’t let go of Arthur’s body until he was seated with his back against the headboard. “Hi, Arthur.” His voice was deeper than the last time Arthur had heard it, and he realized with a start that it had been over four years since that day.
“What are you doing here?” Arthur demanded. His gaze roved across Alfred’s face and body. He was tall now, with broad shoulders, muscular arms, a strong chin dotted with stubble and a heavy brow. One of his ears was pierced. Yet even though most of him was strange and new and mature, Arthur could still see the traces of the boy he used to know. The blue eyes were there, though partially concealed by his glasses, and his hair remained golden blonde. Even the ridiculous little cowlick still stuck up proudly from his part. It made his heart ache with nostalgia.
Though the question was directed at Alfred, it was Professor Xavier who replied. “I apologize, Arthur. I was going to tell you when you returned from scouting.” The professor gestured at Alfred. “He came to me three days ago, asking for sanctuary from an agency that has been following him. I was wary at first, understandably, because having him disappear into my institute would attract unwanted attention. But when he showed me the extent his abilities, I knew he would be more of an asset to us than a hindrance.”
“I’m one of you now,” Alfred added. “A member of the X-Men.”
Arthur stared at him. The words, though perfectly sensible, seemed to flow in and out of his brain, unwilling to stick. Alfred, an X-Man? Every time he tried to make sense of it, his mind conjured up the image of the child that Alfred had once been, the sweet and innocent boy who was so proud of his powers. “What?” he said faintly.
Alfred frowned, obviously confused, but the professor only smiled. “Yes, he is now a part of your team. He will be working side by side with you and his brother on your future missions.”
“What?” Both of them said it at once, and Arthur cast Alfred a wide-eyed stare only to see it returned to him. He cleared his throat. “Professor, you can’t mean-”
“That is exactly what I mean, Arthur,” Professor Xavier said firmly. “I know all about your history together, both from what you’ve told me and what you’ve allowed me to see. However, I trust that you will be able to put aside your differences for the greater good. Your powers work well together. You have proven it in the past and I have no doubt you will do so again in the future.” He held both of them with a sharp look. “You are part of the same team now. I expect you to work together, fight together, and protect each other. Even if you cannot manage to rekindle your friendship, I will not tolerate having you sabotage your own missions because you are both too obstinate to try.”
Swallowing heavily, Arthur nodded. He turned to face Alfred, and found that the other mutant was already staring at him. Arthur coughed, feeling his cheeks flush slightly, and looked down at the sheets. “I’ll… try, if he does.”
“I’ll try, too.” Alfred’s voice sounded hesitant, though, almost awkward, and Arthur was relieved that he was not the only one who felt the tension.
“Very good. I’ll see both of you tomorrow morning after breakfast. Make sure Matthew comes along as well. Arthur, get as much rest as you can. Magneto and his forces won’t stay away for long, even if they were taken by surprise.” Professor Xavier wheeled himself out of the room, the doors shutting with a soft click behind him.
Arthur and Alfred sat in silence for a long moment, a strange, wavering silence that was full of the things they both wanted to say and could not. Finally, Alfred cleared his throat and pushed himself to his feet. “Well, I’d better go. Hank said he had a few things to teach me-”
“Thank you,” Arthur blurted.
Alfred froze halfway to the door. “What?”
“For saving me.” Arthur scowled down at his hands, then up at Alfred. “Not that I needed it. I could easily have taken on the three of them by myself.”
For a few seconds Alfred only stared at him, eyes wide. A grin slowly crept its way across his lips. “Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow, Artie.” Before Arthur could protest the use of such a ridiculous nickname, Alfred was gone, the doors sliding shut once more.
“Oh hell,” said Arthur after a moment. He allowed himself to sink back into the sheets, covering his eyes with the palm of his hands. “Oh hell.”
Alfred had certainly grown up, and Arthur had no idea what to do about it.
**
A/N- The first in what will hopefully be a few one-shots for this Summer Camp thing. Obviously an X-Men crossover.
Strafe is Ludwig and has the power to manipulate electricity, Angeli is both Lovino and Feliciano (two souls in one body) and they can cast a light powerful enough to see even invisible things, Shinigami is Kiku and has super speed and the ability to understand what an opponent is going to do before they do it (not mind-reading, just intuitively). They're on Magneto's side. Matthew is Lutin, and he can disappear and reappear at will. Alfred is (now) Skin-Walker, and he can transform himself into several different kinds of animals- mountain lion, eagle, coyote, wild horse, and bison. Arthur is Albion, and he can channel magic from the world around him and control it for his own use.
I put a lot of thought into this. I hope it makes sense? More characters will show up later, and I'll tell you about their powers then.