The Powerholders

Chapter 3:

I want school to get over as soon as possible. I don't want to be here if I can leave. Too many bullies nowadays.

Malcum's lying his face in his arms on his desk while sitting in his chair in his classroom. The class in bustling with noise as everyone is chatting about their hobbies or yesterday's news. A few people, larger than the rest are being avoided. One has a scar on his face tracing his nose and turning to the right at the bottom, making it look like a hook. Otherwise, they all look mostly the same, yellow tank top shirts, brown sweatpants and black sandals. Each has a different accessory on them, some have rings, earrings, necklaces and even chokers.

A boy about the same height as Malcum approaches Malcum and sits in the chair next to him.

"Yo, what have you been up to lately?"

He has blonde hair and skinny features with blue eyes and glasses. There is a mole on his left cheek. He is wearing a light blue t-shirt and dark blue denim with navy sneakers.

"You know Ben, the usual."

Malcum stares out the window.

This world sure hasn't changed much. The strong still bully the weak and the rich still outlive the poor. Only difference, the people running things can now literally be anyone if their power backs it. I really shouldn't think about this too much.

The bell rings and the class got into their seats,

and the teacher enters the door. She is a short woman sporting black leathery high heels and a black and white suit. Her black hair is in a ponytail behind her head. Her emerald-green eyes glances about taking in the morning mood of the class.

"Morning children."

"Morning Ma'am. "

"I believe I do not need to tell you that the annual power tournament is just around the corner, and everyone is already signed up. The first round will be eliminations and we will let you fight each other in the arenas to narrow you down to only 3 contestants and one backup. Then those select few will compete against the other schools and their chosen ones. This is a competition to re-establish your rank. Not to beat up people for fun. Are we clear?"

Her eyes dart over to the group in the back left corner.

"Yes Ma’am."

We're all included this time. Strange, but I guess I'll have to keep myself in check. No one needs to know about my powers.

"Ma'am does that mean that even Malcum has to compete this time?"

The class starts gossiping about and the group in the back narrows their gaze on Malcum. It is a well-known fact that Malcum only ever once competed in the tournament. He fought one battle against the best powerholder in his primary school. Everyone expected him to lose, a F-Class against a D-Class was not a fair match. But he and the D-Class both ended up in hospital. That D-Class was in a coma for two months and when he woke up, he couldn't remember what happened. The fight was over so fast, nobody knew what happened. Since then, he was feared or hated by everyone. Since his power seemed to be to self-destruct. And he beat up the best kid in school. Later people simply ignored him altogether. Now, in this classroom, everyone was excited, afraid and curious to see what his power is. Everyone except Malcum.

"Yes, he has to. He will fight under supervision from the Student Body President and Head of the Disciplinary committee." A teacher will also stand by. Nothing personal Malcum, but due to your history we can't take chances."

Great, I'm in a spotlight.

"I understand ma'am."

"Then without further ado, let me start the lesson. Today's lesson will be on ..."

The intercom rings.

"Malcum Donntrom. Can Malcum Donntrom please come to the head office."

"You heard them, go."

Malcum stands up and heads towards the office, he closes the door behind him.

Why would they want me right after the teacher's announcement? Suspicious. Very much so.

He walks along the hall and down the flight of stairs leading to the main hallway that is connected to the head office and teacher's lounge. He enters the head office through the metal archway. The room isn't very large, just big enough for three people to stand in a line waiting to be helped and another two to sit and wait. It is currently empty except for a girl sitting in one of the seats. It takes Malcum a second to realise that it is the same girl from this morning.

She's back quick, I thought she would still be out by now. Strange.

"Ah, good to see you. Please come sit and we can talk."

She doesn't turn her head to look at him. The lady at the head office desk is also not there right now.

This is fishy as hell. I should be ready for anything.

Malcum walks over to the opposite chair and sits, all while keeping his eyes on her. Her face is currently still out of sight as a shadowy veil, probably some trick, is covering it.

"I wanted to meet you and thank you for this morning."

"It is no problem; I was just doing the right thing is all."

Malcum gives her a weak soft smile. He does not intend to hide his uneasiness. And frankly does not trust her now.

"It is good to be wary, rude to be cautious and arrogant to expect a fight."

"No, it is not. I saved you, so I already saw your face, now you won't look at me or show it again. Then there is the fact that you recovered from your wounds too quickly. Then there is the distance, the only reason that I'm on time is because I used a portal stone someone once gifted me, but you travelled the same distance in about the same amount of time. Not to be rude but portal stones are not that common. So, you couldn't have had one."

I might be lying, but how did she get here so fast?

She smiles, her shadowy veil slowly lifting.

"Fine then, I guess talking won't get me my answers. I'll just beat them out of you"

Suddenly she raises her hand a gravity around Malcum becomes stronger. He could feel his weight doubling, if not tripling. His legs are already reinforcing themselves with energy and his bones are taking on the properties of adamantium.

Ok, now I'm confused, she wants to thank me and ask some questions, but because I'm cautious, she decided to jump to beat me until I answer. What the hell girl? Did you hit your head too hard this morning? Well, no point in thinking, I'll just have to hold out.

"Oh? So, you can channel energy to strengthen yourself. Not bad, but tell me, why did you really help me and who are you working for?"

Malcum grits his teeth trying to stand up straight.

"No answer? Fine then I guess I'll just punish someone in this school to get you talking!"

She raises her other arm and points at the school building. A large ball of energy starts to build at the tip of her hand. Her smile fades and her face tighten.

"No, stop, that could kill someone!"

"And? Do you think I care? Answer my question now!"

Fine, I'll answer you. In hell!

Energy suddenly explodes from Malcum's legs as he propels himself forward, tackling the girl and breaking through the wall with her as a human shield. The land outside on the grass field where the sports are held each year. It's the centre of the school.

"Damn! That hurts!"

She suddenly extends her arm towards where he lies and fires an equal amount of explosive energy at Malcum as he used to propel himself earlier. Malcum raises his arms and a red oval-ish energy barrier forms. The blast pushes him back two feet, but he avoided getting hurt.

"Not bad, but now you are exposed, I wouldn't keep fighting if I were you."

"Cocky, I'll show you who you're dealing with!"

She raises her arms again, this time both are pointing at him, one has purple energy building at the front while the other has a ball of condensed black energy building.

"Oh no you don't!"

Malcum wills as much red electric energy as possible to his hands and prepares to counter her blast.

"Fall already!"

The purple and black energy twirls and creates a beam of energy that is launched from her hands moving towards Malcum, who does the same with his hands. The red crackling beam of energy meets the purple and black beam creating a myriad of colours. The ground beneath cracks and shatters as the surrounding light turns to purple and red, each on the side of their source. The beams slowly start to push each other. First towards Malcum, then the girl and then Malcum and then the girl. The tug of war continues for a few seconds before a very loud boom is audible and both the girl and Malcum falls to the ground. The teacher, Malcum's homeroom teacher, stands there, her hand extended and the thunderous energy still looming around it. Her face is filled with horror and shock. The student that everyone was so curious about was lying on the ground unconscious, with red energy around him, enough to colour the clouds and area around him. This boy showed more power than the teacher could have imagined from him.