Superhero Separation, Chapter 5: Katrina's Plan
Welcome to Superhero Separation, a story of divorce, with superheroes. I definitely recommend this story for those in their teens, and possibly going through a divorce yourself. I will warn you, it isn’t pretty. The Incredibles or The Fantastic Four this isn’t.
If you missed a chapter, you might want to catch up here.
Superhero Separation, Chapter 1: The Troubles Begin
Superhero Separation, Chapter 2: The Television Broadcast
Superhero Separation, Chapter 3: The Formal Announcement
Superhero Separation, Chapter 4: Prison Break-in
Superhero Separation, Chapter 5: Katrina's Plan
Superhero Separation, Chapter 6: After the Breakout
Superhero Separation, Chapter 7: Battle at the North Pole
Superhero Separation, Chapter 8: In the Giant Drill
Superhero Separation, Chapter 9: The End of My World
This Cast of Characters might help you if you get lost:
Particle Man: The leader of the Champion Quartet, he is the wife of Daydream Believer and father of Material Girl and Kodachrome. His power is over molecules, and can sense all of the molecules all around him. He can also teleport himself, other people, and things. He and his wife are separating.
Daydream Believer: The wife of Particle Man, and mother of Material Girl and Kodachrome. She has the power to see into other people’s daydreams. She also can make people daydream, thus making them not function properly.
Material Girl: Daughter of Particle Man and Daydream Believer, and brother to Kodachrome. She had the power to tear down any type of materials and reconstruct them into whatever she desires.
Kodachrome: Son of Particle Man and Daydream Believer, and sister to Material Girl. He has the power to change the color of anything. He can “color” the air to make illusions, or color himself so that he camouflages.
Massacre: Undoubtedly one of the worst super-villains. Massacre was once an ordinary man who lived hundreds of years ago, and sought immortality. He cast a spell that would make it so he would never die, but could not stand an eternal life on Earth. He has figured out that the spell can be broken as long as the Earth is destroyed, and has been trying to destroy the world ever since.
Chapter 5
Katrina then came up to me and whispered as loud as she could. “I know you have nightmares of this guy. I do to. He is the worst of the worst. We have to talk to him.”
Massacre screamed, but it didn’t sound like he was in pain or fear. I think he screamed just to hear the sound of his own voice in the free air. I don’t want to imagine what it would be like to be imprisoned in a cell that is made for your shape exactly. Dad had told me that since he didn’t need to eat or breathe and he couldn’t die, having Katrina imprison him in the concrete cube was the best way of keeping him from harming other people.
He shook the dust from his face. “Oh, you do not know release until you’ve been in there for a while.”
It was the first time that I had seen the man without a mask, and he seemed oddly normal looking. Massacre had this habit of wearing skulls. The first time we met him, it was a human skull that we were told was genuine. I was never told where he got it from. The last time, it was a skull that looked like a horse. I asked Dad why he wore something like that last time, and he said that Massacre wanted to be associated with the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Massacre’s first scheme was to create a biological virus that could work like a computer virus and transmit via e-mail. Over one million died before we stopped him. He then tried to release chemical weapons in over 20 cities. Over 15 thousand people died then. His last method involved trying to destroy all the world’s crops in order to cause some sort of famine. Not many died then, and we actually stopped him easily, compared to the other two times. He was getting sloppier with ever attempt.
“Excuse me, Material Girl, right?”
My sister never liked her super-hero name. She didn’t like the association with Madonna’s song. One day, she showed up with an outfit that Madonna would probably wear at one of her concerts. Man, did she get into trouble.
“I never did like that name,” said Massacre, “I guess they figured that since you have power of materials, that this would be easy to remember. That, and they wanted to go with that theme of song titles as your code names. However, I did like Kodachrome. I always had a thing for Paul Simon. I kind of like the song your mother’s is based on, you know, the Monkees with “Daydream Believer”. But your Dad…come on! “Particle Man” by They Might Be Giants? Really. Speaking of your Mom and Dad, where are they?”
“I’m here on my own.”
I didn’t like that she wasn’t including me.
“Have I been in that cube that long? Are you now the head one? So what are you now, Material Woman? Is that your son? What song did you name him after?”
“That is still my brother, and you’ve only been in the cube for sixty days.”
“Felt like sixty years. You’d be surprised how easily you lose track of time when there is no calendar, clock, or sun. So, where are the ‘rents? Isn’t that how you young people talk these days?”
“Listen to me, the only reason that I am here…”
“Listen to you, looks like someone has become the rebellious teenager.”
“Would you shut the hell up!”
“Very well. What is the reason that you are here?”
“To set you free.”
“What!” I yelled.
“Excuse me, please.” My sister pulled me aside, and we walked over to the statue of Mom and Dad that she made.
“You told me that you came to talk! You can’t be serious about freeing him.”
“Okay, Craig, this is the plan. If we set him free, do you know what will happen?”
“Yeah, he’ll try and destroy the world, just like he always does.”
“And who’s going to stop them?”
“We are.”
“That’s right. We are. Mom, Dad, you, and me. We will be together, again.”
I had to admit that would probably happen. I saw that my big sister had thought this through. It was like when we would play chess or checkers, and she always told me that I have to think “three moves ahead”. I was beginning to understand what she meant. I soon realized that Katrina would allow some of her pawns to be captured so that my bishops, rooks, and knights could be captured by her. I realized that she was thinking that whatever Massacre would do would be nothing compared to this master plan she had to bring Mom and Dad back together.
Katrina was thinking like a villain.
“Okay, I see what you are saying, but why him? Can’t we just unleash some of the other villains that aren’t so evil?”
“Do you think that Mom and Dad will get their family together to stop Homecoming Queen? We need someone that it would take all of us to stop, and that’s him.”
“No. I’ve got to stop you.”
“Okay.”
What happened then was odd. I knew that Material Girl could probably beat me in a fight. She was, after all, one of the most powerful superheroes on the planet. She wasn’t challenging me, but more like daring me to stop her, and she didn’t look like she was going to do anything to stop me. Did she not care if she was caught?
“Excuse me,” said Massacre, “I realize that no one cares if the immortal has to wait, but you sort of left me hanging with you’re letting me go. Did I hear that correctly, because if so, you now have my full attention.”
Katrina turned around and walked toward Massacre. I knew a move that could maybe knock her out, but I didn’t use it. I was weird that she was willing to turn her back on me like that.
“So what is this, some new villain has come to town that is so evil that you need me to help stop them? I mean, that’s how you stopped me last time, as I recall.”
“Nothing like that.”
“Good, because if that were the case, I would hate to see who is worse than me. Okay, you said you are going to free me, do it already.”
“Not so fast. What are you planning to do?”
“Well, if I tell you, then you won’t let me go.”
“Just because I’m young, doesn’t mean that I am naïve.”
“Good use of that word. You’re obviously not as dumb as I’m probably supposed to believe. No offense, but you are still a teenage girl.”
“That’s understood. I am well aware that you are going to try and destroy the world, just as you are well aware that I am going to try and stop you.”
“Yes, it is a merry little game we play. This leads me to wonder why you would do this if you know what I’m capable of. How many people did I kill in my last attempt?”
“About thirty-seven.”
“Thank you. They didn’t have it counted up by the time they put me in here. I mean, by the time you put me in here.”
“My parents will stop you before they hurt anyone.”
“Yes, your parents. They don’t know that you’re here, and they definitely don’t know that you’re freeing me.”
“No, they don’t.”
“So what is this, are you two trying to get attention? Trying to prove to your parents that you are ready to be superheroes and not sidekicks? You realize that they will figure out how I got free. You think I am not going to tell them?”
“They won’t believe you. You’re a liar.”
“I’m a liar. Fine. Here’s the truth. I fully intend to try and destroy the world when I get out of this concrete throne here. In fact, I’ll probably find a way to turn on you as well. ”
“I appreciate your honesty. I haven’t been hearing the truth lately.”
“Someone’s done a number on you, and it is at least six figures. You’ve got to tell me what this is about.”
“My parents are splitting up.”
“Oh my, that’s what this is all about, isn’t it? You two are trying to get attention. Particle Man and Daydream Believer are getting a divorce! Oh man, this better not be a dream. I mean, I’m sure it is a nightmare for you two.”
This was one thing that I couldn’t stand about Massacre. He just would not shut up. He then turned to me.
“This must be even more terrible for you.”
I walked to the other side of the room, towards the statues of my mother and father.
“Every one is looking the other way too, aren’t they? I’m guessing that your parents haven’t made this public yet, and are still pretending to be a super-couple for the sake of appearances.”
“How did you know that?”
“I’ve lived for several hundred years. I know how divorce works. That’s why I don’t think this will work the way you think. What do you think is going to happen? Do you think that just because I’m in town again that your parents will come together and rekindle their love for each other? This isn’t The Parent Trap.”
“I know.”
“Boy, you really don’t care, do you? The thing is, I don’t make deals, the last one I made went more than sour. It was with the devil, in case you don’t get what I thought would be an obvious inference.”
“What is that you have planned?”
“Why would I tell you?”
“I have a plan too. You are to attempt to go through with your plan, and my mother and father will stop you.”
“So your parents get back together, and I have at least a few hours of freedom. Okay, I’m in.”
“Really?”
“Sure. However, for what I’m planning, I’m going to need your help.”
“I’ll give it a little. If you want more, then there is a whole prison of criminals outside this door that I can free.”
“So I’m in the Compound. Great. Let’s get to it.”
“Not right now. Hang on.”
I had been listening to them, and wondered what it is I should be doing.
My sister came to tell me. “Okay, I need you to go home right now.”
“No, I can’t, I can’t let you…”
“If you want to tell them what I did, I understand. I think they are going to find out anyway. I think you know why I am doing it, though.”
“Yes.” For some reason, I started crying. I couldn’t help it, and wanted to stop. I turned and hid behind the statues of my parents, as I didn’t want Massacre to see me. If he did see me, I was glad that he didn’t say anything.
“Okay, please stop crying. Just go home. In about twenty minutes, I’m going do the whole jailbreak thing. I want you back in your bed by the time that happens. That should be plenty of time.”
“Can’t I come with you?”
“I’m afraid he would try to kill you. Don’t worry, we’ll stop him before he kills anyone else. In order for this to work, there has to be a real threat, though. ”
“All right, I’m going.”
