#lady lock

Legacy of Chorus

Silence filled the empty apartment, a clock ticking nearly midnight. It was a massive, luxurious apartment, with multiple levels and a vast glass window which made up one wall. Outside, the night was still, and inside, the apartment complex was asleep.

Then Stealth Watcher crashed in through the window.

He thudded into an armchair, his dark, masked head slumped as his grey cape folded over his pitch-black outfit. He was followed by a grappling line, which punched into the ceiling, a feminine figure zipping up behind it. She landed in the apartment on heels, and threw the launcher to Stealth Watcher.

“You dropped this,” Lady Lock sneered. She was dressed in full ballroom finery, all the colours of the rainbow, accentuated with a black fur boa around her shoulders. Her “mask”, for want of a better word, was a massive pair of sunglasses, still worn at night. In her hand she held a gold sceptre tipped with a strange glowing stone.

She went to raise the sceptre, but a sound pricked her ears. With catlike grace, she dove aside as a third person hurtled into the apartment.

He was a brawny man with a shaved bald head, wearing a bold, bright costume, orange with a blue stripe down the middle. A large “J.M.” was written across his chest in big yellow letters and a blue cape hung down his back.

“I knew I shouldn’t have relied on that pig to deal with Justice Man!” Lady Lock hissed. Then she smiled. “But I know how to deal with you.” She raised the sceptre at him.

“You can’t hurt me. My cape is bulletproof,” Justice Man announced, hands on his hips.

“Oh,” she realised. “Then I won’t kill you.” She turned the sceptre on Stealth Watcher and its gem erupted in a cascade of emerald light.

“S.W!” Justice Man yelled, and leapt bodily into the energy’s path. He landed on top of Stealth Watcher as the beam surged over his back, his cape deflecting it. Lady Lock kept the torrent going, scorching the floor and walls around them.

Beneath Justice Man, Stealth Watcher stirred.

“Mommy?” he said dreamily, his voice altered to sound low and growly by his mask. He shook himself and returned to consciousness. “Justice Man? What’s going on?”

“Oh. The usual,” Justice Man groaned, sweating against the heat on his cape.

“Gotcha, big man,” Stealth Watcher said, his voice like gravel. He produced two discs from his belt, which were essentially blunted knives curved into S-shapes. He dropped out of the chair, crouched behind Justice Man, and threw the boomerangs out.

Lady Lock was enjoying herself, laughing manically. She didn’t see the two dark blades whizzing through the air, curve, and then swing back towards her.

Before they could land, something intercepted them. Two smoke bombs exploded, and sent the blades to the floor.

“Watch yourself, Lock,” Boar-gular warned, climbing in and tucking his bombs in a pocket. He was a tall, muscular man, stuffed into a skin-tight black catsuit, with a tactical belt hung around his waist. More notably, his face was covered by an ornate gold and silver pig mask.

“I don’t need your help, swine,” Lady Lock snarled.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then you should pay more attention. Justice Man’s coming straight for you!” He pointed.

She turned, as Justice Man charged down the energy beam towards her, his cape draped over his head as a shield.

“Bugger!” she swore, and was tackled to the ground.

Behind Justice Man, Stealth Watcher came running. Boar-gular was ready though, and fists met fists as the two powerless combatants met in a display of martial arts mastery. Then Boar-gular produced a smoke bomb, threw it, and disappeared.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Stealth Watcher yelled, and tackled through the smoke. He made contact around Boar-gular’s midriff and they fell to the ground in a tussle.

Meanwhile, Justice Man had Lady Lock pinned. Like a sandwich, the layers went Justice Man, his cape, the sceptre, Lady Lock, and then the floor.

“Get off!” she yelled, and fired the sceptre. The blast launched Justice Man across the room, his cape still draped over his head like a blue ghost costume. He thudded into the wall, but landed perfectly on his feet, even if he couldn’t see where he was.

“You won’t stop me from stopping you stealing that,” Justice Man announced, only slightly stumbling on the words. “Let me try that again…”

“Work on the speech later, big man. She’s right in front of you!” Stealth Watcher called from his fracas.

“Thanks, S.W,” Justice Man stuck out a thumbs-up and blindly charged.

“Eep,” Lady Lock squeaked, as the bulky hero bared down on her. She raised the sceptre in a flinch of desperate self-defence.

The sceptre glowed and a bubble formed around the villainess, Justice Man bouncing off like he’d hit rubber. He pulled his cape away from his face to see what happened, as Lock opened her eyes.

“Ooo, fancy,” she cooed in delighted surprise. She glared at Justice Man like a cat would a mouse. “Now, back to you.”

Justice Man turned and covered himself with his cape again. Just in time, as she swung the sceptre and the bubble exploded in a wave of green fire.

“This little trinket really suits me, don’t you think?” she smiled, the sceptre’s stone glowing.

“I think it clashes,” Justice Man parried, and used his telekinesis. A purple aura surrounded Lock’s hand and aimed the blast out the window.

“Bugger twice!” She raised her shield again as Justice Man retaliated. He delivered an uppercut, lifting the bubble, and its occupant, into the air. Lock crashed against the far wall, bouncing like a human hamster ball. When it came to a stop, the bubble burst and she was deposited, disorientated and nauseous on the carpet.

Elsewhere, Boar-gular and Stealth Watcher continued to spar. Boar-gular was svelte, but he was more muscled, while Stealth Watcher was more wiry. But Stealth Watcher was faster, and kept getting hits in, even if one strike from his opponent would send him stumbling. That was if the strike could land.

Stealth Watcher leapt off a chair and did a full dropkick into Boar-gular’s chest. The hit winded the larger fighter and sent him skidding back into a chaise lounge. As the battle quieted for a minute, fighters panting, a sound emerged between the breaths. A gentle tapping as something descended the stairs.

“What in the world is all this racket?” an old voice croaked.

The speaker was a little old lady. She had wrinkled dark skin and such a sticklike frame that a light wind might knock her down. Her hair was grey, done up in curlers, and she was wearing a pink bathrobe and pinker pyjamas. She walked with a cane, tapping the stairs as she descended. Finally, she reached the bottom, and peered around with a face of annoyance.

“What have you done to my living room?” she complained.

“Miss, watch out!” Stealth Watcher called, but it was too late.

With a speed that belied his muscles, Boar-gular sprinted from his chair and neatly flipped behind her. He wrapped her in a headlock and glared at everyone else in the room.

“Weapons down, or the old lady gets snapped,” he threatened.

Stealth Watcher raised his hands, clear of his tool-belt. He also dropped the boomerang he’d been preparing.

“You two, chuckles,” Boar-gular nodded at Justice Man. “On the ground, face down.”

Justice Man complied, lying down, as Lady Lock got back to her feet.

“If you’d do the honours, Lady Lock?” Boar-gular suggested, nodding at Justice Man.

“With pleasure,” she smiled and took careful aim with her sceptre.

Boar-Gular grinned from cheek to cheek. “Good work, old lady,” he said in her ear. “None of this would have been possible without you.”

“Less of the old, you whippersnapper,” the old lady hissed, and swung her cane into his nose.

Boar-gular reeled back and let go, but the old lady wasn’t done. She turned and launched a barrage of strikes, whacking his arms, legs and head, and lastly a crack between his legs.

“Oof,” Boar-gular gasped, stumbling back. “What do you think you’re doing, you old-”

He never finished the insult, as she pulled the head of her cane and drew a sword from inside it. It glittered in the moonlight and she stared him down with a vicious glare.

“What the hell!” Boar-gular swore.

He retreated as she pursued, her rapier slicing the air. He stumbled back, and she threw the cane scabbard, embedding it in the floor like a javelin, precisely in the spot to trip him.

Boar-gular tripped and fell back, just in time to fall in front of Justice Man, as Lady Lock fired, Boar-gular taking the blast. Lock had really been milking the killing blow.

“Why?” Boar-gular complained to no one in particular as he lay smoking on the floor.

Lady Lock had just enough time to turn and see the approaching swordswoman. Before she could blast her though, one of Stealth Watcher’s boomerangs flew and shattered the sceptre in her hand. It fell to the ground in pieces as the old woman closed in.

“Bugger this!” Lady Lock turned and ran. She ran for the window, leapt onto the dangling grapple line, and slid out of view.

As Justice Man returned to his feet, he picked up Boar-gular to examine him. The thief was smouldering, but alive. He shook himself awake, threw another smoke bomb, and vanished out after Lady Lock. Justice Man stood coughing the smoke from his face.

“Don’t you need to go after them?” the old woman checked, replacing her sword in her cane.

“Well, all they stole was that sceptre, so I guess we’ve got that back,” Stealth Watcher said, collecting the fragments.

“We should make sure they’re brought in though, even if it is pretty late,” Justice Man yawned. “Of course, only once we’re sure you’re okay, Miss,” he added chivalrously.

“Oh, hush with that.” She waved a hand. “I’ve been through worse scrapes than this, trust me,” she dismissed, and walked over to turn on the lights.

The apartment took on new light, quite literally. White walls and soft grey carpets, the walls plastered with photos, certificates, and even news articles, all pinned up in decorative frames. Some had fallen down during the fight, and other items were slightly scorched, but nothing looked permanently damaged.

Stealth Watcher admired the walls, then turned to the little old woman. “I must say, I was surprised. You’re pretty formidable, ma’am,” he addressed respectfully.

“I’ve lived in this city all my life. You learn to survive or you don’t,” she said confidently. “Melody Planker, at your service.” She extended her non-cane hand.

“Umm… Stealth Watcher,” the hero returned, shaking her hand. He paused. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

“Oh. My. God!” Justice Man gasped from elsewhere in the room. They both turned to look.

Justice Man was stood before a large, wall-mounted display case. Inside was a classical, two-handed, bronze broadsword. The sword was double-edged, curved on both sides, and practically symmetrical other than the pommel, which was shaped like a raven’s head, a sapphire the size of a marble filling its eye socket. The sword’s guard resembled two wings stretching out either side, as spirals of carved vines twisted down the handle.

Justice Man stared at it, agape.

“Big man?” Stealth Watcher checked on him.

“You’re… You’re Chorus!” Justice Man cried excitedly, turning to face the old lady.

“Yes, yes,” she smiled. “Been a while since anyone’s called me that though.”

“You’re really Chorus? Then this… This must be The Sword of Songs? The real one!” he continued, giddy like a child.

“I did consider getting a replica made, but I just couldn’t part with it,” Melody reflected.

“And you’re really Chorus? The Chorus. Leader of the League of Titans. Wielder of the Sword of Songs. The Slayer of Dark Dragon!” Justice Man proclaimed. “I’m a huge fan,” he beamed, a grin stretching his face.

“Wait, really?” Watcher realised. “Oh wow. It is an honour, ma’am.”

“Oh, all of that was 40 years ago, at least,” she brushed off modestly. “I’ve been retired for a long time. And you two especially shouldn’t be fawning over me. I’ve heard of you both. Justice Man, one of the greatest heroes of this age. Super strength, flight, telekinesis, and a bulletproof cape. Plus, the heart you need to keep heroics on the straight and narrow,” she said affectionately, smiling like she was about to pinch his cheek.

“Hrrm,” Stealth Watcher cleared his throat, the voice modulator making it sound like a cave echoing.

“Oh, and Stealth Watcher,” Melody turned to him, cooing like a grandmother. “You might not have powers, but you’re unstoppable all the same. Your strength of will is unbreakable and your mind is sharp enough to keep up with even the very best supers.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Watcher accepted humbly.

“Tell you what,” she began, her keen eye glancing between them. “I get the feeling you two would love to talk to me, but you seem a bit busy at the moment.” She eyed the hole in her window. “Finish with those two hooligans, and tomorrow, around noon, you can come back here for some tea and a nice chat. How about that? You can come as either your real selves or your costumes. Whichever you feel more comfortable with.”

“Thank you so much, Miss Chorus,” Justice Man beamed excitedly. “I have so much I want to ask you.”

“Well, save it for tomorrow,” Melody suggested, a hint of nerves in her voice.

“Oh, I will, I will. Now, away, Stealth Watcher! We have villains to catch,” he announced, and flew out the window after the thieves.

Melody turned to Stealth Watcher.

“Umm… See you tomorrow… ma’am,” he stuttered, then followed Justice Man out the window.

* * *

Melody Planker put on the kettle, arranged a few cucumber sandwiches, and found some nice cookies to pile on a plate. She put the food on the table, along with cups, saucers and a pot of tea, just as there was a polite knock at the door.

She opened the door to quite a sight.

Two figures stood before her. One was clearly Justice Man, but wearing an ill-fitting trench coat and a fake moustache. The other was Stealth Watcher, his hood pulled up to conceal his mask.

“Ah, good to see you both. Come in, come in,” she bid them enter. “Did you two come up past my doorman like that?”

“Um… no. I came down via the roof,” Stealth Watcher explained, a little embarrassed.

“And I came in through the front door, for I am Justice Man, master of disguise!” Justice Man proclaimed, pulling off the trench coat, moustache and what appeared to be a fake nose.

Stealth Watcher rubbed the bridge of his nose and sidled closer to Melody.

“Please, just humour him. It’s literally the only truly stupid thing he does,” he whispered.

“Good thing I alerted my doorman to let you up,” she whispered back. She turned to Justice Man, like a teacher praising a drawing. “What a fantastic disguise, Justice Man. I should have known it was you. Now, would you two like to come in and have some tea?”

“Um…Y-yes please,” Justice Man answered nervously, recalling his manners. As they walked to the sofas, Stealth Watcher gave Melody a little thumbs up.

The three of them sat and Melody handed out sandwiches and tea. She soon joined them, offering little pieces of small talk about the weather and their general health. Stealth Watcher eventually noted the window. It was good as new.

“I have a guy,” Melody smirked. “The building owner knows about my past and is very good with maintenance. Super good, you might say.” She tapped her nose.

“Speaking of your past, do you mind?” Justice Man pointed to the many photos around the room.

“Oh, please, go ahead.” She sipped her tea. “I’m quite the sentimentalist when it comes to photos.”

Justice Man got up and began a slow lap of the room. Most were family photos, some vacation spots, but a fair few were of Chorus, back in her hero days.

Her super suit was a sleeveless, pearlescent-white leotard with a strip of black down the middle. Stark and stylish, her face was covered by a butterfly-themed, silver opera mask. She looked so young, her sleek hair tied back, and not a wrinkle to be seen. Her uncovered arms weren’t muscular, but in every shot she was lifting her massive sword one handed. And in a range of locales too. Beside the mayor, holding the key to the city, action shots caught in the middle of rescues, and the occasional charity event. She was smiling in every single one, even the dangerous ones.

“I always loved your costume,” Justice Man admired. “Bit of an inspiration for my own,” he added sheepishly, gesturing to the blue stripe down his chest.

Melody waved a hand modestly. “I can’t really take the credit. It came with the powers.”

“I’ve always been a fan of simple, classic designs myself,” Stealth Watcher agreed, his dark outfit almost fading into his own shadow.

“You would,” Justice Man rolled his eyes and continued looking. Finally, he stopped at one picture, almost in awe. “Is this them? The whole team? The League of Titans?!”

Melody nodded. “Yep. One of our few serious group shots. Someone was always pulling faces. Usually Indestructo.”

Justice Man stared in fascination at the photo. There were eight figures, all posing for the camera. In the centre was Chorus, her sword over her shoulder. Beside her on either side were Swoop, a young woman with a military bearing and a large pair of feathered wings protruding from her back, and Indestructo, a spry, muscular fellow, with a handlebar moustache protruding from under his orange and blue mask.

Beside them were Laser Lad and Mask Man, who were opposites in almost every way. Mask Man was dressed in a detective noir long coat, greased back black hair, with a golden masquerade mask covering his face. Laser Lad meanwhile was painted into a black, rainbow striped bodysuit, with only his youthful face visible, freckles and all.

Last there was Fist Puncher, Stop Watch and Burno, who bordered the picture. Stop Watch was a heavily muscled man in a purple jumpsuit, a clock on his chest, who was playfully wrestling Fist Puncher, a man with a prim moustache, bronze hair, wearing only dungarees and boxing gloves. On the far end, Burno stood away in his fire-decaled suit. He was leaning against a wall, glowering like a moody teenager. Because he was a moody teenager. He couldn’t have been older than 18.

“Bring that photo over here?” Melody suggested, after Justice Man had been staring in silence for a few minutes. He sparked to life and obeyed.

“What were they like?” he asked, hurrying over like a kid on Christmas.

“Oh, we got along like family.”

“Meaning you fought constantly?” Stealth Watcher joked.

“Well, yes. But I would have taken a bullet for any of them. And did, on occasion.”

“But what were they like?” Justice Man asked excitedly. “You hear so much gossip…”

“Well, what can I say that hasn’t been said,” she brushed off, then noticed how Justice Man was bouncing in his seat. She smiled a moment, and looked back to the photo. “Oh, if I must,” she gave in. “How to start… Oh! Mask Man. People always said I was the leader, but to be honest, Mask was our strategist. He wasn’t our strongest, but he was the sharpest. Quick as a whip.”

“Mask Man was so cool,” Justice Man swooned. “He could turn anything at all into a magically functional mask. Paper plates, sheets of newspaper, and on one memorable occasion, a live cat!”

“That’s correct,” Melody raised an eyebrow. “He adopted that cat afterwards, you know.”

“I take after him myself, a master of disguise,” Justice Man said proudly.

Stealth Watcher’s hand subtly pressed his mouth, struggling not to laugh. Melody had considerably more tact, not batting an eye.

“That you are, Justice Man, that you are,” she nodded politely, and returned the conversation to the photo. “Next, there was Swoop. My word, did she have a lot to prove?”

“Miss Planker?” Stealth Watcher raised his hand. “I’m not as researched on the League of Titans as my colleague here. What were Swoop’s powers again?”

“She had wings.”

“And?”

“Guns,” she said simply.

“Oh…”

Melody smiled at the photo again. “Vera really was a firecracker though. One of the few who never had a secret identity. A tough decision on her part.”

“I’d guess it was the wings,” Stealth Watcher considered. “Sticks out in a crowd.”

“Well, yes, but it was still her choice.”

“So… who’s next?” Justice Man pressed forwards.

“Next, there’s Laser Lad,” Melody grinned nostalgically. “The kid of the team, just thirteen when he joined us, but Tod was always so cheerful. Even when his powers weren’t great, he was there to help. And he definitely got better over the years. He started out barely able to make laser pointers and blind his enemies. By the end, he could turn his whole body into lasers for teleportation. And of course, “pew pew” sort of lasers.” She did finger guns. “He never lost that youthful cheer… Smiling to the end,” she sighed morosely.

“What actually happened to Laser Lad?” Justice Man queried.

“A prism related accident. Refracted himself. Now, it wasn’t the first time he’d done that, he usually came back pretty quick, but at this point he’s been missing for 18 years. He’s either hiding out somewhere, which I wouldn’t blame him for, or he’s gone. Poor kid.”

“Oh…” Justice Man said sadly.

Stealth Watcher saw the souring mood and hurried things along. “Who’s that next one? In the orange and blue? Kind of like you, big guy?” He nudged Justice Man.

Justice Man perked up a little.

Melody’s mood lifted too. “Ah, Indestructo. He could turn himself completely indestructible for a limited time. Of course, he couldn’t move once he was turned, and that timer was non-negotiable, so a lot of time was spent waiting for him to turn back. Even so, he did his best. I wielded him like a club once or twice, smashing our enemies. He was always good humoured about that, even that time I dropped him in a septic tank. Life and soul of the party, always making jokes. They weren’t good jokes, but we appreciated the effort.”

“Bit of an inspiration there, hey, J.M?” Stealth Watcher nudged Justice Man again, pointing at his similar colour scheme. The banter sounded odd through Watcher’s voice modulator.

Justice Man smiled. “You could say that,” he admitted sheepishly, admiring his own colours a moment. “Wish I could have met him…” he said quietly. His excitement soon returned and he pointed to the next one. “Then there was Fist Puncher. What was he like?”

“Tommy? Matter of fact. Stern. To the point. A truly honest man. Could always trust his opinion, even if I didn’t want to hear it,” Melody described, her tone weighty with respect.

“And what were his powers again?” Stealth Watcher asked.

“He was really good at punching things.”

“Oh, so magic fists or gloves, or super strength or something?”

“No,” she shook her head. “He was just really good at punching things.”

“Yep,” Justice Man agreed. “Like really, really good at punching things.”

“Huh,” Stealth Watcher said again.

“He’s still out there, working the rooftops,” Justice Man saluted.

“God bless him,” Melody sighed. “Mainly does signings nowadays.”

“I have three of them. I’ve almost the complete set,” Justice Man buzzed.

“Who’s next?” Melody pressed on before the inevitable could be asked

“Stop Watch, right?” Watcher mercifully asked. “He could slow down time, couldn’t he?”

“Oh, yes, a very useful power. He was like a brother to me.”

“Infuriating and constantly picking on you?” Watcher guessed.

“No, no. I picked on him. Boy, was that man dull,” Melody laughed reverently. “Always going on about train timetables and paint colours and his mediocre golf scores.”

“See, Stealth Watcher,” Justice Man lectured, “Stop Watch could slow down time by being boring. The more boring, the slower things went. Time flies when you’re having fun, after all. I heard he could also speed up time by being interesting?” he checked with Melody.

“In theory, but I never saw it,” she smirked. “A good man, but so very dull. He used to talk about his grandma’s knitting patterns, even around the barracks. Still, he was a very kind man and if you needed a long nap in a short time, he was always there, with a copy of Belgian Basket Weaving Monthly.”

“Then, last of course, there… was…. Burno,” Justice Man sputtered to a stop.

Melody’s mood darkened, but she hid it well. Even so, she couldn’t stop herself glaring at the Burno in the photo.

“The Torch,” Stealth Watcher stated coldly. Even he knew who Burno was.

“James Crisper,” Melody hissed, “or at least that’s the name he told us. He’d always been a kid from the wrong side of the tracks. When he joined us, we thought we could get him on the straight and narrow. A pyrokinetic who wanted to do good. But, one day, being good wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted money. He wanted fame. In the end, he settled for infamy, renamed himself The Torch and started burning down banks. Some say that was the end of the League of Titans, when he turned villain. The public suddenly saw we were fallible, corruptible even, and they lost faith in us. And that was that.”

“Some people never lost faith,” Justice Man assured.

“Of course.” Melody looked at him fondly. “I’m sure others were just like you, but sooner or later it had to end. And end it did. We all went our separate ways, those that were still here to do so anyway, and now here I am. Retired and with a life behind me. Maybe I’d have wanted a few more glory years, but I wouldn’t trade the time I’ve had, not for all the tea in China.”

She stopped, looking concernedly at everyone’s teacups.

“Stealth Watcher? You haven’t touched your tea?”

Stealth Watcher sat still, holding a full cup with an untouched sandwich beside it. He adjusted his mask, which covered his face from forehead to chin without a mouth hole.

“It’ll go cold,” she warned.

“I’m… fine,” Stealth Watcher said hesitantly. “I ate earlier.”

His stomach picked its moment and growled. Melody quirked an eyebrow.

“You don’t need to play brave with me, Stealth Watcher,” she marked. “When I said yesterday you could arrive in costume or not, I meant it. You can trust me on that. Plus, Stealth Watcher, I must say it’s a little hard to take you seriously with that voice modulator on. Good for scaring bad guys, but it sounds like you’re speaking through a tin cup.”

Stealth Watcher shrunk his head into his shoulders. They could feel him blushing, even through the mask.

Melody’s features softened. “If you’re really not comfortable sharing, then that’s fine too. I take it you and Justice Man haven’t told each other your identities yet, which is fair enough. Ultimately, I’ll leave the decision up to you.”

There was a tense silence as the heroes considered their options. Justice Man stared into his tea, looking for a change in topic amongst the leaves. Stealth Watcher sat in silence. It could have been brooding, or it could have been thinking. It was impossible to tell. Then, finally, with a little force and a little effort, he pulled his hood, cloak, and mask clean off.

The man beneath looked about fifteen, likely early twenties, with curly, strawberry-blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Justice Man stared in surprise at the baby faced man beside him.

“Hi, I’m… I’m Billy. No last name today, but I’m Billy,” he introduced himself, his voice high and awkward. He extended a hand, which Melody shook.

“No wonder you use the voice modulator,” Justice Man considered. All eyes turned on him.

“And you, Justice Man?” Melody prompted, though there was no pressure.

“I… I…” He looked between them, trying to work up the nerve.

His nerve failed.

“Sorry, I can’t. It’s not that I don’t trust you, Miss Chorus, and you know I trust you, S.W, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. I just can’t cross that line,” he said stressfully, sipping his tea.

“That’s fine,” Melody assured. “The whole alter ego thing isn’t easy. Everyone has their own rules. Sometimes you wish you could be rid of it entirely. I recall a few months where I decided to give up being Melody Planker and just live as Chorus for a while. It all sounded easy, until I needed to go grocery shopping. Then it was a bit of a challenge.”

“I can imagine,” Billy laughed, his voice cracking. He turned to Justice Man. “And big man, there’s no need to explain. Just do whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Thanks, S.W,” Justice Man answered. “And thank you, Miss Chorus… I mean, Miss Planker.”

“Please, just Melody. I think my identity’s been an open secret for a while now. I mean, I’m not exactly hiding it. My sword is hanging on my wall, for heaven’s sake!” she chuckled.

“The famous Sword of Songs,” Justice Man admired from afar. “Legend says it gives the strength of fifty men, makes you impervious to harm, and transforms your singing into a weapon. But only in your hands.” He turned back to Melody reverently.

Stealth Watcher raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because I heard Spell King once stole it along with your powers? He entranced an entire city block with his song before you stopped him.”

The two heroes looked at each other, and then turned to Melody, awaiting an explanation. Melody for her part grinned, but gave no answer.

“Melody? Where do your powers come from?” Stealth Watcher asked finally.

Melody’s smile widened. “Well, where do your powers come from?” she turned it around, looking at them both, playing like a cat.

“I don’t have powers,” Stealth Watcher said simply. “My skills come from when my Mum and Dad sent me to learn karate and accidentally hired a pair of ancient warrior monks who lived in the city. Apparently it happens all the time. I learned everything I know from them.”

“Lab accident when I was 9,” Justice Man said, just as casually. “I drank some chemicals off a desk that I shouldn’t have, then got hit by an experimental energy beam.”

“Wait, is that what happened to your cape?” Stealth Watcher turned to him. “I’ve always wondered about that?”

“No, actually. I bought my indestructible cape from an online auction.” Justice Man demonstrated the fabric. “It’s some leftover spandex from one of Indestructo’s suits. They made it indestructible, like him, then realised they couldn’t cut it, so they sold it. Got it for a steal.”

“Huh. Small world,” Melody considered.

“And that explains the garish blue,” S.W. murmured. “But, back on track, what about you, Melody?” he refocused. “Where do your powers really come from?”

She smiled again. She hadn’t been avoiding the question. She was just curious of her guests.

“My sword,” she answered dryly. “You were right about that much. The sword is the source of my powers, but my powers don’t work quite as you understand them. The sword doesn’t give me my powers. It…manifests my powers, from inside me.”

Justice Man and Stealth Watcher stared at her quizzically, but neither dared interrupt.

Melody continued. “The Sword of Songs doesn’t grant powers from nowhere. It takes a person’s inner strength, their willpower, their courage, their determination, and turns it into outer might. It takes those aspects we all hold so dear, and manifests them as superpowers. To be honest with you, I’ve always tried to keep that bit a secret. I don’t want any curious villains nicking it, or my teammates asking to have a go.”

“That’s interesting,” Stealth Watcher processed. “So, what were your powers again?”

“A mystical singing voice, used for sonic blasts or hypnotising people, super strength and speed, and being bulletproof,” Justice Man counted off on his fingers.

“Precisely,” Melody confirmed, “and I’ve thought long and hard on this, where my powers come from. The voice is obvious. When I was little, all I wanted to be was a singer. A pop star, opera, anything really, as long as I got to sing. And I worked so very hard, practicing every day. Then, one day, I got sick,” she recalled, melancholy seeping into her voice. “I got a fever, which became an infection, which became something worse. When I eventually came out the other side, I was deaf, some inflammation or other having robbed me of my hearing.”

“Oh no!” Stealth Watcher gasped, as if the tragedy was happening in front of him.

Melody waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s not as bad as all that,” she soothed. “The worst part was the irony. But they fitted me with a hearing aid long ago, so I can hear well enough. This one’s just the latest in a long line.” She demonstrated her ear where a small hearing aid was affixed. “But, even so, it was never quite the same. Things sounded different, and learning to sing again was rough. But I kept at it. I kept practicing. Kept singing. Kept auditioning. Then, when I was 14, I finally got my first show. I was at the back, singing backup vocals, dressed as a tree, but it was a start.”

“And the Sword turned that voice into a weapon?” Stealth Watcher analysed.

“I believe so,” she concurred. “I think the super strength is just my sheer determination, while the bullet proof skin… Well, do you know how many parts I was passed over for because I was too ‘urban’?” she said euphemistically.

Justice Man and Stealth Watcher sat awkwardly, with that little shuffle people do when they are aware of racial inequality, but feel powerless to stop it. It didn’t help that both of them were white as snow. Stealth Watcher cleared his throat, his voice squeaking.

“So, it would be different powers for different people?” he suspected.

Melody nodded. “Yes, it would.”

“I’m almost tempted to try,” he said to himself, looking at the sword on the wall.

“You’d better not,” she dissuaded with a smirk.

“I know, I know,” Watcher relented.

“And I don’t need that question answered,” Justice Man decided. “Still, you must have endless willpower to have as much strength as you did, Miss Planker. I mean, you managed to put down Dark Dragon himself!”

“That’s quite a legend to have,” Stealth Watcher agreed. “Say, is Dark Dragon really as scary as they say?”

“Yes. He is,” Melody confirmed, not a drop of humour in her voice.

“I’ve fought him too, S.W. He really is,” Justice Man concurred, a look of fear crossing his features.

“A monster,” Melody described, lost in dreadful memories. “Those horrible red eyes and that hissing, growling voice. He still haunts me some days. To fight him is to fight something… ancient. You can feel it. Just the sheer weight of his presence, pitch-black and bottomless like a well. And to think how that devil is back in the city after all these years, even after I saw him destroyed… It chills the blood.”

“Miss Melody?” Justice Man interjected. “Having faced Dark Dragon myself these past few years, I do have questions about him. Seeing as you were his official nemesis, and you defeated him forty years ago, I was hoping you might be able to answer some of them.”

“Ask away,” she said, her dread of Dark Dragon forgotten.

“Alright then. Firstly, where does Dark Dragon come from? What actually is he?” he asked. Beside him, Stealth Watcher leaned forwards, nibbling a sandwich.

“That’s quite the question,” Melody reflected, working on her response.

“Do you not know?” Stealth Watcher asked, trying not to spray crumbs.

Melody bobbed her head uncertainly. “There are too many stories of Dark Dragon, and not all of them can be true. However, some of them must be. Most speak of an ancient warrior, a being of terrible might. Some say he was a peasant, forced to fight. Some say he was a deposed nobleman, or a general in the ranks. Some say he was a ritual gone wrong, a thousand souls forced into the same body. But some say he truly is a demon, a fiend from some other realm. Most believe him human, or that he was at some point, though others believe he just has human hosts, possessing them completely. However, even with all the differing stories, they all tell a singular tale. A single story, in one way or another.”

Melody paused, sipping her tea, and watched as the heroes waited on the edge of their seats. She continued.

“The stories all tell of a warrior. A warrior who served a king. He battled with such savage might that no enemy could best him. His fury was so great, his strength so absolute, that he would leave the battlefield in ruin. And in his ceaseless rage, power was born, and this power only made him more fearsome. But so great did his power grow, even the king grew wary of him. He feared his champion, dreading if the Dragon should turn on him. And so, he attempted to eliminate him. Of course, the attempt failed, and his champion turned on him, tearing through his armies seeking revenge. He tore through his guards, through his palace, until finally, Dark Dragon tore through the king, seizing control of the lands. From his dark power, he raised an army of demons to serve as his legions, and ruled in cruel and brutal tyranny. That was until the first hero of Chorus, bearing the Sword of Songs, rose and conquered him. In single combat, The Dark Dragon was defeated, though with his dying breath he swore he would return. And with that, the people of the kingdom were freed,” she finished, then poured herself another cup of tea.

“Wait, what? You’re not the first Chorus?” Stealth Watcher queried.

“Oh, heavens no,” Melody smiled. “Every few centuries the sword chooses a new bearer, or some such nonsense. Not all of them have been called Chorus, but they were there. Heck, even the sword has gone by many names. The Bronze Blade, The Singing Sabre, The Golden Tune, Excalibur, The Great Blade of Harmony, Biggest Knife. And that’s just to name a few. Many bearers, many swords. A legacy.”

“All of them fighting Dark Dragon?” Justice Man asked.

“Some, but not all. At least I believe so,” Melody said, though she didn’t sound certain.

“So… Where does the sword come from?” Stealth Watcher asked the crucial question.

“Where indeed?” Melody answered. “Personally, I found the sword outside the city. I was out one day when I heard a strange song, low and gentle, but no one else seemed able to hear it. It was especially strange because I had my hearing aid turned off. When I followed the song, it led me out and into the mountains, where I found the sword, embedded in stone. I grabbed it and it gave me my powers. I was a superhero. I could finally help people. And it was only three weeks later Dark Dragon first appeared,” she recalled, voice tinted with suspicion. “Whatever the case, fighting that demon was my moment. The Moment,” she emphasised.

Stealth Watcher and Justice Man nodded sagely. Every hero knew about “The Moment”. It was each hero’s individual dawning, where they chose to be a hero. Where they dedicated themselves to protecting the innocent and the world. Every hero worth their salt had one.

“Mine was protecting a shop from some robbers,” Stealth Watcher disclosed. “Admittedly, it’s kind of spiralled out of control since then.”

Justice Man shrank in his seat. Almost every hero had one.

“I… just started fighting crime when I got my powers, because that’s what you do with powers,” the caped crusader admitted in a tiny voice. Then, like a counterbalance, he shot to his feet, hands on his hips and posing. “But Justice Man doesn’t question the why of justice. Only the how.”

Stealth Watcher met Melody’s silent gaze. With a roll of his eyes and a head shake, he communicated all that needed to be said.

He gets like this when he’s insecure, he explained without words.

Melody nodded subtly. Justice Man eventually realised what he was doing, looked sheepish, and sat back down.

Stealth Watcher patted his shoulder, and continued as if nothing had happened. “So, Melody, any idea where the sword originally comes from? Like, did that first Chorus forge it from mythical steel or something?”

“That is an interesting question,” Melody answered, her tone curious. Sensing something intriguing, Watcher and Justice Man sat forwards.

“Do you know where it comes from?” Justice Man checked.

“Well…” Melody hedged, but donned a sly expression. “It’s actually something I’ve spent many of my twilight years researching,” she explained. “I wielded these powers for years. Decades. But, gradually, I began to wonder; Why? Where had they come from? Why me? I never quite got those answers, but it was during one research trip that I learned of my fellow Chorus…es… What would the collective noun be? A Symphony? A Verse?”

“Ahem…” Watcher cleared his throat.

“Sorry. My fellow bearers of the sword,” she summarised. “Many of their adventures were recorded in history. You can find them if you look hard enough. As it turns out, many of them wondered the same thing. Why were we chosen? And by what? Well, a few of them looked inwards. They wrote of a power. Something they felt. They called it ‘The Choir’. It’s… a song, or a sound, or some… unknown force, but they all felt it within themselves. Guiding them. On reflection, I’d felt the same thing. A song in my head, a feeling upon certain tasks. Not mind control, or anything malicious like that, just a nudge. A tune that’s difficult to shake. I felt it when I first found the sword and I felt it when I faced Dark Dragon. Something... waiting.”

“And they made the sword? This ‘Choir’?” Stealth Watcher asked, his mind ticking over.

“Presumably,” Melody conceded with a shrug. “My predecessors wrote of The Choir as a force, or a celestial being, or a group of beings, maybe even a god or gods. In truth, I have no idea. All I know is that they’re the power behind the sword. The source behind my strength.”

She turned to look at the blade on the wall, eyeing it like a puzzle.

“But even then, my studies didn’t answer my questions. Why me? The Choir seem… benevolent,” She chose the word specifically. “They seem to want to help. My predecessors wrote of them being order and harmony, however, who can really say for sure. Some days, I think I still feel their guidance. Sometimes though, I feel it when I start researching them, as if they don’t want me looking. Then again, that might just be me, scared of finding something bad. Something I can’t unlearn.”

“Are you afraid of The Choir, Miss Chorus?” Justice Man asked sincerely.

“No, no,” Melody dismissed, her smile returning, a little strained. “It’s just not knowing that gets me. It’s like I’m a palaeontologist who found a tooth, and from that alone I described the entire shape of the animal. The number of legs, the arch of its back, the size of its tail. And then I found a footprint and realised it had hooves and was ten times the size. Only then did I realise how little I actually knew.” She glanced at the sword again, sipping her tea.

“Is that why you stopped hero work, Melody?” Stealth Watcher theorised.

Melody looked at him like he’d just quacked.

“Oh, heavens no. I was just getting old,” she chuckled. “I was fighting that Annihilator fellow when my back gave out. It was then I realised it was time to hang up the proverbial cape. To actually enjoy my retirement. Plus, how I got my powers doesn’t change how I use them. It doesn’t change who I was, or the choices I made. I decided to be a hero. My life was always my own, and neither The Choir nor Dark bloody Dragon can take that from me. I am, and always will be, Chorus. And also, Melody Planker.”

“Well, I for one am glad you were Chorus,” Justice Man complimented. “This ‘Choir’, whatever they are, truly picked the best of the best.”

“I’m with the big man,” Stealth Watcher concurred. “Couldn’t have picked better.”

“Well, aren’t you two sweet boys,” she grinned like a proud grandmother.

The conversation continued as they chatted about hero things, big and small. Current villains and their challenges, how to get stains out of superhero tights, the best ways to escape bindings, when it’s inappropriate to make a quip. Melody began to recount some old war stories, besting villains alongside her team, the struggles of the double life, as Justice Man sat in rapt awe.

Finally, lunch was turning into dinner, and Melody was looking tired. Justice Man and Stealth Watcher gathered their things and headed to leave.

“Billy,” Melody cut in, relishing using his real name. “Your mask?” She held it up.

“Oh, right!” the blonde-haired young man recalled, and hurried to disguise himself again. He was soon his dark, brooding self. “Thanks for reminding me,” his voice growled through the modulator.

“Thank you for the tea,” Justice Man said, giving an awkward bow.

“Come back anytime… not too often though,” she backpedalled slightly. “Please call ahead. We don’t want a repeat of last night. Oh!” Something occurred to her. “I never did ask? What happened with those ruffians you were fighting?”

“Oh, me and J.M tracked them to an abandoned warehouse. Managed to capture them and hand them over to the police,” Stealth Watcher explained.

“Ah, good to hear,” Melody nodded.

“Yep. And, considering the growing strength of the police, they shouldn’t be able to escape until at least tomorrow,” Justice Man promoted.

“Well, maybe today,” Stealth Watcher tempered.

“Yeah, if that,” Justice Man admitted. “Honestly, I’d be amazed if they’re still in custody now. Lady Lock’s superpower is picking any lock. I’d actually be surprised if they got her to the station.”

“Well, some things never change,” Melody considered. “Good day to you both, and a pleasure meeting you. I see that Hero City is in good hands.”

“Thank you, Miss Planker,” Justice Man bid, blushing.

“Goodbye, Melody,” Watcher echoed.

Then Melody closed the door, leaving them outside.

“What a nice lady,” Stealth Watcher said, growling through his modulator.

“She liked me best,” Justice Man bragged.

Stealth Watcher punched him in the arm. “Come on. We can leave via the roof.”

“You don’t want to go downstairs?”

“No. I am Stealth Watcher, emphasis on the Stealth. I don’t really do front doors.”

“Alright then. I can give you a lift anywhere you want to go. I’ll carry you in my arms?” he offered.

Stealth Watcher was silent. Then, in a little voice he said: “Thanks, big man.”

“It’s no problem.”

And they both headed up to the roof.

Downstairs, Melody stared at her sword. She thought of her powers. She thought of The Choir. In her inner eye, she tried to imagine the beings that would give her such a gift.

She frowned.