Power Swap: Tell Me Your Wish (James)

[Jared Park]

Having a different power was fun. That’s what Jared has been wishing for all his life. And when he finally got his wish, he suddenly started wishing it was different. That is, he’d have something cooler, more flashy, more amazing. After all, people would most likely want to be with a light manipulator or a shapeshifter than an ordinary guy that machines can’t sense. And like a tricky genie wish, Jared got his wish granted, but with a hefty price tag.

Jared doesn’t want to scare people. He wants to make people happy, not make them terrified. He wants to hear their laughter and giggles, not their tears and screams. He wants to be a hero, not a monster. Fortunately, he’s got the power under control; it’s the urges that keep on making him turn into whatever people fear. And it’s because of the level of control that Jared feels bad about the whole thing – that all the negativity he’s been spreading has been the product of his own, free will. He has no excuse.

While the brief encounter with Ann and Anna offered some comfort, Jared feels like he must still go and seek for professional help. Being new to the school and all, Jared is only comfortable with a handful of the administration people. And while common sense tells him to most likely go to Dr. Prideaux (to help him counter/control the side effects or urges) or Dr. Neville (for his mental help), he decided he’ll go to Dr. Campbell instead. Dr. Campbell is the one whom his mom contacted for Jared’s recruitment as well as the one who picked Jared up from his house, so he feels hugely comfortable around his presence.

He hastily went back to his room and tidied himself up (he can’t face an institute official looking so shriveled and smelling so sour). Once again he decided to tone his wardrobe choice down (sporting a ‘simple’ printed overall and a black wife beater underneath), partly because he feels like he must look prim and proper when facing Dr. Campbell, and another because he still feels bad about scaring the hell out of those guards (hence not being in the right mind to think properly).

‘Oh shoot, the guards!’ he thought as he walked along the hallways. He must figure out a way to explain it to the proper authorities too. Hopefully Dr. Campbell would help him say sorry to Mr. Romanov for accidentally lashing out on his staff.

After taking a deep breath, he knocked on the James’s door thrice, deeply hoping he’s inside. “Dr. Campbell, it’s me, Jared Park. I need your help. It’s urgent, I think.”

[Dr. James Campbell]

Ultimately, James was also on the list of people who thought it was awesome to get a new power. But then again, his old power had been accompanied by crippling OCD, which had pushed an already-nervous kid to a ridiculous level of anxiety. The shadow manipulation, however, meant that he was exhausted. But that was it. There were no extra anxieties.

It as still hard for him to concentrate on his work. Things weren't highlighted the way they used to be, and he was just. so. tired. Fatigue was a common side-effect with manipulative powers, so it really shouldn't have been such a difficult conclusion to make: James was wearing himself out with his power. Once he did realize it, he stopped playing around with the shadows in his office. (He'd also discovered that he could disappear into the dark spots in the room, and that took less energy than sustaining a physical being, made out of shadows.) But now he was just trying to get through the day. If this wasn't just a localized thing, and people all over the country, or the world, had new powers, his department wouldn't have the resources necessary to find them all. Though from the looks of it, maybe this really was just localized to them. It was weird, but it really was better....James yawned widely. Maybe he should take a quick nap, so he could be more effective. Yeah, that sounded good.

Or not, as there was a hesitant knock at his door. There was just something about that day that made him now that the poor boy was affected by this too. And quite possibly wasn't having the time of his life like James was. "Come in, Jared, of course," he called out, "The door is open."

If he still had his old perception, the back of his mind would have prickled with activity, knowing some passive psychic energy was around, drawing something from his mind. He also probably would have been more acutely aware of his biggest fear. But with his new, "normal" way of looking at the world, he didn't know it. All he knew was that Jared was worried about something and had come to him for help.

It looked like he wouldn't be getting that nap anytime soon.

(Outfit)

[Jared Park]

Jared nervously played with his fingers as he waited by the door. He was naturally uncomfortable around stuffy offices and figures of authority, and the fact that he’s done something wrong (and intentionally to beat) only made him a bit jitterier. He slowly turned the knob when he heard Dr. Campbell speak, forcing a smile as he greeted the institute official. “Good day Dr. Campbell, I do hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

As Jared walked into the room and made his way towards the seats in front of Dr. Campbell’s desk, he could feel the negativity running around him again. Every single one of Dr. Campbell’s fears, from the most simple and absurd, to the more dangerous and disturbing, everyone of them, he can feel running through his body. He could feel the urge to transform once more, the need to feed on his fear, his agony, his despair. As much as Jared would like to remove himself from such an analogy, he feels vaguely like a vampire now, hungry and oh-so-ready to pounce.

He kept his head low, hoping that without eye-contact, he’d be able to control his urges, therefore control himself, from transforming in front of the doctor (he still doesn’t know the exact mechanism of this newfound power of his, so he assumes eye contact is needed, as he locked eyes with every guard the other night before boggarting). “I-I-I’ve developed a-a n-new p-po-power,” he said, stuttering, “A-and I-I d-don’t l-like i-it o-one b-bit. I-It’s m-making m-me d-do bad th-things.” He tried not to cry at the whole ordeal, but he just can’t prevent one tear from escaping. And he feels even more horrible now that the urges are becoming stronger by the second. Guess proximity affects him too.

“T-the g-guards l-last n-night. ‘twas m-me.” There, he said it. He just hopes he won’t get expelled or anything.

[Dr. James Campbell]

The poor kid seemed really nervous as James waved him inside. "It really is okay. Don't worry about it; not much has been happening in my department today." Other than him playing around with the shadows and determining that this new power was very, very awesome.

But once the boy came in, James knew he was worried about something. That was obvious, even without his special perception. Jared looked freaked out. Instantly, the man was on his feet, walking around his desk to perch carefully on the front of it so he could lean over and gently pat the teenager on the shoulder.

Oh no, another person who wasn't as happy with their new powers. Every time James met someone else without their original power, it seemed that they were less happy now. Was he really that weird for enjoying it? "Jared, it's okay. Really. This has been happening to a lot of people today, so don't worry, you can learn to control it."

And then the confession. James hadn't heard about what had happened to the security guards, and really had no idea about what he was getting himself into, trying to comfort Jared like this. "Really, Jared, it's going to be okay." How many times had he said that already, in the minute and a half they'd been talking? "A lot of people ended up with weird, new powers. You're not going to get in trouble if it was an accident. It was new for you, and you need to learn how to control it. That's fine. That's what we're here for."

With a gentle squeeze on the boy's shoulder, James said, "Look at me, please. Just tell me what happened, and I'll help you sort this out, okay?"

[Jared Park]

If Jared wasn’t feeling all of Dr. Campbell’s fears right now, he would’ve felt better when Dr. Campbell assured him that he’s not the only one (or he, Ann and Anna weren’t the only three affected with the weird occurrence). If he wasn’t struggling to keep his newfound powers in check, he would’ve stopped crying and hugged Dr. Campbell for being so welcoming. If he wasn’t scared that he might suddenly transform, he would’ve felt better. Sadly, Jared’s all that and more. While the encouraging words did little to ease his anxiety, the touch only made the urge stronger. With each pat, Jared could actually “taste” each of Dr. Campbell’s fears. “Oh god no,” he mumbled, biting his lip to take his mind off things.

Despite not fully understanding the mechanism of his powers, he believed eye contact was necessary for him to ‘boggart’; so long as he avoids it, his urges would simply lead to nowhere. As such, he’s been trying to avoid people’s gazes all day, even going as far as wearing heavily tinted sunglasses on his way to the office. And yet when Dr. Campbell told him to look into him and explain everything, he just did.

The moment he saw himself in Dr. Campbell’s eyes is the moment he felt like he was suddenly flooded with all his fears, everything at once. And instead of fighting his primal urges, he let go, telling himself that his resistance was futile anyway. The panic inside him now is not because he failed to control his power, but because he knows he transformed willingly and deep inside, he’ll enjoy the fear Dr. Campbell will give. He’ll enjoy it, and he’ll enjoy it a lot.

“Sorry,” he mumbled softly as he felt his arms and limbs change, transforming into the form Dr. Campbell fears the most.

[Dr. James Campbell]

"Sorry? Why?" James smiled kindly at Jared as he looked up at him. "It's going to be okay."

There was a sharp knock on the door, and James looked up, ready to tell whomever was on the other side that he would have to talk to them later. But Chase walked in, without waiting for a response.

"Hey, Chase, can this wait for..."

His husband cut him off, shaking his head nervously. "No, Jamie...James. We have to talk now. I'm sorry."

James looked back to the chair where the boy had been sitting only a moment ago, but it was empty--was his new power invisiblity?--and Chase was talking again.

"James. I don't know what to do anymore. It's never been exactly easy living with you. I love you, but on a good day, you're neurotic and pushy. And....well, there haven't been many good days lately." The blond man wasn't looking at him. He was looking away, ashamed of what he was saying.

Still sitting on his desk, James ran one hand through his tousled hair. This was so sudden. Where was it coming from? "Chase, love, I'm trying. I'm getting better."

"That's not enough. Please, Jamie, don't make this so hard for me."

The recruiter gripped hard on the edge of his desk, with the sinking feeling that he already knew exactly where this conversation was going. "Chase, please?" James was ready to plead now, if this was headed where he thought it was.

"I think, for a while, Nikki and I should live somewhere else." Chase spat the words out rapidly, as if getting them out quickly would make it easier on them both. Why did James have to make this hurt him so much? "First lying to me about Adam, not getting help after the attack--I was afraid to leave you alone, I didn't know what you would do--not until I forced you to. Your compulsions, mood swings, I thought I could live with it all, but you told him about our son. You made Nikki a target for a psycho, and I can't trust you. I'm sorry."

And Chase turned around, painfully ignoring James's pleading, and left the room.

James sat, staring at the door, not even realizing he was crying.

[Jared Park]

Unlike others who feel drained and tired after using their powers, Jared felt unbelievably refreshed as he went back to his normal, skinny self. Every bone in him relaxed, his energies replenished to the fullest. Gone was his panic and distress; all was just blissful ecstasy.

For a moment or so, Jared completely forgot that it was Dr. Campbell’s emotions he’s feeding on. By tapping into his single most powerful fear, Jared was treated the banquet of his life. For every negative emotion that there is, Dr. Campbell readily gave it to him ten times over. It was wonderful – intoxicating. Confusion. Anxiety. Distress. Panic. Regret. Anger. Self-pity. Grief. Loneliness. Despair. Every negative emotion was now Jared’s and Jared’s alone.

Then he saw Dr. Campbell staring blankly at the door, his cheeks wet by the continuous stream of tears.

“Oh god, oh god no,” he said, panicking as he knelt before Dr. Campbell and tried to shake him off his trance. “Dr. Campbell, Dr. Campbell, are you still there?” he gave the man a tight squeeze. He failed to realize that his power may have psychic side effects, not only to the user but also to the target. Immense fear can cause so much in a person, with people reportedly using such extreme forms of torture and torment to effectively brainwash victims. He sincerely hopes such is not the case here.

“I’m a monster. A monster. I’m so sorry,” he said, crying as he hugged Dr. Campbell. He really couldn’t blame anyone but himself for what had happened, seeing as he willfully chose to transform and actually enjoyed Dr. Campbell’s pain. He just hopes Dr. Campbell would still forgive him after everything he’s done.

[Dr. James Campbell]

If someone had asked James that morning what his greatest fear was, he probably would have said something along the lines of heights, or fire, or possibly--if he was being honest--moths. (Those things had freaked him out for years, ever since he was a young teenager.) But this was the unthinkable. The idea that Chase would leave him, that he could drive him and Niko away, just wouldn't have occurred to him.

And now he was sitting on the edge of his desk, crying. Why now? Yes, their relationship had been under stress since the attack, but he'd been getting better. This had come from nowhere...

Just like the hug from Jared, which jolted James back into reality. He hesitated, though his first instinct was to push the boy away, so he could have some space. But Jared was crying too, and so he tried to be comforting. (Though how the teenager could expect him to be very useful when his husband had just informed him that he was leaving, and taking their son with him.) He'd stay for a few minutes more and compose himself, then he was going after Chase, to try to change his mind.

"Yes. Jared, I'm here. I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to see that." Nervously, he rubbed the boy's back as he hugged him. "You're not a monster. Whatever you did, it can't be that bad." But even without his perception that had made finding connections so easy, James was a clever man. He knew people were getting new powers. And he knew that there was a new member of the security staff with a very specific power.

And James knew that without his perception, his mind was wide open, and he wasn't going to be able to feel anyone inside. (Unlike with his perception, where he couldn't shield, but he could feel a presence there.)

"Jared..." James said, pushing him back enough so he could look at his face, "Please tell me that was you."

[Jared Park]

The little relief that Jared had when he satisfied his urges by transforming into Dr. Campbell’s most potent fear was completely replaced by a strong sense of guilt as the older man returned his hug, even going as far as to rub his back to help the young boy calm down (fortunately Jared’s urges were satisfied, for now, hence the physical contact having no ill effects on the young man). Jared felt an extreme sense of disgust on himself, seeing himself as a lowlife animal, being governed by his urges more than his rational mind (if he still has one, that is).

Even without mind-reading, Jared could sense from the way Dr. Campbell spoke that he had no idea that it was just an illusion created by him. That he had nothing to apologize for. “N-no Dr. C-campb-bell, i-it w-wasn’t-” he couldn’t even continue talking as he broke down into tears when he heard Dr. Campbell’s comforting words (more specifically, “whatever you did, it can’t be that bad”). He should never have done that. He should never have taken advantage of Dr. Campbell’s lack of mental defenses or his greatest weakness. Dr. Campbell welcomed him to his office with open arms; Jared repays him by draining the life out of the man. “I-I r-realy am a mm-monster,” he mumbled.

When Dr. Campbell pushed back a bit and looked at him straight in the eye, his stare as straight as ever, Jared knew he’d finally made the connection. The moment he caught Dr. Campbell’s eyes he looked away, so ashamed for what he did. “I-it w-was,” stuttered Jared, breaking away from the hug and kneeling in front of the man. If the ground could suddenly open up and eat him, he sincerely wishes it would happen now. “I-I’m s-so sorry,” he mumbled, “T-that’s w-what I w-was trying t-to tell y-you e-earlier. T-the g-guards l-last n-night, I-” Despite tidying up before his visit, within a few minutes in Dr. Campbell’s office, Jared’s back to his teary and shriveled look. “I-I d-don’t know h-how to s-stop it! T-the u-urges! T-they’re j-just t-too m-much!”

[Dr. James Campbell]

Trying to comfort Jared was just a reflex for James. He had been an older brother since he was six, and a father since he was twenty-two. Even with everything else on his mind right now, his brows knit together as he tried to understand what Jared was talking about. And it wasn't easy, through the boy's tears and being in the middle of his own crisis. "You're not a monster."

How many times had a staff member at Hammel had to say those words? Probably more times than could be counted, and far more times than necessary. How many kids have been saddled with powers that confused or scared them?

When James realized what had happened there was a small flare of residual anger, left over from the anger that he hadn't express towards the phantom Chase. But it was very quickly tempered by pure, unadulterated, relief. If that had been Jared, channeling his greatest fear, then that meant it hadn't been real.

It hadn't been real.

"Oh Jared, it's okay." James had made some awful confessions in his time, so he really did understand what was worrying the teenager. "Jared, if that was you, it means it didn't actually happen. You don't have to be sorry." He gently squeezed the boy's shoulder, trying to sound happy. Yes, he was still pretty freaked out by everything that he had heard Chase say, but there was still tangible relief in his voice.

"It's okay," James said yet again, because he wasn't sure what to do next. "I'm not injured, and I'm not angry. I'm going to help you with this, okay?" The poor boy was still crying, and James reached over and grabbed a box of tissues off of the shelf next to his desk. He held it up and waited for Jared to calm down a little bit more. "We can go to Ms. Nakajima and see if she can advise you how to handle it. You can go to Chase--Mr. Kilbourne, I don't know what you call him--for extra training, if you need it. And you're not the only one this has happened to. My power changed too."

[Jared Park]

Not that he doesn’t feel Dr. Campbell’s love and concern for him (he can still feel things other than fear of course, thank God), but now Jared’s mind is set that he is a monster. To him he is a menace, an uncontrollable freak who runs solely on his urges and desires, not much on rationality and logic. He feels like a zombie now, a mindless monster who simply lives on to eat people’s fears and sadness. First were the innocent guards who were simply doing their duty. Then came Ann and Annaleigh, who were confused kids like him and were actually trying to help Jared sort things out. And of course, Dr. Campbell, whom he really scared to death despite the man’s pure intentions to help the kid.

While Dr. Campbell’s continuous reassurance that Jared isn’t a monster didn’t help the kid much, his statements telling the boy that he’s forgiven him (or that he’s actually relieved, or so Jared assumes, that everything was only an illusion) did help calm the boy down. At least a part of his problem was solved. Dr. Campbell wasn’t mad at him. He wasn’t, thank goodness.

“Thank you so much Dr. Campbell,” he smiled, desperately trying to stop his tears, “At least you’re not angry with me. It’s just, I feel bad for myself. I have full control of my new powers, but I just can’t…” He stopped for a bit, looking at the floor once more, absentmindedly playing with his fingers, “…I can’t seem to overcome my urges. Like…I don’t know.”

Jared looked at Dr. Campbell with a bit more hope when he suggested a few people they might see for power control. “Ms. Nakajima? Who’s that? And why?” he asked, tilting his head to the side. He almost leaped for joy (a great contrast to his rather bleak outlook just a few minutes earlier) at the mention of Mr. Kilbourne. “Really? I’m going to train? That sounds…lovely,” he smiled. He’s can’t believe something good has come out of his rather unfortunate flop.

“You’ve had your powers changed too? So it’s not only us children with absolutely no control over our powers who were affected?” He knew he’s not the only one, but seeing that Anna and Ann were the only one’s he’d met during the day so far (and both of them complained of not having a good grasp of their previous powers), he somehow assumed it was only those inexperienced who had their powers shifted and granted another, albeit with more control.

[Dr. James Campbell]

It was so much easier to offer reassurances now that he knew what the problem was--and he knew that his marriage wasn't actually in trouble--so James was actually smiling. It was okay.

That was, until Jared spoke about not being able to overcome his urges. Then, the smile faltered, because he knew those feelings. He'd fought them every day since his power had manifested. Thirty years, and they had stopped, suddenly, this morning. Yes, he did keep thinking about how he and Chase had left their bed unmade that morning, but it wasn't inspiring any sort of anxiety. Frankly, he was proud that he'd been able to ignore the habit of making the bed up, and hadn't felt the compulsion to do so all day.

Was he the only one who was happy with this development?

"Please trust me when I tell you that I know what that feels like. My power used to make me have compulsions. I couldn't control them, and I had to do things I didn't want to do." James sighed, because it was always hard to explain this to anyone, and his perception's side-effects were undoubtedly different from the urges Jared was feeling. "I understand that."

Thankfully, the comforting seemed to be working, because Jared actually smiled. "Ms. Nakajima is a new member of the security staff. She has--or maybe had--the same power that you do now. She transferred here from our sister school, in Japan." Of course, James had been alerted when they'd brought the new member of security on board, undoubtedly in part because Claude didn't think that the authorities were doing enough to follow up on the attack. "Yes, I'm sure you can train with him. His ability is Mind Control, and if he was able to stop my compulsions for a while, he'll be able to control yours, at least during training."

When Jared asked about his power, James thought for a moment before responding. "Yes. Actually, if I'd still had it, you wouldn't have been able to fool me, probably. My perception always let me know when something was an illusion. But now I can do this." With a smile, he willed Jared's shadow into solidity. It stayed there for a moment, looking around the office, but then it vanished, and James shook his head. "Sorry, it's draining me because I've been messing with it all morning. And there are a lot more people than just us who were affected. Even people who had great control." (That, of course, being Sean.) He stood up, a little shaky, and walked around his desk, to the compact mini-fridge in the corner of his office. From it he pulled out two bottles of water, and offered one to Jared. "Here. Who else do you know who was affected?"

[Jared Park]

Jared is definitely becoming more and more at ease with himself. Well, for the moment at least. He’s full, so to speak, and while he has some of Dr. Campbell’s residual fear in him (and seeing that it was that strong, the residual fear was a bit more significant than others), the simple fact that his power isn’t bothering him to scare the man once more is good enough for the boy.

At the mention of someone who possessed (or formerly possessed, possibly) a similar (if not exacting the same) power, Jared almost jumped out of his seat. Finally, hope. “That would be awesomesauce Dr. Campbell,” he said, rubbing his hands together in joy. “I do hope she can understand English. I know virtually no Japanese except for arigatou,” he laughed. Then Dr. Campbell mentioned the possibility of training with Mr. Kilbourne (no one has assumed the other’s name yet? Isn’t that what happens in a marriage?), making Jared even giddier than before. “Does Mr. Kilbourne still have room in his class for me? ‘Cause that’s just a dream come true,” he nodded, face beaming with anticipation, “I hope he could just permanently suppress the urges. Like, I don’t know, make a post-hypnotic command or something. Isn’t that how mind-controllers and telepaths do it in the comic books?” Apparently Jared still have a long way to go before accepting that the reality he has right now is far different from the ones he see printed on paper (or uploaded on the internet, since he downloads most of his comic books now).

“Or if not, I think Mr. Collier or Mr. Vasiliev can help, maybe,” he said, not really noticing that he called Anya a man, “Ann told me that she had those two as trainers and their powers may seem to be useful in helping me control mine, right?” In his excitement, he’d innocently forgotten about the fact that he’s not the one who’ll be deciding which trainer he’ll get.

Jared bowed to show Dr. Campbell his thanks then promptly opened the bottle. All the crying he’s been doing had made him dehydrated. “I wish you’d have your old power still then,” he said, “So I wouldn’t feel so bad. And you wouldn’t feel, err, violated. Sorry again Dr. Campbell.” He almost jumped off his seat when he saw what Dr. Campbell did. Even if his shadow only remained solid for a while, it was still awesome. “Shadow manipulation, cool!” Even without knowing what Dr. Campbell had before, he was somehow with him in rejoicing for James’s newfound power. “Like Obsidian. Or Raven. Can you turn into a living shadow too?”

So his theory about only those without control being affected was a complete fail. “I’ve only talked to Ann and Anna this morning,” he said, trying to think if he’s had contact with others, “Ann apparently has telepathy now. Anna has…” He stopped. Apparently he forgot if she ever showed her powers to him. The only clue they have is that she had the chance to get a good night’s sleep the other night. “…nothing now. Yeah. Says her ability’s all but gone.”

[Dr. James Campbell]

The shift from the scared, distraught Jared to the happy, excited one had been dramatic. James, on the other hand, was trying really hard not to let on that he was really still freaked out about the vision. He hadn't even been aware that he was so terrified of Chase leaving him. He knew it wouldn't happen, but he wanted to hear his husband reassure him about it anyway. (If Jared had found him on a day when his own ability was working properly, it would have been no more disturbing than Jared pretending to be Chase and saying those things. Granted, having a student know the more intimate details of his mental health was an issue, but he wouldn't have believed him.)

"Yes, I'm sure she speaks English. I haven't formally met her yet, so I don't know how she would do with 'awesomesauce', but I think she'll be able to help." James's smile was a little forced, but he really was happy he had solutions, if just for Jared. (That was part of his mentality, even without his OCD. He can't fix everything, but if he's able to fix enough small things, it'll be okay.) "I think he'll be able to fit you in, yes. And it's Ms. Vasilev, but I think she could help too...." However, the mention of Adam made him pause. He really did not have any ill will for the other man, and still felt guilty for all of that--and vision-Chase had mentioned it, did that mean Jared knew the story now?--but sending the fearmonger to him might actually be a good idea. "Maybe Mr. Collier could produce enough fear pheromones to satisfy the urges? That might actually work." ...So long as Adam's power was still working. Otherwise, they'd have to get Sean involved, and James really wasn't sure if he was up to seeing a lot of students today.

The recruiter simply shrugged when the boy apologized again. "It's okay, Jared, it's not your fault." He'd been scared, but there hadn't been a grotesque image to get stuck in his head, and without his OCD, he probably wouldn't spend the rest of the day obsessing about what he had heard.

Yes, he also thought his new power was awesome, but the teenager completely lost him when he started throwing strange...well, he was assuming they were names, but they were also regular nouns. "Sorry, but...who? What? I can't do that, but I can kind of slip into them, almost as if I could disappear." And it was pretty awesome.

And really, it was a good thing that it was his brother who liked Doctor Who, as the realization that he could create vashta nerada would have been really, really creepy. And really, really cool.

"Okay, thanks Jared." He made a quick note of the names, then looked up suddenly. "Ann, telepathy? How good was her control?"

[Jared Park]

Jared iswas usually never one to have such drastic mood swings. Granted he isn’t all giddy and happy all the time (like the time his brother left to study in the university) but he never experienced going through the full spectrum of emotions, from terrified and confused to joyful and calm, in a less than an hour or so. Then again, Jared never had to deal with such a power before. He was once the plain Jared Park who had no clue on how he can make himself visible in his yearbook photos; now he’s a fear-driven meta who’ll readily trade his rational thought for the satisfaction of his primal urges, not really caring who he’ll scare or how deep the scar of the trauma he might create. He knew it was wrong and would very much like for it to stop, but he has virtually no idea how. So really, the glimmer of hope Dr. Campbell has presented him, no matter how small and unsure, was enough to induce such a radical change in the boy’s demeanor.

He blushed lightly at Dr. Campbell’s playful mention of his unusual expression. “Don’t worry Dr. Campbell, I’ll just tell Ms. Nakajima what ‘awesomesauce’ means,” he grinned. “Would you have any idea how I could contact her?”

For James’s sake, Jared had no idea what illusion!Chase did/said, let alone that Jared somehow shifted to Mr. Kilbourne. The only thing he knows is that he just transformed into Dr. Campbell’s most potent fear – and that’s all. How he shifts and how he knows what to shift into are beyond him. From Jared’s very crude understanding of his power, he’s simply a conduit – he just taps into the person’s worst fear and serves as the blank canvas through which he shows such fear.

“Ooops. My bad. Please don’t tell Ms. Vasiliev I made her a man,” he said, covering his mouth in embarrassment. “And if it isn’t such a bother, I would really like to get in Mr. Kilbourne’s class. I hear that he’s really good. Not that the others are bad, but yeah.” And he’s not just saying that because he’s in front of the man’s husband. “But if I can’t, it’s ok. Just don’t tell Mr. Collier and Ms. Vasiliev that they’re somewhat second choices.” Finally, proper powers training. True, Hammel won’t certainly have something like the Xavier Mansion’s Danger Room, but powers training is power training. Whoever thought Jared could get something good from all this?

“Obsidian is Alan Scott’s son. He’s a member of the Justice Society, I think. He can turn into a living shadow,” he nodded as he tried to remember hi facts, “And Raven’s from the Teen Titans. You know, the goth-ish empath with shadow teleportation powers?” He laughed a bit as he realized he just fed Dr. Campbell with his not-so-hidden comic geekness. “That’s amazing Dr. Campbell. And it’s nice you have such excellent control already.”

“Ann Hudgins? I’d say her telepathy was under her perfect control. I mean, she hugged me like there’s no tomorrow earlier. And from what I heard, when she was still an empath, a brush of her fingers can cause her extreme pain already,” Jared narrated, “That, and she apparently had the power to block my powers out.”