The first rays of sun shined over Imperial City, painting the skyline in streaks of gold. Below, the city hummed to life, its towering spires and its floating transports glinting in the morning light. In a modest home among the suburban neighborhood, Robert Martinez groaned as his alarm clock rang. He slapped at it blindly, silencing the noise, and dragged himself out of bed. The cool floor sent a shivers up his spine as he walked to the mirror, his reflection staring back with bleary brown eyes and tousled brown hair.
At fifteen, Robert had the build of a boy still growing into his frame, his face caught somewhere between childhood and adolescence. He rubbed his face, stifling a yawn, and leaned closer to the mirror.
"Good morning, Robert," the mirror's A.I. said, its voice smooth and synthetic. "Shall we select today's ensemble?"
"Something casual," Robert mumbled, running a hand through his messy hair. "Nothing fancy."
The mirror's surface glowed, projecting a variety of outfits onto his reflection. Augmented reality transformed the glass into a virtual wardrobe, each piece of clothing hovering in midair as if waiting for his command. Robert swiped lazily through the options, finally settling on a red and black t-shirt paired with casual pants. The mirror beeped in approval, and the chosen outfit materialized in his closet, perfectly tailored to his size.
Downstairs, the smell of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee wrapped around him like a warm hug. His mother's voice floated up the stairs, soft but insistent. "Robert! Breakfast is ready!"
He grabbed his schoolbag, swinging it over his shoulder, and descended the stairs, his footsteps heavy on the ground. The kitchen was a burst of warmth, sunlight streaming through the windows as his mother, Kate Martinez, placed a plate with food in front of him. She was a striking woman with dark brown hair that fell in loose waves around her shoulders and warm brown eyes that always seemed to see right through him. Her hands moved with ease as she wiped them on a dish towel, her smile soft but tinged with something unspoken.
Robert dug into his breakfast, the flavors of home cooking grounding him at the moment. Across the table, his father, Eric Martinez, sat with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. Eric's salt and pepper hair and neatly trimmed mustache gave him a distinguished air, and his dark brown eyes sparkled behind a pair of round glasses. He was reading something on a holographic tablet, but he glanced up when Robert slid into his seat.
"Morning, kiddo," Eric said, his voice warm and gravelly. "Ready for another thrilling day of school day?"
Robert smirked, shoveling a forkful of eggs into his mouth. "Thrilling is one word for it."
In the background, the morning news droned on — "live from Aurious Prime in Section 1, where preparations are underway for the annual Guardian Festival. This year marks the 625th Anniversary of the First Crossing," the reporter continued, "when the original Meliorates departed Earth and founded the civilization we know today."
A holographic newsfeed flickered above the kitchen counter, displaying aerial shots of floating pavilions draped in cobalt and silver banners.
"Robert," his mother said, snapping him out of his thoughts. She stood by the sink, drying her hands on a dish towel, her expression a mix of fondness and exasperation. "You're going to be late. Hurry."
He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Relax, Mom. I can teleport, remember? Or fly. Either way, I'll get there in time." Her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes held a flicker of something deeper-worry, maybe.. "I know, but your father and I won't be here to remind you. We're leaving for the Guardian Festival in Section 1 today. Your aunt needs us."
Robert froze, a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth. "Wait, what? I thought you guys were done with all that royalty stuff." "We are," she said gently, "but this is once a year celebration to honor Present and past guardians, and as part of one of the Royal Families of the Dominion we have to be there."
He set his fork down, his appetite suddenly gone. "Right. Of course." He forced a smile, though the thought of being alone left a hollow feeling in his chest. "Have a good trip, Mom. Don't over do it Dad"
After a quick hug from his father, Robert stepped outside, the crisp morning air sharp against his skin. With a deep breath, he launched himself into the sky, the city sprawling below him like a tapestry. As he flew toward school, his mind buzzed with thoughts of the Guardian's Festival and the life he might have had if his parents hadn't walked away from the throne.
But Robert wasn't one to dwell on the what ifs. He had a knack for finding joy in the ordinary, for turning even the simplest moments into something worth celebrating. And yet, as the wind whipped through his hair and the city blurred beneath him, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet imagine.
He stepped through the gates of Emmett Morton High School, his eyes widening as he took in the sight. The school was a marvel of Dominion engineering a futuristic structure, its glass walls reflecting the sun of Section 3. The building pulsed with energy, its surfaces alive with holographic displays and glowing pathways that guided students to their destinations. Above the entrance, a massive emblem of the Etherion Dominion in the air, a showcase of the school's prestige.
The halls buzzed with life, students showcasing their abilities. A girl with fiery red hair levitated a stack of books beside him, while a boy with blue skin phased through a wall. Interactive screens lined the corridors, displaying schedules and announcements in glowing text, and smart lockers hummed as they opened with a wave of a hand. The air smelled faintly of ozone, a byproduct of the advanced tech that powered the school.
Robert couldn't shake the restless feeling gnawing at him. Something big was coming—he could feel it in his bones — but he couldn't pinpoint what. He adjusted the strap of his backpack and made his way through the crowd, his sneakers squeaking on the polished floor.
"Rob! Over here!"
Robert turned to see Freddie weaving through the crowd of students, his dark blonde hair sticking up in every direction and his light brown eyes gleaming with excitement. Freddie was the guy who always looked like he'd just rolled out of bed, his shirt slightly wrinkled and his pants perpetually loose. He skidded to a stop in front of Robert, grinning like he'd just discovered the secrets of the universe.
"Dude, have you heard about the new VR game?" Freddie exclaimed, barely containing his enthusiasm. "It's called Galactic Conquest, and it's supposed to be insane! Like, full sensory immersion, zero latency you can literally feel the explosions. We have to try it after school."
Robert chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't know, Freddie. I've got training after class, and I still need to finish that history essay on the First Galactic Accord."
Freddie groaned, throwing his hands up in mock despair. "Come on, Rob! You've got, like, the coolest powers in the school, and you're going to waste them on homework?. Live a little!"
Robert's smile faltered. He glanced around the bustling hallway, where students were showing off their abilities with effortless confidence. A boy with telekinetic powers was juggling a trio of glowing orbs, while a girl with wings practiced aerial maneuvers in the open atrium. Robert shoved his hands into his pockets, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Freddie. I just want… a normal life."
Freddie's grin faded, replaced by a look of genuine confusion. "Normal? BORING!!, you're a power replicator. You can do things no one else here can. Why wouldn't you want to use that?"
Robert leaned against a locker, the cool metal pressing into his back. "You know how people feel about replicators," he whispered. "They think we're… unnatural. Too unpredictable."
Power Replicators are a special type of meliorate. They possess the ability to copy any power they see or think, but unfortunately they are not well seen by others in the Etherion Dominion.
"The Guardians would never let someone like me join, not when there are so many others who are stronger, faster, better." He said with a sigh.
Freddie crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "That's a lie, and you know it. You've got more potential than anyone here. And who cares what they think? You should want to be a Guardian because it's what you believe in, not because you're chasing their approval."
Robert looked away, his chest tightening. Freddie made it sound so simple, but it wasn't. The world wasn't that black and white. "I don't know, Freddie," he said finally. "I just… I want to be happy. A normal job, a family, maybe a house with a view of the Silver Mountains. Is that so bad?"
Freddie sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "No, it's not bad. But you're selling yourself short, Rob. You're meant for more than that."
Before Robert could respond, a sharp voice cut through the noise. "Martinez! Kirk! Get to class before I write you up!"
They turned to see Principal Voss striding toward them, her sharp eyes narrowed behind her glasses. Her presence was enough to send students scattering in every direction. Freddie grabbed Robert's arm and pulled him down the hall, muttering under his breath. "Come on, before she makes an example of us."
As they rounded the corner, Robert accidentally bumped into a new kid a tall, wiry boy with bright blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. The boy muttered a quick apology and hurried off, leaving Robert staring after him, a strange feeling settling in his gut.
"Who was that?" Freddie asked, craning his neck to get a better look.
"No idea," Robert said, frowning. "But something about him felt… weird."
Freddie shrugged. "Probably just nervous, you know?"
Robert nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling. Something was wrong.