TPM Comics Presents
THE ASTOUNDING PSION
With Guest Apperance by Resonance
Issue #14 - Psychadelic Sound

[San Francisco]

"Good job as always kid." The large cop said as he handcuffed the robber from the car.

"Thanks Cosgrove." I grinned at the heavy-set, elderly cop. Edward Cosgrove was the oldest member of the force and was as clean as they come. Despite his years in service, he never really made it above seargent, preferring to remain a boy in blue. I had met him when I first started as a sidekick and he'd proved a staunch and reliable friend in the police. "Just doing my civic duty."

"Yea, and almost puttin' us outta the job!" Cosgrove chuckled as he marched the handcuffed man up the precinct stairs. "Stay safe kid."

Sketching a vague salute at the departing officer, I turned as a voice called out. "Hey, you - flying goggles guy!"

"Flying goggle..." I muttered under my breath as I turned to face the speaker, a rather scruffy looking fellow in a fedora. "Can I help you sir?"

"Yea, been chasing you half-way across the city." The light from the sinking sun seemed to glint off something around his neck. "Your a Super right? I just wanted to ask a few questions."

"Sorry, I already told the Chronicle I don't do interviews."

"I'm not lookin' for an interview. I'm-"

His voice was drowned out as the sound of sirens and gunfire. A car came streaking by followed by two patrol cars. A man was leaning outside of the car window firing at the chasing cars. "Sorry sir, but duty calls."

I took the air and as I sped towards the car, I heard a loud "HEY!". Something crashed into the fleeing car's back end, causing it to skew sideways. Swooping down, I landed before it and kept it from flying into oncoming traffic and the sidewalk. As the patrolmen in the cars came out to secure I turned to see the scruffy man walking calmly towards me.

"Let me try this again. You can call me Resonance." As he spoke, he took off his glove showing a shiny metallic cover and I felt a slight vibration flow over me. "And I just want to ask you a question or two hero."

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"Sorry, the only other Supers I've met were my mentor and some villains that pop up every now and then."

After helping to secure the criminals, Resonance and I were grabbing some coffee at a nearby cafe. He explained his powers and about his search for his father. I sympathized with him, knowing what it's like to not have parents around. Unfortunately it seemed like I couldn't help him with his problem.

"Damn, well it was a slim chance as any..."

He looked somewhat glumly into his mug of coffee. As I searched for something to say, the nearby TV caught my eye. "...cident at the Canadian border is still sketchy at best. Based on the footage we have obtained, an unidentified creature has attacked a base near the outer limits of Washington state as seen here in this video taken earlier today." On screen a black creature with claws and fangs sprouting from its bodies attacked a couple soldiers, slaughtering them easily.

"Maybe you should check out there." I said, pointing at the screen.

"What? Ask the nice monster if he knows where my old man is?" He gave me a look that screamed 'what the hell have YOU been smoking?".

"No, but judging at how easily it took out those soldiers, it'll probably attract a bunch of supers. For all we know, one of them might know who your father is."

"Huh, guess that's not such a bad idea. What about you hero? You goin' to fight the big, bad alien?"

I sat quietly for a moment. I had never considered the rest of the world when I had first got my powers. Back then, I was still filled with rage and grief, and even after Prophet died I hadn't considered the rest of the world as part of my protectorate. Maybe it was time to step on to the global stage and become a real hero, like the first generation of supers.

"You know, I just might."

"Well, I hope you don't mind long trips, cause it'll take awhile to get to Washington." Resonance laughed. "Unless you wanna fly us there."

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"I can't believe we're flying there."

When Resonance had first suggested it, I too had foudn the idea laughable. But after giving it some thought, I found it was probably not as bad as originally thought. Borrowing a hot-air balloon basket from its owner, I now carried Resonance in the basket as I took to the air. While I was considerably slower than when I flew on my own, we were still moving faster than any car or train especially without the traffic.

"Just hold on!" I said with a grin as I sped up a little.