Lifer Begins, Again (Part I)

- This story is one of many of my short stories on Reedsy that is part of a bigger plotline. A complete canon list of the stories in this series (numbered in the best order to read them) is available under my bio :-)

   "This place really is beautiful." Janet marveled as she and her companion Chris emerged from the forest they had traversed for an hour. Their reward was a view of a sunrise over a lake that neighbored the house of Landon, the pre-teen boy they were checking in on. Initially known as the villain Lifer, he had caused torment by bringing inanimate objects to life. After being defeated by the teamwork of Chris, Janet, Mirk, and Tam, Landon had been reformed after taking a trip to the Reflection Dimension, and he now lived with four companions that he had brought to life during his tenure as a former villain. Landon lived peacefully with Mirk and Tam's former helmets and armor that were now living beings in their own right, who could easily pass as armored members of Hugh's hero network. Landon's housemates also included sentient shoes Fred and Shania, whom still worked for Hugh on occasion. Recent reports claimed that Lifer had resurfaced, but Janet and Chris didn't think Landon was the culprit. Landon had returned from the Reflection Dimension, and he claimed that his former powers were gone. Still, Janet and Chris wanted to check in on him not only to see if he could point them in the right direction of who the real enemy was, but to also confirm Landon's safety as well. The possibility of Landon being a threat was very low, so Chris and Janet were dressed in casual civilian outfits. Still, they could summon their helmets if combat became a necessity at any point.

   Landon was sitting in a swing on the porch outside, while the helmet and armor humanoid forms that also went by the names Mirk and Tam sat in lounge chairs on either side of the boy that they had vowed to protect.

   "Janet.... Chris.... welcome!" Landon squealed, running over and hugging both of his guests. "It is so good to see you!"

   "It is nice to see you again too Landon." Chris said kindly, even though he was ready to get to the point of their visit. "I don't mean to be a downer, but we didn't come for a social call. I'm not sure if you're aware, but a specific someone has resurfaced."

   "I had a feeling that was what brought you both here, and I am aware of the return of Lifer." Landon replied as he started trembling. "I promise you guys, it isn't me anymore. I really did lose the life creating abilities after returning from that world you sent me to."

   "We believe you Landon, and we didn't come here to accuse you." Janet smiled reassuringly. "We came to you to confirm that you and your family are safe, and to also see if you might have an idea who this new Lifer is. I see the Mirk and Tam helmets are here with you, are Fred and Shania also around?"

   "They are out currently on a mission for Hugh, checking on some sightings of recent objects that had been brought to life. They were hoping that they could find the new guy and figure out who he could be."

   "Fair enough, being creations from Lifer powers themselves would hopefully be helpful in finding out something." Chris mused. "Still, do you have any guesses on who it could be bud? I know you live a pretty private life now, but surely you might be able to think of someone you had encountered before."

   "I do have one guess, maybe the one from the beginning." Landon pondered. "He disappeared after he gave me the abilities, but my guess is the doc-"

   Two laser blasts emerged from behind the group, each striking Mirk and Tam. The helmets shattered upon impact, and the armored bodies that were formerly attached vanished.

   "Mirk! Tam!" Landon screamed, dropping to the porch floor sobbing. Janet rushed to the boy to attempt to console him, while Chris turned to see a figure wearing a bright gold helmet and emerald green armor approaching. He held two smoking laser guns in his hands, now pointing both at Landon and Janet.

   "Tam, is that you?" Chris asked incredulously. "Where have you been? And more importantly, how could you?"

   "Those two were an abomination to my late brother and me, and those helmets were never his to bring to life to begin with!" Tam snarled. "Besides, Lifer is back, and it has to be this kid! That brat probably rigged his time in the Reflection Dimension and came back with his powers. If he wants to bring more fake lives to life, he can now do so thanks to that Reflection Dimension joke you all swear by. But unlike you hacks, I won't let him. I will do what you and the rest of Hugh's failure of an organization should have done the first time. I am going to take this kid out, and put Lifer's machinations to rest for good."

   "Not if we can help it." Janet said with a quiet determination, standing up in front of Landon while a dark helmet appeared in her hand. She quickly donned it, summoning armor to her body. Chris summoned his own helmet and armored himself as he joined Janet in guarding Landon.  

   "Ha ha ha ha, fine by me!" Tam laughed maniacally. "I was going to kill all of you anyway, and save the rest of the world the trouble of your failures."

   "Tam, you need to stop!" Chris yelled, then catching himself so he could respond more softly. "We all miss Mirk, truly we do. But it isn't our fault that he died. You are going after the wrong people!"

   "Oh don't worry, I may be working for Leftover right now, but when my work is done, both his organization and Hugh's network will be no more. Then with both parties that caused my brother's death decimated, my brother will truly be able to rest in peace!"

   "Ok, back up a second Tam, you're in league with the one that killed your brother by his own hand?" Janet asked in shock to their former ally. "How did that even happen?"

   "He was my first stop, and I tried to take him out." Tam explained in a calm, yet cold tone. "He spared me and offered me the opportunity to build up my skills if I helped him destroy Hugh and the rest of you. My ultimate aim is the fall of Hugh, Leftover, and anyone involved with both. Using Leftover to up my skills and destroy Hugh will give me the power to then go back and murder him next."

   "Tam, this is insane!" Chris pleaded. "How can you believe a word of what you're saying?"

   "Please Tam, come back with us." Janet added. "Let us help you carry the burden of your grief, and we'll stop Leftover the right way, together."

   "I'm sorry old friends, but the Tam you once knew died the same day Mirk did, even if he left me behind to set things right, and cleanse this world of those that took away the life he loved living. Now step aside and let me take out Lifer before he causes any more trouble!"

   "Ha ha ha ha, I'm sorry, but this drama is too much!" An unfamiliar voice bellowed. "Guess it is time to reveal the truth before the murder of an innocent child is added to your list of growing crimes Tam!"

   The group turned around and found a man in his mid 30s standing before them. He wore a white lab coat over a blue button down shirt and khakis.

   "Dr. Sly!" Landon cried out, as he stood up and dried his tears. "Are you the one that created a new Lifer?"

   "Created a new Lifer?" Tam asked Landon curiously. "Please explain what you mean by that, boy."

   "He is Dr. Lionel Sly, the doctor that visited me at the orphanage. He gave me the Lifer powers, then I never saw him again. He's got to be the reason Lifer is back, not me!"

   "Guess Hugh's Reflection Dimension didn't mess up after all.... yet." Tam chuckled, turning to Dr. Sly and pointing a laser gun at him. "Alright doc, start talking! How do you give out Lifer powers, and who is the latest recipient that I now have to hunt down?"

   "Very well, I will tell you who holds the Lifer powers now." Dr. Sly said with a devilish grin. "I do."

To be continued....