4:00 A.M.

 

WHAM!!

 

Carter was shoved hard out of his sleep and bed so his face could meet the cold hard floor. Standing over him was a man in a black military uniform, his vest was doused in weapons. On his head was a black helmet with a glass visor covering his eyes. It was hard to tell in the dim lighting but the man seemed extremely pale.

 

Carter was pulled to his feet by the silent guard and shoved out the open cell door. Outside the cell was a long corridor... with MANY other cell doors. Most being opened a few were sealed shut and looked like they hadn't opened in decades. One was torn open.

 

He yawned. The guard stopped and whipped his head around and stared at him. Carter just kept walking. The guard followed, still staring into his soul.

 

He had had a terrible night absent of sleep and filled with nightmares of death and destruction. One in particular had troubled him the most, it looked like it was set some time in the past, the dark ages? ... He watched someone slaughter a family... it felt more like... a memory.

 

The guard stopped in front of a sealed door. Then in a painful, almost inhuman movement the guard turned his whole body to face the door. Carter jumped as the door opened in a swift screeching movement, sparks flying. The guard hadn't touched it.

 

His head turned slowly until it rested on Carter.

 

“COME” the guard wheezed.

 

Carter maneuvered his way around the unmoving guard into the room. The room was huge, and had benches everywhere. It looked very much like a school cafeteria.

 

In the middle of the gargantuan room sat, on a bench, a scrawny man. He was unlike the guard in skin tone, he looked very warm and inviting. He was wearing the typical mad scientist lab coat and a pair of glasses... his hair looked like a bomb had been dropped, it was very messy.

 

A familiar, happy, Scottish voice emerged from his lips as the man made his way towards Carter.

 

“Hello Carter!”

 

“Dr. Bean?” Carter asked.

 

 “Glad to finally meet you Carter... in person that is!” Bean took his hand and shook it vigorously.

 

“Uh-uh” Carter said skeptically. “Why am I here?”

 

Bean looked a little insulted, but regained his composure.

 

“Well officially you're here to be trained as a government weapon.”

 

“Unofficially?”

 

“Well...” bean paused. “I want to help you reach your FULL potential. Here sit down”

 

Bean gestured to a bench for carter. As carter sat Bean took a seat for himself.

 

“Carter... this next question is a little weird so please try and keep an open mind.”

 

Carter looked intrigued. “Okay... then ask.”

 

“Carter... Do you know what you are?”

 

“Human.” Carter said without hesitation.

 

“No... You’re not. Have you ever wondered how you got you're powers?”

 

Carter shrugged. “... not really. I didn't know I had powers until...” he paused recalling his father’s scream.

 

 “... Yeah” he said uncomfortably.

 

“Mm-mm...” muttered Bean in understanding. “Carter... the world we live in is... full of extraordinary things, people.”

 

“I'm one of them?” Carter inquired.

 

“No.” bean replied further confusing Carter. “You’re something unique. Have you ever heard of... energy beings?”

 

“What?”

 

Beans eyes flickered with excitement “Ancient people called them “Ignis men” “Ignis meaning Lightning.” He looked Carter straight in the eyes. “You’re an Ignis Carter.”

 

“So I have lightning powers or whatever?” Carter said casually trying to hide his intrigue.

 

“Hardly. Ignises have a variety of ability's including energy manipulation. Ignises have existed for many, many years. Some are evil some are good.” he looked uncomfortable as he spoke. “Some have killed, some have preserved.”

 

Carter felt concerned. He was a monster who'd slaughtered innocent people.

 

“Does that make me... An evil one?”

 

“Absolutely not!” Bean exclaimed. “I'm here to help you be one of the good guys. Under my training... you'll become a hero and protect the world!”

 

Carter smiled relieved, his powers were going to be a tool for good.

 

“When do we start training?”

 

“Now.” said Bean.