The Origin of High Note

Synopsis:  Calliope Song was born into a multiracial family, half Korean, some Greek, a smattering of Egyptian and a hint of African American.   She came into the world as a normal young girl until she got struck by lightning while listening to her Ipod on a camping trip.  It was a sudden storm.  The lightning current charged her IPod and gave her the ability to use her voice as a weapon as well as a lure.   Not only that, but she can move faster than any frequency and can become frequency itself.   On an ordinary day she keeps her secret identity hidden, but she needed a sidekick.   She finds an unlikely friend and support in an underground forum for mutants of her type…

          ‘The first step of controlling one’s power is understanding the extent of that power…’—Professor Xavier, X-Men: Apocalypse 

Chapter 1—Ordinary to Extraordinary

          Calliope Song was like any other ordinary teenager savoring a summer getaway with her parents, Raiden and Dahlia.   It had been a clear day in their campsite, far away from prying eyes and the lures or distractions of technology.   The summer breeze ruffled Calliope’s long, raven, fluffy hair and she took a deep, cleansing breath.  

          ‘The prana is really dense here.’, she thought to herself, enjoying her connection with nature.   It was superb for her to be here, relishing the spoils of creation.   Her parents had set up a campfire and had begun preparing dinner for the night.   It would be hotdogs, burgers, baked beans, green beans and Amish potato salad.   They’d finish up the night with smores, and Callie couldn’t wait.   Yet she knew there was time to commune with God in the time she had waiting for dinner. 

          While roaming the forest listening to the birds singing and the bees buzzing casually about, there was a huge pop-up monsoon.   Suddenly, she was caught in the downpour and ran back to camp as quickly as she could, but lightning ripped through the clouds like a vein, unhindered.   Suddenly, she was struck, and her entire world went black.   

          The next few waking moments were surreal as Calliope regained her footing.   She looked at her hand, and it wasn’t solid.   It was blurry, free-floating in the wind.  All music was at her command, but as soon as she closed her eyes, she became solid.   She crackled with electric power.

          ‘What just happened to me ?’, she wondered, able to move much faster even without moving her feet.  The lightning, she thought, must’ve transformed her someway to have the ability of vibration and frequency.  She was fleeter than light, and had more flexibility than any sound wave.   Although she had no explanation for what had occurred, she knew that she was no longer an ordinary girl from Charleston, South Carolina any longer.   She would just have to figure out exactly who she was.  Luckily her parents were open to the supernatural, so they didn’t find this change odd whatsoever.  

Chapter 2—Still Sort of Fuzzy

          Calliope was still a little dizzy after the lightning strike.   Her mom and dad were shocked (no pun intended) that she had survived.   She displayed her new talent and they were speechless. 

          ‘There’s an underground club for heroes and heroines like yourself known as The Conjunction.’, Raiden began.   Callie raised her furry eyebrow quizzically. 

          ‘How do you know about it if it’s so ‘underground’ ?’, she asked, obviously. 

          ‘I had a friend who experienced something similar to you, but it came about in an even more unnatural way.   He was minding his own business when he realized he had psychokinesis.   He did his best to keep his ability a secret but it came out when his sister was being bullied.  She never stood up for herself and at last, Rupert had had enough and put the bullies in their place.   Luckily no one was hurt, but he knew he needed to discipline his ability or it would get out of control.   He ‘coincidentally’ ran into another mutant like himself who could make herself invisible when it was convenient.    She told him of The Conjunction and told her when to meet her at a specific time.   Thanks to her, Rupert became PK and kept the streets safe from crime using his newly honed discipline.’, Raiden relayed.  

          Callie was nearly dumbstruck, but wanted to know more.

          ‘Did Rupert tell you about where this is ?’, she asked, eagerly.   Raiden grinned expectantly.   

          ‘Rupert told me everything before our lives drifted apart dramatically.  It’s still very covert.’, Raiden began.   He motioned for Calliope to come closer to him and he divulged everything to her.    The both of them hugged her close, knowing that the superhero business could be very perilous, but she was more than suited for the risk and danger that followed. 

Chapter 3—Superheroes Anonymous

          The following night was one that flipped Callie’s world on its ear.   She followed her dad’s directions to the letter and was met by a mysterious figure in a hooded trench coat.   He coaxed her to follow him down the alley and made a rapid gesture.   A trap door opened in the middle of the alleyway, revealing spellbinding lights below.   It was like a rave, she thought.  Things were most certainly becoming intriguing. 

          The cloaked figure led her down a long, winding flight of stairs until they came to an auditorium, styled much like the theaters of the 1920’s and 1930’s.  The establishment had been reestablished, so it maintained its nostalgia and charm.   There were superheroes and superheroines from all around the world here at The Conjunction, and it seemed the cloaked figure was going to the dais to make a speech for everyone gathered there.  

          ‘I am PK.   Welcome to the Conjunction.  You all know why you are here today.  So many of you are fledglings, not knowing how to manipulate and maintain your talents.   I, amongst others, will be your able teacher.  That is if you are paired with me.   We do things by lot here.   Old fashioned, maybe, but it is the best way to match you to your instructor.’, PK began.          

          PK had taken down his hood and he was just as Calliope’s father described him.  He had crisp, orange eyes, sandy hair, a toned frame and stood inches above most of the heroes that had come to the forum by compunction or in her case, curiosity.  

          He had a fishbowl full of names that a superheroine named Wicca had drawn.    When her name was called, she felt a sense of importance but also of awe and slight unease.  How had these people known of her existence ?  Apparently news traveled fast along the superhero circuit.   She waved the fear away, especially when she met her partner.   His name was Saint Harcourt Raw.   He was anything but a saint.   Though he wore the collar of a vicar and sported a long coat and dapper suit, he always had a cigar in his mouth.   He smoked more than a factory on a productive day.   He had broad shoulders and chiseled features, looking much like Mr. Olympia or Charles Atlas.   His spiky platinum hair and beard were well-trimmed; glasses gave him an austere look.   His voice shook the ground when he spoke.

           ‘I see you’re going to be my pupil.’, he began, studying her, circling her much like a shark would its prey.   She wasn’t the type to put much inference in how Harcourt revolved her like a planet in orbit.   She somehow knew that this was part of the training to take place in order for her to uncover her true ability. 

Chapter 4—Harcourt’s Teaching

          Harcourt was trained in kung fu, jeet kun do, tai quon do, krav maga, pencat silat and of course, karate.   He was disciplined and quick in his movements and didn’t go easy on her just because she was female.  He forgave himself for bruising her badly during their sparring matches but she learned she could heal herself instantaneously.   Her new ability had made her immortal; a nice, radical bonus.  

          Harcourt was superhuman.   He had strength, speed and could use telekinesis and read people’s thoughts.   Being so incredibly strong, he also had a bit of a soft side, and only Cassie could see it.  Harcourt was a married man and had a wife and children.  Luckily they supported his ‘extra-curricular activity’ of saving the world on the side beyond his usual vocation of Divinity. 

          At the end of their teaching, Harcourt treated Callie to some much-deserved ice cream.   He patted her on the shoulder, jostling her a bit even though he was being gentle.   She winced lightly, having been bruised from their earlier sparring.    He grimaced. 

          ‘Sorry about that, kid.   I don’t know my own strength.’, he admitted, regrettably.    Harcourt was incredibly intelligent in academia, trivia and ecumenical knowledge but as far as genius, Callie was the brains of the outfit, and Harcourt the brawn.  

          ‘It’s alright, Har.   I heal instantaneously.  These bruises are almost gone, see ?’, she said, pointing at a huge welt that had once been on her calf.   It had melted away magically as if it had never occurred.  

          ‘Wanna know something ?   I bet your inquisitive about the Conjunction.’, Harcourt said, beginning to puff on a cigar after he had finished eating his peanut butter cup ice cream cone.   

          ‘Go ahead, I’m already reeling in suspense.’, Callie retorted, with a wolfish, sparkling grin.   

          ‘PK is much like Stan Lee’s Professor X.   He can zone in on mutant’s bio-kinetic signature.   Unlike your typical human being, each one is unique.  He has called us to the forum for ages.  It’s still very covert and only we know about it.   PK likes to keep it that way.   Thanks to him we have a way to truly figure out who we are.’, Harcourt explained.   He had been found out by PK earlier when he was getting his Masters of Divinity along his mystical travels in foreign lands.  

          ‘How did you come up with your identity ?’, Callie said, sucking up the last morsel of sweetness from her waffle cone.  It was just a drizzle of caramel mocha chino ice cream that lingered in the cone.  

          ‘I healed some people along the way.   I’m still no Saint.    I’ll kick your ass while saying your rosary.’, Harcourt said.    Callie laughed so hard it made her sides hurt.    That was typical Harcourt fashion, kicking butt and taking names, throwing down and remaining undefeated.    Harcourt could even run circles around her when it came right down to it. 

          ‘So it was easy for you to develop your persona.   Hmmm.   I am thinking of ‘High Note’ for mine.   How do you think it sounds ?’, Callie said, winking at her friend as they headed back to Harcourt’s metallic cherry red convertible and began to drive back home. 

          ‘There’s a specialist who can help you find the perfect costume to hide your true alias.   Remember the young lady who made up the ballots for partnerships ?’, he stated.  

          ‘Wicca ?  Ah, yeah, she’s the bomb !  I could tell she had tons of style and fashion sense.’, Harcourt said as he dropped her off at her house. 

          ‘Tomorrow, same time, same place.  We have yet to see what you can do with that superlative ability of yours.’, Harcourt said with a wink and a tender pat on her hand.   There was a wry grin on his face as well as a hint of mischief in his sky blue eyes.  He was actually looking forward to tutoring her once more.   For the first time in his life, Harcourt had a true calling and it wasn’t just healing the sick and bringing the Word to the downhearted and hurting. 

Chapter 4—Trying on the Suit for Size

          After finalizing the dimensions and colors of fabric Calliope wanted for her costume, Wicca stitched them together in a literal instant.

          ‘Go ahead, chica, try it on !’, she said, eagerly, wanting to see what her latest masterpiece would look like on the fledgling superheroine.   She tried it on and it was perfect, suited to all her proportions in all the right places.  Not only that but it was comfortable and practical, aerodynamic and sleek.  

          ‘You look smashing !’, Harcourt complimented.   Harcourt hadn’t had the convenience of knowing Wicca before he came to Conjunction.   When he had been selected by PK, it was still in its formation and there were only a few mutants that had been pulled together to be vigilantes for the town.  Now they were a league of over 1,000, and growing.   To see the latest batch coming in, youthful and exuberant made him feel even younger.   He knew though, sooner or later, High Note would be facing down her first super villain.   They too had a hideaway in a grotto that no one else knew about, that was all but PK, so he had an upper hand just in case they planned a pre-emptive strike.   Their lair was known as ‘Venom’ for obvious reason.  They were also known as the ‘Knot’ or the ‘Cyclone’ and they were taken fatally seriously.   One day they would be dealt with for good, but for now, PK had a handle on their ranks and could keep his third eye focused on their devious deeds.  

Chapter 5—Saving the World Before Curfew

          Although the Songs weren’t gifted with abilities as their daughter had been, they understood the whole adage, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’.   It often kept them both up at night but Calliope came home long before curfew and always managed to keep her grades up and maintain a very active social life.    They were the only ones that knew her secret and her incredible talent.    They were pretty certain if her friends knew about her strange ability, they’d probably shriek in terror or abandon her altogether as a friend for someone more their speed and on their level.  No matter what age and regardless of grade level, kids could be despicably cruel.   

          Calliope wasn’t sleep deprived even though managing to defeat evil on almost any given night (PK gave the call when they were rallied, she could hear him knocking at the doors in her mind, and it wasn’t at all obtrusive, but sometimes it could scare the Seoul out of her if she was resting).   Oddly enough, she even began dating.   At first, her parents weren’t really backing her decision to date a rebel but he was simply a misunderstood boy who happened to have an ability just like she did.   He was a mutant by the name of Flamewhip, for obvious reasons.   His real name was Glenn Orchards, and he would have to admit that the moment he met Calliope the world stood still momentarily.  

Chapter 6—The Beat Goes On

          Mundane life continued all around the mutants and nothing much changed.  Crime still happened and the League, or as they were also known, the ‘Troops’, kept the streets cleansed from any vagrants or deviants.  

          Glenn and Calliope were now officially an item and they had moved on from high school to college.   It kept them separate but they managed to spend time together learning how they could combine their talents.   This wasn’t something old, but they figured out new ways to increase their abilities and learn from each other, as well as teach new recruits.   These ‘misfits’ were still unknown by the general public because the sooner the crooks were tied up neatly like nicely wrapped Christmas presents, the Troops had disappeared.   Typically, the delivery girl was an invisible mutant that went by the name Wisp.   She had the ability to appear and disappear randomly by thought alone.  It came in very handy, but she didn’t exploit it when she wanted to get out of a particularly difficult pop quiz.   Besides, like Calliope, Wisp was super-intelligent and had earned her way into the Dean’s list wall of fame.    She was more than likely going to be the second speaker behind Calliope once graduation rolled around.  

          It would be challenging managing ‘normal’ lives in ‘typical’ jobs while the world continued spinning but somehow the Troops did it without being found out.   PK’s shielding helped massively.  He taught them a simple mind erasing technique so he wouldn’t need to shield them and his brain could take a much needed respite.   Despite that the indomitable leader never seemed to tire.  He was formidable.    It was a wonder he could keep up with family, friends AND the Troops all in one fell swoop.   Someday though, the delight and privilege would fall to TK, his son and protégé.  

Epilogue

          Some of us know that there are individuals amongst us that stand out and don’t quite dance to the beat of what society calls ‘normal’.  These are the trailblazers, the ones that get things done and everything becomes accomplished.   They set everything right again and the wheels and cogs begin to work in a much more efficient way.    Calliope is one of these and Glenn works alongside her now as a married man.  The two are building their family and looking forward to the future even though they savor the present moments they share.    Raiden and Dahlia were euphoric their daughter had done so much and was under the gracious care of Harcourt Raw as well as PK and the other Troopers.   It was an extended ‘safety blanket’ so to speak, not as if she needed it with immortality, but it was never disregarded or thought ill upon.   No matter what occurred in the future, the Troopers would handle it properly and maintain the world’s security.   Even if a problem came from outside the galaxy, they’d face it.  For now, facing troubles at home, even with Troopers all over the world, it was a battle that good would always win and righteousness would win the day.  

The End