LNHX: Kid Kirby #1: LNHX Origins #6

[Martin Phipps]

                                      KID KIRBY #1

  After the battle against Darksnide, I decided to survey the
damage.  That was when I saw her.  She was an innocent, in the wrong
place at the wrong time.  And it cost her her life.  And I felt that
we were responsible.
  So I knew what I had to do.  First, I removed my mask.  I did not
want to startle her.
  She had not been long dead: there was still the spark of life inside
her.  I carefully removed her body from the rubble and reignited that
spark within her using the Power Kirby.
  She awoke with a gasp.
  "What happened?" she asked.
  "A wall fell on you," I told her.
  "How come I'm not dead?"
  "You were."
  "What?"
  "Allow me to introduce myself," I said.  "I am... Kid Kirby of the
Legion of Net.heroes."
  She nodded.  "I'm Carina.  Carina Paschall."
  "Carina Carina Paschall," I said.
  "You can just call me Carina."
  "Very well.  Carina."
  "What did you mean when you said I was dead?"
  "I used the Power Kirby to heal your injuries and bring you back."
  "The power what?"
  "The Power Kirby.  I come from a universe where everything is
powered by the Power Kirby.  The Power Kirby runs through my body as
it now does yours."
  "Excuse me?"
  "The Power Kirby is inside you now, a side effect of my having saved
your life."
  "Okay.  Thanks, by the way.  I'm sorry I didn't say that earlier."
  "That's alright.  You're confused."
  "I sure am!  So what do you mean the Power Kirby runs through me?"
  "The Power Kirby gives life to everything in my universe.  The Power
Kirby now gives life to you.  Without the Power Kirby, you would be
dead."
  "Okay," Carina said.  "I'm starting to think there may be a catch."
  I nodded.  "I don't know what affect the Power Kirby would have on
an ordinary human."
  "You're not human?"
  "I am not a native of this universe, no."
  "So you're... an alien?"
  "Indeed."
  "I thought aliens had big eyes and pale skin."
  "I'm not that kind of alien."
  "Fair enough."  She stood up.  "I'm still a bit giddy.  Maybe I
should go to the hospital."
  "You should come to LNH HQ with me," I told her.  "I should run some
tests on you."
  "Um, no," she said.  "No offense but I don't know you.  I'd rather
go to the hospital and be checked by a doctor."
  "I see."
  "I am free to go, right?"
  "Of course."
  She walked away.  I did not follow her.

  I thought I wouldn't see her again but a week later she was at LNH
HQ looking for me.  It was during that interim week that Professor
Stomper, Catalyst Lass, Kid Enthusiastic, Special Bonding Boy and
Cynical Lass all moved into Legion Headquarters and officially became
members of the LNH.
  The receptionist on duty called me in my room and politely asked me
to come greet my visitor.  On the way down, I removed my mask once
more so she would know it was me and not just somebody wearing the
exact same suit of armor.  I met her in the lobby, which was where the
receptionist had told her to wait for me.
  "Carina.  You wanted to speak with me."
  She nodded.  "Yes.  I wanted to thank you again for saving my life."
  "It is my duty as a Net.Hero," I said, "but I wonder if that is your
only reason for being here."
  "No, of course not," she said.  She sighed.  "The doctors said I am
better."
  "That is good."
  "In fact, I am better than ever.  You didn't just heal my wounds,
you made every muscle in my body stronger than before.  I barely need
to eat or sleep anymore.  It's like I'm running on batteries that
don't need recharging."
  "That is a good analogy," I said.
  "What did you do to me?" she asked.
  "I gave you the Power Kirby."
  "I know.  I remember.  But what does that mean?"
  I nodded.  "I see.  So you would like me to run some tests of my own
to see how you were affected."
  "Alright."

  With Stomper's assistance, I ran tests on Carina and found her to be
perfectly healthy.
  "I agree," Stomper said.  "She's perfectly healthy."
  "Thank you."
  "You know, Kirby, if you can do this, bring people back to life I
mean, perhaps you should do it all the time.  You could work at a
hospital and save lives."
  "So could you," I said.
  "I'm a researcher, not a physician," he said.  "Seriously.  Think
about it."
  "I still don't know what long term affects Carina will have.  I
don't think it would be ethical to bring back hundreds of people
without knowing what the affects would be."
  "True," Stomper said, "but I think most people would give you
permission to bring back their loved ones.  I'm just saying."
  "Your suggestion is noted."
  Stomper nodded.  "Alright.  I'll be in my room if you need me."  He
smiled at Carina.  "It was nice meeting you."
  "Same here."
  Stomper left.
  "Alright," Carina said.  "I want to know.  What do you think is
wrong with me?"
  "I didn't say there was anything wrong with you.'
  "what did you mean then by 'long term affects'?"
  I nodded.  "The Power Kirby should do more than just heal you.  It
should make you better than before."
  "I am better than before.  I'm stronger.  I don't need to sleep as
much. I hardly need to eat."
  "The Power Kirby should give you abilities."
  "What sort of abilities?"
  "That I have not yet determined."
  "Alright.  But what sort of abilities do you think I might have."
  "The Power Kirby would amplify any ability that you already had.
What could you do before the accident?"
  "Nothing really."
  "You never participated in any sports?  Or hobbies?"
  "Just karaoke."
  "Sorry.  What is karaoke?"
  "Singing."
  I remained confused.
 "Karaoke is a Japanese word.  It means singing into a microphone to
recorded music."
  "I see," I said.  "Come with me."

  I went to consult with Catalyst Lass.
  "Are you familiar with karaoke?" I asked.
  "Yes," she said.
  "Do you have a microphone that could be used to sing karaoke?" I
asked.
  "Maybe," she said, "because I have a microphone for my computer.
  "Can you use it for karaoke?"
  "Maybe," she said.  "Come with me."  We entered her room.  "I can
use youtube.  It will just take a second.  I'll look for English
karaoke songs.  There.  How about Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton.
Do you know that song?"
  "Yes," Carina said happily.  "That would be fine."
  "Alright then.  I'll play the song on the computer and you sing
along into the microphone.  Okay?"
  "Okay.  I'm ready."
  Carina sang into the microphone as the song played through the
computer's speakers.  Her voice was beautiful.  Indeed, we had left
the door open as we came in so people in the hallway could hear her
singing.  As she sang, people came into Catalyst Lass' room and soon
there was a small crowd of people in the room listening to her sing.
  When she finished singing she was treated to a round of applause.
  "That was really good," Special Bonding Boy told her.
  "It was great!" Kid Enthusiastic said.
  "Thank you!" Carina said.
  I nodded.  "It is as I suspected.  Your natural abilities have been
enhanced.  Whereas before you could sing you can now sing so well that
you can entrance people.  That could be a very useful power."
  "Power?" she asked.
  "Indeed," I said.  "I am suggesting that you join our Legion as...
Sing Along Lass."
  Carina laughed.  "I don't think so."
  "Are you sure?"
  "Absolutely.  I have a life of my own.  I only came here today
because I thought there might be something wrong with me.  But if the
only side effect of this Power Kirby is that I can sing better then I
guess I don't have anything to worry about.  Anyway, I had better go.
It was nice meeting all of you.  Maybe I'll come back and visit
sometimes."
  "Farewell," I said.
  "Yeah.  Bye."  She waved goodbye and left.
  Cynical Lass took a good long look at me.  "You like
her," she said.
  "No, of course not," I said.  "Well, I mean, of course I like her
but not the way you mean."
  "Sure," Cynical Lass said.  "Sure."

                                       THE END