The rise of the unorthodox

The event had been in full swing for a while now. Cheers echoed from the crowd, and the loud announcements added to the excitement. The beautiful abilities displayed above us were constantly shifting, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. It was really fun.

I had been using my hair as a makeshift high chair all throughout, lifting myself higher whenever I needed to. It gave me a good view of the show and kept my energy reserves up.

Another act had just finished, and the crowd was buzzing. A boy had created illusions of a war scene that turned into a paradise in the air, which brought tears to many eyes. For some reason, though, I couldn't really understand the emotional reaction.

Wyatt walked back to the stage, and the crowd went wild.

"We love you, Wyatt!"

"His eyes are so dreamy!"

"Look at his smile! His dimples are so deep!"

These girls… were ridiculous.

"Alright, everyone!" Wyatt announced. "The planned section is over. Now, you can come up one by one and show us what you've got!"

The crowd erupted into cheers again. It was clear that this section was the highlight of the event, the moment everyone had been waiting for.

I didn't mind this part either. It was the best way to scout out abilities I might have to face during the upcoming contest. Not everyone here was in the army program, after all—some of the kids were just from regular school.

One person from the crowd stepped up to the stage, holding a glass fishbowl in his hands. That was… odd. He dropped it onto the stage, sat down cross-legged in front of it, and placed his hands inside. As he closed his eyes, mist began to swirl around his hands, filling the bowl and spilling out into the surrounding area.

The crowd was awed, and a group of people pulled out their phones, waving them in the air with their torch lights on. The whole scene became a blinding spectacle of light and mist. It was beautiful.

Then someone else in the crowd raised their hand, and a pink mist started pouring from it. The two mists—grey and pink—intertwined, swirling together in graceful patterns. Unlike the grey mist, the pink one had a noticeable effect. People around me began to look lightheaded, as if they'd taken some sort of drug.

I raised myself higher above the mist to avoid its effects. Looking down, I saw that Devin was still standing there, next to the base of my hair. I wrapped a strand around his torso and lifted him up with me.

"Thanks," he said, coughing. "I don't know how much of that I could've taken before getting completely intoxicated."

I chuckled. "Where would you be without me?"

He scoffed, clearly not amused.

I glanced back down. Boys and girls were aimlessly making out all around us. I even spotted Delight sitting on Daniel's lap on the grass, and I wouldn't be surprised if they kissed right then and there.

After a few minutes, the pink mist began to fade, and the crowd returned to normal. The coughing below us subsided.

"You can drop me now," Devin sighed.

I let him down gently and lowered myself, staying just above the crowd.

Wyatt returned to the stage. "Well, that was something! Didn't even need to buy drugs to get high today!" he laughed.

Afterward, more performances took place, but the event was starting to feel a little dull.

"I'm bored. Let's go," Devin whined beside me. He'd been complaining since we arrived. I was getting bored too, but I wasn't about to let him know that.

Just then, an unexpected face appeared: Mathew.

"Hey, Beatrix! Nice to see you tonight. I see you're with Devin." He stretched out his hand, and I lowered myself to shake it.

Devin shot him a glare from the corner of his eye. Mathew noticed and quickly addressed it.

"Look, I'm sorry for beating you up like that. It wasn't my intention. The guy in my head took over. That wasn't me," he said, sounding genuinely apologetic.

It seemed whatever lived inside him took over during their fight. That was a serious hazard.

"Whatever, dude. Just know that next time, I'm going to destroy you," Devin smiled.

Is it just me, or is Devin's character development happening way too quickly? The wise one better give him a crippling event to send him backward.

"Hey, I've got an idea. Let's go up on stage," Mathew said, tugging at Devin's arm.

Devin groaned. "I don't do events. Not interested."

"It's going to be fun, trust me. Just shoot your flashbang into the air. That's it. Trust me," Mathew insisted.

Devin sighed but finally relented. "Fine. Let's just get this over with." The two of them walked toward the backstage center, and I followed slowly behind them, using my hair to carry me. People stared, confused by my strange mode of travel.

They got their passes and headed to the stage as the final act before the closing performance. As they climbed up, I waved at Devin and mouthed, "Good luck!"

He rolled his eyes, clearly not interested in my support, and walked offstage.

"Friends of yours?" a voice asked from behind me. I spun around and saw Wyatt standing next to me.

Now that he was up close, I had to admit, he really was handsome. But I wasn't about to fall for him. My dignity was too important for that.

"Your ability is hair control, right?" he asked.

I sighed. "It's called prehensile hair."

"Cool. How about we close the show together? Your ability would be a perfect match for mine," he said, looking at me with an eager expression.

"Sure," I replied. He smiled and started telling me his plan.

Meanwhile, on stage, Devin and Mathew stood in front of the crowd. Mathew had convinced Devin to activate his ability and send a flashbang toward the sky. Devin's hand began to glow brightly, mesmerizing everyone. He pointed toward the sky, and a glowing orb floated steadily upward.

Mathew pointed his finger toward the sky as well, and a dark orb formed, surrounded by a shadowy aura. The two orbs raced toward each other and collided with a massive impact. The sky was illuminated by a spectacular burst, like a supernova. Colors and lights danced above us as the crowd gasped in awe.

Mathew bowed dramatically, while Devin quickly walked off the stage, clearly done with the whole spectacle.

Now it was time for the final act. Wyatt took the stage, and I followed behind him.

"Alright, everyone! It's time for the final act, and Beatrix here will be assisting me!" Wyatt announced into the microphone.

"Who is she?"

"She's so lucky, wish I could perform with Wyatt!"

"Hope she embarrasses herself."

These fan girls really needed to get a grip.

Wyatt activated his ability. Dark clouds began to form around his hands, his eyes darkened, and his skin turned pale. When he spoke, his voice boomed with the weight of a thousand voices.

"Let the show come to an end," he commanded.

He shot the dark clouds toward me, and I slowly began to float upward in a chariot of stormy clouds. Once I was high enough, I stretched my hair and created a web around the crowd.

I gave a thumbs-up to Devin, who nodded in return. With a flick of his finger, the world around us seemed to distort, enveloping everyone in a surreal, darkly beautiful place.

I stretched my hair forward, creating multiple images of humans. As the crowd spun around, they saw hair-made figures walking by, waving as they passed.

It wasn't particularly difficult, just a simple concept I had developed.

Soon, Wyatt deactivated his ability, and the world returned to normal. The crowd went wild, clapping and cheering, mesmerized by the trippy scene they had just witnessed.

Wyatt closed the event with a bang and walked backstage. He gave me a high-five and told me I was a great partner.

He must have really enjoyed our performance, because he asked for my number. I gave it to him and wished him a good night.

Afterward, I went to find Devin.

"Let's get going," I said, turning around to see him standing right behind me.

"So, what did you think of my moves?" I asked as we walked away.

He smiled. "It gave me an idea for a sub-ability for you. That means extra training from now on."

I groaned. "I hate you so much."

He laughed. "Yeah, sure you do."