"Royal Flush"

By Bria Turner-Mason

There isn't much complexity to a villain assailant. However, when it comes to the case of Phoenix, a former government agent with superpowers, "complexity" is just foreplay. Phoenix left the U.S. Government to live a normal life, but it would seem from the phone call she received from her tía Carla that there was nothing normal about her life at all. Phoenix will have to go on a wild goose chase to find her biological parents, who are legendary supers, and will take along the ride an old flame, a few best friends, and a cybertronic teddy bear with the anatomy of a two year old. On her journey she will discover that there are things in her past that not even she will believe can determine her future. As she rids herself of her old identity she will have no choice but to accept the identity that is only new to her. As well as a determined new flame.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329207165

Book preview

"Royal Flush"

Royal flush

Bria Y. Turner-Mason

Copyright © 2015 by Bria Y. Turner-Mason

All rights reserved.  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

ISBN 978-1-329-20716-5

Just Bee Publications

One

Sometimes blindness finds me and leads me through ignorance not allowing us to gain experience so we become lifeless. At other times I corner with self pity or work aimlessly through reality so occasionally I choose to travel alone.  But never fulfill my possibility so mostly I attempt to achieve balance; by seeking right knowledge and loving and reviewing and eventually over standing those many lessons of my life.

Staring through the lens of her camera, Phoenix focused on the pinks, purples, and blues of the almost evening sunset sky.  She smiled as her camera captured the beautiful birds in the trees.  They weren’t any type of exotic or endangered birds but it looked as though there was an entire family of them and they were all wrapped up in one another.  They were happy.

Phoenix managed to find this small moment of enthusiasm aside from the all too non-satisfying phone call that she received from her aunt Carla the previous day.

(Aunt Carla) Nixi, we have something that we need to talk to you about.  Can you get over here today?  (Phoenix) Um…Sure tía Carla.  But what do you need to talk to me about, exactly?  (Aunt Carla) No questions.  Just get here ASAP mi niña. 

As if she couldn’t have been any more rude or crabby.

Phoenix arrived at Carla and Marcus’ house about fifteen minutes later.  Once she walked in, she stood near the door; took off her sunglasses and began fidgeting with her keys.  We’re in here, Nixi!  Uncle Marcus called from the dining room.  Nixi walked into the dining room and saw two large cardboard boxes over by the wall.  Uncle Marcus and Aunt Carla were sitting at the dining room table.  Aunt Carla was holding a large envelope.  Hóla tía y tío.  What’s all this?  Nixi asked.  Can you sit down, please? Although confused and a bit apprehensive, she sat down anyway. 

We need to talk to you about your parents, baby, Marcus began.  She looked away from both of them and responded, What about them?  They’re missing and The League is trying to find them; or at least that’s what they’ve been telling us –.  And you’re telling me this, because?  We received an important message urging us to inform you of, well− Carla. Carla rolled her eyes.  Listen, they’ve requested that you lead in the efforts to find them.  Carla explained.  Wait, they knew they were going to get kidnapped?  Nixi asked.  Well, not exactly.  They managed to get the message out before being knocked unconscious.  We did not receive it until a few days ago.  That’s why we’ve been trying to reach you.  Okay, I guess that makes sense.  Sorry, I’ve been working.  Phoenix, look we know that you swore you would never work for The League, but−.  Look, I don’t care about all that.  Why should I help them?  I’ve only seen or spent time with them once in my life.  They didn’t even raise me…  Give me one good reason.  She asked.  Carla got up and began to walk around the room.  Nixi, you remember that aspect of your relationship with them, or lack thereof, do you remember the promise you made to them?  Nixi shook her head.  No one forced you to make the promise.  You told them that when it was safe for them to come back to you and for some reason they could not that you would come and find them.  Marcus placed his hand on Nixi’s shoulder.  You were only six years old.  Alright, alright!  I’ll do it.  Can we just stop all this mushy gushy stuff?  Nixi said frustratingly.  Fine, have it your way kiddo.  These boxes and the envelope your aunt is holding are yours.  I’ll take them out to your car.  Marcus said before picking up both boxes at the same time to take out to the car.  Nixi said nothing to her aunt she just snatched the envelope and began to walk out the door to her car.  Keep your head, Nixi.  Phoenix turned around slowly.  Sí tía.  Te promento. Nixi said.  Ok, mi hija.  Now get out of here.  Carla said.  Nixi made a small smile and made her way outside.  Alright kid, I’ve sent some extra gadgets and things over to your place.  I also fixed your little friend Rosa.  Marcus said.  You did?!  Where is she?  Nixi asked.  She’s resting in her car seat.  Make sure to stop and get her some chicken nuggets or something.  And be sure to put her to bed so she can charge up.  Marcus said.  Yes sir.  Angel answered.  Alright well, be safe and all that.  I will unc.  Angel said before getting into her car.  With that, she drove off.

When Nixi got home she laid Rosa down in her crib and opened the large envelope while she sat on her bed.  The envelope was full of important documents that Nixi would need in order to determine who took her parents successfully.  There was also a letter addressed to her.  It read:

Sweetest Angél,

We know that maybe we haven’t been the best at being present in your life.  But please know that we had your best interest at heart.  In these two boxes (that your auntie Carla and tío Marcus should have given to you) there are things that we have accumulated over the years specifically for you.  Take these tools and do your best.  Remember your powers are not a curse but rather a blessing.  You are to help rid this world of havoc and chaos.  Good luck baby, and be safe.

† Love, your mama y papa

Nixi knew what going through with this mission would mean.  It meant dealing with The League. A Government Bureau specifically for handling super heroes.  The League was responsible for taking Matthew and Carmen’s life away and forced them to change everything that they had planned for themselves as well as Nixi. 

Nixi got up from her bed and opened both the boxes.  The first box was full of customized suits, boots, and even some gadgets that catered to her powers.  Including some very special gloves that Nixi would need to keep her head.  It was more to protect others rather than her.

The next box was full of scrapbooks and newspaper articles of Nixi and her rise to fame among the U.S.  She worked with the CIA beginning at the age of just eleven years old.  At the bottom of the box, there was her birth certificate.  She was born in the Dominican Republic aka La Republica Dominicana.  On it was her real name as well…Angélica Cattleya Jiménez- Saldana.  Underneath it was her U.S. Citizenship certificate as well.  She tucked them both in her cross body messenger bag and packed the rest of her things (including Rosa’s things), and attempted to get some rest.  She kissed Rosa on the forehead and covered her up.

Rosalinda is a red cybertronic teddy bear that Nixi’s Uncle Marcus built from one of her teddy bears.  When Nixi was just coming into her powers, she couldn’t control her fire.  Rosa was halfway burned up.  Uncle Marcus was able to develop a whole new Rosa with the anatomy of a human being.  Technically Rosa is two and a half years old, but although the years go by she stays the same size.

A Few Hours Later

One thing that always managed to get on Nixi’s nerves was the fact that Rosa knew how to get out of her crib and bug her whenever she wanted to.  Rosa tapped Nixi on the shoulder with a picture she had tucked in her pocket.  In it was Nixi’s best friends Mari and Mateo, her ex Alano was also there.  Nixi sat up and held the picture in her hand.  She rubbed her eyes and picked up Rosa and sat her in her lap.  I know buddy.  I miss them too.  But I had to leave.  At one point, The League ordered Matthew and Carmen to not see Nixi at all but to place her in more protective hiding.

The Next Morning

Although Phoenix was popular in her profession, there were not many that knew that she was the child of two of the greatest supers of all time.  It was almost like being the child of a famous celebrity and not wanting to take their last name.

Phoenix was familiar with Spanish Harlem and pretty much all of New York.  She would have spent some of her childhood in the Dominican Republic if she would have stayed with her parents.  She kept the ride to The League silent.  Rosa stared out the window of the car the entire ride.  Since she could not talk, silence was her specialty.  Nixi wore the all white suit that her mother had specifically made for her.  It was adorned with rhinestones in the shape of the Cattleya orchid.  When her parents would call (occasionally) to check on Nixi, they would call