Chapter 3: The First Suit

Colton had always known that he was different. But when his father had mentioned taking him to get a costume, it was the first time he truly understood just how much his life was about to change.

They stood in front of a nondescript building in a quiet part of the city, the stark glass and steel façade giving little away about the business inside. Colton shifted nervously, his hands rubbing against the fabric of his plain t-shirt, his fingers itching for something more. Something that felt like his new self. His hero self.

"Dad, are you sure about this?" Colton asked, his voice quiet but filled with uncertainty. The past week had been a whirlwind of new experiences, from learning to fly to mastering his abilities. But this-this felt different. This felt like a permanent transformation.

"Trust me," Jefferson said, looking down at him with a reassuring smile. "This is the first step. And besides, every hero needs a costume."

Colton frowned, trying to imagine himself in some spandex getup, or a brightly colored suit like the ones he saw in comics. But then again, he was no comic book character. He was his father's son-someone who had done the impossible, someone who had built a legacy. The suit needed to reflect that. His legacy.

They walked through the door, and the sound of soft machinery hummed in the background. Inside was a sleek, almost futuristic workshop-walls lined with monitors, workbenches cluttered with tools, and pieces of armor strewn across tables. The whole place smelled like fresh metal and new possibilities.

Behind one of the workstations stood an older woman with short, platinum blonde hair and a pair of smart glasses perched on her nose. She looked up when they entered, her sharp eyes scanning Colton's figure.

"Ah, Jefferson," the woman said, her voice warm but professional. "And this must be the young man."

Colton smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit out of place. "Uh, yeah. That's me."

The woman walked over, extending a hand. "My name's Mira. I've been working with Jefferson for years. I'm the one who'll be helping you design your suit."

Colton shook her hand, a bit relieved that she seemed normal enough. He had been expecting someone more... intimidating.

She gestured to a chair in the middle of the room. "Alright, let's get started. I've heard a lot about you, Colton. Your abilities are incredible, and your potential is limitless. We'll need to make sure your suit can handle all that power."

Jefferson stepped back and leaned against the wall, giving Mira space to work. "He's not just about raw strength, though. We're talking speed, agility, flight-his suit has to keep up with his every move."

Mira nodded, pulling up a holographic interface. She began gesturing as the digital blueprints flickered in the air, forming around her hands. Colton watched in awe as the design started taking shape.

"You know, your father's suit was a masterpiece," Mira said, her eyes narrowing in focus. "But we need something more advanced for you. We're going to update it for a new era."

Colton's curiosity piqued. He had seen the old photos-his father's suit was classic: bold, bright, with that iconic chest emblem and cape. But Mira's words hinted at something far sleeker, more sophisticated.

With a flick of her fingers, the design morphed in the air, showcasing several iterations of the suit. The chest emblem was the first thing that caught Colton's eye. The old emblem was traditional-bold and powerful. This new one, however, was sleek, a minimalist embossed insignia that shimmered with metallic tones.

"That emblem is inspired by your family's legacy," Mira explained. "But we're modernizing it. Giving it a more subtle, high-tech feel. We can't have something too flashy, after all. The world's changed."

Colton couldn't help but admire the design. It was stunning. Sleek, cosmic even, like something that belonged to the stars.

Mira's hands moved faster, and the holograms showed the rest of the suit: a high-tech bodysuit made of segmented plating and reinforced fabric that adapted to his movements. It was functional, but also futuristic. Metallic silver and deep blue hues blended seamlessly, each section glowing softly as if it were alive with energy. The fabric seemed to hum with a power Colton could feel deep within his chest.

"The nanotech plating here," Mira said, pointing to the shoulders and gauntlets, "will provide extra protection without slowing you down. The energy-infused seams glow faintly when you use your powers, and the materials adjust themselves based on the intensity of your abilities."

Colton marveled at the design. This wasn't just a suit-it was an extension of his powers.

"And the cape?" he asked, his voice full of curiosity.

Mira smirked. "No cape."

Colton raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"The old style? It was iconic, but it's impractical. This?" She flicked her wrist, and the hologram changed. The cape vanished, replaced by something far more dynamic: a high-tech, energy-infused shield that could wrap around his head or provide protection during battle. The energy shield would pulse with his powers, a protective and aesthetic element all in one.

"You'll still have that 'dramatic' effect you like, but with a bit more functionality," Mira said, winking at him.

Colton smiled, nodding in approval. This was far cooler than anything he could have imagined. The suit was as much about his legacy as it was about his future. It reflected his strength, but also his need to be adaptable-to evolve.

"Ready to try it on?" Mira asked, her tone light but serious.

Colton hesitated, glancing over at his father, who gave him a small nod.

"You're ready, son," Jefferson said softly. "Go ahead."

Colton stepped forward and climbed into the suit, the fabric feeling almost alive as it molded to his skin. The segmented plating shifted and adjusted, making sure every inch of the suit was a perfect fit. When it was done, Colton stood there for a moment, taking in the feel of the suit-how it hugged his muscles, how it allowed him to move freely, and how it gave him that sense of power without sacrificing comfort.

"Alright," Mira said, walking around him with a critical eye. "How does it feel?"

"It's... perfect," Colton said, his voice full of awe. He flexed his fingers, feeling the energy-infused gauntlets respond to his slightest movement. The metallic silver and deep blue hues of the suit reflected the soft glow of the workshop lights, making it look almost otherworldly.

His father walked around him, nodding in approval. "This suits you. This is your suit now."

Colton turned back to the mirror. The man staring back at him was different-more confident, more powerful.

"Thank you, Mira," Colton said, his voice steady.

Mira smiled, a glint of pride in her eyes. "You've earned it."

As Colton stepped out of the fitting area, he felt like a different person. The suit was more than just a symbol of power-it was a reminder of the responsibility he carried. He wasn't just Colton anymore. He was something more.

And as he walked out into the city streets, he felt ready to take on whatever came next-his father's legacy, his own powers, and the future that was waiting for him.