Jesseca watched as the army of Thorns disappeared before her eyes, and the courtyard faded into a stark steel room, void of everything except one man. “Who are you? What’s going on?” Jesseca asked, noticing that her attire had changed to a simple shirt and disposable diaper, her sword and other enchanted items gone along with her jumpsuit and her surroundings.
“I am Ernesto Hess, and you have passed your trial.” the man said with a smile.
“Trial? What are you talking about?” Jesseca asked, still disoriented by what was happening.
“At the beginning of their career’s all heroes are subjected to a trial to test their resolve and dedication to being a hero, as well as their ability to function as a cohesive unit with other heroes. You, Diapered Dandy have passed your trial and are now a full fledged hero of Paragon City.” Ernesto explained to Jesseca.
“So everything that I’ve been through was a lie? My friends, Hannah’s death, everything, you willingly put me through all of that for my supposed benefit?!” Jesseca shouted angrily.
“Calm down Ms. French, this is the way we’ve operated for decades.” Ernesto said.
“That doesn’t make it right! These are peoples lives you’re toying with. Forcing me to lose Hannah was one thing, but then making me kill her! How can that possibly be for my benefit!?” Jesseca shouted, tears forming in her eyes.
“Because if a situation like that were to ever come up in real life we have to know that you’ll be able to rise to the challenge. I’m sorry that we deceived you, but you must understand that it was quite necessary.” Ernesto said.
Jesseca wiped her tears away. “So was any of it real?” she asked with pleading eyes.
“Only the powers and abilities that you got while in the trial. The other heroes do exist, but you’ve never actually met them. I’m sorry, if it’s any consolation, you won’t remember any of this soon.” he said.
“What do you mean?” Jesseca asked.
“Sister Psyche if you please.” Ernesto said.
Suddenly Jesseca felt a tingle in her brain, as if someone were running their hands over her mind. Thoughts of Hannah and the others faded from her mind, she fought desperately to retain the memories but they slipped away from her like sand through an hourglass.
“Congratulations Diapered Dandy, you’re now a full fledged hero of Paragon City.” Ernesto said to Jesseca as soon as he saw a vacant look in her eyes.
“Thank you! Mr?” Jesseca said joyfully as she went to Ernesto and shook his hand happily.
“You’re very welcome, my name is Ernesto Hess, I’m in charge of new hero relations. Allow me to give you these to commemorate this event.” he said as he fished two tickets from his pocket.
“What are these?” Jesseca asked excitedly.
“One of these coupons will provide you with a free session at the Icon Tailor, they’ll outfit you with a costume that will help you establish your own identity in the city. The other will allow you to visit the R&D labs at Crey Technologies, using ground breaking technology they can modify your genes to provide you with a “travel power”.” Ernesto said.
“Travel power?” she asked.
“Flight, teleporting, super speed, or leaping are the travel powers that you can choose from. They’ll help you be on a more even keel with heroes that are already endowed with those particular abilities.” he explained.
“Thank you very much Mr. Hess, I won’t let you down.” Jesseca said cheerfully as she left the room.
“She seemed quite unstable when she found out about the trial.” A woman’s voice said from across the room.
Ernesto looked toward the tall red headed woman that entered the room. “That’s why we wipe their memories, to ensure that they don’t go rogue.” he said.
Sister Psyche looked intently at Ernesto Hess and let her telepathic powers creep into his mind.
“Careful Psyche,” Ernesto said as he held up a remote control and let his thumb hover above the button on it. “I wouldn’t want to have to blow that pretty head of yours up.” he said with a smile.
“Yes sir.” Sister Psyche said with a bow as she retracted he telepathic wanderings and left the room.
