Peter Powers and the Swashbuckling Sky Pirates!

CHAPTER ONE

Powers Practice

“I CAN’T DO THIS!” I moaned.

I’d been running around the backyard all afternoon. I was trying to steal a flag from Dad’s hand. Despite many attempts, I hadn’t snatched it yet. My parents were teaching me some brand-new hero skills. That way, I wouldn’t have to rely on my ice powers all the time. But the only thing I’d learned so far was that I’m not so great at Capture the Flag.

Who am I? I’m Peter Powers. I’ve got ice powers and they’re awesome. Slowly but surely, my parents have been training me to use my abilities for good. Mom and Dad are big-time heroes, so they know what they’re doing. Actually, my whole family has powers. We’re super—with a dash of weird.

“You can do this. Take a deep breath,” said Mom. “Remember how I taught you? In through your nose and out through your mouth.”

“Why can’t I try out my famous moves like the Blizzard Blast or the Storm of Icicles?” I pleaded.

“You don’t have any famous moves, Peter,” Dad reminded me.

“Yet,” I countered.

“Charge at me again—and no ice powers,” Dad said.

“But they’re my thing!” I shouted in frustration. “They’re all I’ve got!”

“Take it easy on yourself, son,” he said. “Stay focused and remember: You can do anything you put your mind to. You’re Colonel Cold, the Icy Avenger!”

I love Dad’s sense of humor. He always knows how to light a fire under me, and not just because his power is to create flames. As the superhero known as Fireman, he protects Boulder City from all kinds of danger.

“Lame name, Dad!” my older brother, Gavin, groaned. He burst from the back door in a hurry.

“Yeah! Lame name, Dad!” another Gavin said, following the first one. Soon a fleet of Gavins poured out of the house like mice. My older brother has the power to clone himself. He likes to use his duplicates for mischief.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Mom inquired.

“Football game,” Gavin answered. “It’s the Gavins versus the Gavins.”

“No clones in public, Gavin. You know that. We’ve got secret identities to protect,” Mom said.

“Ugh. Fine!” Gavin said, stomping on the ground to make his clones disappear. He ran off in a huff while I got back to my training.

“Have you chosen a superhero name yet, Peter?” Mom questioned. “It’s always good to be prepared when the time comes. Any ideas?”

“Of course I have ideas. I have all the ideas,” I said. “But nothing feels right so far.”

“A newscaster gave me the name Flygirl when I first started out. It wasn’t my favorite,” Mom explained. “That’s why I’ve given myself a brand-new name. Now I’m officially AERO-WOMAN.”

I liked Mom’s new name a lot more than the old one. She did too. It made her feel powerful.

CRASH!

A commotion came from inside the house. “Sorry!” shouted my sister, Felicia. “I accidentally threw the fridge across the kitchen, but I’m putting it back!” Felicia’s power is super strength. She doesn’t know how to use her abilities very well.

“Clean up your mess, Felicia, and get started on your chores,” Mom scolded. Felicia stomped through the house, shaking the whole thing. “Enough with the stomping. You’ll wake Grandpa and your baby brother from their naps.”

My baby brother, Ben, has the power to turn invisible. It makes him quite the handful. Grandpa Dale lives with us and takes care of us whenever Mom and Dad do their hero thing. He’s a retired superhero and the coolest grandpa ever.

“Chores sound fun. Can I do those instead?” I asked.

“No,” answered Dad. “No more distractions. And no superpowers.”

“But my powers are awesome!” I pleaded.

Dad moved into position. “LET’S GO!”

I closed my eyes, held my breath, and charged toward Dad. As he ducked to avoid me, I tripped over his foot and fell flat on my face. It was really embarrassing.

“I call that move the ol’ Duck and Trip,” Dad joked. He tried to make me laugh, but I wasn’t in the mood. Dad offered me a helping hand. “You okay, buddy?”

“No,” I said. “My powers are what make me special. Without them, I’m just another dumb kid. I don’t understand why I have to keep doing this.”

“Because you are more than an ice maker, Peter,” said Dad. “By the time your training is over, we’ll have unlocked so many new skills, you won’t know what to do. I know it’s difficult, but you’ve got to be patient with yourself. You can do this!”

Dad wanted to bring out the best in me. And he was right. I couldn’t give up so easily.

“Why don’t Gavin and Felicia have to train?” I asked.

“Because they don’t want to be heroes. You do,” Mom answered. “That’s why Dad and I want to help you become the best hero you can be.”

“Less chatting and more charging!” Dad said with a grin. He held up the flag. “Come and get it.”

I dusted myself off, took a deep breath, and charged my dad once more.