you get approached? What is your hero name?” Her eyes grow wide at the sudden interrogation, but I keep going, breathless. “Most importantly, how did I not know about this?!” The introduction of a new hero is a big deal—press conferences, parades, social media campaigns—so when there’s a new Warrior, the world is made aware. But even before that, WarNats usually sniff out recruits way ahead of time, thanks to our obsessive ways. There can only be four heroes per chapter, so if Joy is in, who is out? How did this happen, and how did I find myself standing next to the newest addition to my favorite lineup? I have to text Demi…and my mom! I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!
But Joy is growing impatient with my rapid-fire questioning. “Um, we’ve got about five seconds until this door times out and snaps closed. Are you gonna stay here nerding out, or can you contain yourself so we can just go to HQ already?” She sits on the edge of the slide, gesturing to me like some wicked temptress tricking me into a perilous adventure. “C’mon, killer—time to woman up.”
She disappears down the slide, and I take a seat on the blue plastic flume. What—or who—will I find when I get down there? Earthquake, Aqua Maiden, Vaporizer…BLUE STREAK? Oh my god…oh my god! Heart pounding, barely breathing, I push off, ready for anything and everything.
Top 5 Warrior Nation Looks
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We love heroes who look fly while they swoop in to save the day. Warrior Nation is known for serving justice, but who serves the best looks? From stunning spandex to eye-catching masks, here are our favorite hero styles across chapters.
#5—Blue Streak—Chicago Some may call him old, but we prefer “retro.” Harking back to heroes from days gone by, Blue Streak’s classic red-white-and-blue color palette summons an Americana vibe that has us at full salute. And have you seen those spandex briefs? The man is cheating Father Time.
#4—Boom Shakka Lakka—Boston This explosive hero from Beantown likes to shake things up wherever he goes, and his silver slim-fitting shorts and tank give us all front-row tickets to the gun show.
#3—Webby—NYC Like a black widow spider, this mysterious seductress lures bad guys and lookie-loos alike with her head-to-toe leather detailed with laser-cut web shapes.
#2—Kitty Vicious—Los Angeles Let’s just say that no other hero is bringing animal print to the game like Kitty. Meow!
#1—Vaporizer—Chicago You knew this charming Casper would take the top spot, just like he’s stolen our hearts. With that pearly white mask showing off his rascally smile, Vaporizer’s formfitting alabaster suit accentuates his toned body in all the right places: How could anyone not drool? It’s a shame when he goes invisible, because we just love to look at him.
I AM GOING TO KILL VAPORIZER.
If he doesn’t waft through that door in five minutes, that’s it; I’m done. He knew tonight was important to me, and yet still he places strangers’ needs above his own girlfriend’s. Just once, I’d like him to say, “Hey, fellow Warriors, mind if I take the night off? My girl has a big event and I need to be there for her.” They would cover for him; I know they would. It’s Matt who never relents.
Breathe, I tell myself as I take a lap around the gallery, giving my eyes a break from the door. This is about you, not your boyfriend. The night is coming to an end, and I’ve been so busy running around, I haven’t had a chance to take it all in. White walls come alive with a kaleidoscope of colors and mediums, with everything from overexposed black-and-white Polaroids to dreamy sunset watercolors. Even though I’ve already spent hours analyzing each and every entry here, admiring all the talent and beauty around me now resets my heart, calming me down in a way that only the creative world can.
I stop at my own piece, an abstract paper sculpture meant to symbolize desperation. I worked so hard on this installation, there may actually be flecks of blood dotting the handmade parchment. Creating this piece, I felt so in the zone, cutting hundreds of tiny, precise slashes with my X-Acto knife. From far away, the details are hard to decipher, but when you hold the poster-board-size piece up to a bulb, light peers through the slits, frantically trying to break free. It’s one of my largest works yet and definitely the most intricate. My fingers ache to graze the paper, to feel the fibers against my skin,