Chapter Text
It was just another day with the Evolutionists, the same place that Grian had been his entire life. He’d grown up there, learning how to be a good member of their group and learning about the injustices that the Hermits had brought to their world.
The Hermits were so-called heroes, all with powers and all ‘saving’ people, but the Evolutionists all knew the truth. They knew the Hermits only cared about people with powers, and only saved people without them when the public were watching. They were hypocrites, idolised by the public because they presented themself as heroes. None of it was true, but only the Evolutionists seemed to realise that.
Their leading force, The Eye, had gifted everyone with powers when they came of age, and was the instructor for everything they were doing. Nobody had ever seen the eye, and most people only ever spoke to it when it was time for them to get their power, or to get a mission. Grian, however, had been brought up by The Eye, and had been at the compound for as long as he’d ever known. He was one of the few Evolutionists to have been born there, since most of them were adopted into the cause from being children or teenagers. The Eye was the closest thing Grian had to a parent, one of the reasons he believed in everything he was taught, and was willing to do anything for his family.
They had been hiding for a long time, but they were finally coming to the surface. And it was down to Grian to help make that happen.
He’d been chosen by the Eye to receive more powers than anyone else for some unknown reason, most likely because he was fiercely loyal to their cause since it was what he’d been brought up on. The Watcher was his name when he was in his true form, and he was the new face of the Revolution. They’d spread posters into the city with him, his Listeners, and the Evolutionists’ slogan ‘The world has evolved- and so must we’ on them. Grian dreaded the public’s reaction to their campaigning, but it had to be done. He would finally help the public realise the truth about their heroes, if it was the last thing he did, and so he was about to set off on his first true mission as The Watcher aside from their campaigns. Along with Martyn and Jimmy, his partners who were known as ‘The Listeners’, he was to set off out of the safety of the Evo compound and into the main city. Into the Hermits’ lands.
Martyn and Jimmy were adopted together when they were 9 and 7 respectively, and they and Grian became close friends quickly. They always had each other’s backs no matter what, like most people in the Evolutionists. The media was labelling them as Villains, but if only they truly knew what it was like with them, then the media wouldn’t be so harsh and judgemental. Their thoughts wouldn’t be so clouded by the smoke from the Hermits’ heroism. The Evolutionists were all a tight-knit family, due to the nature that none had ever had a family of their own.
Grian was to meet up with Pearl, another Evolutionist who had managed to be planted within the Hermits and whose task was to discover their real identities. She hadn’t had much luck so far, but was making progress with every day. Pearl to Grian was like a sister, and she’d been a part of his life for as long as he could remember, protecting him from harm’s way and showing him the ropes of Evo growing up. As an Evolutionist, she was known as Luna: someone you would never want to run into under the cover of the moon. She could see completely in darkness, and could put someone to sleep with a simple touch. But to the Hermits, she was Moonguard, and they only knew of her first ability. And to the public, she was simply Pearl: the owner of a grocery store on Empires St. Grian was to pose as her cousin, and she was going to set him up with a friend of hers that was looking for a roommate. The Eye had told Grian that it was important for him to maintain an identity as a normal person, outside of his Watcher self, so that he could convince people of their cause from the inside, as well as through his antics on a night.
This, however, was not their main mission. Grian, Martyn, and Jimmy had been tasked with releasing someone important to the Evolutionists that the Hermits had captured. The Eye said it would tell them more information when necessary, and for the time being, their only task was to set up identities in the world.
The Watcher was dangerous, a winged-being with telekinesis and human mind control. Grian, however, was not. That was what he had to make sure of.
He was finally packing his bags and leaving Evo for the first time. He’d been out before and knew how the world worked of course, but he’d never lived away from his family. At least he’d have Jimmy, Martyn, and Pearl to help him.
“I’m ready.” He said to himself, believing the words for the first time. He had a mission to complete, and he’d make sure he did whatever was necessary, no matter the cost.
“Good, because I’ve been waiting for you G,” Pearl said from the door to Grian’s room, “How are you feeling? Excited to finally get out there into the world?”
“Excited, but terrified. I mean, what if Timmy blows our cover on day one?” They both laughed, though knowing that Jimmy was far more capable than he seemed. “Genuinely though, I feel good. It’s nice to know I’m finally going to do something to help us after staying here for so long preparing and training my powers. The Eye gave me a gift, and I finally have the chance to use it.”
“I’m really proud of you, you know. It feels like two minutes since we first met, and now you have your first big mission, not to mention you’re becoming the face of the Evolutionists. I couldn’t think of anyone better to be in your position- I love you G.”
“I love you too Pearl,” They hugged one another, feeling the warmth of each other in their arms. Just like with Martyn and Jimmy, Grian knew he could count on Pearl no matter what, and she was one of the best friends he could ever ask for.
“Now, let’s get you introduced to Scar. He’s been looking for a roommate since his friend moved out, and he knows a lot of us in the city. I’ll introduce you both, and suggest that you’re new in town and are looking for a place to stay. He’s super nice, and very talkative so I’m sure you’ll get on just fine. He’s also got a lot of connections in the area, and knows most people in the city, so he’s a good way for you to establish yourself and your identity.”
“What have Martyn and Timmy ended up doing?”
“Ah they rented out a building on Empires St and set up a Fish and Chip shop. For some reason Jimmy decided to name it the Codfather, and Martyn went along with it. They seem to have settled in well so far with the rest of the people on the street, and they seem to be getting plenty of business coming their way.”
“They seem to be settling in just fine then- I hope I can do the same.”
“I’m sure you will G, now let’s head to town so I can show you where I work, then introduce you to Scar when he comes by later.”
Grian took a deep breath and finally left the room he’d lived in his whole life. He was leaving the Evolutionists’ compound now, on his first mission. The Hermits had no clue what was coming for them, and the world would finally see the truth.