Free Life Light by R.J. Ross Page B

move easily in, but warm enough for up here. I don’t actually need one, but doesn’t it look good?” she adds, admiring her outfit. “And here are your boots and gloves,” she says, handing me a silver bag.
    I pull it all out, almost laughing at the swirling silver that decorates the suit. “You went with the Cold Steel style, huh?” I tease her as I pull out shiny silver boots and gloves from the bag.
    “I thought it would make you happy,” she admits with a little smile. “Of course I added your symbol on the back.”
    I turn it, seeing a gold swirling sun design across the back. “I had Ace draw it up for you when he designed mine,” Emily says helpfully.
    “Thank you,” I say as I head into my room to pull it all on. The boots are less bulky than the ones I originally brought, but much warmer. The gloves are the same. “I might wind up blinding people out there,” I complain.
    “That’s the funnest part!” Emily says evilly. “Grandpa said he’s got something planned for after breakfast, so eat quick!” she says as we all sit down at the kitchen table and dig into the heavily loaded plates Grandma Tatia has already laid out. We thank her when we're done and pull on our coats, heading for the outside.
    “How can he train you for a fight against Ace?” I ask as we all head outside and into the snow. There are ice structures floating in the air, I realize with surprise. There are hoops and platforms and various strange objects that I can’t even name. In the center is Superior. He’s just floating there, looking a bit bored, really.
    Taurus steps up next to us, looking at the field with wonder. “That is a very powerful man,” he says.
    “You realize, I can’t fly,” Emily says as she steps forward, stretching her arms over her head.
    “I do--I’ve also heard of your teleporting abilities,” Grandpa Superior says. “We’re going to work on judging distance and landing. Once you can land firmly on flying ice, you’ll be able to land anywhere.”
    “It is good there is plenty of snow below,” Grandma Tatia says from behind us, “for when you fall.” I glance back with a little smile.
    “Yeah, it really is,” Emily agrees with a hint of trepidation.
    “Aubrey, you want to try, too?” Superior asks.
    “I think I’ll just watch, thanks,” I say. As if I could even get up that high.
    “One more thing,” Liz says, walking over to Emily, “here--spikes,” she tells her, touching a button on Emily’s gloves and boots. “Traction is important.”
    “I could consider that cheating, you know,” Superior says.
    “You could, but you won’t,” Liz tells him, grinning slightly. “I’m training my daughters to win--not play fair.”
    “Fine, but with that advantage I’m going to up the game,” Superior says. “Emily, bring out the doppelganger you’re having the most trouble with.”
    “What? No wa--“ she catches herself a little too late, “but Grandpa--“ she says, changing tactics, “I can’t work with her! She’s so hard headed and she’s always doing whatever SHE wants to do, not what I want her to--“
    The fact that Superior floats down, standing in front of her silently makes her stop. Emily looks up at him with a pout. “Do I really have to?” she asks.
    “Yes, you really have to,” he says. “Bring her out.”
    Emily lets out a heavy sigh and Repeat appears behind her. The snow suit she’s wearing is in black with neon versions of the red, white and blue. You have to admire that ability, I admit. All the various outfits she gets away with without even having to shop are amazing.
    “What?” Repeat demands.
    “We’re training,” Emily says, motioning to the floating obstacle course. “Don’t you dare start complaining, either--“
    “Really? Really, really?” Repeat says, getting excited. “We’re being taught by THE Superior? Where’s Ditto? She’s going to do it, too, right?”
    “Tomorrow,” Grandpa says, reaching up and patting her on