As I was largely away from the computer last week, here’s what went down on the previous installment of the weekly Heroes Online Novel.  And you should check out parts 1, 2 and 3, if you haven’t already.

Chapter 42
Betty
Part 4 of 4

Teased and tormented by her fellow high school students, Betty found a way to strike back:  with the power of her mind.  Realizing she has the ability to create realistic illusions, she drove a vicious bully to madness.  But after her friend was wrongly struck down in retaliation, Betty decided to exact a terrible revenge…

This installment begins soon before the homecoming pep rally at Betty’s school.  Betty is watching the rumors spread around school, thinking to herself, “They act like nothing really happened.  One jock.  One loser.  No big deal.  Like the scales are balanced or something.  They talk about it…they gossip about it…but no one’s accountable…”

Betty overhears some of the in-crowd gossiping.  One of the jocks that beat up Ren is telling the cheerleaders, “It was just payback, that’s all.  But we sure as hell didn’t break any bones or throw him down that hill.  That was all him.”  He’s interrupted by the intercom telling all students to report to the gym for the pep rally.  One of the cheerleaders pulls him away, saying that they have other priorities.  Betty smiles menacingly, thinking, “I’ve got some new priorities now…some unfinished business.”

At the pep rally, the principal is giving a brief speech on how saddened they all are by the two tragedies that have happened at the school.  “Now, on a more positive note,” he then says, “we’ve got a homecoming game to win.  Let your buffaloes know that you’re behind them!”  As the cheerleaders come out, Betty again thinks about how fake they all are.  Using her ability, she begins to cause everyone to see horrible visions.  One of the cheerleader’s skin begins to melt off.  Some students appear to spontaneously explode.  Another cheerleader looks to be covered by terrible boils.  Then, as suddenly as it began, it’s over, and everything’s back to normal. 

“So, whatever,” Betty thinks later, watching as some of the students are carried away in an ambulance.  “I’m done with this hellhole.  Maybe they won’t soon forget how fragile they are.  How fragile we all are.  And now that I know exactly what I’m capable of, I should put it to some use, right?”  At this, she transforms into a beautiful brunette.  “From now on…they’ll all see what I want them to see.  Sometimes you just need the right name…something that sets a tone…something that goes with my new look.”

“Candice.  That’s a good name.”

The easter egg is a behind the scenes shot of Masi Oka filming in feudal Japan.