Michael felt an odd sense of floating as he became aware that he was surrounded by darkness. He suddenly felt something behind trying to nudge him in what was most likely forward so he began to move. It was then he became aware of a cold substance that was under his hands and knees that managed to penetrate the snug fitting fabric covering him. He kept moving until he was able to see a weak light that just seemed to be around the bend and he started to head towards it. Once past the corner he saw the light coming through small slits at what he presumed was the end of this tunnel. He managed to slowly creep up to the bars and waited for his eyes to grow accustomed to the light before he looked through. What the hell, Hunter was sitting below with Stockwell and Rita on either side of him as they continued to berate him with questions. Michael could just make out the words as they continued to hassle Hunter to try and locate someone's location. Michael couldn't help but wonder if they were looking for him when he was distracted by a loud crack and then a thud. He looked down to see that one of the two had struck Hunter and he was now lying unconscious on the floor. Rita and Stockwell seemed annoyed with what little results they had managed to get and decided to grab a cup of coffee before resuming.
"Would you hurry up already? I don't want to be here all night, I can think of much better people to do."
Michael instinctively knew it was Brian behind him and although he wanted to tell him he screwed up the saying he was more concerned for Hunter. He put his fingers against the bars and pushed hard until the grate finally came loose and he was able to jump down. He dropped on his knees besides Hunter and began to check out his injuries.
"There will be time for that later, now let's get the hell out of here before they come back."
Michael pulled Hunter with a strength he was unaware he had and was able to hold him up against the opening. That was when Brian's head and arms popped out of the black hole to help guide Hunter into the tight squeeze. For a moment Michael's grip faltered and he almost dropped him. Brian was wearing a black mask that barely hid his eyes and his body was covered in a tight silver body suit with matching boots and gloves.
"What the hell are you doing down there? Push him up and let's move."
Michael managed to do as he was told but had difficulties once he was in the ducts since Brian had just left Hunter in the opening and Michael had to drag him along. He couldn't remember how long this corridor was but if felt like this trip was taking forever. Finally a dim light was visible at what Michael presumed was the end of the tunnel that kept him pushing forward dragging Hunter with him. At the exit Michael looked down into a garbage bin that Brian had just climbed out of in his Rage costume. Michael had stopped to stare and was only brought out of his trance when Rage yelled at him to lower the boy down to him. Michael did as he was told and when Rage and Hunter made their way out of the dumpster Michael let himself drop down and then ran after Rage and Hunter.
Soon the group found themselves in Brian's loft that seemed to be even higher up than Michael could remember. They entered the large space and Rage placed Hunter on one of his White leather couches then headed for the fridge for a glass of water. Michael moved to the bathroom to get a first aid kit only to be shocked by his own reflection. It felt strange to be dressed in a tight red leather suit along with a matching mask, he was used to his baggy pants and t-shirts. It seemed strange and yet Michael just tried to keep focused that at this very moment Hunter was still unconscious on Brian's couch.
Michael sat on the cold wood floor in the living room and tended to Hunter's wounds only stopping for a moment when he heard someone come in. He could feel all of his muscles tense up as he waited to see who it was only to have Justin step out of the shadow; no it was JT. Justin had seemed to loose his optimism after his attack whereas JT was more like the old Justin always smiling and looking at the bright side. Michael couldn't suppress the smile on his lips as he remembered how the two of them seemed to have a love/hate relationship almost as if they truly were siblings.
"What did you to bring home this time?"
"JT, meet Hunter."
"Have you lost your mind? Hunter is just a myth. I think we would know if there were other super heroes in Gayopolis. He is just a kid Mick."
Damn, Michael had forgotten they had changed everyone's names for the comic book. Brian's name was Bram; Justin was JT; he was Mick but for the life of him he couldn't think of what he would have called Hunter. He was still staring at JT when he realized Hunter was stirring and he still hadn't gotten out of his costume. Before he knew it he was once again in the bathroom stripping clothes off until he could dress himself in some plain old jeans and a black t-shirt. He breezed back into the room only to find Hunter sitting up.
"Hi my name is Mick and this is JT. Do you know where you are?"
"No."
"This is my friends Bram's loft. You looked like you needed some help. Is there someone we should notify about your whereabouts?"
"No I can get home on my own, I don't need any help."
Michael couldn't help but shake his head; even as a fictional character he was still stubborn. He watched as Hunter tried to stand up only to watch him falter and fall back into the cushions.
"Maybe I just need to rest for awhile before I go."
"Okay. Would you like something to drink or eat?"
"Nah."
"It wouldn't be any trouble."
Just as Michael thought he might be making some headway with the young teen Bram came out of the bedroom dressed in his finest for a night out on the town. He stepped down from the platform only to lock lips with JT.
"Hey Mick, I think JT and I have some business to attend to. Would you mind looking after the place while I am gone?"
"Sure. Have fun."
Michael turned back his attention to Hunter and decided to try and put some sandwiches together that they could eat; he was famished. He managed to find all the essentials he needed and before long placed the plate with two sandwiches for each of them in front of Hunter along with some bottled water. He couldn't help but smile as he watched Hunter grab one of the sandwiches and inhale it. He had a feeling that he would be hungry but then again Hunter was always hungry.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"What is there to talk about?"
"It is not everyday that you have to deal with the chief of police and your mother."
"Who are you? How did you know that Rina was my mother? What the hell do you want?"
"I already told you my name is Mick and I would like to help you if you let me."
"Oh sure, because everyone out there is out to help me. You're no different than any of the others."
"I know you have had a hard life but isn't it worth taking a chance if someone is willing to help?"
"I don't even know you and I don't care how you think you know me. I just want out of here."
"You are not leaving unless you have a place to stay for the night."
"Of course I have a place to stay. I can walk there by myself."
"No that isn't good enough. How do I know for sure you are telling me the truth? For all I know I could let you leave and you'll find somewhere to sleep on the streets. I would rather you stay here."
"Well if you want to have an honest relationship how about you tell me how you knew Rina was my mother?"
Damn, Michael had insider info that apparently Mick would never have. What was he supposed to do? Tell him that because where Michael was from he knew a woman named Rita that looked just like Rina and was Hunter's mom who looked just like him? He wished Hunter were able to talk about having an honest relationship with a little less sarcasm.
"Listen Hunter..."
"What did you just call me?"
"Hunter."
"My name is Jeremy. If you don't let me out of here right now I am going to scream."
"Yeah why don't you attract the attention of the police? Maybe after that you can continue that nice mother-to-son chat."
Okay that only seemed to make matters worse. Now Hunter had backed as far away from him on the couch as he could. Michael started rubbing his forehead as he felt a headache coming on.
"Look I have just always know you as Hunter and I can't really explain to you why."
"And that is supposed to make me trust you?"
He had a good point. Why should Hunter trust him? Why was it so much easier to deal with him in the real world? Probably because he had Ben to help him. Maybe he had to show a little trust to gain a little trust.
"If I tell you something about myself do you promise it will go no further than these walls?"
"Sure. What did you do? Rob a bank?"
"No, but I really mean it. You can't tell anyone else. I know I probably shouldn't but I would like to help you. If people knew what I am going to show you it could put you in more danger. Keeping it a secret is important so that both of us will be safe."
"All right. I promise I will not tell anyone about it."
Michael went back into the bathroom and once again put on his costume. He hoped he was right about trusting him with this and could only imagine what Bram or JT would do to him once they found out. Michael exited the bathroom with a little extra speed and watched as the teen let the little bit remaining of his second sandwich drop to the floor.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"You're not real. I know you're not. I must still be back in the station hallucinating."
Hunter reached out to touch Michael placing a firm grasp on his fingers only to jump back once he made contact.
"Please let us help you."
"What the hell are you?"
"You have to be a figment of my imagination."
"I am not."
"A hallucination."
"You wish."
"Well since I have clearly lost my mind already I might as well tell you everything."
"That would be helpful." Especially since I am totally clueless about what is going on myself.
"Well you already know that Rina is my mother so you probably also know that police chief Stark is my step dad. About a few years ago after they got married they kicked me out since I guess they didn't want to have a teenager around. I lived on the streets for a while surviving any way I could and I did do some things I am not proud of but I had to. Anyways after a few months I met someone who helped. I managed to get a part time job at a dinner and started going back to school. Hopefully if I keep up with my studies I can graduate in another two years. In the meantime Rina and Stark were getting involved in some pretty shady dealings and I eventually found out about them. I turned to my friend who is trying his best to stop them."
"Your friend wouldn't happen to be a teacher would he?"
"What did you do to him?"
"Why would I do anything to him? It was just a fair guess especially since you mentioned about going back to school. I mean most people would just be satisfied that you had a job and were getting off the streets but someone with an educational background would naturally want you to pursue academic goals as well." Michael had to admit his reasoning was pretty lame but it seemed to comfort the young teen for a while.
"What did you mean by shady dealings?"
"They arranged things that were kind of illegal."
"Things either are illegal or are not. What kind of things do they arrange?"
"All sorts of stuff I guess. If there is a drug deal going down Stark makes sure no one in blue is around. Zen also found out that they are responsible for dumping toxic waste and it is making people sick."
"Zen?"
Hunter's eyes widened as he realized his mistake. That look quickly gave way to one of indifference that didn't quite manage to mask the fear. Sometimes Hunter and Brian could be so alike and yet he truly hoped with Ben and him interfering they could help Hunter out more than he had been able to help Brian when they were kids.
"You are Zen's sidekick aren't you, just like I am Rage's?"
"Yes."
"Are Rina and Stark aware of this?"
"Yes."
"They are trying to track down Zen."
"Zen can usually handle himself."
"So why couldn't he help you this time? Is he sick like the others?"
Michael watched as Hunter nodded. He wanted to scream how unfair it was to have Ben sick in both worlds. He wanted to see Ben just once without feeling like he had been tainted by a disease.
"How did it happen?"
"He was checking out one of the dump sites three weeks ago when one of the containers fell down and spilled all over him. Most of the time he can hide it but there are times when he can't. There wasn't a label on the canister and somehow everyone else that was there that night also seems to be getting sick. None of the drugs seem to be working and the doctors aren't sure about what is going on. I can't lose him he is the only family I have ever known."
Michael held onto Hunter as he began crying. He could still remember the last time he had seen Hunter so upset when he had to admit what his mother had done to him. He had promised to protect him then and he wanted to do everything in his power to protect Hunter now.
"Just let me get changed and we will go to him okay."
"What the hell is he going to say when he finds out I told you everything? I hope he won't be mad."
Michael had followed Hunter to an apartment in the seedier part of town and up three flights to the front door. Hunter had pulled out his own set of keys and let them both into the small space. As he turned the lights on a pretty nice apartment filled with art and books yet still comfy. Just as he was about to tell Hunter he would see him tomorrow Ben stepped out of the shower wearing only a towel.
"Where were you Jeremy? I was worried."
Ben finally looked up and turned an odd shade of red when he realized that Hunter had brought home company.
"Umm sorry I didn't realize there was any one else here. I just need to get changed and I will be right back out."
Michael was too busy staring at the hard chest and barely noticed what Ben had said. He looked back at Hunter to find him smirking at him.
"He is not bad looking but he rarely gets involved with any one at least since I have stayed with him. His real name is Brendan Buckinghan or Bren for short. Anyways this is where we live."
"He didn't look that ill to me. Maybe he just caught a bug or something."
"It seems to come and go but lately he has been getting sick more often. I know some of the other people that were exposed have already passed away and I am frightened that Bren may be next. It is bad enough my mom is already looking for me."
"She doesn't know you stay here does she?"
"No and I would like to keep it that way. Please don't tell Bren what happened. I don't want to worry him right now."
"Fine but if you need to go out do not go out alone. If you have any usual haunts I highly advise you not go there for the next little while and only keep in contact with those you really trust."
"You are almost as bad as Bren."
"I just want you to stay safe. There is something to be said for prevention."
"Thanks. Not many people seem to care but I can still take care of myself."
"No one said you couldn't."
"No one said Jeremy couldn't what?"
Jeremy looked at Michael trying to think of something to say when the lie seemed to slip from Michael's lips more easily than he thought it would, "We were just talking about him going off to college and making something of himself. I am a friend of his, Mick Nova"
Jeremy rolled his eyes as he watched Bren smile at Michael before he agreed with him. While Bren went off onto one of his tangents regarding the importance of a higher education Jeremy slipped into his bedroom and into bed. After a while Bren finished his rant and noticed Jeremy's absence.
"Sorry about that. It is just something I feel strongly about and I know Jeremy is probably sick of hearing about it."
"I don't mind. Everyone should have something they feel passionately about."
Bren smiled but then suddenly doubled over and almost fell to the floor. Michael found himself right beside Bren rubbing his back and whispering words of encouragement. He kept promising Bren that this moment would pass even though he wasn't sure it would. Bren finally seemed to straighten up slightly and Michael walked with him over to the couch.
"Thanks. Sorry about that, I must have eaten something that doesn't agree with me."
"I have never seen indigestion look like that."
"It is nothing really."
"That is not true and you know it. I have seen the way Jeremy looks at you and there is more to it than that. Have you seen any doctors that might be able to help?"
"Yes, and they don't know what to do."
Michael knew he couldn't betray Jeremy's confidence by letting Bren know he knew everything but it was extremely difficult to sit by and watch him in pain. Jeremy had mentioned that the incident had happened three weeks ago but he hadn't mentioned where. He hated being clueless especially in a world he helped to create.
"Have you been exposed to any diseases or chemicals?"
He watched as Bren seemed to examine him closely for a moment before answering, "I went for a walk late one night and there was some weird liquid spill but I don't know what it was."
"Have you considered seeing a specialist that would deal with chemical toxins?"
"What would be the point?"
"You never know until you try."
Michael pushed Bren until he was laying on the sofa and used a blanket across the back of the sofa to cover him. Michael watched as Bren's energy seemed to be zapped as a result of his episode until his eyes drifted shut. After Michael was sure he walked into the kitchen and placed a phone call to Bram.
"Hello Bram speaking."
"Hey, it's me."
"Mick do you know what time it is? I was just about to go to bed."
"And yet we both know you are not about to go to sleep. I need your help. One of the reasons Jeremy was being questioned was because he was aware of some of the illegal operations his mom has been running. One of those operations involves the dumping of toxic substances. A friend of Jeremy's has been exposed but he still needs treatment."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Can you think of anyone with enough experience who might be able to help us?"
"What is with this us shit? I just want to bring Stark down since he has a bad habit of spoiling my fun. If it were up to him being gay would be outlawed. It is up to you if you want to save the world Mick. A woman by the name of Melissa Marks and Linda Peters happen to specialize in that area. I can call them for you and arrange an appointment for tomorrow."
"Thanks Bram. You have a good heart even though you do try to ignore it."
"What the hell are you talking about Mick? I don't have a heart."
Michael had surprised Bren and Jeremy when he made them a simple breakfast for them to share. He then told Bren about his appointment and with the help of Jeremy they both managed to bully him into going. Michael was now waiting outside of the laboratory where the two women had drawn blood from Bren. After what seemed like forever they finally seemed to have some answers as Mel's counterpart Melissa walked out with Bren to talk to them.
"Would you like to talk about this privately or have your friend present?"
"Mick is the reason I am here so I think he should hear it."
"Somehow you have gotten exposed to a chemical compound called Zebe. It is an experimental heavy-duty cleaner that was outlawed due to its toxicity. Unfortunately it contains small particles of titanium that can become airborne and then inhaled. Right now those particles are stuck in your lungs and over time will cause your lungs to fail, which will then be followed by your other organs shutting down. We can put you onto a machine that will force air into your lungs but that will only prolong your life by a few days. I wish I had better news but there is nothing we can do to help you. Do you know if others were exposed or where you may have come in contact with this material?"
"Nope. Thank you for your help but I want to go home now."
Michael was too shocked to say anything as he followed Bren out of the building. It seemed impossible since Bren looked so healthy. They managed to make it to the car when Michael noticed that Bren was trying to hide the fact that he was in pain.
"Would you prefer that I drive?"
"That would be good. If you have somewhere else you need to be you could always just drop me off at home. You don't need to take care of me."
"As it so happens I own the store and I arranged last night for a friend of mine to look after it. I am afraid you are just stuck with me." Michael could see a slight hint of a smile as they started the drive back to Bren's.
"I know this is going to sound corny but I felt like I have known you for a long time."
"It doesn't sound corny and I know what you mean. Are you having problems breathing?"
"It just hurts to breath but it will pass."
Michael kept driving but looked over at Bren every chance he could. Once they were back in front of the apartment building Michael walked behind Bren just in case he fell. Michael was aware of the absurdity of the idea knowing that if Bren fell Michael would most likely become a floor mat. The two of them took off their jackets once inside the apartment and threw them on the couch.
"Do you want me to make you something to eat Bren?"
"No thanks. I am not really that hungry for food. I was kind of hoping to just go to bed."
"Oh, all right. Well if you want me to stay I can be quiet or I could come back later."
Michael was somewhat disappointed that he wouldn't get to talk to Bren for a while and was totally unaware as Bren walked up behind him. He could feel someone lightly grasping his hand as he turned around to face a smiling Bren.
"I was hoping you would come with me if you want. I don't mean to move fast but..."
Michael placed his fingers on Bren's lips not wanting to hear about his fate. Bren pulled Michaels hand away to his side and then kissed him. It was just like kissing Ben but in a way it was one and the same person. Their kisses always started off light until Ben would finally moan out of frustration until they heated it up a bit. Michael barely noticed as his legs seemed to get a mind of their own and they followed Bren back to the main bedroom.
Bren laid Michael down on the soft bed as his hands caressed every inch of Michael's body. Soon the touches through Michael clothes were no longer enough and he could feel as Bren slowly removed each barrier off of Michael. He worked his way from Michael's lips to his neck and finally to in between his legs with soft kisses. Michael wanted to remind Bren about using protection when he felt himself being swallowed whole. Bren alternated between sucking and licking until Michael came and then he cleaned him up. Michael could feel that Bren was still hard as he lay beside him kissing him.
"Mick can I...?"
Michael nodded his head and watched as Bren slid between his legs once again. "What the hell are you waiting for? A written invitation?" It was a joke and made Bren smile before he put on some protection and entered Michael.
Michael woke up later that afternoon still wrapped in Bren's arms. He looked over at the clock and was surprised to find that it was nearly four. Jeremy should have been home right now but as Michael listened to the sounds of the apartment he couldn't make out any sounds that would have been made by the young teen.
"Bren get up."
"What's the matter?"
"Jeremy isn't home yet. Do you know if he had any plans for after school today?"
"No. He was going to come straight home, probably to check in on me."
"How far is his school?"
"Just a few blocks. Let me get dressed and we will go find him. I have no idea where else he could be. Mick what's the matter?" Bren had noticed the strange look on Michael's face.
Michael had always been a bad liar and now was no different as he began to fill Bren in on some of the problems with Jeremy's mother. It was a bit difficult when he had to describe the rescue since he couldn't admit that he and Rage had saved the day.
"You should have told me sooner. Rina would be able to track down which school he goes to. I should have made him stay home."
"Why don't you go to the school and I can check out some of the stores I know he likes?" Michael had no idea where the stores or places might be but he wanted to get back to Bram's so he could become Zephyr.
"Okay, just let me get you my cell phone in case you find him first."
"Okay."
Michael watched as Bren managed to locate a spare piece of paper and jot the number down. He was already dressed by the time Bren returned and ready to go. After they exchanged numbers Michael was already out the bedroom door when he wanted to remind Bren to take it easy. He managed to open the door a little and was surprised to find Bren wearing metal shin and thigh pads as he pulled a pair of black tights on. Resting on the bed was a metal plate for his chest and arms along with a top to match the pants. Michael watched as Bren dressed in them and then covered them up with an old pair of baggy blue jeans and a loose maroon sweatshirt. Before Bren had a chance to catch Michael peeking Michael was out the door headed to Bram's. Michael couldn't help but wonder what the hell was going on with Hunter.
Michael had gone back to the loft as soon as he could, changed, then rushed to Hunter's school. The school was a modern looking building with flat roofs and a brick façade. He entered the large metal doors at the front and started to walk down one beige hall after another with dark brown doors. After his fifth turn and reading numerous room numbers he was distracted by a sound. In no time he traveled down a few more hallways until he reached the gym and went inside. Michael quietly closed the door and took in the scene around him. Zen had beaten him here and was handcuffed to a wall nearby. Michael managed to locate Hunter trying to fight off the men as they tried to get him in handcuffs as well. The other men finally seemed to notice Zephyr after Michael cleared his throat.
"He does not seem to be feeling too well, especially now. We are just going to take him and the kid to a place where they can get some help."
"They are not going anywhere with you."
"We are the law."
"No you are supposed to represent the law and I came here to tell you are doing a shitty job. It is guys like you that give the other cops of this city a bad rep. You can either walk away or..."
Michael didn't have a chance to finish his thought as one of the men came straight at him swinging his baton. He managed to duck away from each swing until after the third try when he finally pushed his would-be assailant almost to the other side of the room. Michael chastised himself for forgetting about his enhanced strength but he was starting to get annoyed. He was now closer to Zen and could see the sweat pouring down his face with flushed cheeks. Michael knew they had been right when they said Zen was sick and he needed to get them out of here fast.
The second officer chose that moment to try and rush him. Zephyr watched as the moments seemed to trickle by and the attack progressed in slow motion. He once again evaded the attack and stepped closer to a supply closet that held various pieces of gym equipment. This time the two cops decided to try and attack as a team and Zephyr stood rooted until the last moment. It only took a second but the cops had missed their target and partially ran and partially slid into the supply closet. They turned just in time to watch as the door was closed and barricaded.
Michael looked up to find Jeremy perched besides Bren. He was walking closer to them trying to formulate a plan when Jeremy turned around to face him. "You promised me you would help him. I have never seen him this weak before. I never should have told you."
"Jeremy, we need to talk. Bren isn't going to get better."
Michael watched as Jeremy shook his head before returning to curl himself into Bren. Michael could hear him sobbing against Bren as they both sat huddled on the gym floor. When he reached them he managed to work the pipe loose causing water to start flooding the floor. Michael reached down to caress Jeremy's cheek before he lifted Bren off the floor. He was a lot heavier than he expected and it took a moment for him to get the right hold.
"Lets get you two out of here, all right? We can talk when we get to the loft."
Jeremy just nodded his head as the two of them headed out of the gym while the two cops kept banging on the doors. What the hell was he going to do now?
Once they were safely inside Michael's part of the loft he laid Bren down on his bed. JT and Bram shared the one bedroom while Mick had the bedroom over on the other side of the loft that was built as a second story with sheer curtains to give him some privacy. Michael had walked over to the joining bathroom to get a cool cloth for Bren's fever when he ran into the problem of how to remove the mask. It covered the upper half of Bren's face concealing his eyes and part of his nose and framed the rest of his face. The top of it was open so that Michael could run his fingers through the curly dark blond hair.. Jeremy seemed to look over and realize the problem as he opened the mask from behind Bren's head. It was enough to momentarily rouse Bren from his fitfull sleep.
Bren started thrashing on the bed trying to get away from Michael as he moaned no. Michael tried to get him to calm down but Bren didn't want to listen. He almost had him under control when Bren reached up to remove Michael's mask. Michael grabbed Bren's hand and brought it up to his face while repeating Bren's name. Finally pale blue eyes seemed to focus on him.
"Hey, it is just me. You were not feeling very well so I brought you back to my place. Jeremy is fine and you will be too."
"Mick?"
That was the last word Bren said to him as exhaustion once again claimed him. Michael managed to reclaim the damp wet cloth he had brought to the bed but dropped in the struggle and started to wash away some of the perspiration off of Bren's face.
"What the hell were you thinking Mick?"
Michael watched as Bram began pacing the loft once again. "How did you get mixed up in this?" As if to answer his own question he looked over to Mick's bedroom and could just see the outline of Jeremy. "Why would I even ask?"
"It is not his fault Bram, I chose to get involved."
"These cops saw you and most likely they are reporting back to Stark right now about our existence. We have always managed to keep our identities hidden and now you messed up everything."
"If you were in my place what would you have done?"
"I don't know. What is done is done, we need to figure out a way to stop Stark."
"What about Bren?"
"What About him?"
"He is sick and he needs our help. This is the result of having Stark in a position of power."
"What can we do for him? I had an interesting conversation with Linda and Mel about your friend. You need to face the fact that there is nothing we can do for him."
"What about Jeremy? He needs Bren or at least someone to care of him. Maybe we can't save him but I will be damned if Stark is going to get away with this. Either you help me or I will go alone."
"No!"
Jeremy had overheard the conversation and refused to let Mick go by himself. Michael could see the determination in his eyes that he would not risk losing some one else he cared about. Michael had to admire him but at the same time he couldn't just let Stark and Rina get away with it. "Jeremy I am sorry but I have to go. Could you please stay with Bren?"
"No! You are not going alone. I can come with you and help you. Bren is the only family I have and I have just as much right to be in this fight as you do."
"Bren would kill me if he knew I let you come."
"I go out with him all the time so no he wouldn't. Furthermore Stark has the whole police force at his service, you need my help."
Michael knew Jeremy had a point but he was trying to come up with all sorts of reasons that he shouldn't. The only one that would come to mind is how it would kill Michael if anything ever happened to Hunter but he knew that wasn't logical. He was momentarily distracted as JT joined the group.
"Where is Zephyr going?"
"Good old Mick here is going to save Gayopolis with his trusty side kick Hunter from the evil Stark. What do you think are their chances of survival?"
"Damn good because we are going with them or no more BJ's for you."
Bram's jaw dropped open at JT's command. Michael watched as JT went into the bedroom he and Bram shared to get changed into his outfit. Soon enough Siren who was all clad in black leather with a mask similar to Bram's black one emerged. Jeremy was the next to follow as he placed on his metal pads which where then covered with a green spandex suit. His mask covered his entire face with small slit's for his eyes. On his back he had a full supply of arrows along with a silver crossbow. Michael and Bram where the last to get dressed as JT called in a favor to have someone watch over Bren.
By the time Michael had finished getting changed and spent a few moments with Bren their friend Emrile had arrived.
"Oh. Honey JT told me everything." Em shouted as he moved to envelope Michael in a hug. He sometimes forgot how much Em meant to him. He only truly came to realize how much he depended on his friendships with their small group when he had left for Portland. Em finally let go and asked where Bren was. Michael led him towards his own bedroom as they slowly climbed the stairs.
Inside Bren was stretched across Michael's bed moaning and bathed in sweat. His temperature kept rising and Michael was at a lost of what he was to do. Em immediately knelt beside him checking his temperature then heading back to the kitchen to get some ice.
"This is even worse than that time that JT became extremely ill. I promise to take good care of him while you are out. Just promise me you won't just follow Bram's lead. You really need to check things out before you leap in there."
"Thanks Em, we really appreciate this. We will be back as soon as possible. If he gets to be too much to handle he has seen doctors by the name of Mel and Linda. I left their number by the phone."
"Thanks Sweety and remember my warning."
Em waited until he heard the metal loft door slide shut signaling that everyone had left. He tried to keep Bren cool by occasionally wiping his forehead down with ice cold water but knew it wouldn't help. For some time now Em had realized he was different from most people. His Aunt Lola had called it a sixth sense and his Grandmother called it a gift but Em usually tried to hide it. If only Mick knew what was really going on with Bren, they were in for quite a shock. Em had seen this coming weeks ago and he had already begun to prepare. He needed to make sure everything would be ready to go by tomorrow night. If only Mick had paid attention to what he had been told instead of concentrating on Bren. What the hell was Em going to do with his little mismatched family?
Michael found himself once again stuck in ductwork and vowed it would be for the last time. Other superheroes at least got to use windows but no they had to try and get in undetected. They finally managed to reach one of the interrogation rooms and climbed down. The group had decided to split up with Hunter and JT keeping an eye out in the stairwell while Michael was to go with Rage to sheck out the basement. They knew this area was usually left alone and yet who would even bother to try to do anything to those rooms considering the place was swarming with cops.
Looking back one last time Michael was amazed at how strong Hunter appeared considering the kid had been through a lot but then again his whole life seemed to be one tragedy after another. Rage was the first to reach the heavy metal door and peeked through the window then motioned for Zephyr to follow.
Rage hooked his arm around Zephyr's neck so he could whisper in his ear, "I have a plan, but you will need to take off your clothes."
Not again. This had originally been Justin's idea and although it was funny if he ever got back he was going to kick that blond boy ass.
"Rage he already knows I exist so we could just..."
"We don't know what is waiting in there for us so would you hurry up already."
Michael could vaguely remember Em's warning but if this was the way it had to be so be it. He was about to strip when he noticed Bram watching him. Pervert. Michael turned so that he was facing the wall and started to undo the fastenings and handed each piece to Bram. The only piece of cloth that remained was his mask since at least it did stay on when he was finished.
"If this becomes like last time where you ran off with my clothes and I had to run half way across Gayopolis hiding no BJ in the world will resurrect you Rage."
Bram seemed to smirk at the comment just as Brian would before pushing Michael to the door. Michael tried to remember how this was supposed to work; he remembered something about trying to think of things that were weightless. Whereas Rage had the power to mess with people's minds Zephyr had the power to turn himself into a mist that could shroud a room. Soon enough he heard the door sliding open and felt himself slowly drift inside. The room was quite a few degrees colder but he still managed to stay in his current form as he spread out a little. He could barely make out some voices that seemed to be coming from the corner.
"Where is he?"
"He seems to be able to just show up in a fog."
"I can see the fog stupid but I don't see some fairy princess superhero."
"You don't give him enough credit."
"Would you just shoot the fog and maybe we will get lucky. Even if we don't he still needs to get out of here."
Much to Michael's horror after recognizing Rina's voice Ice Tina stepped from out of the shadow with her ice gun ready to go. It seemed she had managed to get out of Prison much to early probably with the help of a certain police chief. Slowly backing up to the door while still trying to cover Rage he felt the fist wave of cold ice hit him. He almost screamed out in pain as it seemed to cut right through him and slowed down his movement. She must have hit something since Rage seemed to be retreating further back while yelling at Hunter and JT to get out.
Another shot of ice struck Michael but unlike before Ice Tina kept her finger on the trigger and concentrated on the mist before her. It soon became too much as Michael found himself being forced into a solid form. His last thought before passing out from the freezing temperature his body was being subjected to was what the hell was going to happen to Hunter now that He and Bren would no longer be able to care for him.
Meanwhile elsewhere in Gayopolis a very pissed off Rage was trying to explain the situation to the group gathered at his loft. Mel and Linda had come over to check up on Bren at Em's request While Hunter and JT tried to convince Bram to go back.
"Get it through your thick little skulls children that they are armed and waiting for us. Ice Tina isn't your average criminal and we don't even know if Mick is still there or if he is even alive."
Mel had been quiet so far but after Bram's little outburst could no longer hold back. "Asshole. He would never have left you behind but the great Bram knows everything."
"We need to go back for him. This is all my fault." Hunter finally seemed to be deflated of energy as he sank into the one couch only to be envolped into a hug by Em.
"We will get him back Sweety you will see. It is already planned."
Bram didn't seem convinced as he paced back and forth before deciding to verbally attack Em. "Is it? And what exactly is this master plan Em since so far it seems pretty shitty to me. This isn't some TV show where the characters have to return every week you know."
Em just turned over to the bag he had brought with him and started to pull out some fabric. It was a cobalt blue uniform made with a similar leather looking fabric that Em laid out lovingly on the glass coffee table. Next came a pair of matching boots that went slightly beyond the knee with gloves. Lastly he pulled out the mask the obscured the eyes behind white tinted plastic as well as the nose and only showing some hair at the top.
Bram clicked his tongue in disgust. "So your solution to our problem is a new wardrobe. How absolutely useless of you Em. I don't know why Mick puts up with you."
Em just concentrated his gaze on the bedroom at the other side of the loft before answering the question, "Funny, I have always wondered why he puts up with the likes of you. I guess it is just one of those life mysteries. Now kindly shut up will you, it is time."
As if on cue Bren finally walked out of the bedroom and headed towards the fridge for a bottle of water. He drank the whole bottle in one large gulp before grabbing another one.
Bram couldn't believe the man was walking around considering Linda and Mel's prognosis. He was tempted to yell it is a miracle like the televagenalists but he was never a religious person. "it is a good thing you don't worry about water retention or have you heard about some water shortage the rest of us don't know about?"
"Would you shut up Bram. He was sick and probably needs to replace the fluids he lost. Second of all the only thing that fridge does carry is lots of water, some leftovers, and hazardous materials that at one point was food until you forgot to eat it."
"Mel when I want your opinion I will ask for it." Bram had all the company he could stand when all he wanted to do was go and teach Stark a few well earned lessons about the bonds of friendship. Instead he watched as Bren seemed confused about his surroundings.
"Mick brought you back to our loft since you weren't looking so good."
"I remember that much at least. Where is he?"
The one question Bram couldn't answer yet desperately wanted to. He sighed before reiterating the story. By the end he could tell Bren seemed visibly shaken by what little facts they had to go on.
"We need to get him back and the sooner the better.."
Hunter pulled himself off the couch he had occupied before restraining Bren from getting up and leaving. "No you could have died. You need to rest and we can take care of this. You getting involved is out of the question."
Bren enveloped Hunter into a hug while whispering to him that he felt fine. They had now been up for a few hours as the sun began to rise. Bram could remember all the times he would awake to find Mick watching the sunrise before heading to work. It only served to remind how wrong everything was this morning.
Linda got up from the couch she was sitting on and walked over to her medical bag. She pulled out the necessary equipment to take a blood sample and laid them out on a table near to Bren.
"Since Mel and I are already here we might as well take a sample and see what stage you are at."
Linda tied the tourniquet around Bren's arm and tapped her fingers in the crook of his elbow looking for a vein. Once one was close to the surface and visible she injected the needle in. To everyone's surprise instead of removing blood as she had intended a silver substance soon filled the vial. Linda held it up to the light to get a better look before passing it to her partner. The only thought going through out everyone's mind was what the hell had happened?
Linda had attached some of her equipment up to Bram's computer to study the sample and was still unsure what to make of it. The liquid although organic had absorbed some of the qualities of titanium like the traces left behind in Bren's lung. His temperature was running unusually high and yet Bren stated many times over that he felt fine. They also compared his weight from before and he had become quite heavy to the point it would have been unhealthy to any normal person.
Mel watched as Hunter and JT snoozed on the couches while Bren, Bram, Em and Mel sat at the table.
Mel had a working theory concerning Bram's and Mick's uniqueness since they had encountered the chemicals that she had helped develop. Not all human tissue was able to adapt but occasionally those that had been exposed would mutate. Although Bram and Mick had been exposed neither Bren nor JT should have been when it finally occurred to her how it had happened.
"Damn, you idiots!"
"Thanks Mel we love you too." Em stated sarcastically before returning to carefully observe his now cold coffee.
"Not you Em, I was referring to Tweedle Dumb, and Tweedle Dumber. How many time have you two been told to have safe sex?"
"Yes Mom."
"Shut up Bram, you could have killed JT. Your body naturally produces some parts of the chemical that made you the way you are and your bodily fluids contain them as well. What if JT hadn't have adapted then where would you be. And I always thought Mick knew better."
Bren chose that moment to cough getting Mel's attention. "I wasn't very.. ah.. patient."
Bram burst out laughing as Mel rolled her eyes and began to clutch her stomach being forced to think about things she didn't want to. Linda just shook her head at the group.
Em finally looked up from his coffee as tears spilled down his face but not from crying. "It has to be tonight!"
"What are you raving about now Em?" Bram asked as the tension from before retuned weighing down on him.
"I can't explain it to you and you would never believe me but it has to be tonight. You, JT, Hunter and Bren are going to have to go back to the basement of police headquarters and rescue him. He can't hold out much longer.."
"I always knew you were keeping things from us. You knew this was going to happen." Rage had risen from the table and using the one emotion he was famous for had lifted Em by his neck a few inches in the air.
"You know him as well as I do and he wasn't going to listen to me. I tried to warn him but he went anyways. What I do know is that you have a team of super heroes that should be able to kick their asses and that is all that matters."
Bren had gotten up from the table while Em was speaking and gently pried him loose from Bram's grip.
"Then tonight it is", Bren stated as he looked at Bram square in the eye. What the hell were they getting themselves into.
Michael was still shivering after his latest dosing from Ice Tina's gun waiting for the next assault. For some reason his demented captors decided it would be fun to test how he could handle extreme temperature changes. Frankly after the fourth time with the same results and having them joke about their experiments he was ready to let Rage loose on them. Maybe later he could have an experiment like the Egyptians by pulling their brains through their noses. Nope he reminded himself first they would have to have brains.. As the room he was trapped in all by himself began to heat up to an unbearable temperature Mick could feel his body being forced to shift from his solid form to his mist form. Since he was no longer in control of the transformation his skin felt like it was on fire until everything inside him was ready to burst out only to find his body spreading out.
First were his fingers, then his hands trailing out into little whiffs of smoke only to have his feet and bottom legs soon join. His head was next as his features on his face became blurred until they formed a solid wall of mist lastly followed by his torso as it faded into a mist. Once he had achieved his full mist form they would turn the heating element to the room off and Ice Tina would step in to hose the room down with her freeze gun. Once again Michael would find himself in immense pain as his body was transformed back to a solid state. It was one thing to write about this happening but totally different to actually experience the sensations..
At first he kept his mind occupied by remembering his family only to be remember the fact that in this world Jenny didn't exist it was only a short matter of time before Bren would die. In the comic Mick also had other family, mainly his mother, his stepfather and his Uncle. Michael couldn't help but feel sorry that Mick was always so busy with his need to save the world he had yet to start a family of his own when he remembered that he was Mick.
Mick was like the old Michael, never being to forthcoming with his family worried about how they would react. His relationship with Carl was sometimes awkward since they didn't share many common interests other than his mother. Mick had his own problems with his stepfather Nova over the years since there were parts of his life he had kept him shut out of. They had always had very little to talk about to each other and yet they had a lot of things in common. He could still remember the back story he had created with Justin about how Rage and Zephyr had become super hero's.
Mick had been adopted by Nova soon after his mother got married to the officer. Nova had spent a great deal of time telling Mick all about the law and what it was like to be a police officer. Secretly Mick had wanted to be just like Nova and have a chance to use his abilities for good when a tragedy struck. Nova was due home for dinner but instead Mick's mother received a phone call that Nova had been shot and was in critical condition. Mick had visited Nova in the hospital many times and he had overheard some of the other cops talking about how it had happened. A bunch of thieves were trying to steal an expensive sports car when Nova had caught them in the act. Instead of surrendering a gunfight ensued and in the end they had left Nova to die in a back alley. Mick had gathered enough information to track the group down.
Mick managed to become a part of the gang at the chop shop and using his abilities to conceal himself had accumulated enough evidence against them only to be found out by one of the bigger boys that he was Nova's kid. They were about ready to arrange a hospital stay for him when his best friend Bram showed up. With his twisted sense of humor he had the kids believing that a police officer waiting at the corner was actually their boss and needed a detail account for the last six months and at the end for fun had them act like they had just hadthe best orgasm of their life. Bram had claimed he was just givin them a little reward for their cooperation. And so began the dynamic duo of Rage and Zephyr.
After Nova was released from the hospital Mick and Bram had vowed never to allow any one else to get hurt by others if there was something they could do about it. Nova did not approve of taking the law into your own hands so Mick never told him the truth. It was well known that Nova was somewhat disappointed that Mick had failed to follow in his footsteps.
The past didn't really matter though since Michael felt it was only a matter of time until they would finally kill him. He just hoped that Ice Tina, Stark and Rina would get their just desserts for this. What the hell was happening to the others?
Bram sat back at the table as he tried to figure out what they had to do, so far he had only been able to draw a diagram of the basement. Mick was usually more of the one for formulating plans where as Rage and Siren always followed their instincts. Maybe next time they should have Zephyr draw up some plans ahead of time if there was a next time.
Bren had moved Jeremy into Mick's bedroom and was now sitting with the boy trying to comfort him. Bram was somewhat jealous that at least he had a distraction. JT just watched from the couch until he finally stood up to join Bram.
"Not having much luck Bram?"
"No." Bram instinctively reached out until he had grasped JT's hand. The three of them had gotten cocky and some how forgot the risks involved in what they were doing and now they were all suffering for it. Bram had learned at a young age not to trust anyone and to certainly never let your guard down but they had.
"Look Em is right, we all have to work together. We may not have Zephyr but we do have Zen. Right now Rina, Stark and Ice Tina probably think he is too sick to help us. We can use that to our advantage." JT had started to massage Bram's palm with his thumb trying to get him to get out of the bad mood he had been in since they lost Zephyr.
"Do you have anything in mind specifically?"
"Hey, I have watched you and Mick long enough to know how to plan things. We need to divide and conquer. Since you want Stark so bad I think you need to accompany Bren down to the basement. Bren will be responsible for getting Michael. I have some things I would like to tell Ice Tina from your last encounter with that thing. Hopefully Rina won't be a fighter and Hunter can stay in the rear making sure we are not interrupted by some well meaning but mislead officers."
"It is too risky."
"Since when is anything too risky. I remember a man who used to tell me that life wasn't worth living unless you took risks."
"But this is Mick's life! Some risks aren't worth taking."
"Could it be that Rage is finally growing up?"
"I really have no idea what the hell you are talking about JT."
After everything could be discussed as to how the night had to go the four heroes got up and started getting ready to change. Bren had opted to take a shower since the group was still complaining that he felt too hot to the touch for him not to be sick. He was just about to go over to Mick's room to change when Em cleared his throat and waited till he had Bren's full attention.
"It's a new world."
"What do you mean?"
"Every day you get up and it's a new world but some are more memorable than others."
Bren wasn't quite sure if there was a point to this but he had decided to sit down on the couch near Em and to hear him out. "Yesterday was memorable but not in a good way."
"Even out of the worst times possible there is always hope. Mick may have gone missing but you survived when no one expected you to. "
"Every cloud has it's silver lining?"
"So to speak. The point is to never give up. You need to remember that. Now why don't you take a good look at what I brought for you."
Em had picked up the clothing he had brought out earlier and started to pass them off to Bren. Bren couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at the garment. It was bad enough to be running around in black tights but blue leather would be something else all together.
"A new day, a new Zen. Now go try them on. If you have any trouble I would love to help you out with the zippers."
Bren finally accepted the garments then stormed off to Mick's room too embarrassed to say anything further. What the hell had he been thinking, it would be a while before he would feel comfortable around Em again.
Bren was greeted by some cat calls as he exited the room and ended up giving Hunter a dirty look which only seemed to make the boy louder. He now understood why Em was talking about the zipper. The damn thing went from between his legs then up to the small of his back. There was no room for him to wear his normal metal guards and he hoped he hadn't made the wrong decision by leaving them behind. The boots were a snug fit and not his personal choice but he would have to put up with them for now. At least Em hadn't change the style of his mask and Bren was grateful for that.
Bram was the last to enter the living room and after looking over at Bren and giving him the once over he started to laugh.
"We probably should have warned you about Em. Hopefully Mick will get a kick out of it."
That comment sobered up the room as they were reminded of what was to happen tonight. Em jumped up from the couch and dropped the style magazine on the floor before trying to push the men out the door. As always Hunter liked to complain, "Hey we are going you know. You don't have to push so hard."
"You are running out of time. Remember to have hope and do not give up." Em directed his last message directly to Bren. What the hell were they waiting for.
This time the group had opted to use an exit in the back of the building when they discovered Bren was a little too big and heavy to safely travel through the ductwork. It simply would not do to have him making a lot of noise only to cause a section of duct to fall out of the ceiling. Knowing their luck it probably would have been right out in the open where all the law enforcement officers could see them. Hunter remained at the bottom of the stairwell hidden in the shadows while the other three continued forward.
Bram once again found himself back in the spot where he had last seen Mick. He glanced through the window in the door to see what was going on. After what felt like forever but in reality was only a few minutes they began to hear screaming. Bram knew right away it was Mick and ended up being held back by Siren instead of crashing through the doors. Even more shocking was watching Siren trying to hold Zen back at the same time. Bram heard Zen hiss "Let me go." In Siren's ear.
"Look you two we have a plan and we are going to stick to it." Siren had to quickly swipe his face with his hands to rid himself of the tears that had started. He released some of his grip until he seemed satisfied that they weren't going to do anything rash when Rage finally felt Siren let him go.
"What are they doing to him?' Zen asked as he tried to get a better look through the window.
"Well he is in a chamber of some sort but don't ask me what kind." Siren had begun to inch closer to the door and now had a firm grip on the doorknob.
"It is an incendiary device used to destroy contraband when it is no longer needed for evidence." Rage watched as his statement seemed to sink in and both his partners let out a little gasp.
"Let's get these sorry excuses for human beings while they are distracted." Siren whispered as he slowly opened the door. Nodding his head in ascent Rage watched as Siren quietly slipped inside and positioned himself behind Ice Tina.
Rage couldn't quite be sure how it all started but by the time he had made it to the far end of the room Ice Tina had turned around and noticed Siren. As she went to left up her weapon Siren moved faster to keep her from aiming. Zen had encountered Rina and Stark, Rage was a little surprised when Rina tried to use the butt of Starks gun to hit Zen only to have the wood handle splinter into tiny pieces. Rage was able to grab a hold of Stark and threw him into a nearby wall making more space for them to fight.
Zephyr screams started to get louder and there was a few loud thumping noises made against the heavy steal door. Zen managed to get a tight grip on Rina before placing her into a choke hold to make her pass out. Rage was already occupied with trying to hit Stark. He knew he could use his mind control easily over the man but he wanted a little revenge the old fashioned way first. A wonderful exhilaration surge through his body each time his fist connected with Starks inferior body. It was only when the screaming stopped that Rage stopped striking the man with all the strength he could muster.
"Looks like you are too late Rage. I'll kill you all one by one if I have to." After making her threat Ice Tine was finally able to throw Siren off of her and finally took aim and began by freezing one of Siren's legs to the floor.
"Don't go anywhere just yet, I have plans for you just like I did for Zephyr. You never can tell what a man is made of until you test his limits."
As Siren struggled to get loose Zen tried to tackle Ice Tina from the side only to have them both crash to the floor. Ice Tina managed to get up before Zen and was ready to aim again when she realized the water cooling pack on her back had been cracked and was leaking all over her. Everyone watched as small tendril of water surrounded her only to turn into an ice prison. Siren stared up at Rage on the verge of tears, "She's wrong. She has to be. Zephyr would never do that to us."
Rage seemed to notice too late as Stark got up from behind him and aimed his gun. Zen's eyes widened in fear unable to do anything but call out to Rage in a warning. As Rage finally came face to face with Stark he was caught off guard by the slight trembles that seemed to be happening throughout Stark's body. Just peeking from behind him was an arrow that Rage suspected was laced with kind of neuro inhibitor.
"And to think you guys question whether or not I can handle myself. That was a rookie's mistake turning your back on him like the Rage, tsk. Tsk. Keep that up and they may take back your superhero's membership card." Hunter was just coming up to the group with a smug smile on his face.
"Y..Y..You were s..s..supposed to watch f...f..for other cops to make s..s..sure no innocent b..b..bystanders got hurt."
"Siren what the hell happened to your leg. Face it, you guys need me and I made sure that no cops were coming down. One of the rookies was coming when I yelled to him that I had just seen the must disgusting site, Stark and Rina going at it."
Siren just shook his head in a gesture Rage knew all too well as disapproval of one's behavior being on the receiving end of it many times. Rage looked back only to find Zen slowly opening the door to the incendiary device to take a look around.
"He's gone", it was barely a whisper as Zen swung the door open all the way.
"What do you mean he is gone? Maybe they took him somewhere else."
"No Hunter. He was here. We saw him, we just couldn't get to him in time." Zen was now inside the device with its matte black walls he spoke softly to his son. He reached down to retrieve the only thing left in the space, a small black mask that his lover had worn.
"R.R..Rage. My leg." It was practically a scream as Siren tried once more to free himself.
"Sorry. We need something to get rid of the ice." Rage felt exhausted and fresh out of ideas but Siren needed him. In the end Hunter started to try and chip away at the ice with some of his arrows only to have them repeatedly break.
"Z..Z..Zen ... Zen!" Siren called out to try and get his attention away from the mask he still held in his hand.
"What?"
"I need y..y..you to hold onto my leg."
"Why?"
"Y..y..your body heat. P..please."
Zen finally seemed to come out of his daze as he walked back to the rest of the group. He kneeled down and huddled up against Siren's leg and waited a few moments for the ice to melt. Soon enough Siren was able to pull his leg free as they heard footsteps approaching.
"Shit. Siren are you up for another round.." Rage looked over at his partner.
"Anytime."
They watched as a group of officers entered the room. Zen seemed to hold most of the cops attention as well as Sirens and Hunters as his skin slowly transformed into a metallic substance. One officer was targeting Rage only to find Zen in his path. Slowly the cop's finger squeezed on the trigger releasing the bullet on a direct path with Zen only to have bounce off onto the ground.
"What the hell are you", the police officer asked as he began to back himself up against the wall.
A few more officers had tried to shoot rounds at Zen only to have the same effect. Rage was motioning for Hunter and Siren to try to get out while they could. He finally rushed over to Siren and started trying to push him further back in the room.
"We are not leaving without the two of you. No one else is getting left behind do you hear me!" Siren had managed to shrug off one of Rage's hands and turned back to face the police officers.
"Siren!", Rage yelled as he moved Hunter and himself to the ground in preparation for what was about to happen. Surprisingly for some reason Zen also hit the ground before Siren let out a scream at the top of his lungs. Instead of hearing a scream though the walls began shaking as an invisible force pounded into them. The same force also struck some of the officers onto the ground clutching at different parts of their bodies that felt as if they had been struck with a sledge hammer.
Zen was up and off of the ground as soon as possible and ran over to Rage and Hunter. He motioned towards the back wall that was close by before his hand made contact with the top of the concrete wall. A small hole formed and Zen began pulling away more material as quickly as he could making a hole large enough for each of them to crawl through and end up on the street. Hunter was the first to partially crawl and be partially pushed through the hole before grabbing a hold of Zen's hand.
Rage looked back to find that Siren had once again hit the group of officers with another sonic blast before looking back to his partner. He motioned for Siren to go next as he began to formulate his own plan.
"I want you to go upstairs and one by one confess all of your sins at the top of your lungs. Afterwards I want you to pull down your pants and run into a wall as hard as you can as if you can move through it." One by one Rage watched as each officer nodded and headed back up the stairs. By the time he was almost through the hole he heard the first loud thump. He hoped they all would break something only to have a warm breeze crawl up his backside.
By the time the four heroes had made their way back to the loft Linda was motioning for them to come watch the latest new reporter.
"Thanks for just tuning into GTV for what is one of the strangest phenomenon's that this city may have ever seen. Several officers from the down town beat have confessed to being dirty. Most of them were never in fact real police officers but various criminals from other cities snuck into to pose as officers. It is suspected that Chief Stark may be responsible but no reports have been confirmed yet. In the meantime most of the officers as well as citizens of Gayopolis can rest a little easier tonight knowing that we are now safe."
"Ahh. That would have been a much more interesting report if they had shown the inside of the police station." Siren just shook his head disapprovingly at Rage's comment.
"I don't even want to know."
Mel was paying little attention to the police report as she took note of who was missing, "Where's Mick?"
The group watched as Rage stormed off into his own bedroom closely followed by Siren. Zen took the mask from out of his hand and placed it in Mel's. No more words were spoken as Linda and Mel packed up to leave.
"Now what did I tell you about hope?''
"We didn't give up Em. We did everything we could. It.. it just wasn't enough."
"That is not hope you big oaf. Where is your faith in the fairy spirirt?'
"The what?" Zen asked as he sat down on the floor and crossed his legs.
"All of us homosexuals are always built a little stronger than most considering the shit we have to go through. If you really think that some Ice queen and her little minions can defeat a spirit like Mick's then you don't know him at all. He always has a way of when you least expect it to surprise you. Now as much as you look good in silver I think you have done enough crime fighting for tonight. Why don't you get out of that costume and into Mick's bed?"
"Can't"
"Oh sweety, I'm sure you'll figure out these new abilities soon. You can't stay like that forever... I think."
Zen just looked back down at the floor and began concentrating on his breathing. He had finally managed to get in a few calming breaths when he noticed Hunter watching him. "A penny for your thoughts kiddo."
"What does that feel like? I mean to be like that?"
"It feels... normal. I mean I didn't even realize it happened until afterwards. I admit I just got angry and next thing I knew..." Zen just shrugged indicating his changed appearance.
"You better hope you don't have that happen in the middle of class or somewhere else for that matter."
"I don't believe in getting angry, you know that. I just let my feeling get away from me for a moment. You always need to try and stay calm and rationale even if it feels like your heart has been ripped out."
"You loved him didn't you?"
"Yes. We both need to get some rest. Why don't you take the bed and I will rest here."
"Nah, I like the couch. Not to mention it will keep any prying eyes from seeing you doing any of your yoga exercises or whatever else you do to keep yourself from losing your mind." Hunter couldn't help but let a little laugh out as he made a rude gesture with his hand and a pumping motion.
"All right, get some rest." Zen turned out the lights as he headed to the other side of the loft to meditate. What the hell was he going to do after everything that had happened tonight?
Siren watched Rage from the other side of the room as Rage slowly began to pull off his costume.. He stopped once he got to his own mask and just stared at the small piece of cloth as if it could offer him the answers he needed.
"Would you please say something?" Siren pleaded as he sat down beside him and rubbed Bram's arm.
"It isn't fair."
"Life isn't fair. If it was there would be no need for us, you know that."
"I sent him in there JT. It's all my fault."
"Mick didn't have to go in. He wanted to. This was important to him to be able to stop some of the corruption in this city."
"I know. It just doesn't make this any easier."
JT wanted to comfort Bram but realistically there was no way to take away his pain. He missed his friend too and felt like something was missing in their little trio. They may not have got along in the beginning but gradually they all managed to find a common ground. He began slipping out of his own clothes to offer Bram the only thing he could, his unconditional love. JT could feel the hot tears running down Bram's face as he pulled his partner under the sheets with him and held him close. Bram was right that life wasn't fair but for once JT had to ask himself what the hell could one man do to change that.
Elsewhere in Gayopolis, JT wasnt the only one questioning the ways the world worked. Detective Nova was busy trying to make sense of all the different files sitting in Stark's office. No, this is your office now remember. As soon as they had reported to Mayor Deke about finding Stark, Rina and Ice Tina in the basement unconscious along with all the officers confessions he had been upgraded to chief of police. Nova had turned over most of the files to the IA already that outlined a lot of Starks misdeeds since the man seemed obsessed with keeping detailed accounts of all his transactions. He had however kept five files hidden from the mayor as well as IA investigators. They were all very detailed accounts of the actions and movements of five figures in this city that the mayor kept trying to deny the existence of. Even more interesting was the fact that Stark had been incapacitated by a green arrow that most likely belonged to one of the supposed myths. Stark had been able to identify who Hunter was and seemed on the verge of finding out the identity of Zen. The other three files seemed even more unbelievable until he came across a real life picture of Zephyr.
He would have recognized his stepson anywhere, same button nose, and dark brown eyes with his mother's skin. He knew that he should have said something but how could he? He felt used and deceived but at the same time relieved. For a long time now he had felt shut out of his life as if he did something wrong but now he at least knew why. The problem was what should he do now. He couldn't turn Mick in, but should he confront him?
He got rid of Stark. He was trying to protect those he cared about like he always has.
But where had he gotten these abilities Stark had written about and could his partners be trusted. He finished flipping through the photos of Zephyr that had obviously been taken in some school probably. Does he have a family we didn't know about? The last photo was Mick with another man and a teenager as they all sat huddled on the floor together. Mick was obviously involved with Zen and more than just in the professional sense based on the photograph. Nova slid out of his chair and slipped over to the paper shredder in the office and started pushing everything in the folders into the hungry machine. The last piece was the photo he had been looking at which he instead folded up and slid into his jacket. Nova decided it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. What the hell was he going to do with the only son he had ever had?
Bren had shifted his body through a few of his Yoga exercises hoping to regain some of his calm. Finally he succumbed to his emotions once again when he grabbed a hold of Mick's pillow to muffle the sounds of his crying. Only afterwards did he realize with that release his skin had turned back to normal. He crawled off the bed to one of the large arch shaped windows and opened the bottom panel as a large gust of wind whipped around him. He sat back down on the bed watching the cityscape.
He was about to go check on Jeremy when he felt a familiar force push him back onto the bed. It felt the same as when he had been pushed down in the basement before Siren had unleashed his ability on the police officers. Unsure if this was another side effect from what seemed to be happening to him he pushed himself backwards until he was fully on the bed then turned over on his stomach to clutch the pillow again. He was about to try and get some sleep when he felt the zipper on his pants slowly being pulled down until it could go no further. The clips at the back of his mask were the next to be unfastened and the piece of fabric fell away from Bren's face. Soon the zippers on his knee high boots were moving down until Ben decided to kick them off. His pants followed being pulled down his legs until they sat in a pile on the floor. Finger by finger the gloves that were used to conceal his fingerprints came off only to have his hands placed above his head. Pressure was applied to his back until soon he heard the zipper for his shirt moving until he was completely bare on the bed. After a few moments where nothing happened he turned back onto his back and found the room empty.
"I am losing it."
Enjoying the fresh air but not the chill from the windows Bren slipped his exhausted body under the covers.
"Beautiful." Bren had no idea where the voice had come and looked down at his feet as part of the sheet seemed to be lifted into mid air. He watched as the air seemed to become denser before becoming a mist and making its way up the bed. Bren threw his head back at the sensation of the warm breeze floating over his skin until he felt immersed in it. He wanted to reach out and touch and yet knew that it should have been impossible. The mist seemed to have him splayed out on the bed and became heavier until Bren could have sworn he felt another's skin against his own. He opened his eyes only to come face to face with Mick.
"Missed me?" Mick got his answer immediately as Bren rolled him over on his back and began kissing him all over his face and neck. Bren had just started working his way down Mick's stomach when a baby crying resounded through out the room. What the hell...
Michael opened his eyes to only to find himself wrapped up in Ben's arms as they both struggled to wake up. He could still hear Jenny crying in the other room and Ben seemed to be getting set to get up and go get her. Michael watched as his husband walked out of the room and Jenny's crying soon turned into fits of giggles as he overhead Ben talking to their daughter.
"Please don't wake up your father Honey, he hasn't been feeling really well." Michael watched as Ben tried to be rational with a four month old.
"I am feeling better you know. I am past being contagious and you have no idea how happy that makes me."
"I missed having you in our bed too. Why don't you go get some more rest and I can deal with her. I changed her diaper and she looks like she is ready to go back to sleep."
"You do know now that since I am no longer sick you have to share the bed again?"
"Just as long as I get you and that bed of ours all to myself every now and then."
"You are impossible."
"I was trying to go for well laid."
"Well I did have this dream about us..."
"Oh really and who was all in it?"
"You, me..."
"Sounds good so far."
"Justin...Brian...Emmet."
"Did this dream involve a bed?"
"Of course." Ben looked back at Michael with one of his eyebrows raised.
"I don't think I am going to like the direction of this fevered dream of yours."
"You look damn good in blue leather you know." Michael waited for Ben's reaction and was a little concerned when it looked like for a moment he might drop Jenny. His mouth was slightly agape and he began to slightly stutter before placing a very sleepy Jenny back in her crib.
"Blue leather?"
"Mm hmm, with matching boots past your knees. Em dressed you."
"Now that makes a certain amount of sense... possibly. What the hell goes on in that imagination of yours?"
"Come back to the bedroom and I will give you a front row seat."
Jenny was awoken from her sleep for only a moment as a thunder like sound erupted in the apartment only to glance up and see her dad's racing each other back to their bedroom. She had gotten accustomed to hearing weird sounds coming form their direction in the middle of the night. She just smiled as she slowly drifted back to sleep knowing that they were at it again.