Fan Fiction ❯ Will D. Beest ❯ A Lad Among Lasses ( Chapter 10 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
Notes: Good God. Didn't realize FF.Net was editing out some things, mostly ellipses (which I use for awkward pauses) and the squiglies ~~ that I use for telepathy. Not that you could've told me either way, since you didn't see them, but anyway.


Chapter 10: A Lad Among Lasses


Livewire grinned as she launched herself into the cold air, feeling the wind whip at her body. As a purely electric being, she had little to fear from the arctic temperature. While she had been capable of flight for some time, she had not felt freer since the day she first became Livewire.

Of course, some of that was an illusion. She wasn't free, not really. Supergirl would be keeping her on a long but firm leash for a while. Livewire was surprised to find herself admitting that she didn't have a big problem with that. Supergirl was one of the few good guys that wouldn't lord over her like she was a piece of trash. That same courtesy hadn't been extended to Jade, she'd noticed, but that was hardly her problem.

She pushed her reflections aside as she sensed a rather large source of electricity heading her way. It seemed Supergirl had been right to worry about this storm; none of them knew exactly what was involved in Jade's chi spell, and bad weather could mean trouble. But it was no real reason for concern, Livewire could easily direct the storm elsewhere (and steal a little extra power for herself in the process).

However, she never got the chance to start. While Livewire herself retained a somewhat humanoid form, she had come to think of storms as living things, servants to her will. She had run into very few that she couldn't control or affect with her powers. Of course, she only thought of them as alive, none of them had heartbeats.

This one did.

While she was trying to process that little fact, the storm rolled over her, and a sphere of electricity formed around her, slowly shrinking until she'd be forced to try and break out. But Livewire merely smirked and allowed her body to break up into ting lightning bolts, easily flowing through the sphere. Someone obviously had no idea who they were dealing with, and she intended to find out who. She didn't have to wait long.

Presently, a kneeling figure became visible within the dark clouds. A Mighty Ducks cap and a pair of yellow goggles hid most of his face, but the little of it Livewire could see was surprisingly dark--dark brown, in fact. She wasn't sure what surprised her more: that she'd run into her first black superhero, that his powers were roughly the same as hers, or that he actually thought he could beat her.

She easily flowed around him, and if he noticed at all, he only turned his head sharply for a moment, and then looked straight ahead. Chuckling to herself, Livewire decided to have a little fun with him. She reformed her body behind him and draped her arms around his neck. "Hey, flyboy," she purred in his ear. "You looking for me?"

He spun away at once, a mix of shock and fear in his eyes as he raised a fist glowing with blue-tinged electricity. He started to swing at her, and then paused as he got a good look at her.

"Oh, I get it. Your mama raised you not to hit girls, huh? Well, okay, then." Livewire raised her own fist, grinning widely. "You can tell her I said hi after I send your butt back to her!" She dove at him and slammed her fist into his chest.

The boy made no move to dodge, obviously assuming he could just absorb the hit. He was VERY surprised when her hand passed through his skin, and even more so when Livewire released the stored charge inside his body. His body shuddered and seized up, going limp as he began to fall from the sky.

Livewire caught him easily. "Guess you've still got a lot to learn, kiddo. You're just lucky I'm in a good mood, or I would've done worse than that."

* * * * *

Gizmo grumbled slightly as he put the finishing touches on Blackfire's little science project. She hadn't explained what it was for or why she needed it so soon, but he hadn't had much choice when Jinx made it an order. Then she'd taken off with Mammoth to do something else entirely.

Well, at least there was entertainment, Gizmo reasoned as he watched Terra began to pound Beast Boy's head into the wall again. Honestly, either there was something addictive about hurting him, or something was REALLY off in that girl's head. Not that Gizmo cared one way or another, as long as he finally got to play around with Cyborg's systems after all this busy work. Even boy geniuses needed to have fun sometimes.

* * * * *

The first thing he noticed after regaining consciousness was a shapely thigh right next to his head. But after realizing who it was attached to, he practically leaped off of the table, only to have what felt like a vice close over his wrist.

He turned, sighing in relief as he recognized the person holding him. "Supergirl?"

She nodded, letting him go. "Static. I didn't think you'd show."

"I wasn't going to, but a date can--uh, I mean some time unexpectedly freed itself up on me, and you sounded like you could use the help." His gaze shifted nervously to Livewire, who was grinning at him. "Is this your problem, by any chance?"

Supergirl sighed. "No, but I can see why you would think that. Static, meet Livewire."

"We've met," Livewire purred, "up close and personal."

"Yeah, and a little too much of both," Static muttered, looking uncomfortable.

"Aw, is it cuz I'm older? That just means there's so much I could teach you," she teased.

"Are you SURE she isn't the problem?" he asked again.

Supergirl rolled her eyes. "No, but she's getting there. Let's rejoin the others so Static can get an idea of what we're up against." She glared at Livewire. "I'm not against interracial dating or anything, but do you think you could keep your hands to yourself until this blows over?"

"So I'm allowed to do this, then?" Livewire asked, shooting a tiny bolt at Static's butt.

"HEY!" he shouted indignantly, but there was a definite flush to his cheeks.

"What? I didn't have a quarter!"

"You know, in some places, that's called sexual harassment!"

"That an invitation?" Livewire asked with a cheeky grin.

Supergirl was about to break them up when a hairy fist the size of a small person smashed through the wall.

"Lemme guess. Your problem?" Static muttered.

"No, but I'm starting to consider adding to the list," Supergirl sighed, shaking her head.

* * * * *

"You did WHAT?!" Raven shouted a few minutes later.

Jade shrugged. "I kicked up the locater spell a notch or two."

"How is being the size of a small building going to help him locate anything?! That was NOT part of the spell!"

"Well, THAT part's in case he needs to smash anything. But as we get closer to the Titans, he'll sprout big golden horns. Can't miss 'em, really."

"You couldn't have told me this up front why?!"

Jade shrugged again. "You would've said no. It's not like his size is bothering him."

Raven looked at Wildy, who was currently just under ten feet tall and playing pattycake with Starfire and Supergirl. This was no surprise, since they were the only ones that wouldn't be sent flying across the cavern by his strength.

"Jade, you're already on thin ice with these people. This isn't going to make them think you're trustworthy!"

"I don't care what THEY think, Ray, I care what you think."

"Well, right now, I'm not too happy with you, Jade."

"Look, you said he couldn't control when he transforms. This way, he'll stay big all the time, and I can just undo the spell whenever you want. Simple!"

"Are you insane?! He can't STAY that way! Where would we put him?!"

Supergirl jogged over to them. "No offense, Raven, but if Jade's spell really works, we can worry about where to put Wildy later. Push comes to shove, he can stay here in one of the habitats."

"See?" Jade said. "I did good!"

Raven frowned. "The verdict's still out on that one."

* * * * *

"Take that, brother!" Lightning laughed as perched atop the power lines. "Even you cannot stand against Lightning's might!"

Thunder chuckled as he rose to his feet, brushing off his armor. "We shall see, my brother." He prepared to bring his hands together and deliver a powerful thunderclap.

"Silly boys. So typical," said a voice above them.

Both brothers looked up to see a girl floating lazily above them, reclining on thin air.

"Who dares to interrupt and insult my brother and I?" Lightning demanded, forming a bolt in his hand.

The girl smirked. "Oh, just your new boss, that's all. You can start worshipping the ground I float above now."

"I think we should introduce her to the ground!" Lightning growled. "What say you, brother?"

Thunder didn't have to answer. For once, he and his brother were of the same mind. As one, they struck.

The girl watched the two attacks come at her with faint amusement. In the end, it was only light and noise, and easily taken care of. She raised a hand, and a violet sphere surrounded her body.

The brothers looked on in surprise as their attacks were stopped, and then hurled back at them with even greater speed. However, the sphere's surface had shifted at the last moment, so that each brother was on the receiving end of the other's attack. With soft groans, they fell to the ground, barely conscious.

"Like I said," Jinx giggled as she touched down between them, "you work for ME now."

"Never," Thunder groaned, raising his palm to unleash his power.

Jinx sighed. "Good help is so hard to find. That's why I always bring my own big guy."

A massive foot came down on Thunder's head, knocking him out cold.

"They went down too easy," Mammoth complained. "You sure you want them?"

"They'll do fine, with the proper motivation," Jinx replied.

* * * * *

"You know, I've never been one to rag on heroes that don't have snazzy transports or anything," Static said, "but I REALLY hope nobody's star gazing tonight."

Raven shot him a look. "Well, excuse us for not having a trash can lid the size of the Atlantic Ocean!"

"I'm just saying it'll be next to impossible to explain this if we're spotted!" Static added defensively. "At least we could pass off a trash can lid as a UFO."

Raven had to admit that he was right. Supergirl and Starfire had rigged something of a huge harness to carry Wildy between them, which left her to carry Jade while Static and Livewire brought up the rear. And on second thought, neither of those living night lights were doing anything to cut down on their visibility. Although it wouldn't hurt the UFO ploy, either.

"Well, at least his horns are growing," Raven muttered.

"Does this mean that somewhere out there, there's a she-beast gettin' her Animal Planet freak on?"

Raven smirked. "You had to read Shakespeare in school, huh?"

Static ducked his head. "Yeah, just never thought it would apply. Well, not like THIS, anyway."

"If you're not used to weird coincidences like that yet, you haven't been a superhero long enough. I bet years from now, you'll be wondering what you passed up with Livewire."

"Assuming I don't sacrifice myself heroically over the next few days, you mean."

"Don't even joke about that. We'd never hear the end of it if we let Livewire's perfect man die."

"I can NOT be the only superhero with electric-based powers!"

"Well, no. But Livewire loves a good scandal, and being linked to you would be fairly big. 'Bad Babe Bags Black Bodyguard' and all."

Static smirked at her. "Oh yeah? How 'bout 'Teen Titan Tags Along with Talisman Thief' for the morning edition?"

"We're just friends," Raven said at once, glaring.

"Yeah. I can tell by the way you've got that automatic response on your speed dial. But you hit me back when you're ready to be real."

Raven muttered something under her breath.

~"Defensive much, Ray?"~ Jade asked softly in her head.

~"Only when it comes to me. And you. And us. So yes, but thanks for noticing."~

~"Would being linked to me really be so bad?"~

~"No. But I like being able to deny things. You lose your power when people know the truth."~

* * * * *

"Enough," Slade said quietly.

Blackfire stopped and looked in his direction. "So?"

"There are indeed marked improvements, but they are momentary at best. You lack precise control, son."

Joey appeared in front of Blackfire, drenched in sweat as he fell to his knees. "I can't help it, Dad. She's so strong..."

"That is one reason why we had this special sun room built, my son. With time, you should be capable of exerting complete control over all her abilities, not just agility and strength. If you can do that, Starfire should present no problems."

"My sister is an annoyance, but not a problem," Blackfire said. "Let me worry about her. Joey can handle any others. They don't know about him yet."

"A worthy challenge. However, I do not enjoy inviting chances for failure. Underestimating the Titans is exactly why we haven't captured them all. Jynx's team will be on standby as a precaution. I understand they've taken on some new members, as well."

"Great!" Blackfire chimed in. "The more surprises we have for the Titans, the better!"

"Could I practice with Terra again?" Joey asked.

"I don't think that will be possible for some time," Slade replied. "Terra has become...rather obsessive about her training. It wouldn't be wise to disturb her."

"She's still with Beast Boy, isn't she?" Joey asked, a dark look coming over his face.

"I assure you there's no need to be jealous," Slade said, touching the boy's shoulder. "I'm quite sure her interest in our green friend is purely professional." he paused as an alarm went off.

"What's that?" Joey asked.

"It would appear that Raven and Starfire have finally come for their comrades. Prepare to welcome them."

"With pleasure," Blackfire murmured.

* * * * *

There was a front entrance to the clock tower, but the remaining two Teen Titans didn't use it. Instead, they let Wildy make a door for them...with his fist.

Naturally, this approach went unnoticed by no one inside. Slade's sensors had already confirmed two airborne intruders, and of course he'd expected them to bring Wildy along.

But that was all he'd expected.

* * * * *

Jade couldn't help but be amused by the fact that she was hugging Supergirl. Of course, that was only so she wouldn't set off any hidden alarms, and because she couldn't fly (not without certain spells, anyway). But it was still kinda funny, so she couldn't resist just one joke.

"Have you hugged your heroine today?" she whispered.

"Shh," Supergirl hissed absently as she flew down the corridor. "The walls have ears."

* * * * *

"Why did we have to come through the sewers?" Static complained.

"We're the bad guys," Livewire replied.

"YOU'RE the bad guy, you mean. I didn't do anything!"

"S'what you get for flirting with Raven."

"I wasn't! I was making conversation!"

"Yeah, and they stuck you with me. Next time, just keep your trap shut and do what the girls tell you."

"Won't matter what I do," Static muttered. "I'll never get another date smelling like a sewer."

Livewire rolled her eyes. "If you're gonna whine about it all the time, I'll go out with you."

"Stop making it sound like you're doing me favor! I can get dates on my own!"

"Do they all cancel on you?" she asked innocently. "At least you know my schedule's wide open."

The next few minutes passed in silence, and Static wasn't sure what was worse: that he was actually considering Livewire's offer, or the certainty that it would be the most exciting date he'd ever been on.

"Hurry up, Sparky!" she called, noticing he'd fallen behind.

"It's Static!" he snapped.

"Whatever, Sparky, just move it!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Next Time: Starfire faces her sister one-on-one for Robin's freedom. Raven takes on Terra for Beast Boy. Wildy stands alone against Jynx's team. Plus, the new Titan alliance begins to crumble when no one can be trusted.

I don't want ANY questions about who Static is, he comes on the SAME channels as Titans and JL. Ok, mostly kidding about no questions. BUT he does. AND he USED to have a comic book. On a side note, he wore a different ball cap every issue (including the Mighty Ducks one), it just didn't transfer into the show. And he DID ride garbage can lids, but I can see why THAT didn't make it.

Oh, and Sammypaws: How could NOT know who Supergirl is?! That's just plain inexcusable, even if you HAVE been living under a rock! Next you're going to tell me that you didn't know Superman died that one time (well, prolly SEVERAL times by now, anyone knows that, but that's my whole point!).