Holding Out For Heroes
Warren's day was going wrong, just in general, Medulla, Boomer and Powers had all had a piece of him that day. To make things worse, Warren had just gotten his Heroic History assignment back. A D+ and sadly the + was dwarfed by the D.
Warren's mother had retired from heroics when his father had gone to jail, she was on depression medication and Warren worried about her so much…
He opened the door to the house and sniffed, there was food burning in the kitchen…he ran into the kitchen and turned off the gas under the pot. "Mom?" he called
There was a soft groan from nearby. Warren looked around – he saw the back door, sometimes she went out to sleep or read on the back porch. Warren pulled the door open and nearly tripped over his mother.
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Will stepped off the bus. Madge and Zach were talking quietly behind him, Layla was standing right at his side and Ethan was playing with his yoyo.
"Will!" Layla's voice cut into Will's mind and he realized she'd been trying to get his attention. He blinked and looked around.
"Yes Layla?"
"I was just asking you what you though about Gail Gustav being made the Freshman student body representetive" Layla sighed. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing" shrugged Will. "Just – a bit tired"
Layla nodded with that special concern befitting her worry-filled nature. "Hm…okay, time to face the new day" she sighed. Layla was an optimistic worrier – something that surprised Will every time despite the length of time they'd known each other.
Will climbed the steps, he was surprised that Warren wasn't scrounging through his charred locker as the bell went, usually Warren didn't wait until the last second to look for his things. Will headed to the classroom.
Heroic History with Mrs. Mulligan – she was able to create holograms and so the Battle of the Bulge was re-enacted before his eyes…but still, he was worried about the absence of Warren who usually stalked past the door at this time every single day…
Where is he? Why isn't he here? The questions circled over and over in his head right up until lunch when he was distracted…
"WWWWWAAAAWWWWW" shrilled the girl, she leapt up and started to flap at her back. The boy dressed all in white snickered at the other end of the room. The girl shook out her blouse at the back and a hand full of snow fell out.
Eduardo Espinosa was lean and tanned, he was relatively short with spikey brown-black hair. He always wore crisp white clothing and was a Sidekick who could create snow (not ice, only snow and localized to within five feet of himself)
Eddy was sitting with Spencer Zeikker and Natalie O'Mahon… Spencer could float three feet off the ground and Natalie generated static electricity that made hair stand on end… that was all they could do – but they made up for their lack of powers by torturing the Heroes relentlessly.
Will couldn't help but snicker. Three Sidekicks made messes of the Heroes. Natalie had once left the new cheer squad with Bride-Of-Frankenstein like hair and Spencer had swapped all deodorant in the lockers of the boys room with Sugar water – which had left the people wearing it plagued by flies and mosquitos.
For a few moments he didn't think about Warren.
But that didn't stop him worrying.
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"Stand to attention boy"
The blood ran cold in Warren's veins. His grandfather blustered into the room, white beard and moustache refined and dignmified, dressed in a black suit and walking with a cane that was an accessory as opposed to a necessity.
Warhead…he was Warrens maternal grandfather and he really and truly disliked the boy and his heair, clothes, music, lifestyle…everything really
"Where's Gwyneth?" the man snapped.
"In with the fucking doctors"
"Language boy!" snarled Lt. Peace.
"Fuck you"
Lt. Peace grabbed the boy by the neck and dragged him up. "We're going back to your house now!" he snarled. He tossed the boy into the corner. "Just as soon as I see to my daughter, who would be perfectly all right if it wasn't for you and your low life father!"
Warren was so tempted to ignite but a nurse walked in and he was forced to hold it.
He didn't want to go home – Warhead was worse then even Gwen, at least she had a reason for her evil. Warhead was just a superhero who got overly happy with his punches.
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Will looked at his temporary Lab Partner Myra Zeikker. She was Spencer's sister and considerably more well adjusted then her brother. She existed comfortably, somewhat gothic but not in the too-much-eyeliner sense.
"I think that's it"
"Boy, you really do need those extra lessons in Science" Myra snorted. She pushed her black hair back behind her right ear and moved a wire to a different socket. "There we go, now the Energy Alarm will NOT explode when we turn it on."
Will let out a sigh, the girl had an elfish face, she was short with a curvaceous shape that she toned by being the captain of the girls swim team and the co-ed basketball league as well.
"Where's your partner?" he asked.
"Dusty Sanderson has left the building – sick day" sighed Myra. Medulla took the alarm and zapped it.
"Well done Ms Zeikker…I assume Mr Stronghold was wise enough to keep his hands out of this" Medulla muttered. Will rolled his eyes, as did Myra.
Myra looked at her watch. "Twenty Minutes til schools out" she sighed. "Hallelujah"
Will nodded and in an instant he had decided to fly home…if he should happen to pass Warren's neighborhood then that was good too.
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Warren grunted as the fist impacted with his jaw, he was rattled by the force of the punch, at least Grandfather Dearest hadn't decided to use his powers – that would have been very unpleasant
Warren fell back as the next punch hit his ribs. If he Ignited he'd only piss the old man off… he wished his Mom was here but he didn't know if she was even still alive. Warhead would say nothing…
"Do NOT challenge my AUTHORITY" roared Warhead as he punched his grandson in the ribs and threw him to the ground. Warren scrambled to his feet as Warhead advanced.
There was this feeling inside Warren – he knew his ribs were broken, he'd felt a few crack… he knew he had a cut on his head and there's be a bruise on his jaw tomorrow… but all he wanted was to get out. He ignited and hurled the fireball at the window.
In a split second he dived out the window and landed on the grass.
"GET BACK HERE YOU COWARD" roared Warhead. Warren ran down the street as far as he could in the pain he was. He finally lay down on a bench and stared at the picture on it.
"If it's a Stronghold it's a good as sold" he laughed.
The flames began to lick at the wood he lay on…everything hurt and he needed to sleep and not think about his problems.
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Will's eyes bulged in his head and he dived downwards towards the small pyre by a bus stop. It was Warren…bruised and bloodied – but it was him.
"Warren?"
The lack of a response terrified Will. He winced as he reached into the non-spreading flames and lifted Warren into his arms. He rose straight upwards, careful as he held the young man. He needed to find a doctor or something.
The feeling in the pit of Will's stomach was so horrible he hoped he never felt it again.
It was an all consuming fear for Warren's life.
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Warren moaned and opened his eyes. He nearly combust on the spot as Josie and Steve Stronghold stared down at him. "He's awake" Josie said as the confused boy looked around with sharp turns of his head.
"Warren?" Will came into view with an incredibly worried look on his face. "Geez! I thought you were dead!" The concern was genuine and Warren felt a warm tingle run up his body from his stomach.
"Where am I?"
"The Secret Sanctum" Steve said. When Warren didn't gasp or faint the hero looked vaguely upset. "The Secret Sanctum of the Stronghold Three" he added.
"He knows who owns the secret Sanctum Steve" sighed Josie. She smiled gently at Warren. "Are you okay?"
"Uh--"
"I know, dumb question, but do you need me to call anyone?"
"N-No I'll just get going" Warren said as he sat up on the hospital cot at the back of the Sanctum. He winced, his taped ribs ached through whatever pain killers he'd been given, the world spun.
"Down again" Warren grunted and lowered himself back to the cot.
The Strongholds left Warren to sleep and he was fully aware of the cameras and laser lines that prevented him from going anywhere other than to the bathroom but didn't peer in on him, at least he had his privacy under the covers and in his boxers.
The sound of feet alerted Warren. He sat up and looked around. Will was standing in the dimly lit archway. "Hey" he said.
"Hi" Warren nodded, Will was wearing boxers and a short t-shirt…the feelings Warren usually tried to subdue were getting out of hand – he did not like Stronghold. He swallowed and nodded at Will who walked over and sat at the edge of the cot.
"How's Layla"
Smooth move Peace, bring up his girlfriend that's how to deal with – with – whatever this is! Warren winced at the sarcasm of his thoughts.
"Oh – good…we're back to being friends again"
"Uh –what?" Warren's inner sarcasm repeated his sentiments.
"We sort of – un-got-together" Will explained. He stared at his feet. "We decided we were better as friends" he frowned like his toes had offended him.
"Okay…Flower Power and you are fucking weird"
"No, we're just friends"
Warren shook his head, the concept of undoing a relationship was lost on him. "So any reason you wanted to split with her?"
"Nope…well…yeah, there was someone I liked more"
"Who?" Warren asked (a strange feeling bubbled in his stomach and he found it a little harder to draw breath)
"Just - someone"
"Well you should tell them" Warren said. He was coming down from an annoying hopeful high that he really didn't understand. Like when he'd dated Bobby "Freeze" McKenna who he'd met a few months ago and then broken up with because she had the annoying habit of being female… it was just his attempt…
…To get over…
Will?
"I should – I know"
"Just do it, or I'll crack open a fortune cookie"
Will grinned. "You wouldn't dare!" he smiled.
Warren shrugged. "I would"
Will turned back to stare at his feet… he'd not looked Warren in the eyes at all. Warren reached over and touched his chin to turn Will to look at him. The big beautiful eyes were filled with worry.
Before Warren could say anything Will moved in and kissed him. The lips were so soft, Warren put his hands on Will's shoulders and dominated the kiss – Will was deliciously submissive…so sweet and gentle.
The sound of someone sliding down the poles forced Warren and Will apart. Will was pink and breathless, his lips were kiss-swollen and he had a glazed look on his face. "Will?" Steve Stronghold stood in the doorway to the infirmary. "What are you doing down here?"
"I came – came to see how Warren was" Will murmured, he looked dazed…and ruffled – and gorgeous.
"Better get to be skipper" Steve grinned. "No rest for the wicked at Sky High"
Will blushed and left, grateful for dim lighting hiding his blush.
"Are you okay Warren?"
"Yeah" Warren said quietly
"Try get some sleep, we need to talk to you in the morning"
Warren nodded slowly. Steve gave a gentle smile and turned the lights off. Warren knew what they'd be asking: How did you get smashed this bad? Where's your mom? Who did this? Should we call the police?
He wished he could be sure that the Lieutenant would give up if the police came – sadly that was not an option for the Lieutenant and if he ever caught Warren – well – that'd be the end of him…and what about Will? The Lieutenant could definitely do some damage if he wanted. That'd be all his fault ----and what would it do to his Mom? She loved The Lieutenant way too much to believe Warren.
Then there was Will.
Will. Warren sighed and hugged his knees – he couldn't do it, he destroyed people from the inside out. He'd done it before and he'd do it to Will. He couldn't handle that… and what would happen if they actually tried to go out…
Where had it all come from? Watching how Will would look at him with serene brown eyes? The way Will always seemed to be so nice to Warren even when Warren said the harshest things? Oh. Shit.
Warren stood out of the bed slowly and reached for his clothes.
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Will weaved through the crowd. "Hey Will!" he was suddenly cornered by Luna Vista, Gail Gustav and Dusty Sanderson. Gail was the Student Body Rep for the Freshman Class and Dusty was a Sophomore Cheerleader. Luna was a Freshman Cheerleader and the Announcement Girl as of two weeks ago.
"I was wondering if you were doing anything Saturday" chirped Gail, her strawberry blonde hair was tied into a high ponytail and she was dressed in a lot of pink.
"What about Friday?" exclaimed Luna who was wearing a polo neck sweater and plaid skirt, clutching her books to her chest, her Hispanic features were nicely highlighted with make up and her coppery black hair was bobbed and held back by a hair band that matched her sweater.
The dark haired Dusty had an unreadable expression on her Native American face which was a perfect golden-brown shade, her hazel eyes scanned Will carefully. "I'm free Sunday" she said in her sultry voice.
"I have to go" murmured Will. The three girls frowned and tried to stop him leaving but he simply flew over them and headed for Warren's locker as fast as he could.
"Warren!" Will exclaimed.
"What do you want Stronghold"
Will frowned at the curt tone; Warren hadn't even looked at him. "We need to talk"
"No we don't"
Will grabbed Warren's shoulder which promptly burst into flames. Will recoiled. "What was that for?" he grunted, despite his invulnerability it had hurt…
"Hands to yourself Stronghold" snapped Warren.
"Fine" muttered Will. "We still need to talk about last night"
"Nothing happened"
Will lowered his voice despite his anger. "We kissed. I kissed you. You kissed me back" as he spoke his anger turned to confusion and sorrow.
"You're imagining things Stronghold" Warren sneered. "All I did was make the best of a bad situation, I just wanted a place to crash… hey I might'a gotten my rocks off too. I don't like you Stronghold – in any way, you just stuck to me…so piss off. I don't want you around, you're sad and pathetic. Get out of my face"
Will's eyes were in so much pain…he stepped away. "Fine" he said, though he ended up mouthing it because the lump in his throat felt like it was about to burst out of his body. He turned and walked away, he rounded the corner and punched a locker through a wall and headed for the boys bathrooms where he could go to pieces.
Warren watched him walk away. He felt a bitter taste in his mouth – but he had to do it for Will's own good.
Warren was like fire, everything he touched was destroyed.
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Gwen sat in the cell – and smirked… she rose and walked over to the doors to see a guard go shooting down the passageway. "It's about time" she sneered.
The door opened and Royal Pain steeped into freedom. She took a small orb from the hand of the girl nearest her and tossed it in over her shoulder. The hologram popped up and nodded as the door shut.
TO BE CONTINUED