A.N.-This story is a serious work in progress, but I have finally decided to post the first chapter, at least, here. For the record, you might want to head to my fic journal to read "Bring Me To Life" which is Tori's sidestep/character sketch type piece, as it sets up some of what's going on here.
As you should know by now, all of the IM stories are influenced in some way by a song. This is no different, the song is "Southside" by Moby ft. Gwen Stefani.
I don't own any of the character names or likenesses. Please don't sue me. Concrit is encouraged.
"We are entering a new age! With these actions we take back our streets
from thugs like these! Tonight we send a message to all those who would
threaten the way of life here on Mars, we tell them loud and clear 'You
will not succeed!'" Senator Ric Flair was in rare form as he gripped
the podium and contorted his face further. "Tonight I do what I can to
save our world, but more importantly, I fulfill a personal promise.
Tonight, I avenge the death of my son, David. Tonight, this son of a
bitch pays for my son's life with his own! So all you rebels, watch and
learn! This is what happens when you go against Ric Flair!"
There
was a forced cheer from the crowd. Even from her vantage point Molly
could tell a large percentage of the people here didn't care. In fact,
she could feel the tension coming from some of the younger people in
the group. She was poised for action, but as far as she could see there
was no need. These people were here to watch a man die for rebellion
and Flair had them too scared to follow his example.
What a boring night. It certainly wasn't worth getting dumped over.
"Dumped" was a pathetic way to put it, really. "Dumped" made it sound
so completely trivial. This hadn't been a dumping, this had been…well,
there really wasn't even a word for it. What were you supposed to call
it when your boyfriend stomps out on you calling you a deceiving whore
when all you were doing was your job?
She shook her head and tried
to concentrate on what was going on. Flair had finally stopped talking
and was watching as the executioner strapped the young Latino man into
the electric chair. An uneasy hush fell over the crowd. For a split
second Molly thought maybe someone would do something, maybe someone
would try something stupid.
Then, the lights went out.
All of
them. Streetlights, the lights in the buildings, the spotlights
focusing on Flair and the other assembled parties onstage. Every light
in the North Side went out at the same time.
And then, thirty seconds later, they came back on.
Molly had to admit, Flair's scare tactics had worked well enough that
nobody had even dared flinch during the power outage. Everyone was
exactly where they had been before the black out.
Well, almost everyone.
Flair began jumping up and down, screaming. He ripped off his suit
jacket and contorted his face, which was becoming progressively redder.
He began pointing furiously at the electric chair.
The now empty electric chair.
Mysterio was gone.
"You could have warned me, you know."
Silence.
"I'm just saying it would have been nice to know you were coming."
Silence again.
"Not that I'm not glad, don't get me wrong, but still, you have the WORST sense of timing."
Rey paused for a second as she glanced at the black clad figure beside him. "You always did, though."
That finally drew a reaction. "Would you shut the fuck up? I didn't go through all this just to get my ass caught!"
"Well, then why did you go through it?" Rey asked her.
"I thought I told you to shut up," she replied. "Now, where the hell are the others?"
"West Side, same place we've always been," Rey answered. "Not much has changed since you left."
"A lot's changed." It was a simple fact. "You nearly died."
"And you still came back to save my ass at the last second. Same as always."
"I'm only here because you're innocent."
"Well, at least you believe me."
"Where the hell is Tori?"
The shout echoed through the ship. Captain Chris Jericho, hands on his
hips, was standing before what was left of his assembled crew.
There were a large number of blank stares.
"Look, Lita stormed off, Hunter chased after her. Now Tori's gone. If
this becomes a trend I'm not going to have much of a crew left, now am
I? Where the hell did she go?"
Jericho paced again and then stood
in front of Jackie. "You went out drinking with Tori the night she
disappeared. Did she say anything."
Jackie rolled her eyes. "I wish
people would stop going into my room and looking for my damned hat.
Look, yeah, I did go out with Tori, and yeah, she did tell me some
things, but she'd definitely kick my ass if I told you she'd left for
Mars." She paused. "Aw, FUCK."
Jericho sighed. "What is she doing on Mars?"
Jackie shook her head. "Nuh-uh! I already said too much!"
"Well, does anyone here know what's going on right now on Mars?"
"Public execution," Edge piped up. "Some kid named 'Mysterio' is going down for killing Flair's kid."
Steph's eyes bugged out of her head. "They're going to execute someone
for the murder of Flair's kid? That's impossible!" She stood up. "We
have to get involved."
"Whoa, whoa," Jericho turned to his
girlfriend. "There is no way we are getting involved in this. This is
not within our jurisdiction."
"No, Chris, you don't understand!"
Stephanie exclaimed. "This is well within my jurisdiction. It's a long
story and I'd rather not explain, but trust me, I have to get to Mars."
Chris looked at her for a second, then looked at the rest of his crew. "You're all bored, aren't you?"
Nods.
"And you all probably want to go to Mars for some kind of action, don't you?"
More nods.
Jericho sighed. "Fine, I see this is a battle I can't win. Everyone pack up and head for your ships. We're going to Mars."
RVD jumped up. "I'm gonna go leave a note on the fridge for Lita and Hunter when they get back!"
