Kid didn't remember much about the musical hallucination he had had that night at the Moonlight Rollerway. He wasn't sure if it was real or not, but he did know that he was unconscious at some point. The feeling of being pulled from quiet numbness by the salty scent of anchovies was hard to get out of his head. So was that song, as a matter of fact, and the way the curly haired man had taken the corners of his face in both hands and had said, "It was all real," big brown eyes full of earnest.
He didn't remember how he got home that night, or much else of what happened after that. The big, sweaty bullies that started following him around didn't mention the event either, though the boy was sure that the first time he had seen them was at the Moonlight that night. He didn't remember how uncomfortable the bruise that clung to his temple like a tumor had proven, or if his mother ever commented on what happened.
He didn't even remember when he first discovered his super-powers, but was sure that his ability to punch a hole in a solid wall was one of the reasons he finally decided to return to the Moonlight almost a week later.
That was months ago. Two? Three? He wasn't sure. He did know that he found a kind of stress relief every night at the Moonlight, which is where he had begun to spend most every evening. At least the bullies were a bit more reluctant to beat him up while he ate pizza with a ninja sitting next to him.
Kid looked around at the group of leather bound adults around him. Befriending a group of adult men didn't exactly come naturally to him. And he certainly didn't fit in with the tough-guy-musical-dancing-gang either. He was a high schooler with patient nerves and slow reflexes, who thought too much and believed little. His skeptical personality didn't have much room for a hard-edge gang from "the tough side of town" who broke into fully choreographed dance numbers at the whim of their leader, usual in highly saturated uniforms that didn't leave much for the imagination.
Their leader, Mr. Danny Sexbang was an anomaly entirely his own. He was the mystery Kid tried hard not to think about too much.
He found himself laughing, his voice an unusual twitter among the deeper laughs around him. Through the night, various gang members had left their table for a number of reasons, and Kid found himself in the center of the booth, picking among the surplus of pizzas the chiefs had cooked them. It was no mystery that the Cool Patrol owned the Moonlight Rollerway. Maybe not in a financial aspect, Kid never saw the guys giving any orders or corrections to the staff, but they were certainly pampered by the waiters and cooks. When Kid imagined what a gang owning an establishment might look like, his mental image didn't quite line up with what he had grown accustomed to over the many nights he'd spent at the roller rink. But, he took a slice of pizza, that's Midburn for you. Nothing in this tiny town seemed normal.
Mac and Guy laughed again, the first laughing more fully while the latter chuckled to himself. Kid bit into the pizza slice in his hand, looking around at the older man at his sides. Guy, the muscular, quiet leader of the Cool Patrol goons, sat on the back of the booth like usual, his feet on the seat next to Kid. The boy occasionally handed Guy a pizza slice he couldn't reach, but they didn't speak much beyond that. Guy wasn't much for conversation. Mac, the softer, bearded goon, sat next to Kid, reclined against the red upholstery, hands in his lap. Kid liked Mac a lot. He was kinder, more gentle, and the goofiest of goons. He was easy to tease and easier than Guy to talk too. But Mac was more shy, so he didn't like dragging on conversations.
On the roller rink, in the center of the wooden oval, danced Danny and Bud, paired up and grooving in unique long-legged unison. Kid loved watched them dance together, they were one of the more natural pairs among the group, and it was always obvious in their routines. Bud was lanky and skinny like Danny, with a boyish face and groomed blond hair. He was the most youthful in personality as well, and clicked with Kid the most. He was an excellent conversationalist, and the kid sometimes wished they had more time to just sit and chat. He wasn't sure what it would be about, but Bud would probably find something to keep the conversation going.
And then there was Danny, the leader, whose signature flashy sequin covered performance suits, with the plunging necklines, capes, and signature red and white Star of David emblem on his core, was missing. This dance, as the Cool Patrol could translate, wasn't a performance, simply a fun groove between Danny and the youngest member. While Guy and Mac led the other skaters in a rhythmic clap that sounded all around the open space, the two skaters in the rink stomped and kicked in time, facing each other and then spinning with their arms linked. They released the arm-hold and kicked at each other in unison, slapping their skates and hooking knees, jumping in a circle before unhooking and making a wide circle around each other, spinning and twirling low. Dropping to the floor, they held themselves up on one arm, kicking their legs outward, finally rolling back onto their shoulders and launching themselves upwards back onto their skates. The whole show was an impressive match of skill and expertise between the two, the kind of competition Kid could watch all night. Danny, with his sidekick and best friend, Ninja Brian, was a sight to behold, on and off his skates. Kind and open, Danny was charming and sincere, and threw himself into all manners of introductions and new friends. He did stick close, however, to the other Cool Patrol members, his rock and home, but seemed to recognize most of the other skaters by name, or by some relation. The curly-haired Jew was the perfect specimen of the "seven links" theory, though he was barely stretched past two or three.
Finally, the dance ended with a flurry of applause and spins, and Kid clapped, humored by his boisterous companions. Danny and Bud drifted towards each and clasped a hand, swinging an arm around the other's shoulders with an exhausted hug. Danny then stepped backwards, raising Bud's hand above his head, triggering new applause from the audience. Kid smiled and let out a short shout of cheer. It was always like Danny to praise the other first. Letting Bud's hand drop, Danny took half a step forward and stooped low in a graceful bow, the audience loudly displaying their love. Bud laughed and grabbed Danny's shoulders after he straightened, the two skating back to the table.
"Nice job!" Mac encouraged, Guy offering his hand and helping Bud climb over the wall and onto the carpet.
"Thanks," Danny smiled, swinging one leg over the wall and straddling it, reached one hand to Kid. "Hey kid, hand me my drink?" Kid quickly obliged, Danny thanking him and removing the plastic lid, cleaning a piece of ice with his lips and tongue before rubbing it over his jaw and neck. The normal music then picked up and various skaters reentered the rink, returning to the normal flow of things.
Danny finally climbed off the wall and shuffled in the heavy skates to the back of the table, Kid unsure where to move to return the center spot to the leader. But instead of taking the seat, Danny leaned on the back of the booth, untying his skates with one hand. Ninja Brian was suddenly by his side, handing Danny his sunglasses. Danny thanked him, and continuing untying his skates. Brian then shoved one his leather-clad shoulders, Danny aiming his brown eyes up at the ninja. Mute as ever, Brian pointed through their group and to the other side of the rink.
"Hey Danny," Guy called over his shoulder. Concerned, Danny hobbled to the front of the table, one skate in his hands. Kid looked as well, wondering what trouble the others had detected.
On the far side of the rink, another gang was gathering. They were about as muscular as the average Moonlight skater, which were usually very muscular, and didn't appear to be trouble makers. Kid frowned as the distant group began to change clothes. Some wrapped bandanas around their heads, other swapped out their denim vests, and soon all of them were wearing some sort of dark, murky pattern. Then, the group parted, and a tall, straight edged woman stepped forward, slipping over the wall and into the rink. Kid's head turned when Danny stepped to the wall, sitting half on it as he tied his skate back on, eyes continuously studying the approaching woman. Guy and Mac began to stir as well, rising to their feet, Bud putting his leather jacket and sunglasses back on. They eased from their seats and surrounded the wall after Danny swung his legs over it, standing at the edge of the rink. Kid looked up to Ninja Brian, who stood at his side, eyes hard and clouded. Something was on the horizon; the ninja could feel it.
As the woman drew nearer and Danny moved to meet her, Kid got a better look at her, standing on the chair to see over the shoulders of the goons. Her pale blonde hair framed a heart-shaped face, and her body was long and straight, her hips encircled by a sharp edge. She wore black ripped trousers, and a leather shirt that emphasized her naked shoulders. Around her neck was a thick silver chain, on which hung a fossilized alligator tooth. This connection revealed to Kid that the woman's top, as well as the various accessories of her companions, was distinctly made of alligator skin, something that seemed entirely remote in this quiet town.
"Hello," she smiled at Danny, who put his hands on his hips, studying her through his sunglasses.
"Hello yourself," he replied in an edged, albeit charming tone.
"This your rink? It's nice."
"Thank you," Danny smiled, tilting his head curiously. "You skate?"
"I play," she shrugged, tossing her long blonde locks behind her shoulders. "Is that your gang? They're adorable."
Kid felt the goons around him stiffen and shift as the woman leaned around Danny, waving at them. Danny turned and eyed them over his shoulder, turning slowly back to the woman. Taking his sunglasses off, he crossed his arms.
"Problem?" the woman smiled up at him with a playful shrug.
"Yeah, we're blocking traffic." Taking her elbow, Danny lead her slowly to the front end of the rink, the goons rounding around to meet their leader. Kid moved to follow but Brian caught his white Oxford by the fistful, steering him back into the booth. While Kid stumbled down onto the red leather, Brian pointed at his spot on the seat, telling him firmly to stay put. Kid slumped his shoulders and pouted, the ninja stalking after the group.
"So, what's your name?" Danny asked, himself and his companion reaching the wall just as the other gangs gathered closely around.
"I asked you first," she smiled, heaving herself onto the wall before Danny could, sitting side saddle.
"No you didn't," the man replied with a tense grin.
"Well I certainly meant to." Her tone dripped with seduction, and Brian was glad he told the kid to stay and guard the pizzas. He should be used to that by now, anyway.
Letting out a short cough of a laugh, Danny pushed from the wall, shaking his head. "I am Danny Sexbang, m'lady," he made a sweeping bow that was somewhere between a curtsey and a headlong kneel. "And these gentlemen are the Cool Patrol, and this is my faithful partner, Ninja Brian."
"Charmed," the lady replied.
"And you are?"
"We're the Gator Skaters, also known as the gang that stole the Moonlight Rollerway from the Cool Patrol."
A full beat passed before Danny replied. He merely snorted and cracked half a smirk. "Adorable."
While Danny drew back to the wall, the goons smiled and silently rallied themselves. No way their leader was going to let this threat go unanswered.
"The only thing you've captured, I'm afraid, is my attention, but that's about it." Danny hopped onto the wall, crossing one long leg under him. "The Moonlight Rollerway, my dear, isn't going anywhere. If you'd like to challenge that, I welcome it. But you better be prepared to have your most exquisite-looking rear handed back to you in the wake of our fresh, groovy delivery." Danny grinned smugly at her, feeling the encouraging pats of his goons on his back and shoulder.
The woman laughed. It wasn't a loud malicious laugh, but it was more a personal chuckle. She was subtly mocking them. "I heard that the Cool Patrol thought they were the toughest gang around, I just find it so funny how sincerely you all believe it."
"Hey babydoll," Danny shrugged, dropping back onto his skates, "fake it 'til you make it. But these moves?" He swayed his hips like they were pure liquid pouring over smooth glass, "they've brought stronger men than you to their knees."
The woman eyed his frame and licked her lips, sliding back onto her skates and drifting towards him. Grabbing a handful of leather, she yanked their bodies together. "Don't disappoint me, Sexbang."
"I'd request the same, but I'd hate to insult you."
Faster than the gang realized, she had grabbed a handful of Danny's brown curls, yanking the taller man's face into her own. He snatched her wrist as she yanked, locking their positions. "The Moonlight Rollerway will belong to the Gators, mark my words. I want you and your gang to get out, and take your fights and innuendoes with you. This place is about to have a change of face, and I'm afraid my vision has no room for someone with 'sex' in their name." Releasing the hair, the woman pulled her hand back, but frowned, her arm unmoving in Danny's grasp. He straightened his head slowly and stared down at her with deep brown eyes, pinpricks of red in the center of his cheeks.
"Don't threaten me," was all he said. "I'd hate for you to threaten me. Those that do don't last very long." With a hard glare, he threw her hand away. "Now get out of the Moonlight and keep away from my gang."
The woman pushed backwards a step, sizing the man up with her eyes slowly, memorizing every detail. Danny wasn't one to deny the privilege of looking upon his sultry body to anyone, especially not a lady as … exciting as this, but he put his hands on his hips, digging into his own jeans with his fingernails. Something about the way her eyes roamed around him left him feeling a little too exposed. Surely, her expression told him, she had under estimated Danny Sexbang. Gathering her goons, she herded them towards the exit, a green haired boy running smack into them.
"Sorry!" Kid stammered, swinging around the gang that eyed him hungrily. He hurried to the Cool Patrol, Danny meeting him at the wall.
"Kid, what are you doing over here?" he asked. "I thought Ninja Brian told you to stay at the table."
"He did," the boy blushed, feeling all the eyes on him. "But… uh…" Kid nodded over Danny's left shoulder and the group turned and quickly saw the kid's usual tormentors, two big, muscular, meat-for brains bullies, huddled together and growling their typical threats at him.
"Good grief," Danny pinched the bridge of his nose, crossing his arms. "Brian, will you kick those guys out?" Kid looked to where the ninja had stood just a second before and found only open air.
"How 'bout we get in on that too, Danny?" Guy asked, cracking his knuckles.
"Yeah, we've told those meat heads to get out of here enough already," Bud echoed. "And I want to hit something."
Danny swung one arm towards the bullies. "Be my guest."
Kid smiled as the two scrambled around him excitedly, hurrying to the tattooed thugs before Ninja Brian finished them off himself.
"Hey Danny," Mac asked shyly, standing close as Danny pulled himself over the wall, "what she say to you?"
"Her and her gang want the Moonlight," Danny replied, untying one skate.
"What?" Kid yelped, looking between them quickly. "Why? You aren't doing anything bad to it!"
Skates in hand, Danny put his sunglasses back on as he herded the two back to the table. "That's how gangs work, kid. What one gang has, another gang wants. And, apparently, Miss Gator has a 'new vision' for this place that doesn't involve fighting and speedo sporting dances."
"That's bull!" Kid cried.
"Language, kid!" Danny replied sharply. "Gee, where you been hearing this sailor talk?"
"Sorry," Kid blushed, waiting for Danny and Mac to slide into the booth before he took a seat, if there was room. "There are some loudmouths at school who will say anything to get the teachers hot an' bothered."
Danny smiled and took his sunglasses back off, setting them on the table. Picking up a pizza box, he offered the last slice to the Irish boy. "Just remember, you're loads better than any loudmouth."
Smiling, Kid took the box and slide in next to Mac, who happily gave him a little extra room.
"Danny?" Kid asked, putting the now empty box under another half-full one, "Are those Gators going to come back? Are they really going to try to take the Moonlight from the Cool Patrol?"
Danny took a bite of his Carnivore style pizza and kept his eyes ahead, which glittered. "I certainly hope they try."