(Insert Creative Title Here)
Random one shot drabbles about the Wildcats.
Rated T for language and sexual references
I do not own Wildcat or anything related (If I did, I would not be drowning in student loans).
Chapter 1: A Boxer's Boy
Tom's POV
"I don't want you going out tonight."
I ignored her as I shrugged my jacket on.
"Thomas, don't you dare walk out that door!" Mom yelled before blocking the door. "The three of us are going to have a nice family dinner and we're going-"
"I ain't sitting at the same table with him!" I yelled.
"He says he loves me," she whispered.
"Does he tell you that before or after he hits you? Mom, Arnold's just like the others," I calmly replied, pushing past her.
She caught my arm and said, "He could be a good father for you."
"I've never had a father and I don't need one now, Mom."
"Tommy, do this for me. I think he's the one."
"That's what you said about the others. They're all the same. They all hurt you and me. We're fine on our own. We don't need anyone else… I'll be back tonight. Don't wait up."
Opening the door, I found Arnold standing in front of me.
"Where'd you think you're going, boy?" he asked.
"None of your business." I muttered, trying to step around him as he grabbed my arm.
"I asked you question, boy! And you'd damn sure better answer it!" he growled, slamming me into the wall and closing the door behind him.
"Don't!" Mom yelled as she quickly separated us. "He's just a boy, Arnold. He's barely fourteen. He-"
"He needs to be disciplined!" he yelled back at her as I ran into my room and locked the door behind me.
Silently, I crept down the fire escape.
********Break********
Marilyn's POV
Arnold snarled, "You need to discipline your brat better!"
"Don't tell me how to raise my son! He's a good boy!"
He scoffed before replying, "That little punk reeks of cigarette smoke. He probably drinks more than I do. What he needs is-"
"I am perfectly able to care for my child."
"Sure, Marilyn. Whatever you say," he replied.
"Dinner's on the table… I'll go get Tom and we can eat."
"No… I'll get him. We need to talk. Man to man," he replied before moving towards Tom's room in our apartment.
I heard him curse a few seconds later.
"Dammit! The little prick's gone!"
"Arnold. Don't. Please… He'll be back soon and then we can-" I began before he stomped back down the stairs and glared at me.
"He needs to learn how to respect his elders and he'll learn tonight."
"No!"
"Marilyn!" he yelled back as there was a knock on the door.
He mumbled curses under his breath as he went to answer it. I closed my eyes and sagged against the wall of the kitchen. I can't keep going on like this. My time is almost up.
"Marilyn, I need you to come out here for a minute," my boyfriend called as I sighed before entering the living room. I gasped at the sight before me.
"Miss Bronson, have a seat."
********Break*********
Tom's POV
"Wanna nother beer?" my best friend, Jackson, slurred as I shook my head before lighting a cigarette.
"No. I'm good."
"You've only had two though."
"Yeah." I shrugged.
"What's up with you tonight?"
"It's my mother. She's got another boyfriend."
"So? She's had like six this past month," Jackson shrugged.
"I don't know, man… I just don't need a father and she keeps trying to shove them down my throat. Besides, I hate her current boyfriend."
"Why?"
"I don't trust him. He doesn't like her or me. I think he likes her job," I muttered.
"Well, you gotta trust your instincts."
"True."
"Well, I need to go."
"See you later, Tom."
"Yeah. See you later," I mumbled before leaving his apartment and making the trek back to my apartment.
I sighed as I gazed up at the building. I extinguished the cigarette on the railing of the old metal fire escape as I climbed the stairs to the third floor. I climbed through my window and silently closed it behind me just as a hand closed over my mouth as an arm snaked around my waist. I struggled and screamed beneath the hand over my mouth.
"Stop struggling or else Mommy might get hurt!" an unknown voice threatened as I went limp in his grasp. "Good boy. I'm gonna take my hand off your mouth and you're not going to make a sound, got it?"
I nodded in response as he let me go. He kept a tight grip on my arm as he dragged me out of my room and into the living room. Four guys were standing around our living room. One man dressed in a suit with greasy brown hair and eyes stood beside the fireplace. He had a cigar clenched in-between his yellowing teeth.
"Mom!" I yelled as I was pushed down onto the couch opposite of her and her boyfriend.
"Tommy, it's going to be okay, baby. It's going to be okay," she soothed as the man by the fireplace walked behind me.
"Alright Miss Bronson, you will open the bank vault, unless you wanna see Tommy-Boy hurt," the man threatened as he placed both hands on my shoulders.
Bank vault?
"Please. Don't hurt my baby… I'll do anything. Anything," she whispered as tears started to run down her cheeks.
"That's better. Take a good look Marilyn. Your baby boy's in good shape as of this moment… If you want him to stay that way, you'll do as you're told."
"Please. I'll do anything," she begged.
"Good. You'll hear from me tomorrow... And to make sure you keep up your end of the deal, your son's gonna stay with me." He snarled before yanking me up by the scruff of my jacket.
"P-please. J-just let m-me hold him… I'll do whatever you want," she pleaded as she stood up.
"Make it quick," he snapped before shoving me into her arms.
"Mom, what's-" I began before she cut me off and shook her head.
She pressed me against her and whispered into my ear, "It'll be okay, baby. When I let you go, run and don't look behind you. Find your father in Brooklyn. Tell him what happened… Use it if you have to… I love you."
"Time's up!" the man in charge hissed as he made a move to grab me.
Mom pushed me in the opposite direction and went for the man's gun as I ran.
"Tommy! Run!" Mom screamed as I ran and dodged two of the thugs before running back towards my room.
I reached my bedroom and locked the door behind me. I backed away slowly as someone began throwing their weight against my door. I grabbed my backpack and hurried over to the fire escape and forced it open as a gunshot came from the living room.
"Mom!" I screamed as the door was broken door by two of the thugs.
I flew down the fire escape with the two of them not far behind me. I flew down alleyways as they chased after me. Somehow, I managed to lose them in the madness. I was practically panting for air as I wound up by the bus station. I bought a ticket and boarded a bus.
I leaned back in the seat and stared at the bus ticket I'd just purchased. Brooklyn… I've never even met my father before. He never even knew my mother was pregnant! And now Mom's… Mom.
I slumped against the window as the tears started to fall. Mom's dead and I did nothing. I did nothing.
Mommy.
*******Break********
Marilyn's POV
I lay gasping on the floor as I tried to staunch the blood flow from the wound in my side.
"Boss, the kid got away," one of the thugs said as the boss grabbed Arnold by the scruff of his sweater.
"First, your girlfriend banker gets shot and now the only witness is gone!" he snarled before jabbing Arnold in the face with his gun.
"Wait, Boss! I know where he went! His old man's from Brooklyn! The kid had to have gone there!" Arnold cried as his boss released him.
"Seven days. I want the brat brought to me alive. He's a loose end and all loose ends need to be tied up," he growled before his gun was pointed at me.
"Tommy." I muttered before the gun went off.
********Break*********
Tom's POV
"Ay kid! Wake up! Youse gotta get offa da bus!"
I opened my eyes to find the bus driver shaking my arm.
"Where am I?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
"Brooklyn."
I nodded and grabbed my backpack as I moved to exit the bus. My stomach growled in hunger as I rubbed the sleepiness from my eyes. I pulled my wallet out and counted about ten bucks. Great. I groaned before shoving the cash back into the wallet.
I glanced around the station and found an information booth. I approached the woman and asked, "Excuse me, I'm trying to find a man named Ted Grant… You know, the boxer, Wildcat Grant?"
She laughed before saying, "Kid, The Champ don't do autographs no more! He retired!"
"I know… I just gotta find him. It's important."
"Last I heard he was runnin' some boxing gym."
"Do you know where?"
********Break********
I shifted my bag on my shoulder as I stared up at the old gym. This place is literally falling apart. I took a deep breath before entering.
"Hello?" I called out.
The place was deserted and shady looking. A rundown ring stood in the center of the room. Wallpaper was peeling off the walls. Stuffing was falling out of the punching bags. On the farthest wall of the crappy gym was nothing but newspaper clippings, belts, medals, trophies, and pictures. I reached out to touch the belt as a hand suddenly encased itself around my wrist.
He was tall. Really tall. His blue eyes were identical to my own. We both had raven hair, yet his was starting to turn gray from old age. Our facial features were similar… I look just like him. The only difference is the fact that he's nearly sixty, but he's still got all of his muscles. He could pass for someone in their thirties.
"Ya don't touch stuff that ain't yers!" he snapped before letting me go.
"Sorry," I muttered as I continued to stare at him.
"Whatcha starin at?"
"Nothing."
"Look, kid, whadya doin here?"
"I… um-"
"Where's yer parents? If ya wanna lesson, ya need yer mom and dad and their cash."
"I need your help!" I blurted out as he raised an eyebrow.
"I'll say. Yer too damn skinny."
"No! You're Wildcat-"
"Kid, I'm retired."
"I know! But, that's not it! I'm not talking about Wildcat Grant! I'm talking about the hero, Wildcat!" I yelled as he stiffened.
"Get out."
"Please. I need-" I began before he literally shoved me over to the door.
I froze as I noticed Arnold getting out of a car with one of the men from last night. I shrugged out of his grasp before ducking behind his desk.
"Kid, I ain't playin hide n seek," he muttered bending down and frowning at me. "What? Ya look like ya've seen a ghost."
"Please. Don't let them take me," I pleaded, drawing my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them.
He frowned as the door to his gym opened. He straightened back up as I heard two sets of footsteps enter.
"Theodore Grant?" I heard Arnold say as I held my breath.
"Yeah?"
"Have you seen this boy?"
"I see alotta kids."
"It's important that we find him."
"Nope. I don't think I've seen em."
"Then you won't mind if we have a look around, Mr. Grant."
"Actually, I do mind."
"Mr. Grant, my partner and I have a warrant for the boy's arrest. He's wanted for murder."
"Uh huh. Well, he ain't here, so get out."
"We'll be back later. Try and remember if you see him. Call this number if you find him."
"Uh huh."
Seconds later, the two left the gym. He stared down at me and asked, "You gonna come out or what?"
I crawled out from underneath the desk and stared at him as my stomach growled.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Tom."
"You gotta full name?"
"Thomas Grant Bronson."
"Ya wanna tell me why they're lookin for ya?"
"They want me dead."
"Why?"
"I… I witnessed a murder."
"Whose murder?"
"My mom's," I whispered as a tear slid down my cheek.
He didn't respond. He only ran a hand through his hair and muttered, "What about your old man?"
I'm looking at him, but I can't tell him that. I merely shook my head and said, "He's not in the picture."
"Any relatives?"
"No… I'm alone."
He nodded as my stomach started screaming for food again.
"When did ya eat last, kid?"
********Break*******
Ted's POV
Damn. I'm retired! I'm fifty-eight for the love of Christ! And now I hafta deal with some kid! Shit!
"That's freaking disgusting!" he exclaimed as he shoved the protein shake back towards me.
"It'll put meat on yer bones!"
"Then you drink it! I'd rather starve!"
"Then starve," I grumbled as we glared at each other.
Huh. Kid's got my eyes and chin. That's weird. And his middle name's my last name. That's too weird. We also got the same hair color, but he needs a damn haircut and it's all feathery and shit just like a hippie. Damn teenagers… He needs to eat more though. And someone has gotta take his cigarettes away. He's like fourteen? Fifteen? I could smell the smoke comin off of his clothes. Bet he has a drinkin problem too… Did his mother even take care of him? Wonder what he's got in that backpack?
He plugged his nose and finally downed some of the shake.
"That's still disgusting."
"Too bad. Life's a bitch and then ya die."
He didn't respond. A moment of silence passed before he asked, "Why didn't you let them take me?"
"You're just a freakin kid and they just looked untrustworthy. Besides, ya don't look like a murderer."
"Oh. Thanks… So, how are we gonna catch them?"
What the fu-
"Mr. Grant, we are going to catch them, right?"
"There is no we and I never said I was a hero or somethin."
"I know you're Wildcat the vigilante and the boxer. I need your help… Please."
"Kid, I'm sorry about-"
"My mother died trying to protect me! She told me to run and I ran because I was scared! I let them kill her! It's my fault!"
"It ain't your fault. There ain't nothin you coulda done."
"Yes… There was," he whispered before looking back up at me with watery eyes. "Please. Help me. Don't let her die in vain."
"And what makes you think I'm a hero?"
"My mother… she told me you were."
Of course she did! "Right… So this is how this is gonna go down. Yer gonna stay with me till I figure out what to do with ya… Yer gonna work and do as yer told. No smokin and drinkin. Yer too damn young for that shit. I'm gonna show ya some moves and-"
"Yes to everything, but the last one. I don't believe in fighting unless it's self-defense."
I blinked in surprise… Just what I need! A freakin pacifist!
"Alright… How much cash have ya got right now?"
"About ten bucks."
"Great… What else ya got?"
"A change of clothes."
"I'm guessin that's it besides them cigarettes and the bottle of beer."
"How did you-"
"I ain't stupid. Hand em over. Now."
He narrowed his eyes before eventually handing them over.
"Good. I'd better not see any of this shit again, got it?" I growled as he nodded.
"Got it."
I nodded before saying, "Let's go."
"Go where?"
"The store."
"For what?"
"You."
"Me?"
"You gotta have deodorant and shit, ain't ya?"
********Break********
Tom's POV
"So, you live above the gym?" I asked as we set the shopping bags down.
"Yeah. The spare bedroom's over there. Bathroom's over there. Ya know where the kitchen's at and the livin room."
"Thanks."
He grunted in response as I headed for the shower.
*******Break********
Ted's POV
"Are you aware of the fact that your hot water is broken?" the kid asked as he stomped into the kitchen.
"Costs cash to get it fixed," I huffed.
He pushed his damp, feathery hair out of his face before walking over to the couch and plopping down on it.
It wasn't two seconds later before he called out, "Dude, your cable sucks!"
"Deal with it!"
Twenty minutes later, I drained the spaghetti noodles and dumped them onto separate paper plates with sauce on the top.
"Okay, kid. C'mon and get it while it's hot."
He didn't even respond. I looked up to see him asleep on the couch with the TV blaring some crap in the background.
Silently, I approached his form and removed an empty syringe from my pocket and uncapped it. I inserted the needle into his arm and watched as blood began fill the empty space.
"Sorry, kid. But, I gotta have a sample," I muttered before removing the needle and plucking a strand of hair from his head.
********Break********
The next morning, I got up and went for my morning run. When I got back, the kid was still in the same spot. I shook him awake and looked up at me with a disoriented expression.
"What time is it?" he yawned.
"Five in the mornin."
"What!"
"Be grateful. I get up at four to run."
He groaned and slumped back down.
"Get dressed. We got company."
"Who?"
"A client."
"People still pay you?"
I ignored him and headed downstairs. I still had an hour so I went to work on a few punchin bags. An hour later my client finally showed up.
"Ted," he greeted as he held out his hand.
"Bruce."
"This is Jason," he responded as he shoved his second adopted son forward.
I studied the raven haired kid with blue eyes and a scowl on his face… Has Wayne gotta thing for certain types of kids and makin em into Robins? Back in my day, kids would never have been put into danger. But, its better to show em whatcha know then havin to watch em get killed.
"Oh my God! You know Bruce Wayne and you live in this dump!" Tom exclaimed as he appeared by the stairs.
I glared at him as he came to stand beside me.
"This is Tom… Boy'll be stayin with me for a few days," I muttered. "Tom, take Jason and get em some gear."
"But-"
"Now." I growled as the two teens disappeared into the back as I turned to Bruce.
I handed him the syringe and lock hair from Tom and said, "I want to know who this kid is."
"I should have the results tomorrow."
"Good… How's your other boy?"
"Fine. Jason will be taking over as Robin now that Dick has decided to devote more time to the Titans."
I grunted in response as he said, "Ted, this place is really falling apart. If you need the money to-"
"I ain't takin no charity."
"It's not charity. It's-" he began before his kid started screaming.
Jason stumbled out of the changing room clutching his chest as blood slipped through his fingers. Bruce was already beside him, pressing a towel to the wound as a feral growl was released from somewhere in the back.
A form started to approach from the shadows. Golden eyes watched from the darkness before the figure moved into the light… Impossible.
The cat creature had claws dripping with blood. Its coat was as black as night. Its eyes were as bright as gold and its fangs as long as daggers… Werepanther… Impossible.
The creature tasted the blood on its claws before rising from its position on the ground. Its pupils dilated before it lunged towards the boy. Bruce was ready for the attack. He easily intercepted the werepanther and threw it headfirst into the wall. The creature lay unconscious as I leaned over it.
"Shouldn't you find Tom!" Bruce snapped as I shook my head.
"That is him," I muttered as the werepanther began to slowly transform back into a boy with shaggy black hair, blue eyes, and blood dripping from his fingertips and mouth.
I draped a towel over his naked form before picking him up as Bruce kept his focus on the claw marks on his son's chest.
"How bad is it?" I asked as he shook his head.
"Not bad. It's shallow. It should heal without leaving a scar."
"There's a first aid kit upstairs."
He nodded before carrying his kid upstairs and set him down on the bathroom counter before I laid Tom down in the guest bedroom.
I found Bruce wrapping his son's chest with bandages.
"What happened?" I asked as the kid looked away.
"Answer him, Jason," his father ordered as the kid muttered, "I said something I shouldn't have and… He turned into that thing and tried to eat me."
"What did ya say to em?"
"I asked him if he'd been training under you for long and he said he didn't believe in fighting unless it's necessary. Then I asked him why he was here and he told me about his mom… And I didn't mean it. It just came out."
Bruce ordered, "Tell him what you said, Jason."
"I… I said that maybe if he'd actually tried to fight for his mother… She'd be alive."
********Break********
Tom's POV
(Anything indented represents Tom's animalistic thinking.)
The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the blood on my hands. The second thing I noticed was the fact that I was lying naked in the bed of Ted's guest room. I got up and got dressed before peeking out the door only to find him staring down at me.
"Is Jason alive?" I asked as he nodded.
"We gotta talk."
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! He said something and I got mad and I can't control it! It's like there's another person inside my head! It-"
"I know… Wayne's youngest likes to get a rouse out of people. He told me what he said about your mother." He replied as I looked away.
"How long have ya had yer… um, gift?" he huffed.
"It's not a gift. It's a curse… I've known since I was ten. I got in a fight at school with a boy and… I changed… I almost killed him. He was in a coma for a month. I didn't mean to. It just happened… it was an accident. That's why I don't fight. I don't want to hurt anyone… I'm a monster."
"Yer not a monster, Tom… Yer a metahuman."
I looked up at him. "I don't know what that is."
"It's a human… with a 'superpower.' Yer superpower is a werepanther. Ya know, half human… half panther."
"A monster."
"You can learn to control it."
"How?" I asked.
"As far as I can tell… You have the ability to transform at will… You can call on it whenever you want… Just make sure ya got some extra clothes when ya do decide to-"
"No! That's not happening! I'm not going to transform ever again!"
"And if someone pisses ya off again? Then whater ya gonna do?"
"I don't want to hurt anyone!"
"Prove it! Ya coulda saved yer mother! Ya coulda protected her! How many more lives will die cause yer too selfish ta-" he began before the animal inside was unleashed.
Kill him. Think of how good his blood will taste.
No! It's wrong! I can't.
We can. He has insulted us. He must die.
Claws sprouted from my fingertips as my teeth grew pointed.
"Control it, Tom. It listens to you. It ain't the other way around." Ted ordered as I snarled.
Kill him. Let his blood run free.
No! It's wrong!
Do it now!
I lunged for his throat as he held me at arm's length with my jaws snapping at his jugular. His eyes met mine as he sighed.
"For a metahuman, yer weak physically and mentally… Ya called yerself a monster… Ya are one… Only you can control it, Tom… But, yer lettin it control you."
Rip his throat out!
"Even yer mother had more control than this."
My mother? But, I thought this side came from him… He's supposed to be the one with powers… Mom's supposed to be the normal one… Mommy… I want my mom.
I didn't even notice that I had sunken to the floor with him sitting beside me.
"Look kid, yer always gonna have this power… Which is why ya gotta learn how to use it before ya really do kill someone… I know ya don't wanna fight, but ya ain't gotta choice."
"I want my mom." I whined a he ran a hand through his hair.
"I know… She was a good woman. I knew her… But, she was like you… Only she changed during her… um cycle."
"Gross."
"Yeah… Only difference is she couldn't control it… I gotta friend of mine to give her somethin to regulate it… However, she could still call on it whenever she wanted."
"How am I supposed to control it then?" I asked.
"Yer doin it now, kid."
My eyes widened as I realized I was just sitting on the floor still in my werepanther form without trying to kill anyone.
"How many are there like me?"
"Millions. There's Black Canary, you, yer mom, the flashes, Beast Boy, ManBat-"
I asked, "You mean Batman?"
"No, Batman just left. ManBat's able to turn into a werebat."
"Wait… Bruce Wayne is Batman!"
"It ain't like it's too hard ta figure out."
"Wait… You helped train Batman!"
"Yeah… Taught him, Black Canary, Superman, Wonder Woman, Troia, Catwoman, Green Arrow, and yada yada. The list goes on and on."
"That's pretty impressive," I muttered.
"They don't call me The Champ for nothin, kid."
"So… What happens now?"
"Tomorrow we start your training and then we go after your mother's killers."
********Break********
Ted's POV
Later that night, I picked up the phone as I saw Bruce Wayne's number flash across the screen.
"Did ya get the results?" I asked.
"Yes. The boy wasn't lying. He is who he says he is… His mother is Marilyn Bronson," Bruce replied.
Already knew that. "And?"
"I found something else in his blood… Two things actually."
"What?"
"One substance is unidentified… Which is what I'm assuming are his metahuman genes from his mother."
"Well, we all knew that. Anything else worth mentioning?" I huffed.
"Ted, there was something else I found in his blood… and on his birth certificate."
"Birth certificate?"
"I'll get straight to the point… His DNA matched yours. Your name is on his birth certificate… He's your son," Bruce answered as the phone slipped from my grasp and fell to the floor.
I didn't move. I couldn't move. I stood there forever.
Mine? My son? Marilyn Bronson… But, we only had sex like once! I could see Queen Hippolyta havin a son of mine… Damn. That was a woman… But, Marilyn? It only happened once… Oh my God! We only hooked up once when some idiot tried to rob the bank she was workin at… That's also when I found out about her ability to transform… Oh my God! He's mine! He's mine! Holy shit!
I left the phone on the floor in the kitchen before moving straight to the "guest room." I quietly opened the door and stared at the kid… my kid sleeping. I barely registered moving until I was seated on the bed staring directly down at him.
He's mine. Mine. All these years. Mine. Does he know?
"Tom… wake up, kid," I ordered as I shook his shoulder.
"Ted? What are you doing?"
"Did you know? Did you know that… that I'm… yer… that-"
"That you're my father?" he asked.
"Yeah… that."
"I've always known."
"Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't you say somethin!" I yelled.
"Mom never told you about me cause she knew you didn't have time to be a father… I agreed with her. You're a hero. You have enough to worry about… I watched you on the news. I read the papers and the websites. I've seen all your fights… There was no way you'd ever have time for me… It's obvious you wouldn't have even wanted me… You still don't want a son. I'm just like the others. I'm just some soldier you can use."
"Don't analyze me, Tommy. It ain't polite."
"Look, I don't want to put anything on you… or me. That's why I didn't tell you that you're my father… All I want is for you to help me find my mother's killers. Then you'll go back to doing what you do and you can forget about me… I'll walk out that door and you'll forget about me. I don't need a father. And you don't need a son-"
"No!"
"Look, this is better for both of us. I'm not you. I'm not going to put on a fur costume and punch people in the face."
"Tom-"
"Look, I'm tired. Just let me sleep and-" he began before I reached out and cupped his face.
"How could you think I'd just forget about ya? Ya know… Ya got my eyes and hair, but I can see yer mom in you."
He didn't say nothing. He just pulled away from me and tried to keep himself from crying.
"Tommy, I've only known ya for four days, but I ain't about to forget ya… Not now. Not ever… Yer mine… My boy… And I ain't about to leave ya alone in this world."
"Okay, Dad," he whispered.
********Break********
Tom's POV
The next morning I found Dad gazing out the kitchen window with one of his disgusting protein shakes in his hands.
"There's more in the blender," he grumbled while keeping his focus on the outside world.
"What are you staring at?" I asked.
"Your friends are back."
I moved to look out of the window, but he pushed me back.
"Stay away from the open, kid. Yer the one they want."
"What are they doing?"
"Surveillance."
"Do you think they know I'm here?"
"Yep."
"What are we gonna do now?"
"Train. Worry about them later…. They'll be makin a move soon enough."
********Break*******
"Git up! Git yer lazy ass up, Tommy!" he screamed at me as I lay on the floor of the ring for like the thirtieth time in half an hour.
"It's Tom." I snapped before rising to my feet only to have him knock me back down.
"Stand back up, Tommy."
"Why! So you can knock me back down again!"
"If yer tired of gettin knocked down, then block my attack."
"I'm trying!"
"Then try harder!"
********Break********
"Dammit, Tom! I'm old and I run faster than that!" he yelled as he kept on increasing the speed on the treadmill.
He kept yelling at me as I jumped off to vomit.
********Break********
I lugged myself out of the shower and slipped into a T-shirt and a pair of sweats. Then I dragged myself into bed. I groaned as I curled up beneath the sheets. Everything hurts. And it's only the first day! I'm not cut out for this. I don't even like fighting!
The lights came on as I pulled the sheets over my head.
"Don't forget to be up by five!" Dad shouted before flipping the lights back off and shutting the door behind him.
********Break********
I internally groaned as my door was opened. It feels like I've only been asleep for like an hour. I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed that he'd take pity on me and let me sleep just a little longer. I kept my eyes closed as I felt him standing over me.
My eyes snapped open as a damp cloth was pressed over my mouth and nose. A man that definitely wasn't my father pinned me down as I breathed in the unknown drug.
"Mmph!"
"Shhhhh. Wouldn't want to wake Daddy up, would we?"
Ted's POV
My eyes opened as my door creaked open. Footsteps too heavy to belong to a fourteen year old boy approached me as I caught a glimpse of a silver blade in the darkness. The figure stood directly over me as I pounced and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.
"I'll deal with you later," I hissed before slamming him headfirst into the wall.
"Tom!" I screamed before running out of the bedroom.
"Tommy! Answer me!" I hollered before practically ripping the door to his bedroom off of its hinges. The bed was empty. "Tommy!"
No! No! No!
I ran to the window and threw it open to see a figure in black with an unmoving teenager over the figure's shoulder. The two disappeared into an awaiting car before the car vanished into the night.
I clenched my fists before stomping back to my bedroom. I dragged the unconscious bastard into the bathroom and submerged his head underwater a few times to wake his ass up. He coughed and sputtered as I held him against the wall.
"Look, jackass. Ya got ten seconds to tell me where my boy is or you and me are about to go ten rounds and yer gonna be beggin me to stop before the first round's even over with."
********Break*********
Tom's POV
I glared up at the asshole from the floor of the tinted car as he smirked down at me. He casually lit a cigarette as I discretely tugged at the ropes holding my wrists together behind my back. I pushed at the knotted fabric in-between my teeth with my tongue, yet the gag was tied too tight.
He leaned over and blew smoke in my face as I narrowed my eyes at him.
"What's wrong Tommy-Boy? I thought you loved smoking as much as you loved drinking… What? Did Daddy make you stop? Well… You won't have to worry about him telling you what to do from now on," Arnold sneered as I clenched my fists together.
Kill him!
No… Not yet. We want all of them.
"Poor Tommy-Boy. No daddy. No mommy… You'd still have a mommy if she'd just helped us rob the bank. But, no. She had to play hero and save her precious baby… You know, it took me a while to find some clingy, single bitch with a kid that worked at a bank… And your mother just had to ruin it."
Kill him!
Soon. Very soon.
"Arnold! Stop taunting the brat!" the driver ordered as he rolled his eyes.
"Relax. He's not going to do anything. Besides, we're here."
The car came to a stop and I was yanked out and forced into some kind of fish processing plant. Gross. I was dragged around the plant until we finally arrived at the offices.
The same man from earlier this week with greasy brown hair and eyes stood as I was pushed onto my knees in front of him. He still had a cigar clenched in-between his yellowing teeth. He smiled down at me as the gag was pulled from my mouth.
"Thomas, so good to see you again," he sneered.
"Go to Hell."
"I see we've grown a backbone in the past few days."
"You killed my mother!"
"Well… I tried. It seems the bullet I put into her missed her heart by an inch… She's been in the ER for all this time. Don't worry. She'll be taken care of within the hour."
"Leave her alone, you bastard!"
"And the language! My, my, my… Something has definitely changed. Daddy made quite the impression on you, didn't he? Then again, I'm surprised he can do anything at his age."
"You're wrong."
"Face it, boy. The Champ is all washed up. He's got nothing left. His glory days are over… The only thing left of his legacy is… You. And now he has nothing." He replied before pulling out a pistol. "At least your little 'family' can be together again… Any last words?"
"Mraow!"
Ted's POV
"Where is the boy!" I growled as I held some thug by the scruff of his collar.
"O-office!" he whimpered before I knocked him out.
I ran as fast as possible. Hold on, Tommy. Just hold on. I busted down the door and found Tom in his werepanther form holding some guy against the wall with his claws posed at the man's throat.
Another man that Tom didn't see was standing next to a window with a gun aimed at Tom's back.
"No!"
Tom's POV
I looked into Arnold's fearful eyes as I opened my mouth to reveal the sharp fangs.
"P-please."
A feral growl escaped my throat as I literally held his life in my hands.
What I didn't expect was to see Dad breaking down the door in his Wildcat suit. What I never saw was the boss aiming a gun at my back and pulling the trigger.
One second Dad was where the door should have been the next he had inserted himself in front of the bullet. I screamed in rage and sorrow as the bullet penetrated my father as he tackled the boss. They both crashed through the window and disappeared.
I leaned out of the window and only found an endless ocean. I released a mournful whine before turning to find Arnold trying to crawl out of the room. I grabbed his ankle and yanked him back towards me.
"This is your fault!" I growled as he shook his head.
"P-please," he whimpered as I positioned my fangs at his jugular.
Kill him! Let his blood cover the floor! This is what we want!
But it's not what Mom or Dad would want… I kill him and I'm no different than he is… And that would make me a monster. It's not the fangs and the claws… It's the blood.
I slammed his head against the floor and backed away from him. I then felt a hand on my back. I turned ready to launch an attack and paused as I saw Wildcat dripping water everywhere and smiling at me.
"You okay, kid?" he asked as I stared at him before wrapping my arms around him.
"Dad."
"Hey… Don't go cryin on me now, Tommy."
I muttered, "I thought you were dead."
"Kid, I got nine lives… Literally. You and yer mom ain't the only metahumans in the family."
"Mom! We have to get to the hospital like now!"
"What? Why?"
"They're going to kill her!"
"Alright. Just calm down. I'll make a call and you… Let's get ya somethin ta wear."
********Break********
Marilyn's POV
"W-who a-are y-you?" I croaked as a man I'd never seen before walked over to my IV bag.
"Relax, Miss Bronson. I'm a nurse. I'm only going to give you something for the pain." He replied as he brought a syringe up to the bag.
"Oh." I muttered before closing my eyes and slumping back against the bed only to have the door bust open seconds later.
My eyes opened as I saw a police officer… Tommy and… Ted?
"Mom! Get away from her!"
I murmured , "Tommy," as he ran to my side as Ted and the officer took care of the 'doctor.'
"Mommy," he whispered, taking my hand in his. "He was going to kill you. But, you're okay now. You're okay."
"Oh, baby… Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No… How are you?"
"B-baby, I have to tell you something," I whispered as the other three silently left the room.
Ted's POV
"If you and your son could testify, it will put the mob away for good," the officer instructed as I agreed.
"Thank you. We'll be in touch," he replied.
As soon as he departed, Marilyn's doctor, Dr. Willis, approached me.
"You are Thomas' father, correct?"
"Yeah."
"Mr. Grant… You might want to make preparations regarding the boy's future."
"What?"
"She's dying."
"The bullet did that much damage?"
"Yes… But, that's not it. She was dying before she was shot… Cancer."
"Oh… How long?"
"Days… Hours… Minutes… Seconds."
"Oh."
"I'm sorry. There's nothing anyone can do. I offer my sincerest condolences."
"Yeah thanks." I muttered as he walked away.
I ran a hand through my hair as I leaned up against the hospital wall. Shit.
"Hey Dad," Tom whispered as I looked over at his face that had suddenly grown pale with unshed tears.
"Yeah?"
"Mom wants you."
I muttered, "Oh."
"Yeah… I'm going to the vending machine… I'm hungry."
"Do ya need cash?"
"No," he whispered before shuffling past me.
I watched him disappear around the corner. I took a deep breath before entering the hospital room. I walked over to her and she held out her hand to me. We intertwined our fingers together.
"Marilyn… It's been a while."
"Ted, I'm sorry. I should have told you." She whispered as her voice tried not to crack under the strain.
"Yeah… I got why ya didn't, but ya should have… He's a good kid. Ya should be real proud of him."
"I am."
"Yeah."
"Ted… I never told Tommy about the cancer… I tried to find a husband, so he wouldn't be alone. I should have just given him to you."
"Look, Marilyn. The kid ain't gonna be alone… I'll take care of em."
"That's all I ask… Don't turn him into one of your soldiers."
"I won't… Unless that's what he wants."
"Fair enough… Thank you."
"Yeah."
"And Ted?"
"Yeah?"
"Tom's not a fighter. Don't change the way he is."
"I won't."
"Thank you… You can go now… He'll be needing his father."
She let go of my hand and settled back against the pillows. She gave me a small smile before closing her eyes for one last time. I stared down at her as the seconds ticked away before her heart monitor started to flat line.
I was pushed out of the room as the nurses and doctors poured into the room. I headed towards the snacks and found Tom sitting in a chair gazing out the window of the hospital.
"She's gone, isn't she?" he asked softly.
"I'm sorry, Tommy," I sighed while placing my hand on his shoulder.
He didn't cry. He didn't move. He only stared out at the world through the window.
"What happens now?" he asked.
"We go home and train… Ya gotta keep fightin through the pain."
********Break********
Tom's POV
We sat in silence as he drove his old and battered Jeep through the streets of Brooklyn. I leaned against the door and stared out the passenger window.
"What the hell!" he shouted, making me look up to see dozens of cars parked outside of his gym.
He parked the Jeep and we got out together. We entered to see the gym completely remodeled with tons of people just standing around.
"What happened!" Dad barked as a woman gracefully stepped forward.
"This place was literally falling apart, Ted. It really needed a woman's touch." A woman with short black hair purred before winking at me. "Hiya, kitten."
She draped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close before purring, "Oh Ted, he looks just like you… Just tinier and younger. I'm Selina, by the way… You might know me better as Catwoman."
"Catwoman?"
"Of course, kitten. You live in your daddy's world now. You have The Justice Society, The Justice League, The Teen Titans, the sidekicks in training and then you have me… You shall learn soon enough… You have the Batfamily, the Archers, the Atlantians, the Kryptonians, the Flashes, the Magicians, Green Lanterns, the Amazons, and your father and you; Wildcat and… Tomcat."
********break********
Ted's POV
It wasn't just enough for them to mess with my gym, they had to screw around with the livin quarters upstairs. I leaned against the wall and stared at the new boxing ring as I took a swig from the beer in my hand.
"Dad?"
"Watcha got, kid?" I huffed as I swirled the beer around in the bottle.
"Why didn't Mom tell me about the cancer?"
"She didn't want ya to worry, Tommy. That's why she tried so hard to get ya a father."
"What if something happened to you?"
"Ain't nothing gonna happen ta me, Tommy."
"Still… I want you to train me for real… If something happened… I need to be able to save you."
I nodded before looking down at him.
"Ya sure it's whatcha want?"
"I'm sure."
"Cause if it's not… I'm still gonna love ya, Tommy."
"It's what I want."
"Alright… I'll train ya."
"Thanks Dad."
We both looked away as the door swung open. Some skinny woman in a suit appeared with a girl around three years old balanced on her hip and suckin her thumb.
"Uh… Mr. Grant?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"You remember Yolanda Montez?"
"My god-daughter?" I muttered. I haven't seen this kid since she was born.
"Correct. Her parents were just in an accident… You've been named her guardian."
Two kids within a week… Do I look like freakin Batman!
After like 50 billion years, I finally got around to writing this story. But, I still need a title. So I'm going to let ya'll pick.
The Harder They Fall
Lights Out
Wake up Call
Eye of the Panther
Southpaw
(Insert your ideal title here)