Disclaimer: My bank account is empty, my pockets have holes and my wallet is non-existent. Translation: I don't own anything!
Summary: Lash loves being a bully. He always has. In fact nothing beats beating on a freshman sidekick. Someone else wants to know why. His response...What could possibly be better? He's about to find out!
AN: Wow, I'm BACK! It's been a long and relaxing holiday but now that it's over time to get back to business! I have a few points to discuss and agonize you all a little longer before you get to what you came here for.
1) I got a few messages about when I would update so for all those people who would like to know the status of this fic, I will be keeping up a "progress report" on my users profile. No need for anyone to get shot (cough master shaper cough lol!)
2) I still need a beta! So anyone interested?
and
3) Hope you all had a Happy New Year's and whatever holiday you celebrate...Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, etc, etc...
Before we enjoy the show,
(Announce voice) A Bully's Transformation would not be possible without the generous contributions from:
Bubblegirl: Thanks a bunch! Drugs are NOT GOOD KIDS-however Lash on them is GOOD!
electricxrain: Thanks a bunch! Sugar is GOOD!
mastershaper: Thanks a bunch! Cliffies are NOT GOOD! it was a PREVIEW! The pet shop makes more sense and I quite agree! Nice job at choosing an original yet fitting job in your fic!
Monkey: Thanks a bunch! Who knows what he'll say! and to keep a trend, Lash's dad is maybe GOOD?
Rutteroolz: Thanks a bunch! Gold Star is GOOD. Fridge is GOOD because it has food which is VERY GOOD! So I understand!
Grey: Thanks! Thanks A lot! I hope I stay worthy of the praise! Spilling drink is a GOOD reaction!
rootbeergirl19: Thanks a bunch! Long chapters are NOT GOOD for lazy writer but GOOD for interested reader. So I'm glad my slave labour keeps you happy! lol
Lynetta Keladry Loloski: Thanks a bunch! Evil is GOOD, Your compliments are VERY, VERY GOOD!
Element Guardian: Thanks a bunch! Moving story is GOOD! Not as good as your insight and reviews!
faith: Thanks a bunch! Expectations can be GOOD! So I'll work hard to keep yours up! I'm glad you decided to check the story!
happy: Thanks a bunch! Being happy is GOOD! and I'm really glad you liked it!
Neesy: Thanks a bunch! Lash is GOOD Warren is OKAY. Please no one kill me for that!
TheAlmightyMasterT-Chan: First-you're weird! lol! But don't worry It's a Canadian thing! Secondly, Thanks a bunch! Your question will be answered in this chapter! Answers are GOOD sometimes. I could have done without some.
elvinscarf: Thanks a bunch! Liking my story is GOOD!
nikki23nishi: Thanks a bunch! Once again liking my story is very GOOD!
blazingfire03: Thanks a bunch! Your reviews are AWESOMELY GOOD! I don't plan on quitting yet so don't worry.
Fiona Mckinnon: Thanks a bunch! Haha wondering that is not GOOD! Get your mind out of the gutter young lady, and try to get mine out too while you're there!
and finally...juicy fruit one hundred percent juice for one hundred percent kids. (Note this last statement is not true)
Anyone else sick of the word good? Oh well...on with the show!
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Lash got home and nearly collapsed onto the couch. He couldn't explain why but he felt pretty drained from the detention which was strange because he had hardly worked as hard as he had in past detentions. He also couldn't help thinking about other happenings that occurred which were by far out of his character.
'I still can't believe I was decent to a sidekick.' he thought disgusted with himself. 'I blame the drugs, man was I tripping like nothing else before. I don't think I've ever been that wired. That must have been some pretty fresh stuff Speed scored.' Lash tried smiling but felt a wave of nausea went through him instead.
He lay down on the couch and closed his eyes as it passed.
He knew he shouldn't have eaten the meatloaf surprise but the lunch lady wouldn't give him a pudding unless he did. Something about it being a combo deal. 'Yeah right! It's payback for when I stuck the fake rat in her soup!'
As Lash lay there he once again started thinking about the time he spent with Magenta in the closet. He couldn't understand why he was so fixed on it but decided it was because it was so, well weird. He had spent the whole year up to date making everyday as bad as possible for her and her friends and then bang! Today, out of nowhere he had done something nice? On the plus side she had no one idea it was him who told Coach to let her out.
'Keep telling yourself that Lash! We both know the worst thing wasn't letting her out but actually liking talking to her without her being completely scared. Although the nervousness at the beginning was kind of amusing.'
Lash shook his head in denial...
('Why do I care if sidekicks are afraid of me or not?' )
...then wished he didn't as a head ache struck. He rubbed his temples then mumbled to himself, "For F#$'s sake! Who turned the thermostat up?" He got up and took off his long sleeved shirt and threw it over the couch. "That's better" he said and flopped back down to watch some T.V.
The good thing Lash realized about detention ending early, was that he could get home and do nothing before facing his dad. 'Joy oh joy, I can't wait until daddy comes home!' he thought wryly. He had just flipped to a channel that looked promising. 'Sweet, hockey's on!' Lash thought. Lash wasn't huge on sports that didn't have high injury chances or major adrenaline rushes but for some reason he was a big hockey fan. He smiled as he looked at who was playing-his favourite team, the Vancouver Canucks. Sure they weren't technically his home team but since they weren't playing his home team what difference did it make?
Just as Lash was getting into the game he heard the lock turn in the door and looked at it in surprise. He checked his watch and said, "It can't be!" The idea of his dad being at the door literally made Lash sick. He felt like he was about to pass out and his stomach was protesting every move he made. Despite all this Lash couldn't help getting amused and thinking, 'Wow, I knew some parents make their kids sick but this is just ridiculous!'
Lash took a deep breath and decided he didn't care what happened. Nothing could be worse than last night anyways. He braced himself as the knob turned and the door swung open.
Mr. Metstrech sighed as he saw his son on the couch. He was hoping he'd have some time to prepare for their inevitable meeting before he got home from detention. He had purposely taken a half day and left early for that precious time. But there Lash was sitting there as cool as a cucumber and once again ruining his father's plans. 'Damn kid, nothing but trouble!' Mr. Metstrech sighed again and went to speak to his son who was now standing up staring at him with a glazed expression.
"Dad, you're home early." Lash said, standing up and ready to dash to his room. He wasn't afraid, but there was a huge burning sensation behind his eyes and he could feel the heat building up again. He wasn't taking this as a good sign. His chances of escape were ruined when his father put his hand on his shoulder ('When did he get this close to me?') and said, "Sit down son. We've got some talking to do."
Lash sat down, already in fear of what was coming next, he took a deep breath and felt shooting pains throughout him. What was going on with his body? It was like it was going on some sort of strike and leaving him to fend for himself. He looked up at his father meeting him in the eyes. If he was going down, he was going to put up a fight and show as little emotion as possible.
"I've thought it over and I've come to a decision." his dad said slowly, as if evaluating his son.
"So?" Lash remarked casually with a hint of rebellion.
"I think it would be best if..."
'Here it is!' Lash thought, 'He's going to kick me out!'
"If we get some group psychology. As much as I hate to admit it, you need professional help son. You're just not the way you should be. I don't know what to do anymore but I will knock this delinquency out of you. I'm willing to forgive what you've said and move on."
Lash felt his mind drift from his body. 'Therapy? he wants me to seek help? Is this moron for real?' Lash kept up his state of detached shock until his fathers' last words hit. Then he came crashing back into his body especially into his mouth.
"Wait you're ready to forgive me? I'm sorry but I didn't realize I was the child abuser in the room!" Lash spat out standing up to his full height which was actually quite taller than his dad.
"You stop right there young man..."
"NO! GOSH! For once can you get your head out of your A$$?" Lash screamed then wished he hadn't as everything went black and he promptly passed out.
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Magenta felt like she could kill her mom. Once again she couldn't believe her mom had done this to her.
'Especially after a detention!'
Every time she entered the hospital (a place she hated as sick people depressed her) for her volunteering she cringed and cursed her mom.
She looked down and the candy-stripper outfit and felt like killing herself. 'How disgusting!' she thought.
She groaned at her horrid predicament and then sucking it up like the trooper she was she went up to the nurse to get her assignment.
"We got a new patient in Room D14. You could check up on him for now. I heard he just woke up. He'll probably be hungry so I guess you can take him his tray."
"Whatever." Magenta mumbled as she went to the kitchen areas, grabbed a pre-made tray of food and then took it to her new charge.
She looked down at the chart she had been handed, "Alright Mr. L.W. Metstrech, hmm...familiar last name I wonder where I heard that before, in bed number three here's your food and I hope it doesn't make you sicker!" she walked through the door and looked in.
"Why do you hate me?" she asked looking up at the ceiling. She couldn't believe it, the one person she never wanted to see in her life again was sitting in the bed she was supposed to serve.
Lash sat up and turned to the new voice that had just entered.
"Sidekick!" he exclaimed surprised. "No Way. I will not be handled by a sidekick-go back and send someone else. Like that hot little brunette."
Magenta glared at him and replied, "You think I want to serve you anymore than you want me too? Please I'd rather choke on this nasty jello!"
Lash tried to hold in a smirk. Sidekicks were not funny!
Instead he said, "Well whatever the faster you drop the tray the faster we can not see each other."
Magenta set the tray down hard on his counter and said, "There's one thing we can agree on." However after that she didn't move, instead curiosity got the best of her and she found herself rooted to the spot.
"It's not polite to stare, not that I blame you!"
"What?" she asked stupidly.
Lash nearly smiled again but caught himself first, "Listen side twerp I don't really remember what happened in that closet, but if I did anything to make you think you can talk to me-well I was high and you can't."
"What makes you think I'd want to talk to you in the first place? I prefer conversing with people who don't resemble monkeys."
"Hardy har har! Sidekick aren't you the witty one."
Magenta glared in response. Lash on the other hand was having fun. He had been bored since he was rushed into this antiseptic hell hole.
After a moment of silence Magenta asked, "So what happened to you anyways?"
Lash looked at her and then smirked, "Aww is the wittle sidekick worried about my health and safety? How cute."
"Fine." Magenta said and turned to leave.
Lash saw this and in desperate need to have something to do while he was stuck here, even if it was to talk to those below him quickly answered, "Crystal meth."
Magenta turned with a look of shock and said, "I thought it was just marijuana?"
Lash smiled at the ceiling, "Well it was laced. Which explains a lot and apparently as much as it sucks the first time with normal people, it reacts terribly with supers. Oh well, one the plus side I've never seen my dad go from pink to red to purple to dark blue. All in all it was worth it I guess."
Magenta could only stare at the causal way Lash put everything. He didn't seem to care that he had gotten sick on an illegal substance. But then again, after uniting with a super villain and attempted kidnapping some illegal drugs were probably nothing to him. As disgusted as she was, she couldn't help feeling that little spark of excitement all girls felt hearing about the so called "Bad Boys."
"Nice outfit by the way!"
Magenta shook herself out of her thoughts and replied, "You don't look so bad yourself."
Lash looked at his hospital gown and said, "Don't hate what you can't have!"
Magenta rolled her eyes.
"So what's with the stripes anyways?" Lash asked, he would never have thought ms. anti social pseudo goth would be the type to help out at the hospital. Then again, he didn't actually know her so who knows what she'd do?
Magenta sighed and said, "It was my mom's idea. Ever since she knew I would end up a sidekick she thought I should get used to "helping the big boys" any way I can." Magenta knew she didn't hide the disgust in her voice well but didn't care. "She thought it would be a good idea to volunteer at the hospital, help me get in touch with the best sidekick in me! As if she's miss perfect. So she can shape shift into anything she wants? Big friggin deal!" Magenta made a puking motion.
Lash stared at her stupidly. For some reason it never occurred to him how sidekicks loser hero parents felt about their sidekick loser kids. Not that it surprised him he didn't think of this, he never thought much about sidekicks in general. Only what he could do to them.
"So she doesn't like you being a sidekick?"
Magenta looked at Lash finally remembering who she was talking to. She blushed a little and said, "She doesn't care anymore., but to think that a hero wouldn't be a bit disappointed is pretty stupid don't you think?"
Lash didn't know what to say and was feeling a little uncomfortable so he just laughed and said, "Remember when we locked you in the closet. Ah classic!"
Magenta went red and smiled coldly, "Oh yeah good times. Thanks to you I get another detention for punching a teacher."
"What" Lash asked surprised and impressed.
"I thought it was you, someone was laughing pretty happily outside the door and I assumed it was you laughing at me so when the door opened I didn't think and I ended up hitting someone I shouldn't."
Lash gawked at her. She had actually nearly punched him and wasn't afraid to? This girl had guts. No brains clearly but guts. He then laughed at the coach and stupidly said, "I wish I saw Coach getting hit my a girl. He must have been pretty disappointed not to find his whistle eh?"
Magenta lost her anger and looked at him confused. "How did you know it was the coach?" she asked.
Lash stared stupidly at her while thinking "Oh S$t!' He quickly made something up and tried to seem as natural as possible. "We walked by him mumbling about looking for his whistle and checking the closet. What? You think I told him or something?"
"Oh." Magenta said but wasn't completely convinced, "Wait then how did you know he never found the whistle?"
'Crap!' Lash thought and then remembering something looked at Magenta with a roguish grin and mischievously stated, "Because I'm the one who took it and I still have it!"
"Right." Magenta replied, ('No one should be allowed to grin at a girl like that!' her mind stated) she still didn't believe Lash well she believed he took the whistle that was something he would do, but the whole excuse thing was a little delayed to be completely honest. Lash wouldn't have told the coach though would he? Naw. This was Lash!
After some awkward silence Lash had had enough, "Well as annoying as this has been I'm a little tired now, so if you don't mind leaving and taking your inferiority with you that would be much appreciated."
Magenta opened her mouth to reply but decided it wasn't worth it and turned and left angrily. It seemed every time Lash showed a good side he shut it out with his permanent pms side. She still couldn't get the idea he let her out of the closet out of her head. For the first time she felt herself wondering if there was more to Lash than meets the eyes. 'Not that what does hurts!' "Shut up!" Magenta said out loud to her brain in shock, "We do not go there!"
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Lash had fallen asleep at some point and was now stuck in a dream.
Lash had been walking around the empty playground searching for something but what he didn't know.
"Mom! Is that you?" Lash asked as he heard a voice calling him.
"There's my little Lash." A woman stepped forward and opened her arms wide.
"Mom." Lash's voice was choked with unshed tears.
Laura smiled and pulled her son in for a hug then suddenly she let go and looked at Lash sternly but lovingly. "Lash, what's wrong? I can't stand seeing you so miserable and angry all the time. Please make me happy by making yourself happy. I know you're not a villain and I know you can't hate your dad as much as you think. I also know he doesn't hate you. It breaks my heart to see my family like this. I'm not blaming you, I understand. But please Lash I can't save you anymore you have to save yourself now and I know you can do it! I have to go now baby..."
"Mom! Mom Wait!" Lash called out as a thick mist descended and his vision was impaired.
"Mom!" he cried out loud waking himself.
He sat up and found himself looking straight into the eyes of magenta. He groaned. 'Great!'
Magenta was staring at him funny and said, "Sorry I'm not your mom, wouldn't want to be and I'm sorry for whoever she is too, to have a son like you." still slightly angry she added, "Then again she must be some hag."
She was unprepared for what happened next. She found herself pinned against the wall by the neck with one elongated hand.
"Never insult my mom." Lash slowly let out each word dripping with a threat.
Magenta could only look at him with deep fear. Lash couldn't take that look anymore especially from someone who he had been surprisingly getting along with okay. He quickly let the girl go.
"Sorry." he mumbled.
"Uh it's alright I shouldn't have said anything." Magenta said rubbing her neck and more than slightly shocked by the apology.
"No you shouldn't." With that Lash turned around in his bed and tried falling back asleep in vain.
Magenta nodded dumbly more to herself and left.
This was one long and strange day and she couldn't have been happier when her shift finally ended and she could go home.
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That's the end folks! This was mostly a filler chapter that leads to the rest of the story. Hopefully it turned out alright. Now go and REVIEW!
Oh and if anyone is a hockey fan out there---and not a fan of the canucks I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself. I am Canadian and from BC. Insulting my team would not be a good idea!
Next time on a Bully Transformation:
LASH THINKS HIMSELF OVER
Lash looked at himself in his mirror a little longer and finally through his skateboard at it.
Smiling humourlessly he watched it shatter. He picked up a sharp piece and looking first at it then his wrist decided to save himself one way he knew how.
AND FINDS HIMSELF ALONE
"I can't take it anymore Lash. One thing after another. I want you out of my house!"
MAGENTA DEFENDS AN ENEMY
"I heard he got kicked out! Serves him right. I've met his dad, he's a good guy. Doesn't need a son like that."
"Shut up Will! How do you know? Maybe Lash doesn't need a dad like that!" Magenta got up and left the cafeteria.
WHILE RISKING A FRIEND
"How can you keep defending that prick? After what he puts us all through?" Zach turned and walked away leaving Magenta by herself in shock.