Chapter six:
Gavin paces the room. He's getting much too impatient and wants to dart into the mirror. He is only held back by the fact that if he does then he could tear a hole in the rift between worlds, along with the fact that he wants to hear how Geoff's friend believes is best to handle this. He stops pacing and plops down onto the ground sitting crossed legged with his head down. "Micool... Come home..."
...
Michael lays awake staring up at the ceiling. He's been trying to sleep like the other two are doing but he finds he is having trouble. He closes his eyes softly and tries to not think about anything but the worried thoughts of being found out comes into his mind like a plague. He sighs and sits up giving up on sleep. He gets up and heads over to a window looking up to the starry sky. He begins to wonder if he really can stay here and if he can't then how long does he have? He shuts his eyes tightly and clenches his teeth finding that his questions only lead to even more questions instead of answers. "Damn it." His hands curl into fists and slightly slams one against the window sill. He then stays there for a few moments before breathing heavily as he brings his hands back to hang at his sides. His head drops down. "I can't think about that." He says to himself then he opens his eyes to half way. "I need to focus on my new life now. I'm a part of this world now. I have to remember that." He turns away and heads back to try to sleep again even though he doubts that he will get any. He lays down pulling the blanket over himself closing his eyes trying to forget about his worried thoughts. He ends up passing out of exhaustion a little later.
The next day they have gathered in Hildas lab as Vav wanted to introduce Michael to the others.
"And that's how we met." Vav concludes the story.
"Well he sounds like he could be trustworthy. But where did he come from?" Ash asks.
"He used to live in a treehouse. Me and X-ray brought him into our place during that terrible storm. The treehouse he was living in was not proper shelter for such a storm. He now lives with us." Vav explains. "He used to not socialize really."
"Well you seem like a nice guy." Hilda says.
"Thanks. You all are rather kind." Michael responds.
"Welcome to the group!" Ash says smiling widely.
Michael feels better as he had been nervous about this especially when it was asked where he came from but it seems to all be okay.
The next day….
It's Ash, Vav, X-ray, Hilda and Rusty right now in the lab.
Michael opted to stay back in the apartment right now.
"Perhaps you could get him to the lab. Be friendly and invite him over to the lab." Hilda suggests pushing herself away from the wall she was leaning on.
"Do you think that's a good idea?" X-ray questions. "We don't know really anything about him."
"He helped us." Vav protests.
"And the more guys on our side the better." Hilda adds. "Trust me on this."
Later...
"So when do you think we'll see him again?" Vav questions as he and X-ray walk back to the apartment.
"No idea." X-ray shrugs. "Maybe he'll show up for another villain."
"I hope so." Vav chirps in response. "I think he's cool!"
"Of course you do." X-ray slightly sighs rolling his eyes at his friend.
"Miss Hilda." Orf comes over. "There has been a report of a villain on Main Street."
"Perfect." Hilda nods at the small robot. "Thank you." She turns to X-ray and Vav. "Go."
The two nod and head off to Main Street. They make it and find a pair of villains possibly twins.
The villains have large metal backpacks and a remote in one hand each that connect to the backpacks.
"Haha! We have these devices that we have made! Soon paint will explode everywhere!" One of the villains laugh turning his back to the two heroes that have yet to be spotted.
X-ray takes this moments and shoots at the keypad on the backpack guessing that's where important electrical stuff is.
The backpack breaks and with a small explosion there is black clouds coming from the spot that was hit.
The one carrying the broken backpack spins around trying to see what happened. "NO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" He screeches.
The other is about to press the button when suddenly Mikey swoops down slashing the other backpack breaking it.
Paint drips out landing on the sidewalk and road making it colorful as there are slash marks on the backpack.
Mikey lands on his feet skidding to a stop slightly curled up to brace his landing. He's glad he managed to stick the landing.
"NOOO!" The other villain shrieks at this. "OUR PLAN IS RUINED!"
People cheer and at this Mikey stands up straighter smiling softly.
Vav and X-ray come over to him and Mikey turns to leave but a grip on his arm stops him.
Mikey glances back and sees that Vav was the one that grabbed his arm.
Vav smiles kindly and X-ray looks on in suspicion.
"Come on!" Vav begins leading them as they take Mikey to the lab where the three currently are.
The three look up as Vav and X-ray arrive bringing Mikey with them.
"We brought Mikey!" Vav says happily and finally releasing the other now that they've slowed to a stop.
The other three come over to meet the other.
"Greetings Mikey." Hilda greets. "I'm Hilda. This is Ash and Rusty. Oh and of course Orf." She gestures to the others.
"Nice to meet you." Mikey greets knowing that he should try to earn their trust.
"May I ask where you got your suit and powers?" Hilda questions.
"A hero should never reveal their secrets." Mikey says.
"Aw come on you can tell us!" Vav chirps.
Mikey shakes his head. "I will say this. I wanted to help and when I got the chance to be useful I took it."
"That sounds very nice of you to want to help." Ash admits.
"Yeah!" Vav comes over to stand in front of Mikey.
Meanwhile…..
A chuckle rings through the dark room then a golden cane with a large ruby colored gem on the top is brought up. "Rage mode. Attack." Is spoken into the gem and the gem begins to glow revealing the Mad King smirking with the gem close to his lips.
Back with the others…..
Mikey growls and suddenly he lowers his head raising his hands towards his head with one reaching towards his head faster than the other.
"Mikey?" Vav questions when suddenly Mikey's head shoots up as he releases a feral sounding growl. "Mikey!?" He questions now worried and his eyes meet with Mikeys.
Mikey's eyes are narrowed and are completely red sending shivers of fear down Vav's spine. He leaps at Vav slashing him with his claw like nails before anyone can do anything.
Vav falls back with a cry of pain as Mikey's claws pierced through Vav's suit causing Mikey's claws to slash Vav's chest. He is bleeding with some blood left on Mikey's claws but it is minor wounds. He looks up teary eyed at Mikey who stands with his hands slightly curled and he holds a hand on his own wounds.
"What the hell!" X-ray rushes to his friends side.
Mikey on the other hand begins backing up tossing his head side to side with growls and eyes shut tightly for a few moments before opening them. He looks around almost like a frightened animal.
Hilda gasps. "I think I know what happened!" She says as everyone turns to her. "He is still having trouble with his powers! He doesn't have full control just yet!"
"Then we have to help him!" Vav says about to get up but X-ray makes him sit back down again. "X-ray!"
X-ray gets up and approaches Mikey who lets out a few growls.
The others watch ready to help as needed.
X-ray blinks as he notices something then with even more determination he moves closer to the other. "Mikey. Calm down." He reaches Mikey then pulls him into a hug.
Mikey freezes then blinks in which his eyes turn back to normal. "X…X-ray?" he questions hesitantly in which X-ray moves back.
"Sorry. It was the only thing I could think of doing." X-ray says. "But it worked."
Mikey glances to Vav then sees that he's injured from a slash. He brings one hand up and looks at his claws. His face falls into clear and pure horror as he realizes what had happened. "No! Oh God No!" He brings a hand to his chest in fear and horror. "This can't be happening!"
Vav moves over to Mikey. "We don't blame you." He says. "You're struggling with control. We get that." He tries to assure the other.
"You shouldn't forgive me so easily!" Mikey whimpers. "Not after what I did!"
"Mikey calm down. It's okay. We understand that you just need a little help on control." Ash tells him and Mikey glances around teary eyed only to see that the others don't blame him. He looks away. "Maybe I should go…." He runs out of the lab.
"MIKEY!" Vav tries to call him back but Mikey keeps going. "He blames himself when he had no control over what he did…." He trails off in disappointment. "I hope we see him again. We should help him."
The others make sounds of agreement at this.
That night….
The other two are in their own rooms to sleep while Michael is in the living room of course.
Michael stands at a window looking outside only to sigh heavily.
"Can't sleep Mikey?"
The voice makes his eyes widen.
