Hey guys I'm back and here is the next chapter. Now if you can't tell I decided to split the games up into two parts. Because a lot can happen in a few days and I am sure your all excited to see what is happening with Calder and what will he do during this time. Now I just want to say thank you to everyone who faved and followed me and my stories. It means a lot guys. Really it does, same to those who reviewed I love hearing your thoughts on things. Now onto the reviews! Blank Core Devil. Glad you thought last chapter funny. Now I will get to work on the next part of this chapter so I will see you guys sooner or later! See yeah!
"Attention Super Hero High, I have some good news. This year the Intergalactic Games will be held at our school and tryouts will begin soon. That is all."
As my fellow inmates all began to murmur and speak among themselves about how exciting it was that something this huge was coming to our local prison. I had only one real thought that crossed my mind. "Oh fuck."
That had been a week ago and my thoughts on the matter hadn't changed. Seriously why would it? Despite my lack of caring I knew all about the Intergalactic Games, and we were being joined by Korugar Academy. One of my former prisons, and it would not end well. If Old Satan found out that I was not only here on earth but attending the rival prison? It would not be pretty. Not that I was worried for me, hell I can handle myself. No, I was worried for the few friends I did have… Let's just say trashing Korugar, even if it wasn't totally my fault… It still was on my record and I know for a fact Satan didn't like me, and given the fact he was considered a bad guy? It wouldn't be pretty.
To make matters worse, was the fact that while Korugar was the only other competing prison, all the others that I had went to were showing up to watch the matches… Which basically meant all the enemies I had made were going to be under one roof with me.
I had to distract myself from all the rushing about as everyone was attempting to try out or practice for the games, I focused on some of my side science projects which I hopped would provide a distraction for me… However, it didn't. See the school got a new IT person a blonde by the name of Lena, she some busybody blonde who was always sticking her nose into everyone's business in the tech department… Especially me, she kept pestering me about my work or my dad's work.
It got so bad at one point I almost strangled her. It took Blunder and Floating Girl to pull me away and even then… It wasn't easy. So, it was all agreed that Lena would keep away from me, otherwise I would kill her for annoying me. Though I don't think she liked it very much or agreed it with the decision. The reason I think that is because I found small spy cameras in my own work space with the Science Club and if it wasn't for Mouse Girl's help in upgrading my software I was sure that she tried to hack my personal computer.
Of course, I couldn't prove it was her, but I knew it. My only real question is why was she focused on my research or my dad's in some cases? She didn't seem like a fan girl, she didn't look the type. I wasn't sure what her deal was, but I decided to keep myself as far away from her as possible.
Which meant I spent a lot of time hanging around town, doing whatever I wanted… Well not exactly what I wanted. One or more of my fellow prisoners would follow me, under orders from the Warden I bet. It wasn't all bad, most of the ones watching me were the friends I had made. Which included the friend I hadn't seen in a long time Big Barda, so we spent most of our time catching up.
Though on the day that Korugar was going to arrive I was left alone, I guess everyone was to busy getting ready for their reindeer games. I had also decided to change my usual outfit, mainly because I felt it was time for a change. My pants were long black and baggy, with straps, black boots that had a zipper near the front. I also wore a gray tank top with a high collar sleeveless indigo shirt that I could zip up. Finally, I removed my bracers and replaced them with black gloves.
I also replaced my sword, well replace is a strong word. I didn't replace my sword so much as changed it. See my sword was a magic one, though it didn't catch on fire or create ice or anything like that. Instead I could change the blade to fit my needs. So instead of being a pure Nordic one-handed sword, it was now a massive two-handed sword (though I used it mainly with one hand) it's hilt was wrapped in a red material with a large handguard, the blade was thinner and double-edged. Now the reason why I changed is simple… I wanted something more effective… Well that and I was working on a new project with the help of Mouse Girl and one of the Professor's at the prison.
A brilliant scientist by the name of Doc Magnus, he mainly dealt with robotics, but he was helping me create some new weapons that would give me an edge against all those people coming here. Now I am sure I could have taken them one on one, but if they all came at me together? Well it wouldn't be pretty. So, with his help I was making additional swords, to protect myself. Though recently he has been working on another project, so I was on my own for a while.
I had hit a snag in finding a way to combine the swords, so I ditched the project for a bit and went for a walk-in town. As I was walking down the streets of Metropolis I placed my hands in my pockets looking around. "You know, as nice as this place is… I prefer Jump City. That place is awesome." As I was talking to myself I felt something bump into me.
"Ooof…"
Blinking I looked at who I ran into and stared in shock… This was without a doubt the most beautiful girl I had ever seen or met in my life. She had long brown hair that went down to the middle of her back, with a pink ribbon held her hair up. She had pale white skin, and sparkling green eyes. She was dressed in a white/blue dress with a red camisole underneath the dress. She had on a few silver bracelets on her arms, and blue tennis shoes, in her hands was a small brown flower basket.
"I'm sorry." I said being genuinely sorry for the first time in my life, bending down I held out my hand to the girl. "Let me help you with that."
"Oh, thank you." The girl smiled up at me as she took my hand with a smile.
"No problem, it was my fault that you fell over." Helping the girl to her feet I bent down and picked up the flowers I had knocked out of her basket. However, they were completely ruined. "I am sorry about the flowers…"
"It's okay." She smiled at me. "I wasn't able to sell any of these today, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do about them."
Frowning for a moment I felt even worse… Wow that is a new feeling. Shaking my head, I grinned. "How much for all the flowers, including the ruined ones?"
"You don't need to do that- "She started to say but stopped seeing the look on my face. "Well, I normally charge five dollars for a bouquet and there were fifty flowers left… So- "
Reaching into my pocket I pulled out a wad of cash I had… ahem liberated a few weeks ago from some drug dealers… Don't judge me! I destroyed the drugs and decided to keep the all the cash I found for myself. Nothing wrong with taking what I was due… Plus other then my own stuff I had no money and had to do whatever I needed to get some cash. The wad of cash I had was made up of twenty hundred-dollar bills. "Take it all please."
"Really, this is to much I can't it." She tried to push the money back to me, but I shook my head taking all the flowers instead.
"Consider it me saying sorry for bumping into you." Smiling I shook my head… This is weird, I am never this nice! What the hell is going on?
Smiling brightly the brown-haired girl turned her head. "Well… Alright if you're sure, but seriously this is to much money… So how about this in order to make this fairer I buy you lunch?"
"Sounds like a plan, I'm Calder by the way." I said introducing myself.
"Nice to meet you Calder, I'm Terra." Still smiling Terra reached out and grabbed my arm playfully. "Come on I know this little café that is perfect. It's called Capes and Cowls."
I knew that place, most of my fellow prisoners went there when they were allowed free time… And given the fact it was afterschool, they could be there… Thinking over it I shrugged my shoulders, it didn't matter. So, allowing Terra to lead the way. However, as we got closer I could see and hear people fleeing from the café.
"What in the hell did Steve do this time?" Raising an eyebrow, I took the flowers that I had bought from Terra and handed them back to her. "Stay here." Breaking into a light jog I found that the front window had been smashed and that the there was three robots inside of the café. One was blue and medium build, the second was really large almost fat and gray, the last one was silvery and shaped like a woman and all three were threatening Steve… Now I don't like the guy but it's mainly on principal he's a push over, despite the fact he has shown some spine once in a while… He mainly is a wuss that lets the girls save him… I was almost tempted to leave him to his fate, but I decided to step in… After all I am trying to be a good guy right about now. However, that wasn't the problem… I knew these robots, they were the Metal Men. They were created by Doc Magnus… I had helped in their construction… They shouldn't be out of the lab just yet. The device that kept them going the Responsometer wasn't fully ready yet, which meant… sabotage!
"Iron, Lead, Platinum Step aside and leave Steve alone. Yeah he's a damsel in distress trope but come on leave the poor princess alone." Shaking my head, I slowly walked toward them just as Floating girl arrived through the broken window and scooped Steve and took off. "Well now that we- Oh come on!" I shouted as Platinum followed Floating girl. Frowning I marched up to the other two and punched my fist through their chests and tossed them onto the street.
Following them, I watched as Bee Girl or Bumblebee as she preferred to be called but she was Bee Girl to me now and forever, anyway she was now facing Platinum. Shaking my head, I decided to duke it out with Lead, while the other prisoners showed up to help fight. They were made up of Blunder Girl, Mouse Girl, Starry or Starfire, and Flash.
"Hey Calder, looks like you could use a hand!" Rushing up to me Flash vibrated his hand as fast as he could and sent the attack straight through the robot. Only to find his attack had no effect what so ever. "I think I could use one instead." He gulped just as the robot tried to throttle him.
Catching the attack, I tossed the thing away and sighed. "Listen these things are known as the Metal Men they have a device inside of them called the Responsometer. It's what keeps them running, however we can't just hit it like anything else… We need a really big surge of power like an electromagnet… The hell Blunder Girl get off the damn phone this is a fight!" I shouted seeing the dark-haired warrior girl talking to someone, as she was fighting Iron.
"Got to go mom!" Blunder Girl shouted before flying back to me, as all the other prisoners surrounded me.
"What do we do? They have the metal of the indestructibility." Starry said floating next to me with concern on her face.
"Starfire's right. Every time I get a hit on them they just reform." Flash then looked at me. "You said you knew how these things worked right?"
Nodding I grimaced slightly. "Yeah, we need an electromagnet, but I don't happen to have one."
"Wait I have an idea!" Snapping her fingers Mouse Girl grinned and helped up her bracelet. "Oracle, remotely piolet Supergirl's spaceship to these coordinates."
As the other ship was getting here I decided to do my best with stopping the destruction of property caused by the Metal Men. "Mouse Girl, Floating Girl you get to your ship and jet. The rest of you with me! Blunder Girl, take down Lead. Bee Girl, and Starry you got Iron!" Taking off I headed straight for Platinum. Out of the Metal Men she was the most dangerous one and when it came to her ability to think or process information was much better then that of her brothers. "Platinum stand down now!" I shouted as I ran up behind her and gripped her arms tightly.
Swirling her head around the robot stared at me. "Calder Calhoun, brother and co-creator… Not a target, but I can not be retrained." Melting her body, the robot was out of my grip just as Blunder took off with Lead into the air, and once he was shut down the other two grabbed the blue robot and helped shut him down.
Shaking my head, I decided to go after Platinum who went after… Terra! Okay this isn't good. The silver robot woman climbed on top of a building. Jumping straight up I saw I was surrounded by the rest of my fellow prisoners. "Platinum, you need to stand down… Just gently hand Terra over to me."
"Return Lead and Iron to me, or the human will be destroyed." Platinum stared at all of us her glowing eyes showing no emotion as she extended her hand over the building.
"Calder help!" Terra shouted her eyes wide with fear.
Gritting my teeth, I decided to do something really, stupid and rushed Platinum. "Time's up." She shouted as she released the brown-haired girl. Jumping over the side of the building I quickly caught the brown-haired flower girl, quickly turning around so my body acted as a shield forced Terra to form her body into a tight ball and held her close, bracing for impact I waited for the sharp impact of smacking into asphalt, but it never happened…. Frowning I looked up to see Blunder Girl staring at me with a concerned look.
"You okay big guy?" She asked with a small smile.
"Peachy, now could you put me down?" I asked feeling slightly annoyed at being caught, but I was grateful more or less. At least Terra wasn't hurt, slowly being put down on the ground I set the girl in my arms down and turned my head. "You doing okay?"
"Just fine, thanks to you and Wonder Woman." She smiled brightly and thanked Blunder for her help. "I think we should postpone our date, till later."
"Wait you had a date!?"
To suffice it to say Blunder Girl was very confused as to why I had a date with someone, and I explained what was really going on. Plus, I told her after I explained we had bigger problems to worry about. Mainly the Metal Men and getting them back to Doc Magnus. Agreeing with me we took the robots back to the robotics lab where Doc Magnus was waiting, alongside some of our more tech savvy prisoners… And the Warden as well. Yeah this isn't good. Doc Magnus upon seeing the Metal Men was just as shocked as I was seeing them outside the lab, and thus was forced to explain to the Warden what they were.
To say she was less then pleased was an understatement.
"An experiment?" She glared at both the Doc and I, her eyebrow twitching in anger.
"Uh… That was a malfunction, but I've made real progress with the technology. With Mister Calhoun's help of course." Doc explained as removed the lollipop he always had in place of cigarette.
"He's right, this tech is cutting edge Warden… But I don't think it was a malfunction Doc. You and I both know that their personality matrix isn't right yet. Something or someone is messing with them." I frowned thinking of a certain blonde IT tech person who will be getting strangled later.
"Why am I not surprised you were involved." Warden Waller stared at me with an angry look, hey I resent that! "Doc Magnus you and Calder made real strides right into trouble central. I can't have teachers or students building evil robots. Especially not now with all the scrutiny around the games."
Wait does that mean we can build evil robots after the games? Hmm… Food for thought. "You can't be serious… Evil? They aren't evil Warden and you know it. I am telling you something caused them to go off on a rampage, and it wasn't something Doc or I did."
"But Principal Waller…" Doc tried to argue but the Warden held up her hand.
"Our student tech committee will decide what to do with these experiments."
The committee of four huh? Turning around I stared at the committee which was made up of Cyborg, Bee Girl, Barda and Mouse Girl. This wouldn't be good.
"I don't know Doc." Bee Girl said with a frown cupping her chin.
"It's like it's got a high powered wicked chip in there." Cyborg extended his hand over Platinum's body which out of the others wasn't badly damaged after being shut down.
Frowning I crossed my arms. "They aren't wicked you idiots."
"This technology can change the world. Look." Reaching down into Platinum, Doc showed them the core of the Metal Men. "I call it the Responsometer, once I worked out the kinks, it'll be the greatest advancement in robotics in the galaxy."
"Hell, yeah it will." I cheered with a grin… Seriously I liked Doc Magnus this guy in some ways was like my dad but better. Hell, one of the reasons why I agreed to help him was the fact that I could help create something great. Something that would do good for the world… Now I liked destruction and fighting but the part of me that liked tech, loved to create and Doc's help it was able to flourish.
Frowning for a moment Mouse Girl leaned forward. "What does it do?"
"It makes robots more human, gives them free real. We know the robots are powerful. Today proved that they can stand up to some of the toughest heroes." Doc Magnus explained with a smile, see there it is again that thing about him.
"I got that loud and clear when they tried to take down my friends." Mouse Girl said with a glare staring at both Doc and I with a disapproving look on her face.
"But what if they were fighting villains instead? If the robots could make good choices, then they could be superheroes. Overnight we could, double, triple the number of certified heroes and stop evil worldwide." Doc said leaning forward his hands on the table.
Nodding I crossed my arms. "Agreed, but more then that, the robots could help with natural disasters or cure diseases. Be where normal people can't. They can do so much good for this world."
The Warden frowned for a moment before turning her gaze to Mouse Girl. "What do you think?"
Mouse Girl took out an ipad looking device and scanned Platinum and after a moment she glared at me. "These robots are corrupt. We should destroy them."
"Batgirl knows best." Cyborg said, oh yeah don't form your own thoughts or opinions, be a mindless tool.
"Yeah she's right." Bee Girl agreed with a nod, now you are a tool so this I get.
Looking at Barda I was hopping she would disagree…. Come on Barda you know me, and I know you want to fit in but don't choose them over what you know is right.
Staring at the floor Barda sighed and shook her head. "I am sorry Calder, but they are right, they need to be destroyed."
"What!?" I shouted in anger… however before I go on a tirade of the century, the most annoying thing on the planet had shown up.
"Principal Waller, I wanted to let you know that I've increased the WI-FI capacity, and we can handle all our guests for the games." The annoying blonde Lena said as she walked up to us her phone in hand.
"Thank you, Lena." Waller said with a smile, don't smile at her she's the devil!
"Sounds like you're really on top of all the IT girl duties." Mouse Girl complemented her.
Smiling Lena nodded. "I try. Anything else I can do for you?"
"No." I snarled doing my best to restrain myself from trying to kill her.
"Actually yes. These robots need to be put in the secure disposal." Waller said pointing at Platinum.
"Yeah, sure you-"She started to say but stopped when I slammed my hands on the table.
"Touch them and I will kill you!" I snarled in anger… Yeah, I had fucking enough of this little game.
"Mister Calhoun, what are you doing?" Doc Magnus stared at me in shock.
Frowning Warden Waller stared at me unimpressed by my threat. "Calder stand down or I will- "
"I don't give a flying fuck what you tell my mother! You can't destroy them, despite what they did these robots are still learning. It would be like killing an infant. Plus, as they go along they are becoming more human like and developing their own thoughts and will. If you kill another sentient creature, then you are no better then the bad guys you fight!" Staring at all the others in the room I gripped the table in frustration… Why couldn't they see what was going on? "What if Red Tornado went out of control? Would you kill him too? Or you Cyborg what if you get a virus and can't control your robot half? Would we be forced to kill you because your dangerous? Where do we draw the fucking line!?"
"Calder, you have no room talk." Mouse Girl spoke up… You know we were getting closer thanks to the club, but she is pissing me off with her holier than though attitude right now. She knew this was wrong and yet she was saying it anyway. "You said you helped build these things, well their programing is all out of whack, so it's your fault they went out of control- "
She never finished her sentence as I jumped over the table and landed right on top of her my hands on her throat, and despite Cyborg's Bee Girl's and Barda's attempts I would not be removed from my position. "Finish that sentence and you're dead. It. Wasn't. My. Fault! It wasn't theirs either. Someone got into the lab and messed with them… Someone like Lena." Turning my gaze to the blonde I glared at her as she twitched nervously.
"I am sick and tired of this, Lena isn't a bad person Calder. Just because she was a little curious about your work doesn't mean she's bad." Warden Waller glared at me, but I could see she had something in her hand… a beacon to summon someone?
"Yeah, right." Twitching in anger I glared at almost anyone that would meet my gaze.
"Calder it's alright… Right now, the Responsometer isn't fully developed… It's okay." Doc Magnus said as he walked around the table and placed a hand on my shoulder. "We can always rebuild… Just please let it go my boy. Be better then this. You said wanted to help create, do not be like this. You are better then this."
Twitching more I slowly let go of Mouse Girl's throat and stood to my feet, stepping over her I found the place where I had kept my sword in the lab and stomped toward the nearest window. Jumping up to the ledge I broke the glass and started to climb out the window.
"Calder where are you going?" Warden Waller called out.
"Out! Heimdallr I'm coming home, let me in!" Jumping out the window I could feel the familiar rush of the Bifrost opening up and sucking me away in a flash of rainbow colored fire.
It took me a few hours to calm down, but I finally did… The moment I came back to earth I was extremely messed up. My clothing was covered in all kinds of different colored blood, my shirt and tanktop were covered in burn marks, and some pieces of my pants were missing due to some acid that was shot at me. Oh, and I was missing a boot. "Thanks, Heimdallr I owe you one." I shouted up at the sky… I calmed down, but I wasn't happy about what had went down back in the lab. "They just don't get it… No one does… Well expect for the Doc but he's one of the few…" Shaking my head I placed my sword back into the sheath on my back and decided to head back to my cell to clean up and change.
"Calder! There you are I've been looking all over for you!"
Groaning I rolled my eyes as Blunder Girl floated right next to me and frowned pinching her nose. "What happened to you?"
"I had to work out some issues." I muttered before shaking my head. "If you don't mind I need to get back to my cell and change. If you want to talk then do it while walking."
Following behind me Blunder Girl looked down slightly. "I heard about what happened in the robotics lab."
"Did you? Let me guess the son of the bad guy just went out of control and attacked a helpless hero, right?" Staring at her I raised an eyebrow, but she shook her head slightly.
"Not exactly. I knew you wouldn't do something like that without a reason. I like to think I know you better then that." She said switching from being Blunder Girl to Diana, the warrior woman I respected. It was a subtle change, but it was there. I had come to see it whenever we talked to one another. "I think you went a little far in your actions, but at least I understand them."
"You would be one of the few." I muttered walking through the doors of the prison.
"Well not just me, Flash and Miss Martian understand your point of view as well." Diana said with a small smile. "After you disappeared, we all started to search for you, but Principal Waller said you had left and we should leave you alone."
"Yet you were still looking for me?"
Smiling she nodded. "You're my friend and you have never been that angry before. I was worried about you."
"Thanks, but I can take care of myself." We soon arrived at the entrance of my cell and I opened the door. "Anyway, see you later." Closing the door behind me I quickly stripped off my clothing and threw it away. Trust me there was no fixing what had been down to my clothes. I took a quick shower and changed into an exact copy of my outfit and then I proceed with cleaning up my sword, and after that I was going to sharpen and oil it. You know as fun as it is to build things, or even fight… There was just something about the simple things, like cleaning and maintaining weapons. It was simple, and therapeutic in a way, plus it gave me time to shut down my brain and not think.
As I applied some oil to a small rag my door opened to reveal Warden Waller, and boy did she look pissed off. "Wonder Woman told you had returned."
"And?" I asked not taking my eyes off the sword.
"I want you to apologize to Batgirl."
Sighing I slowly set aside my cleaning oil and my sword and looked up at the woman. "No. You have nothing to threaten me with. You can go ahead and tell my mom for all I care. However, she will agree with me that I was in the right this time. There is nothing you can do to me to make me apologize for. So, unless you wish to kick me out now then by all means go ahead." Standing to my feet I stared down at the Warden my eyes becoming hard and steely.
Not even flinching she returned my gaze. "You will apologize Calder, you threatened to kill her. Almost did if Doc Magnus hadn't stepped in. By my rights you should be Belle Reve right about now, or even some where else."
"I don't care. What about that aren't you getting anymore?" Raising an eyebrow, I crossed my arms. "Go ahead and have people lock me away, or kick me out. I don't care."
We both stared one another down, neither one sure what to do about the other in his regard, Waller couldn't threaten or bribe me anymore. Especially not when I was morally right about what had gone down. Yeah, I went to far, but Mouse Girl was wrong and while two wrongs don't make anything right, they at least balanced each other out.
"Principal Waller if I may step in."
"Yes, let us speak to the boy."
That voice… I knew that voice.
Stepping into the room was a beautiful older woman, she had long blonde almost white hair in a pony tail, pale skin and dark eyes, she was dressed in a fashionable light purple suit. On her left arm was a bracelet that had small shields all around it with runs on them. She was well built and close to my own height, and she carried herself with grace and poise that came from years of stepping through a battle field. The man standing next to her was as tall as I was but when it came to the woman he was almost the opposite. His body was wiry thin, his hair was wild and uncontrollable mess of gray. His pale skin seemed almost unhealthy like he hadn't seen the sun for a while, he was dressed in a lab coat with a blue shirt, brown pants and boots. Around his neck was a pair of goggles and on his right hand was a gauntlet that seemed to be something from a science fiction movie.
Seeing the pair I gulped slightly before sighing in defeat. "Hello mother. Hello father."