Disclaimer: I don't own the newsies. Black Ice is mine.
A/N: 7 months later and finally an update. Soo sorry for the long wait. Results of a bad year followed by a weird summer. I will finish this story though, hopefully soon so keep an eye out. OK now that that's out of the way, read on……..
My Name Is Ice: Chapter 12
Cat and the three newsies entered the theatre right when thing were just picking up. Looking around, Cat noted that most of the borough leaders had arrived already with their newsies and that the leaders were actually talking civil to each other. Cat shook her head, something didn't seem right.
Before she could make any inquiries into the matter a shrill whistle rang through the air. It was Jack.
"Hey everybody, gather 'round! I want you to meet someone!"
"Cowboy, what the heck to you think your doing!" Cat hissed angrily. She did not like the smile he was wearing and tried to escape back into the cool Manhattan air but was stopped by Spot and Race. When she turned back around she saw that all eyes were on her. She could see the other Manhattan newsies gawking at her in her dress. Why me why me why me???
"Boy's I'd like ya to meet Manhattans newest newsie, Kitty Cat." There was a lot of murmuring until one of the borough leaders held up his hand.
"Ya sure about adding a goil to yar crew is the best thing ta do right now?" Everyone looked at Jack expectantly knowing full well what he meant. Jack smiled sadly.
"Maybe I should say her full name. Kitty Cat Kelly." Now everyone was talking. Jack quieted them down again. "She's my sista and shes already taken down the Delancy boys with no problem. She can hold her own." The other leader nodded.
"Well in that case, welcome ta Medda's Kitty Cat." The newsies cheered and turned back to what they were doing. Cat reached over and smacked Jack in the back of the head.
"Hey, what was that fer?"
"Don't EVER do that ta me again, ya got it." Jack just smiled and backed away, leaving her and Spot alone. Spot turned to her holding out his hand.
"Well miss Kelly. May I have this dance?"
"Only as long as we'se can get a drink afterwards."
"Ya got yerself a deal." Cat allowed herself to be lead out to the dance floor where many of the newsies were already dancing with their girls. To her surprise, Spot was actually s very good dancer. Not at all what she had expected from this Brooklyn leader. Of course, she thought, his family did go to many parties. He must have learned it from his mother.
"Surprised." She looked up to find Spot smiling at her.
"Yeah, a bit. Being the Brooklyn leader an all I thought you wouldn't have time for dancin'."
"I'se the King, I can do anything." Cat laughed.
"Hey Spot."
"Yeah."
"How did you come to be in Brooklyn? I mean, I heard that you and Jack left to be newsies together and now yer both leaders in two different boroughs. How'd that happen?" Spot frowned.
"Ya mean Jack never told ya?" She shook her head. "Well how about we talk about it over that drink. Cat agreed and they made their way over to the bar. After getting their drinks they found a table over in the corner of the theatre and sat down.
"Well as you know, about a week after you left, me and Jack ran off and we ran into some Manhattan newsies. Well stayed there and worked for a bit. Jack got in good with the leader and he loved it here." Spot took a drink then continued. "I on the other hand was having more trouble. Sure I made friends and all but with my parents still being in 'hattan it was a lot harder. Finally after a close call with the bulls Beaver, the leader at the time, said that I should go ova ta Brooklyn. See his brotha was in Brooklyn and they were pretty close so it didn't matter me being from 'hattan. Jack wanted ta come but he wasn't gonna leave 'hattan just in case you would pop up. Brooklyn took care of me and after awhile I was named leader."
Cat stared at her drink. It was still hard hearing that she had family thinking about her all these years. All these years that she has been cursing their names and she was the one who had given up. Now her brother and best friend were the two most powerful newsie leaders and she was the leader of their enemy.
It doesn't matter, she told herself, what they used to be. They were still Cowboy and Spot, still newsies. They had changed just like her, but could she actually attack them personally? Only time would tell. Cat looked towards the back of the theatre where most of the borough leaders had begun to gather.
"Hey Spot, what's with all the leaders? They actually look civil together." If it wasn't was the severity of the situation Spot would have laughed.
"It seems that the Stingers have been venturing outside of Manhattan and into the other boroughs. They haven't done anything yet but the newsies are starting to sweat so we called a counsel. This is the first time it's been done since the strike."
There was no fear on her face at this revelation, as he thought there would be. Cat just stared back at him, a pensive look crossed her face and Spot could all but here the wheels turning in her head.
Maybe now she understands how serious the Black Ice situation is. Before Spot could say anything else he say Jack wave him over; the counsel was about to begin.
0
"We'se saw two of them sneaking around the DO the other day. Once they knew we noticed them they just disappeared. That's the third spotting since the return." The Queens leader, Reed, said finishing up the last of the borough accounts. Everyone one was silent for a moment, taking in all they had heard. It seemed that not only were the Stingers stalking around the boroughs but some of the old member, who had left in the event of Ice's disappearance, were returning so now they were almost back to full strength.
"So what have you done about it?" A hooded figure in the shadows asked.
"Done about it?" Reed repeated angrily. "What can we do about it, we'se have no idea of what their planning and if we strike at one of them then the rest would attack hard and fast." Other leaders murmured in agreement.
"They're scouting you'se out, looking for opportunities." The hooded figure continued in a calm voice. "Your just hiding and giving them the opportunity they need. You have all the boroughs on your side, you should strike before they have a chance to set up."
"You would tell us that wouldn't ya Flame." Reed sneered. "You're one of 'em."
"Hey!" Spot interrupted, standing up in a silent fury on his face. "He's one of mine. He's already proved himself loyal and if it weren't for him we wouldn't have had the heads up on Ice!"
"And in case you blocks are daft," Jack said, "Flame givin' us that information made 'im and traitor and Black Ice don't look too kindly on traitors."
"Well if he's so loyal, why don't he tell us who the mysterious Black Ice is?" the Harlem leader stood up as well. "Ice may be from 'hattan but he's killed more newsie in Harlem then any of the otha boroughs and not just the leaders."
"I'll help with whateva I can." Flame replied tersely. "But I can't tell you 'is name."
"But if we knew who 'e was then we'se could snatch 'im before anyone else gets killed." Jack said slowly, unable to deny the truth in what Harlem was saying.
"And do what Cowboy? The only way to really stop this is to either make a truce with Ice or kill him and I'm sure you've all notice that he's got a little something against newsies." Jack was about to argue but Flame wasn't done. "And I owe him alright! He saved my butt and I owe him!" everyone was silent. Flame continued in a low voice. "He saved me from the Refuge and this is my price; I can't give you his name."
No one spoke for a moment, going over what was just reveled to them. Some were cursing his sense of honor while others were admiring it, and then others were trying to understand Black Ice helping anybody.
"Look," Flame continued, "I know no one wants a war here, especially with the Stingers but I don't see another choice. You either start fighting back soon or they'll dominate over you before you even get a chance to fight back." There were several murmurs of agreement and a few cheers from the others. Spot stepped forward.
"Would now be a good time to mention that you just made 2nd Command of Brooklyn." The room burst into laughter as the tension of the moment was broken and the few closest to Flame could see that under the hood his face had turned as red as his hair and he wore a huge smile.
"So," Jack said after the laughter died down. "How much time do you think we'll have? When do you think they'll strike?"
"Well, I don't know, from what it sounds like they're almost ready and are just waiting for the order. It could be a few days……."
BANG
Everyone jumped out of their seats and looked around for the source of the sound. There was smoke coming from the stage, the direction of the noise. Everyone was backing away as through the smoke dark figures could be seen. When they got closer they could make out the Stingers second in command, Rock, who was grinning at them in triumph.
"…or they could attack right now." Flame finished dryly.
A/N: YAHOO, I am back with a bang! Sorry about the cliff hanger but… I really like doing it.lol now theres a little button down below that says 'review'. Click it and make my day! Til next time people. Later!