Invitation III

"Even Tye went home. I guess his mom's evil boyfriend is outta the picture."

"And Asami?"

"She's staying with Tye and his mom. Turns out she and Tye kinda had a thing. And none of us knew."

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 20

"Your Longshadow has come a long way since STAR, Tye," Atom noted offhandedly.

Tye narrowed his eyes. "Thanks." He had to resist the urge to roll his eyes for fear of the little chip on his shoulder catching him. Why Atom decided to hitch a ride on Tye, the kid had no idea. Though if he had the same mindset as Tye, getting what amounted to free piggyback rides was something not even a superhero would turn down.

"I think the Team would really be a benefit to—"

"So how do we do this?" Tye asked. His skateboard wasn't exactly the fastest thing on wheels, but it was getting them closer to the MFD than walking did.

"I can plant the MFD," Atom said. "But if those Beetletech drones are equipped with motion sensors, I'll need a distraction. A big, golden one."

"You want me to be a punching bag?" Tye slammed his foot on the sidewalk, stopping. Figures. Not even the heroes are above using kids for their own fun.

"Just for a little while," Atom amended. "Long enough for me to plant the MFD." He jumped off Tye's shoulder and reverted to human size. "I know what happened before you were kidnapped by the Reach, Tye. It won't be anything like that. If you want, I'll even be the distraction."

Tye narrowed his eyes, trying to glean some sense of falsehood in the hero's gaze. Having Maurice as a dad and his own mother seemingly blind to the monster she brought into their home left it so hard to trust adults. Luthor had tried, and look where that got them. The only one he felt he could truly trust was his grandfather, and even that, the term "trust" was used sparingly. But with his powers, and provided they saved the world…

"We do it your way," Tye finally said. "I'll go Longshadow, you go micro. Simple." Nodding, the Atom shrunk down and returned to his position on Tye's shoulder.

Thankfully, their short conversation didn't give the MFD enough time for it to go chrysalis. Still, the Beetle Drones were guarding over it diligently.

"Whenever you're ready, Tye," Atom whispered. Tye nodded and closed his eyes, clearing his mind. Everything became like the desert in El Paso: sand, plants, and rocks. Nothing for miles and the sun hanging overhead. He could feel his feet lifting from the ground as his Longshadow emerged. Though his eyes were closed, the form provided him a clear view of the battlefield. He could hear Atom's feet patter along the street, the humming of the drones' various circuits.

He was ready.

Running, he charged head on toward the drones. Their initial attacks barely touched his Shadow, and once he got close, he swatted them into a building. Whatever the Reach made them with kept them from exploding; both drones had their cannons charged. Again, Tye rushed to meet them, only to be knocked back by their twin volley. He felt his Shadow crash into a building, followed by screams.

"Mom!"

"Janice!"

"Greg, I'm stuck!"

Tye's Shadow dissolved. The boy rubbed his head before turning around to look at the damage he'd done. A pile of rubble had covered a woman's legs, and her husband and two sons were trying to lift it off of her. The drones had ignored him in favor of the three males.

No. No.

Breathing, his Shadow grew again. Wasting no time, Tye grabbed the drones and smashed them together before picking up the rubble that kept the woman immobile. Her husband swept her up in arms before all four turned to their giant savior. Tye opened his eyes as he returned to his normal form and landed in front of them.

"It's okay," Tye smiled. "You're safe now."

"Thank you," the father nodded in appreciation. Their children swarmed them, and the four were wrapped in a deep embrace. It made Tye angry, but also jealous. Nearly everyone had their perfect family. Jaime and his family may as well have been on the cover of every El Paso home magazine; Virgil's family was probably worried half to death; Ed had at least tried to make up with his dad before they went on the run. Only him and Asami came from truly broken homes. And even with her, it sounded like her situation wasn't as bad as his. He had a sick feeling that their relationship would end once this was all over.

Surprise, surprise. You'll be alone again. Just like when Jaime turned. Just like home.

"You alright?"

The Atom walked behind Tye and placed a hand on his shoulder. He gave the family one last look before walking off to reclaim his skateboard.

"Tye—"

"Don't, okay?" Tye glared at him. "I don't want to hear about how I did good work, or how I've got potential. Your little Team wouldn't even be here if it weren't for me and my friends saving your asses on the War World, and the first thing they do is try to make us fall in line! You, Luthor, the Reach. You're all the same, just using us to get what you want or for your kicks! Well, I'm done."

"Tye—"

"If you're such heroes, why don't you start by saving people from the bad guys at home?! Why do we have to suffer while you go out and take all the photos, huh?!" Tears were brimming in his eyes, and his voice cracked.

No, NO. You won't cry. You didn't cry in front of Maurice, and you sure as hell won't cry in front of one of them.

"Why didn't Batman come save me and my mom? Why didn't Blue use his Scarab to…" Tye couldn't help it. He threw his helmet and broke down, crying. Tears ran down his face as he looked up at the still thundering sky.

"I can't imagine what it was like growing up in that kind of environment, Tye," Atom whispered as he sat beside him. "But what I do know is that he won't be bothering you anymore. When you went missing, Jaime started looking for you. He found out that Maurice was selling pirated DVDs, and he turned him in. Maurice is gone, and your mother is safe."

Tye wiped away his tears. Maurice was gone? He could go home again?

"Jaime's been busy, so Bart and I have been visiting her. She needs you, Tye."

Tye sniffed and stood up. If what Atom said was true—and he'd definitely demand answers from Jaime once things had settled down—then everything had changed. They could be a family again.

"You take me to my mother once this is all over," Tye demanded, keeping up his front. "I want your word that you or Jaime or Impulse will take me up there so I can see her with my own eyes."

Atom nodded. "You have my word."

Location: McDuffie Train Station, Dakota City, June 22

True to his word, Atom, Jaime, and Impulse all took Tye home to see his mom. Once he stepped through the door and laid eyes on her, he knew how badly his disappearance destroyed her. She looked even worse than what Maurice had done to her. As soon as her own eyes met his, they swept each other up in a tight hug.

And now here he was with Virgil, Ed, and Asami. Virgil's family would be at the station to pick up their son in a few minutes, and the others had decided to see him off, both as a precaution and a final goodbye.

"Feels like I was just here," Virgil chuckled. The others laughed.

"So," Ed began, "you're really gonna do this hero thing, huh?"

Virgil nodded. "Being out there with Black Lightning was just so…amazing. I tell you, guys, I've never felt so alive then being out there, zapping the bad guys in their faces. Sure you don't want to come along?"

"Nice try bro," Tye grinned, "but you'll have to go solo on this one. I can't leave my mom again."

"And my dad and I finally decided to only yell when we watch soccer."

Virgil turned to their female friend. "Sam? Watashitoisshoni sūpāhīrō ni naritaidesu ka?"

Asami blushed and scratched the back of her head. Her other hand reached for Tye's and held it tightly.

"Oh," Ed's eyes widened and he turned to Virgil. "Did you—"

"No idea," Virgil said, eyes not leaving the couple's hands. "How? When?"

Tye and Asami looked at each other, shrugged, and said, "No idea." Asami followed it up with her trademark grin and thumbs up.

The four of them couldn't help but laugh loudly.

"See you guys around?" Ed said once their laughter died down. "Some sooner than others."

"Look for me on TV," Virgil grinned. "You can say you knew me when."

"Yeah, I'm sure your fans'll eat you up, bro," Tye shook his head in amusement. "Superheroes got secret identities, you know. You're gonna need one, too."

"Already got it covered. How's Static Shock sound?"

"Drop the 'Shock', and it's catchy," Ed said. Asami gave a thumbs up, and Tye nodded.

"Virgil!"

The boy in questioned turned around. In the distance, he could spot his family running towards him. He gave his friends one last look before dashing toward them.

"I gotta go, too," Ed grabbed the skateboard helmet underneath his chair and strapped it on. "Dad wants me to have some real cooking, none of that Reach or LexCorp crap." Rising out of his chair, he nodded toward the couple and walked out the station, skateboard in hand.

"Now what?" Asami asked, thumb brushing against his knuckle.

"No idea," Tye shrugged. "All I know is, I want you to be there."

Phew! Anotherh Runaways story complete! This one was harder to write because I have no clue what it's like to be physically abused. It's something you can never justify, at least to me, and I didn't want to open up a can of worms by having flashbacks or anything mentioning Tye's mom that would come off as just tacky. All the same, I wanted to show what kind of effect that would have on Tye and his perception of trust, particularly with adults and men. I hope that came across well.

This one isn't technically related to the "Invitation" stories, but I'm still counting it as such. Hope I didn't use the "no idea" gag too much, and I once again hope I got Asami's Japanese right. As always, read and review.

Next up: The Return