A/N 1-15-11: Updating just because. Thanks for all the new reviewers and the loyal readers engaging in this fanciful tale of mine. I love my reviewers, all of them. They review, and reviews make me feel warm, fuzzy, and appreciated, but the two word reviews are maddening. Succinct and to the point I will give that credit, but maddening. I love being told that you guys love my story, but I also like reviews that give constructive criticism; things for me to think over and perhaps add changes to a new chapter like Stone's reasoning for teaming up with See-more not Kid.

If I took a card from the blunt deck and decided to use that as a chapter I wonder what the responses would be like. (I have a word document for review ranting. Example: It's a Hamlet. They all die. (or in two words) Everybody dies). Well, enough whims. Enjoy.

Chapter 37: Query

Life was not fair. A simple and accurate statement, and at the HIVE life was not flowers and rainbows and fuzzy pink clouds. Life was combat practice, heists, encryption, the study of past and present notable criminal enterprises and masterminds, and research on the "pitsniffin' crudmunchin' do-gooders" (quote Gizmo). Life consisted of impressing their instructors, excelling in class, and for Cyborg trying to blend in until the perfect time to hack into the HIVE's computer databases.

Part of the plan for blending in was to, ironically, stand out. In order to pass completely under the HIVE radar, Stone needed to be seen as unquestionably loyal and remain in the good graces of the student body, hence Cyborg allying with See-more, Mammoth, and Gizmo. Only one hour in and Cyborg had clearly seen that the trio ruled the school, so Stone accepting the unprecedented offer of alliance with the golden group of the HIVE took priority over making friends. Social standing aside, Stone had decided to hold Kid to his word, so one day Stone took up Kid's offer of assistance in psychoanalysis.

"So, I thought the HIVE was run by a Headmistress?" he asked one day when the students unusual deference to the Headmaster had seeded a thought. He had cornered Kid after classes one day-not that they shared any- and Kid had invited him to the HIVE's exercise center.

"We did," Kid answered merrily, a certain feat to behold since he'd been sprinting on a treadmill for the past half hour. "She moved on to bigger and badder things though when Brother Blood came knockin'."

Beside him Stone started his cool down. "Really, I thought she resigned."

"I hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but that's what he wants you to think. The real story is a lot shadier then the official one."

"So, what's Blood like?"

"He wants to teach kids how to become criminals that will kick good-guy butt. He's a teacher and a leader," and his face grew darker. "He's a very persuasive guy."

"Sounds like you don't like him," Cyborg said the fact striking an unusual chord. No matter how weird Blood was, no one at HIVE disliked the man.

Kid didn't argue. "Let's just say once Blood and I met he upped the requirements for scholarship students, to my displeasure. I have a lot more hoops to jump through in order to keep my scholarship.

"And…" Cyborg prompted sensing something more to the story.

"I've never hated anyone until I met the Headmaster."

Silence.

"What kind of hoops?" Cyborg asked Kid, who from all he'd observed, never did grim or moody. Even subdued Kid had a natural upbeat personality that rarely allowed a serious side to exist. Said upbeat personality began shining through the clouds allowing a mischievous quality to return to the runner.

"Wanna see?"

Prompt: Flowers