The following day, Mike's release was the biggest story in the papers. Everyone now knew that Mike was back on the streets following the hearing.
In his home, Mike woke up with his radio alarm, but let out a deep sigh as he heard the news. He knew that coming back to the city would be difficult. It wasn't like anyone in the city didn't know what he had done, and thanks to the media, it was unlikely anyone would be able to forget. He pressed the button, turning off the radio as he headed through to the en-suite to shower.
He and his mother were going to the school that morning to talk to Mr. Walker about the possibility of returning to school. While his expulsion was no longer clear-cut since his conduct was ruled to be down to his mental state, Mike was now over 18, so the school had no legal obligation to offer him an education. He was sure that Donny would probably have to consider the potential backlash from parents if he was readmitted to the school, and it wasn't as if they had any reason really to consider letting him go back. He knew that he was basically going back to beg them to give him a chance.
As he pulled off his top, he looked to the dragon pendant he was still wearing. He still had no idea who would want to support him, he had to admit himself that it wasn't as though he had done much to deserve it, but it was something of a comforting thought that he wasn't facing the whole world alone.
Over in JKP, Liv was finishing her breakfast as Johnny arrived, dropping his bag in the corner as he made his way to the kitchenette. Lily just sighed as she saw this. She was used to Johnny helping himself to a little breakfast most mornings, ever since he and Liv got together, he was round there pretty much all the time.
"You know it would probably save time if you just moved here." She commented. "Seriously Johnny, doesn't your uncle feed you?"
"I'm a growing boy." He replied with a smirk. He was trying to keep the mood light this morning. Mike's release was playing on all their minds, and he was hoping to keep Liv's mind off it. "Has RJ decided if we're setting up a table at the tournament this weekend?"
"He's already got the propane tanks for the cooker." She assured him. "It should be fun."
"I'm really looking forward to it." Liv told him. "I'll be cheering for Fred."
"Well there's family loyalty for you." RJ chuckled as he arrived with Casey, having accompanied him on a run. "What about your uncle Casey? He's competing."
"You know I want him to do well, but Fred's a friend." She explained. "You know I don't mean anything by it."
"I understand." Casey replied as he went to Lily, snatching a glass of OJ from her hand finishing it in one gulp as she gave him an annoyed look. "Camille said she's just looking forward to getting her husband back."
"I'll get more juice." Lily grumbled as she took the glass back off Casey and went to the dishwasher.
"Anyway, we should probably be making our way." Liv told them, gathering her things and grabbing Johnny as he tucked into a croissant. "See you later."
Veronica arrived at the school, taking a look around as the kids started to arrive, swarming around like cockroaches. She sneered in disgust as she watched them. Although her mission required her to blend in, she hated her fellow teenagers with a vengeance. If she didn't have to be here, she would gladly leave, but she knew that her absence the previous day would likely already have been noticed. Her suspicion was confirmed as she saw Donny coming over to her.
"Veronica, you missed all your afternoon classes." He said, intimating that it was more a request for an explanation than a statement.
"I felt unwell." She lied outright, thinking of the first thing that came to mind. "I went home."
"Well you're new here so perhaps you're unaware we have a procedure to follow." He told her. "I imagine in future you'll report to the office and let us know if you feel unwell."
"Of course sir." She replied. "Sorry."
Just then, Fran arrived, interjecting herself into the conversation.
"Donny, I wanted to talk to you about something." She told him. "Can we go to your office?"
"No problem, we're finished here." He replied as they left. Veronica was glad for Fran's interruption. Although she could sense the power of Fran's animal spirit, and knew she was a potential problem, she seemed to be ignorant of her true reason for being at the school.
As a large, black car arrived, she looked over and smiled to see Mike getting out the passenger seat, placing his bag over one shoulder.
"Everything's falling into place." She commented to herself as he came up to the main door, heading through the metal detector. Although he triggered it, the security guard satisfied himself with a quick search that he wasn't armed. Veronica followed him as he made his way to the office.
Fran was in the office discussing something with Donny when Mike arrived, and by the way she fell silent as she saw him, he could guess they were probably talking about him. Fran looked to Donny.
"Just think about what I said." She replied as she made her way out, brushing past Mike. He just stepped aside to let her leave.
"Mr. Bishop, I heard I might be seeing you." Donny commented. "Please, take a seat."
Mike closed the door and sat in the chair in front of Donny's desk as the principal caught his breath. Neither of them were aware Veronica was just outside the office listening in.
"No doubt you're aware there are some strong feelings about you returning to town." Donny began, putting down a newspaper. Mike had already seen it, his picture had been on the front page of virtually every tabloid in town.
"I know all about the papers." Mike assured him. "I don't want any trouble. I just want to get by."
"I take it you're here to re-enter the school." Donny told him. "You have to understand, I have a responsibility to all the students who go here. If there are any concerns, I have to take that seriously."
"I passed a new school policy while you were away. No student is permitted to bring a gun to school." He told him. "A first offence..."
"I saw the metal detectors, but you don't need to worry. I don't own a gun anymore." Mike interrupted him. "I swore to myself when I was being treated that I'd never touch a gun again."
"You should also know that I do not tolerate violence in school." He told him. Mike shook his head.
"I don't want any trouble, I just want to graduate." Mike assured him. "I don't even train anymore. I have no desire to fight."
"I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt, so I'll give you a chance." Donny told him. "You can enrol here, but make no mistake this IS a trial period. If I hear of any misconduct, I won't have any second thoughts about expelling you."
"Thank you sir." Mike replied as he got up, shaking Donny's hand.
"Go and see the secretary." He instructed him. "She'll print off a copy of your schedule."
As Mike left the office, he stopped as he saw Veronica approach him.
"So you're the celebrity." She began as she offered him a hand. Mike just shook it and turned to leave.
"I really don't want..."
"Are you still wearing my pendant?" She asked him. Mike stopped dead in his tracks as he heard this. He hadn't told anyone about the pendant, not even his mother. The only way she could have known was if she was telling the truth and had sent it to him.
"You sent me this?" He asked her. "Why?"
"Let's just say I have my own family issues. I know what families can do to their kids." She told him. "I just wanted you to know that not everyone believes what the papers say."
"Who are you?" He asked.
"My name's Veronica." She told him as they continued on their way. "But you can consider me a friend."
In Storm Chargers, Charity was working on the computer, finalising the lists of competitors for the weekend's tournament when Warren came into the store. She smiled as she saw him.
"What can we do for you today?" Charity asked him.
"Is Gabby around?" He asked her. Charity nodded.
"She's out the back." Charity told him. "Gabby, someone to see you!"
Gabby came through from the back, wiping her hands off on a rag as she did so. She knew that Warren was in town for the competition, and she had seen him around, but so far he had kept his distance. She just came over to him slowly.
"Warren..."
"I just wanted to clear the air before the weekend." He told her. "I had nothing to do with the accident..."
"I know that." Gabby cut him off. "Is that everything?"
"Look, this isn't exactly easy for me either." He told her. "I just want a fair shot at the tournament, so I wanted to make sure that we were alright."
"Look, I know you didn't spike me, but you can understand why I'm a little apprehensive." Gabby told him. "However, I can tell you for a fact, that I'll be fair."
"I guess that's about all I can hope for." He replied as he started to leave. He paused at the door. "For what it's worth, if you had landed that trick, you'd have beaten me to the trophy for sure. You were amazing out there."
"Thanks." Gabby replied. As he left, Charity looked back to her boss.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Charity asked her.
"I'll be fine." Gabby assured her. "It's like he said, it wasn't his fault."
"Yeah, but I can understand you not wanting to be reminded of that spill." Charity replied. "I still haven't been back to the skate park I had my accident at."
"I'll be fine." Gabby reiterated. Charity was right about her not wanting to remember her accident, after that she had been laid up for months while her leg healed. Of course Charity's words had given her a certain amount of perspective. While she had been injured for some time, she had recovered, and while she was recovering, she had ended up getting the idea for the store and starting her new business. All in, things had worked out for the best. "Anyway, I have a magazine rack to straighten out."
Back at the school, the day was coming to an end, and Mike was relieved to finally get to go home.
He didn't expect to be welcomed with open arms, but he had spent the entire day under scrutiny. He felt every pair of eyes on him as he walked down the hall, or when he was in class. He saw every person that was whispering or who suddenly stopped talking when he walked by. All in, this was worse than being at the hospital. He knew that everyone was just waiting for the moment he would snap. He popped a pill out of his pocket and took it with a swig of water.
"Hey Bishop!" He heard a voice behind him call out. He turned around to see a couple of senior kids approaching him. The nearest one hit him with a hard right cross, sending him to the ground. He stared up at them from the ground.
"Do you remember me?" His attacker asked. "How about my kid brother Josh? The freshman kid you and your friends beat down every morning all last year? Well think of this as payback!"
The three of them descended on Mike, kicking him repeatedly in the ribs and head. Mike just covered up as much as he could, but made no effort to fight back. From a little way off, Veronica just watched. She didn't move to intervene, instead just watching with interest to see what he would do. She knew Mike was experienced in MMA, and he could fight back if he wanted, but he didn't do anything to defend himself.
The beating was interrupted as Fred rushed in, grabbing one of the three seniors and throwing him to the ground. The others turned to face him as he stood over Mike. Julie knelt down next to Mike as Fred faced off against his attackers.
"That's enough!" He snapped. As the other teenager got up, the three looked at him in disgust.
"He deserved everything that's coming to him!" One of them roared. "Do you know what that scumbag did?"
"I don't know and I don't care!" Fred answered. "When I see three guys kicking the shit out of a guy who's already on the ground, that's all I care about."
"He deserves it!" One of them reiterated. Fred shook his head.
"He's done!" He replied. "Leave him alone!"
The three seniors just walked away, leaving Fred and Julie alone with Mike. Veronica took this opportunity to come out of her hiding place as Fred helped him to his feet. Mike pulled out a handkerchief and started dabbing his lip to clean himself up as Veronica arrived.
"You shouldn't have gotten involved." Mike told him.
"That's a pretty strange way to say thank you." Julie responded. Mike just sighed.
"What happened?" Veronica asked him.
"Karma." Mike replied as he looked to Fred and Julie. "Thanks, but you shouldn't have done that. You don't want the fallout..."
"Let us worry about that." Fred told him. "Those guys were stomping your head in. Why didn't you fight back?"
"I don't want violence in my life." Mike replied with a shrug. "It only leads to bad things, and I've done more than enough bad stuff."
"Doing nothing while three guys kick your head in isn't noble it's stupid!" Julie chipped in. Just then, Johnny and Liv arrived, and saw the state Mike was in.
"What happened?" Johnny asked him.
"It's nothing, I'll live." He replied. "Thanks."
As he walked away, Johnny looked to Fred.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Three guys were beating on him." Fred told him. "I saved him."
"He wasn't even defending himself." Julie told them. "He just kept saying he deserved it..."
"Do you know who that was?" Liv asked her. Julie shook her head. "That was Mike Bishop!"
"The guy that shot RJ?" Fred asked.
"He hurt a lot of people." Johnny told them. "There's no shortage of people who have bad blood with him."
"So we should have let them beat him to a pulp?" Fred asked. Johnny shook his head.
"No, we just want you to understand what he meant." Johnny replied. "You do realise that now you've saved him..."
"It wouldn't be the first time people didn't like us." Julie replied. "Anyway, we should go."
Meanwhile, Veronica was walking with Mike as he headed home. He looked around, seeing her following him as he continued to clean himself up.
"Are you sure you're alright?" She asked him. Mike just shrugged.
"I've had worse." He assured her. "What are you doing?"
"I'm just making sure you get home alright." She told him. "You did get hit pretty hard."
"Some would say not hard enough." Mike replied. Veronica put an arm around him as she joined him on his walk home.
"So why didn't you fight back?" She asked him. He just shrugged.
"I don't want violence in my life. I don't even train anymore." He told her. "It doesn't matter anyway. If I was found in a fight, it's not like anyone would believe I didn't start it anyway."
"Well you have one friend at least." Veronica told him. He just looked at her, still a little confused that this stranger was going out of her way to support him.
"Are you sure you want to hitch yourself to this wagon?" He asked her. "Those guys are far from the only people that have a reason to hate me. I doubt that'll be all the trouble I get."
Veronica didn't answer him, she just put a hand behind his head and pulled him in, kissing him. At that time though, she ran a hand over his dragon pendant. Mike didn't notice the eyes glowing as the power took effect. As they parted, she put an arm around him and continued to walk with him.
"You don't have to face the world alone." She told the slightly confused and surprised teenager. "Not everyone will turn their back on you. Come on, I'll see you home."
As they continued on their way, Veronica smiled. She was confident that the next part of her mission was well on its way to fruition.
