I do not own Stranger Things or any of the characters.

Superhero

About an hour after the sun set, Thirteen climbed up to the lookout post with the binoculars, wanting to be able to see his own target, instead of waiting for Lucas to see it for him. Especially since, if Dart didn't take the bait, he'd have to fight it personally.

"So, you really fought one of these things before?" Max asked Steve, who Thirteen assumed nodded. "And you're, like, totally a hundred percent sure it wasn't a bear?"

"Shit, don't be an idiot, okay?" Dustin suddenly snapped. "It wasn't a bear. Why are you even here if you don't believe us? Just go home."

"Geesh, someone's cranky," Max said. "Past your bed time?"

"He's just mad that I have the green light to kill his beloved little monster," Thirteen said, glancing down into the bus in time to see Dustin glare at him.

He sat up and offered Max his hand as she reached the top of the ladder, and she accepted it, needless though it was.

"It's kinda awesome," Max said.

"True," Thirteen nodded.

"The fog, I mean," Max added. "Not your powers. Those are boring."

"Oh, yes, terribly," Thirteen smirked, Max smiling. "Still struggling to decide how much to believe?"

Max nodded. "I'm not sure how much I even want to be true."

"I'd settle for it to all be a lie," Thirteen said. "Then my childhood wouldn't have been torture and experiments, and I wouldn't be about to fight a monster."

"Childhood?" Max smirked. "You're only thirteen."

"Through and through," Thirteen grinned. "Told you it's my lucky number."

Max rolled her eyes, smirking, then stared out at the fog again. "It looked like the ocean."

"I've never been," Thirteen said. "I've heard it's beautiful."

"It is," Max said wistfully. "The sound of the waves hitting at the shore is so relaxing can put me to sleep, and the sun hits the water just right so that it glitters. I loved the beach."

"You really miss it, huh?" Thirteen asked.

Max hesitated. "My dad's still there, so..."

"I'm sorry," Thirteen said. "I wish I could say I understand, but I never knew my family, besides Ellie. Dr. Brenner claimed to be my father, but...well."

"I'm sorry," Max said. "You must think I'm totally selfish. I'm complaining about my dad living somewhere else when you never even had parents."

Thirteen shook his head. "Yours is harder. I can't be hurt by not being able to see what I never knew. You can't miss what you've never had."

Max stared at her lap for a moment. "My mom and my stepdad...wanted a fresh start away from him. As if...As if he was the problem, which is total bull. And things...are just worse now."

He looked over at her, seeing the ocean of pain, sadness, and longing in her eyes, and found himself longing to read her mind, if only to be able to feel a ghost of what it was like to have family at all. He resisted the urge, however, as he'd promised not to.

"My stepbrother's always been a dick...but now he's just...angry...all the time, and..." Max continued, stopping every few seconds as she was lost in thoughts, her voice wavering with emotion and pain. "Well, he can't take it out on my mom, so..."

"So he takes it out on you, instead," Thirteen said.

"I don't even know why I'm telling you this," Max said. "It's just...I know...I can be a jerk like him sometimes, and I do not want to be like him. Ever. I guess...I'm angry, too, and...I'm sorry."

Thirteen sighed, reaching over and pulling her into a hug. "You are nothing like your brother. Being angry doesn't make you like him. For as long as you can find something in your life to brighten your day, you will not be like him. You are one of the best people I've ever met, and my sister is a superhero."

Max laughed, though he could tell from her voice that she was crying.

"You don't owe me an apology," Thirteen said. "You don't owe any of us an apology. We treated you like you existed solely for our benefit, spending time with you when we wanted to, then tossing you aside as soon as we were done with you. I'm the one who should be apologizing."

"That was never you, though," Max said. "You were always saying I should be included."

"But when Mike said no, I went along with it anyway," Thirteen said. "Which means I'm no better."

Max hugged him tighter. "Thank you for being my friend."

"Thank you for humoring us during what you thought was a load of bullshit," Thirteen smiled. "And for being yourself."

Max smiled, sniffing, only to jump and pull away as something let out a roar in the trees.

"Show time," Thirteen said.

"You're not going out there yet, are you?" Max asked worriedly.

"Not unless he decides he doesn't want to eat the buffet anymore," Thirteen said. Max nodded, fear shining from her eyes.

"It'll be fine," he smiled. "My sister's not the only superhero in the family."

Max smiled, nodding, but was no less calm.

"Thirteen, what's going on?" Dustin asked.

"He's not here yet," Thirteen said, looking around. He stopped, staring at a shadow emerging from the fog slowly. "Ten o'clock. In front of the cattle trailer."

"We see it!" Lucas called up to him.

"He's not taking the bait," Thirteen said, watching Dart sniff around at the edge of the junkyard. "I have to go down."

"M-Maybe if we just wait for a minute..." Max began.

"No," Thirteen sighed, passing her the binoculars. "He's looking for a better meal than cow."

He stood, forming a barrier to lower him to the ground so he wouldn't have to jump, but as he stepped onto it, Max caught his hand.

"Be careful," she almost pleaded.

"I will," Thirteen said, lowering himself to the ground. "Watch my back for me."

Max nodded, and Thirteen walked forward, not bothering to wipe his nose. The blood would help get his attention. As he stopped beside the pile of beef, Dart snarled loudly, stalking forward.

"Thirteen!" Max shrieked suddenly. "Behind you!"

"Three o'clock!" Lucas shouted.

Thirteen's head whipped around, seeing another to his right, and a third to his right of that, almost cutting him off from the bus. He swallowed hard. They were all about mid-thigh to him, not nearly a Demogorgon, but big enough that they could probably fit his entire head in their mouths. He took a steadying breath, glancing from one to the next, trying to decide which to kill first. He had to kill all three.

"Thirteen!" Dustin shouted, yanking the bus door open. "Abort! Abort!"

The one closest to the bus leapt toward the door, but Thirteen spun, a barrier spike, not a full spear but three feet long, two inches wide, and pointed on both ends, forming over his right shoulder and flashing through the air. It drove itself through the dog-like monster just behind the front legs, staking it to the ground where it thrashed and shrieked in pain. The other two leapt at him instantly. He spun, forming a barrier around himself and they crashed into it, cracking it. He shouted in pain, staggering backward and falling. The barrier shattered, but as they lunged again, another formed, this time holding when they crashed into it.

"Thirteen!" Max shrieked.

One of the two spun, snarling, and charged the door again, only for Thirteen to extend a hand toward it, slamming it shut just in time for the thing to crash into it. He turned back to the one in front of him and shouted in effort, shoving the section of barrier it was biting and launching it away. He shoved himself up, turning to the bus just as one of the two creatures there leapt onto it, the one he'd wounded free again and ramming itself into a broken section at the bottom of the door.

The one on top reached the look out and Max screamed from inside, but just as it reared back to pounce down into the bus, Thirteen sent a full barrier spear through it's head, then another through its body for good measure, the thing collapsing beside the hole. Then, Thirteen formed a barrier behind himself just in time for agony to flare through his brain as the one he'd thrown crashed into it. The one trying to get into the bus spun toward him, shrieking, and he sent a spike into its mouth, the spike drilling completely through it and into the steps of the bus. Thirteen spun as the barrier holding back the other creature shattered and formed a round barrier in the form of a literal shield, blocking its jaws until they hit the ground before shoving it to the side and instantly expanding it into a bubble around himself. The creature slammed into it, cracking it, then stopped.

It looked to one side, then back at Thirteen, then took off, shrieking as it ran into the woods. Thirteen let his barrier fade, panting, then pushed himself up, staggering toward the bus. As he reached it, he reached his hand out, the door emitting a deafening shriek as it tore free of the bus and sailed past Thirteen. He staggered onto the bus, legs nearly buckling, though he caught himself on the driver's seat. The others stared at him in shock. He was pale, his eyes were bloodshot and the skin around them was dark, and his entire face below his nose was coated in blood, with more blood leaking from his ears and the corners of his eyes.

"I...got...two," Thirteen. "Third...left."

Then, his legs buckled, only for Steve to catch him.

"Thirteen!" Max shouted.

Steve held an ear next to his face, then sighed. "He's breathing. I think he just passed out."

"His powers used up too much energy," Lucas said.

"Yeah," Dustin agreed. "He needs to recharge."

"What, like a battery?" Max asked.

"Well, if he was exhausted from playing sports, I'd say he needs rest and carbs," Steve said.

"Carbs?" Lucas asked.

"Pasta, oatmeal, bananas," Steve said, using his sleeve to wipe most of the blood off of Thirteen's face. "Once we get out of here alive, I can get him something."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Max asked. "Let's go!"

"Are we sure it's safe?" Steve asked. "Because earlier, we were absolutely certain that there was only one of those things."

They all looked around before Max rolled her eyes, grabbing Steve's bat.

"We need to help Thirteen, and I'm not waiting around for him almost die again," Max said.

She stepped outside, looking around, but it was clear.

"We should go after the one that got away," Dustin said.

"What?" Max snapped. "Why?"

"We need to know where it's going," Dustin said.

Max stared at him incredulously before Steve sighed.

"I kind of agree," Steve said. "I think Thirteen's mostly stabilized for now, and he can't eat while he's unconscious anyway. We should focus on that dog first."

Max hesitated before nodding. "Fine."

Steve nodded and had Lucas and Dustin help lift Thirteen onto his back before they headed into the woods after the creature, though Dustin stopped to check both of the corpses first before catching up.

"The one that got away was Dart," Dustin said. "I'm sure of it."

"How do you know that?" Max asked.

"Because he had the same exact yellow patter on his butt," Dustin said.

"He was tiny yesterday," Max said.

"Well, he's molted three times since then," Dustin said.

"Malted?" Steve asked.

"Molted," Dustin corrected him. "Shed his skin to make room for new growth like hornworms."

"Or snakes," Thirteen croaked.

"Thirteen!" Max gasped. "Are you okay?"

"I think my body's finally starting to digest that horrible snack I ate earlier," Thirteen said. "It's not much, but I'm not in a coma, so I'll take it."

"That's true," Dustin said. "You were working on an empty stomach last year."

Thirteen nodded. "Don't expect me to start walking yet, Harrington."

"I wasn't," Steve sighed, then stopped as a faint shriek echoed through the air.

"I assume we went after whichever freak I failed to kill," Thirteen guessed.

"It was Dart," Dustin said.

"Damn," Thirteen said. "The one I wanted to kill the most. Figures."

"Guys," Steve said, more shrieks echoing through the air.

"Let's go," Thirteen said.

"Yeah," Steve nodded.

"Wait, what?" Max asked. "Why would we go toward the sound?"

"Because we're all idiots," Thirteen said. "You kinda already knew that, though, right?"

Max sighed. "Yeah, I suppose I did."

She walked after them, catching up to walk beside Steve and Thirteen. She glanced up at Thirteen, and he smiled.

"I'm alright," Thirteen said. "I just need a long nap. And Steve, fuck bananas. Give me some spaghetti."

Steve snorted, nodding. "After what you just did, you can have whatever you want."

"Cake, ice cream, and a million dollars?" Thirteen asked, grinning.

"Yes, yes, and only if I can have a few thousand," Steve said.

"Yeah, sure, why not," Thirteen said. "I can probably force Owens to give me the money."

"I think you could probably force anyone to give you money," Steve said.

Finally, they stopped in a field overlooking the woods before them.

"I don't see it," Dustin said.

"That's the lab," Lucas said, looking through the binoculars. "He was going back home."

"Sounds like the whole family's there," Thirteen said. "So much for my million dollars."

"Let's go," Dustin said, starting down the hill, the others all following.

After a few minutes, they reached the fence and began to follow it. As they were nearing the gate, however, a voice reached them.

"Hello?" Jonathan's voice shouted. "Who's there? Who's there?"

Finally, they broke out of the trees and Steve stopped, staring at the pair by the gate.

"Steve?" both asked.

"Nancy?" Steve asked.

"Jonathan!" Dustin grinned.

"Fresh cripple carriers!" Thirteen joked. "Good, because for as much muscle as Steve had, his back is really uncomfortable."

"Keep it up," Steve said, walking over to them. "Next time, I'll leave you in the junk yard."

Jonathan jogged over, taking Thirteen and carrying him to the passenger seat of his car, setting him down. "Jesus, you're a mess. What happened?"

"I fought the newest breed of Upside Down monsters," Thirteen said.

"Heh," Dustin laughed. "Breed."

"More Demogorgons?" Nancy asked.

"Juveniles, I think," Thirteen said. "They look like dogs with Demogorgon heads."

"Lovely," Jonathan said. "The power here's out. We can't get the Gate open, but we think Will and Mom are here, and possibly Mike and the chief, too."

"Hold on," Thirteen said. "Thankfully, sensing is relatively low-energy." He closed his eyes, focusing, and blood began to run out of his nose instantly. "They're here. And alive. Owens is still kicking, too. And...someone else."

"Who?" Jonathan asked.

"Not sure," Thirteen said. "He's heavy-set, panicked but under control, and...that's about all I can tell." He opened his eyes, wiping his face.

"If Mom and Will are here, it's probably Bob," Jonathan said. "He's Mom's boyfriend."

Thirteen nodded. "I'd love to open the gate for you, but I'm kind of tapped out."

"Well, we need to get in there somehow," Nancy said.

"Do you have anything Thirteen can eat?" Max asked. "He's drained."

"Sorry," Nancy said. "Nothing."

"Well..." Jonathan hesitated. "We have the vodka."

"How would getting me drunk help?" Thirteen asked. "Aside from the headache."

"It would give you at least some calories," Jonathan said.

"That's a bad idea," Steve said.

"Give me it," Thirteen said.

"Seriously?" Max asked.

"Better than nothing," Thirteen said.

Jonathan handed him the bottle and Thirteen took a drink, only to instantly spit it back out in Jonathan's face, then begin coughing.

"What the...fuck?" Thirteen coughed. "It tastes like paint thinner!"

"Yeah, it's terrible," Jonathan agreed.

"Okay, deep breath in, take a mouthful and swallow, big exhale," Steve said. "And do it fast."

Thirteen grimaced and followed the advice, then gagged as it burned its way down his throat. However, as soon as it hit his stomach, he felt a little less tired, though that could be because it was alcohol. He took two more drinks before passing the bottle to Jonathan.

"Okay," Steve nodded. "Thirteen's going to be a good drinker when he grows up."

Thirteen groaned, leaning back and grimacing, though he definitely felt his body's exhaustion fading slowly. "How fast can this thing get to the lab?"

"If I'm the one driving, and Jonathan doesn't mind a couple dents, fast," Steve said.

"Then as soon as the gate opens, drive like Billy," Thirteen said. "I'm going to pass out again, but before that, I've got two short bursts of telekinesis."

"Tele-what?" Steve asked.

"Moving stuff with his mind," Dustin said.

Steve instantly dove behind the wheel, and Thirteen closed the door.

"Be careful," Max said.

"I will," Thirteen nodded, just as the Lab's power came back on.

Jonathan ran to the gate controls, hitting the button, only for them to not move. Dustin pushed him out of the way, also trying, but after a moment, Thirteen sighed, raising his hand.

"One le-" he stopped as the gate began to rattle open. "Nevermind. Jonathan, get in. Once Steve drops me off, you're getting another car for everyone else."

Jonathan nodded, getting in and sitting on Thirteen's lap, for lack of a better option. Then, as soon as the gate was open enough, Steve floored it, racing toward the Lab. As soon as they were at the front door, Jonathan got out and Thirteen followed, staggering slightly before sprinting to the front door and wrenching it open. Just as he did, Hopper reached it, carrying an unconscious Will and with Mike just behind him, Joyce standing in the lobby, looking toward a door into the building.

"What are you doing here!?" Hopper demanded.

"Helping," Thirteen said. "Argue with me about it later, when I'm eating my spaghetti."

"Spaghetti?" Hopper asked.

"Later," Thirteen said, walking over to Joyce. "Bob's still in there?"

Joyce glanced at him and nodded.

"Owens?" Thirteen asked.

"Alive," Hopper said.

Thirteen nodded, waiting. Finally, Bob slipped through the doors, slamming them shut just before a creature slammed into the other side, shrieking and growling in frustration. Bob sighed, bending forward at the waist, only for Thirteen's hand to snap up.

"Don't stop running!" Thirteen snarled, yanking Bob across the room toward them. "One."

Bob landed heavily, rolled backward, and miraculously regained his feet, turning to run to the door just as another of the creatures leapt at him. Thirteen's hand swung around to it.

"Two," he growled, shoving with all his might.

Its body slammed into the door and blood sprayed out of its mouth. Then, as Bob caught Thirteen when his legs gave out, the door burst inward, a dozen of the creatures shrieking and turning to them.

"Run!" Hopper shouted, opening fire with a machine gun as they all ran outside. Just as they got there, Steve and Jonathan returned, Jonathan driving Hopper's truck.

Once they were outside, Hopper slammed the doors, and whatever kind of glass it was held the creatures back, but began to crack. They all hurled themselves into the vehicles, Bob climbing into the back of Hopper's truck with Thirteen, who was barely clinging to consciousness, and the two vehicles roared as they sped away from the Lab. After a few moments, they reached the gate again and everyone else piled into the truck, Max taking Thirteen's hand instantly.

"Hang in there!" Max said, worriedly.

"I'll be fine," Thirteen said. "I'm holding out for that spaghetti."

"Hey," Bob said. "You saved my life. You're a hero."

Thirteen smiled. "I'm just glad they let me drink the vodka."

"You drank what!?" Hopper demanded.

"Flavored water," Thirteen said.

"It's the only reason he could go help you guys," Jonathan said.

"He shouldn't have been in there at all!" Hopper said. "He was borderline comatose already! Drive faster!"

They all fell silent, remaining that way until they reached, Will's house. Almost as soon as they were there, Bob set about grabbing pasta and a pot to cook it in, oatmeal and a bowl, and passed a cup of water to him with it. Thirteen gagged at the oatmeal, but tried to lift a spoonful of it, only for his hand to lack the strength to hold on, dropping the spoon.

"Here," Max said, picking it up and holding it up to his mouth. He grinned and accepted it, grimacing as he swallowed. "Don't expect this to be a regular thing."

Max shrugged. "I can think of worse punishments for drinking alcohol and using up all of my energy."

"Oho, if you think you're not going to be punished..." he shook his head.

Max helped him eat all of the oatmeal, and once the spaghetti was done, helped him with that, too, though Bob and Steve were careful not to overeat. Finally, once he was done eating, he drank one more glass of water before passing out on the spot, slumping sideways onto Max's shoulder.

"Here," Steve said. "I'll take him to the couch. Jonathan, can you go grab him a wet cloth to clean the blood off?"

Jonathan nodded and left the room while Steve carried Thirteen to the couch, Max sitting with him, then taking the cloth from Jonathan so that he could go be with his mother, who was in tears with worry about Will.

"They're basically together, now, huh?" Dustin asked Steve, watching Max wash the blood off of Thirteen's face, careful not to wake him up.

"I mean, he's basically a superhero," Steve said. "And, from what I've heard from you idiots arguing, he was the only one who wanted her to be included in literally everything from the beginning, so, I feel like this was pretty much inevitable."

Dustin sighed. "I guess."

"Is he gonna be okay?" Mike asked, sitting by Thirteen's feet.

"I don't know," Max said. "I think he mistook being drunk for having energy, but...I don't know."

"He should be fine," Bob said. "Assuming the energy his powers burn is the same energy his body would burn from doing physical exercise, he should just need sleep. I'd assume a lot of it, but still sleep."

Max nodded and slipped her hand into Thirteen's.

"Are you sure that's what's going on?" Hopper asked under his breath.

"I have no idea," Bob said. "But look at her. She's worried sick. She needs to believe he'll be okay."

Hopper sighed and nodded, then left to talk to the others and see if they had any ideas about what to do next while they wait for the military to show up, Bob going with him.

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