Two

arkari: I hope you like this new chap, I wrote this while I was studying (or trying to study -.-;;). I'll try to update as fast as I can.

Soon to be world renown Gracie: Well, I won't keep his identity as a secret for a long time. I think in two chaps aproximately, I'll reveal it. Thanks for your review

Estel Baggins: Thank you a lot for your advice, it helps a lot. I'll keep it in mind, 'cause I suck at titles :)

TitaniumDioxide: Don't worry, answers are very close. I'm still trying to write Virgil revelating his father he's gay... this part is really killing me...

Okay, now onto the fic:

Chapter Three: Red eyes

"What's wrong with you? Man, you look kinda worried"

"Um?" Richie stared at his shoes

"That's exactly what I'm talking about! Could you tell me what is happening? You are so silent"

The blonde teenager sighed loud "I love you, V"

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Shenice rubbed his head, cursing the dark-haired thief who defeated her so quickly. The vault was a mess, dollars and dollars were scattered on the whole floor.

"Static!" she approached her fallen friend and scanned him from head to foot, searching any grave damage.

"I love you too... and I didn't know how to say it..." he whispered softly. His unconsciousness didn't allow him to see the reaction that his words caused in the girl. A furious red colored her cheeks. How could Virgil know my feelings for him? Did I look so jealous when he told me about his meeting with Richie? For a second, I thought they were gonna have a date. Shenice, Shenice... you idiot... how could you ever think Richie is you rival? And now, with him resting on my knees... everything's so perfect! I can't stop looking at him. Closed eyes, a peaceful look... her hand touched Virgil's lips. If only I could say those words... A dark figure appeared inside her mind. The masked thief. Duty comes first, Shebang woke Static up and help him to stand up.

"He escaped..." that wasn't a question, but Virgil nodded.

"This guy probably attacked Francis... and Richie" his voice broke during he pronounced those last words "Shebang, we must find him!"

"Worried?" the girl crossed her arms on the chest. Why in the hell I feel this? Control. Control. There's nothing between Virgil and his friend... except their friendship, of course. "Let's separate. If you find that masked guy again, call me. He owes me one..." xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Everything was blurred. A giant pillar of something like metal. Dark things everywhere.

Richie sighed, missing his glasses. A feet first, the second comes later. His body moved dumbly. He couldn't stop thinking about that voice. When Francis was beating the crap on him, a powerful light engulfed the whole dead-end. He couldn't see the rest of the gang, nor Francis. Then, that voice screamed "You're gonna pay, Hotstreak!".

Who was that guy? A meta-breed? I gotta check my files. But didn't he know Francis lost his powers? And why did he leave me here? Because I don't remember I walked. What kind of relationship links them? He could be an old member of Francis' gang. Probably. I mean, he sounded really angry. Like if he wanted a revenge. Anyway, he saved me of more punches...

The teen scanned that place again, and smiled. I knew I was here before! This is the junkyard! Ohhh... I see why that bastard left me here. Not flattering at all...

Sixty falls and two hundred curses later, Richie arrived to the city. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Running away. Man, I described my whole life in two words. If that doesn't make me a genius, then I don't know. The funny thing is that I hate running away like a freaking chicken. All started with that alcoholic and aggressive bitch I have as mother... hell... past is past... Focus in the present, Francis, and in that screaming psycho. Well, Richie owes me one, too. I'll teach him to not kick me again. But the screaming psycho! I ran away like a scared girl! But what else could I do? Without my powers, I couldn't face this screaming bastard who hit me in that dead-end. "Hotstreak", hah! Man! I wish I was Hotstreak... so I can fry your cowardly ass!

Francis ate the hamburger, meditating

If I was Hotstreak, I'd not sleep in this abandoned Detention Center. Or needing to stole a few fucking bucks to eat.

Life sucks...

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Once he wore his glasses again, the brown mass in front of him became Virgil's face. His eyes reflected his worry. Richie could call him with the few coins Francis forgot in his pocket. Forty dollars! he could feel his wallet's complains

"Are you all right? What happened?" Virgil's questions distracted him of his monetary drama

"Kinda fine... if you ignore some punches and my vanished money" noticing the confused look of his boyfriend, he quickly added "Let's go to my home, it's almost dinner time and my father doesn't like delays. I'll tell you everything while we walk"

The word father remind Virgil his first encountering with Mr. Foley. After that episode, and seeing the strong friendship between his son and Virgil, Sean did his best effort to hide his scorn. The blonde could not notice it, but Virgil did. He tried to avoid the man. I'll try. Richie said Mr. Foley is changing a lot since the separation. I hope it's a positive change... after all, he will become my father-in-law. Err... let's not think about it for now...

"Okay, I'm walkin'. Tell me"

"Well, I was gonna buy some new clothes when I crushed with Francis and the tree subordinates he has as a gang. He didn't like my presence at all, as you could imagine. He was gonna redecorate my face when I kick him right in the crotch"
"Ouch... I can't believe it from you!" Virgil closed his eyes, imagining such a pain

"Me neither! So, I ran like a mad, but they caught me in a blind alley. Then... umm... you should see him walking... hah! Francis was taking revenge on my poor stomach when a light blind me. A guy yelled -You're gonna pay, Hotstreak!. Sorry, here ends the story. Watch us next week on..."

"Here is when I gotta laugh, right?" Virgil smiled, now a bit relaxed. A bit because he was gonna find Francis and have a little talk with him about not bugging Richie again. "This Lantern Dude stole a bank"

"...Lantern?"

"Light. Lantern. Got it?"

"And you say I'm not a comedian..." Richie sighed

"Hey, I'm trying! Mr. Enigma stole a bank, after defeating Shebang. Pops advised me because he watched him on the news. By the way, I was searching you..."

"Mmm... I think your last comment (a corny comment, I must add) tries to hide the fact this guy also kicked your ass. Well, let's call Shenice, have dinner and try to identify our mysterious enemy"

The teenager stared at him, silent "Damn super-intelligence..."

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"We're late and sorry..." Richie said, once the three young superheroes entered in the house. Mr. Foley was setting the table "No problem, son". The moment Virgil wanted to avoid happened: their sights intersected. Seconds of reluctance were followed by something like a smile "Hello... Virgil. Oh, I see we have another guest..."

The girl nodded as a salutation "Hi, Mr. Foley. My name is Shenice, sorry for my surprising arrive..."

"Nice to meet you. Don't worry, Shenice, we'll have enough pizza as long as Richie eats like a normal person..." a resounding, yet fake, laughter ended his answer.

Shit, bro... do you really trust in your father this much? I was sure he was gonna said: another black guest. I don't see any change but more hypocrisy. But I can't tell you this and destroy all your hopes... Besides, you didn't say a word about your mother. This is motivating you to fantasy? To think he is everything you have? You have me. I love you...

Mr. Foley was staring at him. For a moment, the dark-haired teen had the horrible feeling he read his thoughts. Keep on dreaming, Rich, I'll bear this and continue with the sham. No matter how sick I get.

Finally, the dinner finished and the teenagers went to Richie's bedroom. Once its door was closed, Virgil sighed loud "I'm speechless"

"Told ya. He really misses my mother. Her going made him realize how unbearable he was..."

"I don't know how he was, but your father seemed very agreeable to me"

"Just thank God you didn't know him before..." Richie smiled softly

"Um, shall we focus on our Uncanny Mr. Lights?" his propose was followed with some pats on Richie's shoulder.

"Good idea. Let's recapitulate: dark hair, red eyes, probably linked with Hotstreak. Powers: use a column of light with each hand, which can change into anything he needs, like a hammer, a bubble that works as a shield..."

"Damn shield..." Shenice added

"...a damn shield, all right. Anything else?" Richie started to check his files

"That's all for now. Ehm, guys... tomorrow... would you cover for me while I go out with... someone?" Ohh... it's such a childish strategy! Mental Note: start reading Cosmopolitan or How to Know if the Boy You Love Likes You -for Dummies- But I need to say something... I felt kinda out of place during the dinner. Virgil and Richie... they... I don't know. It's like if they... the way they talked to each other, their looks. These thoughts again, Shenice?. Oh, here is Virgil answering: "Sure! Who is Someone? How old is he?" Mmm... scanning... searching for jealousy. Result: Zero. Try again...

On the monitor, a name caught Richie's attention, a name he heard long time before the second big bang, before Shenice, before Gear. It sounded reasonable, the described powers matched. This man knew Richie Foley, and almost converted him to a criminal. Is this masked guy working for him?

The teenager spent the night pensive. His father took Virgil and Shenice home before going to work. The blonde stared at an alarm clock, he got three hours before the patrolling. Meanwhile, Backpack was alert.

I gotta get some sleep... sleep... sleep... sleep... not working. Um, I could think about umm... about... vvvvv...

His body was immobile, his eyes, closed. In the dark, two red lights shone. The teenager was trying to blink, when a grave voice interrupted him.

Hey, Richie. Did I wake you up?

You!

Everything sounded so unreal. The red eyes were shining in front of him. Richie tried desperately to move.

Me? Who I am?

You saved me from Francis, and stole a lot of money

What was wrong with his body? All he could see was those two eyes, surrounded by darkness

So, you know me. Cool. Well done, genius.

Backpack, attack!

Backpack? You mean this inoffensive little robot? It didn't even detect me, Richie... Okay, talk's over. Let's get started. Did you ever listen that song? It's one of my favorites

What do you want?

A laughter resounded in the bedroom

I want you...