Disclaimer: I do not own any DC Characters including Batman, Superman or anyone else. They all belong to their respected authors. As for Haley Brown, He's my original Character.
Foreword from the Author: Okay, I'm sorry for not updating on Wednesday. Just wanted to get this little double feature thing set and I didn't send my stuff in to my editor to be revised. So far I'm working hard and heavy to actually find a publisher or people who know publisher's that can help me get these books out on paper back or something.
Just the thought of getting this story out makes me giddy in a sense. With the book I could actually give a more in depth detail into Haley's past along with James, Amy and Alice so I could spare the reader from reading a rather dull back story. Ah well, regardless of this and my house situation I will continue to write for you guys and myself.
Hoody Boy: Elseworld Stories
The Adventures of Haley Brown
Arc One, Part Four: Fire Fly Barbecue
Haley and Alice pulled up to the front of the Plaza building. It towered skywards, lighting up the darkened streets, like a candle in the night. Haley stepped out with his hoody wrapped around his waist, the cold night air nipping at his exposed nose. He helped Alice out, Haley's jacket covering her stunning dress. The white dress had a floral pattern around the breasts. It was a simple design but the silk fabric clung to Alice's body. The two walked up the steps, Alice's dainty heels breaking the silent night with every step.
The usher opened the door and they walked into a massive ballroom. Soft music came from the left of the ballroom, a small Blues band occupied the corner on a raised platform. The room itself was bathed in a golden glow from the large chandelier hanging in the middle of the ballroom. Haley spotted Uncle Jim slow dancing with Aunt Sara around the middle. Alice grabbed Haley hand seeking some small comfort in this rather unusual place. Haley, of course, wasn't better off, his semi-formal clothes were not the standard black suit and tie that seemed to be the status quo of this place.
Haley rubbed his nose for a second and looked over, "Let's go enter the piranha pit..."
They walked down the steps and into the mass of people. Uncle Jim peeked over the crowd and made his way over the both of them.
"I'm glad you made it." Uncle Jim answered.
"Yeah, James and Amy are handling things." Haley said thinking back about the fire, wondered if the were okay.
"I understand, it must be hard working non stop these days. Also, news leaked out about you guys so the press wants to hold a conference about your viewpoints on handling crime." Uncle Jim informed Haley.
"Sorry Uncle Jim, but I have to be in court in a few days to put in my two cents about my parents and them divorcing." Haley reminded.
Uncle Jim bit his lip, he apparently had forgotten it, "Mmm, well I hope that goes well for you."
Haley nodded, "Thanks Uncle Jim, now if you don't mind, me and Alice just want a place to sit down and enjoy the party."
The couple made there way through the crowd and found some seats around the edge of the room. Haley sat down and took a deep breath trying to get over the fact that his parents were really divorcing. Alice noticed his struggle at regaining his composure.
"So that's what's been bugging you all this time?" Alice said, looking Haley's slumped figure.
"Yep." Haley answered, sinking his head into his hands.
"Bah, you'll get over it. Now, you dragged me into this party and I expect to get at least one dance out of you." Alice said, attempting to cheer him up.
Haley rolled his eyes, this party wasn't going over well, "Alright, lemme grab us a couple of drinks first." He said getting up.
He went over to the concessions and grabbed himself a glass of punch, he took a sip. He had begun pouring Alice her drink when someone placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned in close.
"Hello Haley..."
Haley's eyes narrowed in recognition, "Andrews... what the hell are you doing here..."
He could feel Andrews smile, "Just passing through on my election tour. I heard you were in town and I decided to come here."
"I'm in no mood to start a fight Andrews..." Haley said sipping his punch.
"Neither am I. I'm just here to say hello to my hated rival and nemesis Haley Brown." Andrews said darkly.
"Save it and leave me the hell alone. You lost and I won, we agreed to drop it, if you want to bring it up again then I'll smack you back down to where you should be." Haley threatened.
Andrews snorted and informed Haley, "You never beat me, I'm always going to be around until you grow the balls and kill me."
"It's a thought that I look forward to making come true..." Haley retorted.
Andrews let go of his shoulder and slithered back into the party. Haley's eyes were still narrowed as he took another sip of his punch. Someone came up next to him and poured himself a glass.
"What's with the look Haley?" Uncle Jim said taking a sip.
"Ah nothing. Just a bad thought is all. Anyway, where's Barbara?" Haley asked.
"I've no clue, she said she'd be here around the time you were." Uncle Jim said with a somewhat concerned tone.
"You think she might've run into some trouble?" Haley asked.
"Let's not try to think about that..." Uncle Jim said silencing him.
Somewhere on the other side of town, a red headed girl dressed in blue spandex and yellow cape ducked a punch. She sent an uppercut to the assailant's face dropping him to the ground. Her breath coming in puffs of white clouds due to the cold. Another thug came from behind, she answered with a roundhouse kick sending her heel into the man's cheek with a sickening thwack. He slid on the cement, blood leaking from his mouth.
"Alright Killer Moth, give up the purse..." She said.
"And who the hell do you think you are?" Killer Moth asked.
"I'm Bat-girl..." She responded.
Killer Moth raised his eye brow, a smirk rolling across his face, "No."
"Just remember, I asked politely." Bat-girl stated.
She rushed him, her cape flapping behind her. She sent a punch which glanced off Killer Moth's forearm. She spun around and sent a straight kick the villain's chest launching him backwards. Keeping up her blitz attack, Bat-girl jumped up and plummeted down with an elbow drop on Killer Moth like a bomb. He jerked in pain and passed out. She stood up and straightened her cape and fingered her mask. Pulling it off she revealed her full face. She pulled off her glove and eyed her watch; 8:53.
"Shit!"
Barbara dashed around the corner and undressed. She gave a shiver as she pulled up her white dress. She dropped a little note on Killer Moth's back.
"Beaten by Bat-girl" Crude but effective.
She got into her car and started for the plaza. She tuned in on the police band to see what else was going on in the city.
White noise crackled until she heard, "All units! Stay away from the diamond district! The Extras are dealing with Fire Fly. Repeat all units..." The radio buzzed.
Barbara chewed her bottom lip as she thought of Haley. She harbored a little jealousy and envy toward Haley, he got to fight in daylight, while she was forced to kept everything a secret. She shook the thoughts off and made a right turn. The plaza seemed to light the whole area up like a beacon. She pulled up to the steps and got out. The doors burst open caught her attention.
Haley jumped down the steps three at a time and raced past Barbara not noticing her. Alice raced after him like a little puppy to it's master. She despised Alice. She acted so innocent and almost showed Haley absolutely no thanks for him busting his ass off to save her. She quelled her anger and took another step.
"HALEY!" Uncle Jim called, "Listen! I got the police to back off so it's your situation to handle okay!" Haley made the okay symbol with his hand as he got in the car.
"Sorry about this Mr. Gordon!" Alice shouted before getting in the passenger seat.
Haley turned the ignition and the two squealed off into the night, "What the hell was up with that?" Barbara asked.
"Haley got a message from Amy that Fire Fly has them cornered and in need of immediate assistance." Uncle Jim looked at her dead pan, "I'm pretty sure we'll be having to call the insurance company about bomb and bullet related damage. He's wild and reckless, Haley..."
"I'm sure he'll be fine..." Barbara reassured, "He's proved himself a worthy person of Gotham. Just like you Dad."
"Go on in and enjoy the party." Uncle Jim responded.
Barbara walked past Uncle Jim and through the doors. He stood silent on the steps. Uncle Jim took off his glasses and cleaned him. An explosion in the distance flowered into the night sky, rising higher then the surround buildings.
"That's a good sign…I hope he doesn't cause too much damage," Uncle Jim thought going back inside.
Haley pulled the Miata into a near by alley and went into the middle of the street, "JAMES! AMY!"
He saw Fire-Fly turn the corner and start towards him, "Ah crap..."
He pulled out two Colt .45 1911's and pulled the slides back. He fired off two rounds which dinged vainly against Fire Fly's metallic armor. Haley rolled his eyes and started running. Alice got out of the car and watched him pass. She turned ask something but Haley turned around for her.
"ALICE! Get back in the car!" He shouted.
She looked behind her and saw Fire Fly, with all his flaming glory, raise his flame thrower. Alice cried out in fright and threw up her hands. The ground shook and shifted in the street. Haley was thrown off balance and crashed to the pavement. His guns tumbled out of his hands and made a grab for one. Fire Fly looked down as the road began to churn underneath his feet. Vines, as thick as tree trunks burst out of the ground and raised Fire Fly in the air. The one particularly thick one wrapped around his foot chucked him into a near by dumpster.
Alice opened her eyes as the vines receded into the ground. Haley who was standing in awe for only a moment got up off his feet. He grabbed his guns and ran right at Fire Fly. He got up and made a grab for his flamethrower. Haley slid on the concrete, ripping his pants all the way up, pushing the flamethrower out of his reach again. He sent his knee into Fire Fly's helmet bashing the back of his head into the dumpster again. Shaking off the assault, Fire Fly grabbed Haley's neck and began choking him with both hands.
"HALEY!" Amy shouted.
Haley took the butt of the gun and smashed it into Fire Fly's face as hard and as fast as he could. He put both his feet on Fire Fly's chest and pushed off knocking Fire Fly back into the heavily dented dumpster. Haley landed on his back coughing. Amy raised her hand and fired a stream of ice. Caught off guard, Fire Fly was frozen in solid ice from his neck to his feet. The only part of this body left exposed was his head. James and Amy came running toward them. James helped Haley up and patted him off. Alice came over and grabbed Haley into a hug. He held onto her as best as his air choked body could.
"This is the Extras, situation clear." Amy spoke into the radio before she too, clapped Haley on the back.
"Roger that, sending in a unit now." The dispatch answered.
Amy put the radio away and looked at Haley and Alice hugging each other. She walked over pulling off her black sun glasses and cleaned the grit and grim off of the lens. She eyed the broken pavement and pieces of rubble littering the street.
"What the hell happened there?" Amy asked looking at it.
Alice uncoupled with Haley for a moment and looked down at the ground. James who was totally occupied with flicking Fire Fly's mask stopped and looked over.
"How the hell?" Amy stood speechless, looking at Alice, whose fidgeting got worse. "Wha...How can…When?"
Alice took a breath to relax; mentally preparing her explanation, "I've started noticing this since that incident two months ago. It started off simple, like when I looked at a withered flower, the thing seemed to spring to life just for me." She looked down at her feet, her once beautiful dress streaked with dirt and torn by gravel, "Pretty soon it was more then just bringing dying plants back from the dead, soon things began to follow me. Trees, branches and grass would try to bend to me. Like they were reaching for me."
Amy and James where definitely upset. Haley crossed his arms feeling rather pissed and hurt that she didn't at least say anything to him about her budding powers, "Why didn't tell us?"
"I was just worried you guys would call me a freak or something." Alice answered still looking pointedly at the cement.
Haley rolled his eyes, "COME ON! Have you looked at the peanut gallery?" Feeling his anger being replaced with humor and understanding. Haley said with a laugh, "James, you're about as interesting as they come. Amy, hell I ought to call you MacGuyver! And ME! Come on Alice, I've got a pocket of infinite space. Why would I call you a freak when I'd be a hypocrite?"
Alice looked up with a smile, Haley shook his head, "Come here babe."
She went over and hugged him tightly, he returned it, "You shouldn't be worried about my judgment."
"You want to go for a beer?" James asked Amy, he thumbed over to Haley and Alice, "I've got a feeling this sorry couple will be mushy for a while and I'm in the mood for a good brew."
Amy turned away from the hug-fest and chuckled at James, "As long as you're buying, I'm game. "
