A/N: Dang, this one was really challenging in places. Ha! At least I've graduated now and have a little time to myself.
Warning: There are more descriptions of sexual situations ahead. They may be a little more graphic than the last ones. I'm not really sure.
Chapter Two: Discovery
Sharon cradled her tea in both hands as she sank onto the sofa beside Adam. He was leaning forward, staring at the television. Sharon didn't like it when she saw that angry, worried look on her boyfriend's face. "Adam?"
"Shh." Adam turned the volume up a little more as the announcer said, "Let's go to the scene with Shelly Sandoval.
The image shifted to the reporter standing in front of a bakery. "Thank you, Chet. Here, less than twenty minutes ago, witnesses say Static and his partner were ambushed by at least twenty other metahumans." She began to walk and the camera went with her. She gestured to the shattered front window of the bakery. "Here we see where a Bang Baby witnesses describe as a human rat forced his way into this bakery. The proprietor told police that the metahuman took a large bag full of doughnuts and cheese bread. And yet it seems that this store was not the target. The Bang Baby- possibly the Rat Pack member known as Ferret- only entered the store after Static and Gear had disappeared."
Sharon gasped softly and Adam put his arm around her shoulders.
Shelly had turned to face a white-faced, pudgy woman. "Mrs. Hazen, can you tell us what you saw?"
The woman wiped her hands nervously on her apron. "I work in Callie's bakery," she said, jerking her thumb at the shattered window. "But I was in my apartment above it when all this happened." She hesitated. "Do you want me to start from the first sign of trouble or skip to the end?"
"When did you first spot trouble?"
"Well, I don't know if what I saw first meant trouble or not. I was looking out to see if any costumers were coming, to know if I should hurry back down. I saw Static's partner- Gadget, I think his name is- fly over the building on the other side of the street and sit on the ledge. Then he jumped up and flew away like he thought something was going to catch him. There was this big flash of light- I don't know what made it- and then this voice shouted 'Now!'" She shook her head. "I don't remember much else. Static came at one point and I watched him. But things weren't going his way. Something exploded in the alley over there-" She pointed, but the camera didn't follow. "And there was this bat-thing that got Static. But then that scary one- Hotshot, I think- took Static." She shivered. "When Static and Gadget were gone, I went downstairs. That creature came in, smelling around and he grabbed a lot of our best stuff." She wiped her hands on her apron again. "Do you think Static will be all right?"
"Dakota can only hope so. Thank you, Mrs. Hazen." Shelly turned away from the woman. "Without Static and Gear, what will happen to Dakota?" She paused, then said, "Someone needs to tell Rubberband Man. This is Shelly Sandoval. Back to you, Chet."
Sharon stared at the screen for a moment, not hearing as the news went on to sports. She turned to Adam, thinking to ask him if he would go see what had happened. But Adam was already gone.
Sharon looked down at her tea. Her hands shaking and her stomach clenching, she set it aside. Be careful, Adam. Whatever they did to take out both Static and Gear, don't let them do it to you.
oOo
It's boxers next. Richie arched up, letting his assailant slip a hand under the material, touching his hip first, then his half-erect penis. The hand closed around his hot flesh, moving with a firm stroking motion that threatened to tumble Richie's calculations about like fruit in a blender. The blonde only held on to his mind by the barest margin. My body likes this, but that doesn't mean I have to give in to it. I won't give in to it. I refuse.
He lifted his hips, giving the hand better access. But that doesn't mean I don't play along. He's been touching me for at least an hour, probably more like two, and he hasn't gotten bored yet. He's trying to lure me out, and so I'll indulge him, let my shields drop one at a time. Or make it look like my shields are dropping. He had to keep reminding himself of that fact. His hormones could be persuasive.
It's time to give him a little more of what he wants. Richie broke the silence that had dominated the room since the knife had been put down. He moaned.
As the hand moved faster, Richie thought, I know it's a 'he' now. I can feel his excitement on my leg. The throbbing manhood pressed against his thigh was so much like the false Virgil's erection that Richie felt his own shaft soften a little. The hand moved even faster and the lips were back to working the pulse-point on his neck. But they could have been suckling harder.
"Please, harder," Richie whispered. "Please." And he turned his head even more.
The man stopped for a moment, but before Richie could wonder if he'd over-acted (he was still acting, had to be) his assailant laid fully on top of him, leaving his straining member for a moment to attack his nipples and neck with fingers, tongue and a light use of teeth. The invisible man rubbed himself against Richie, grunting.
Ha, I'm getting to you! Richie thought even as his heart beat like a frightened bird. You're not immune to this, either!
And now he thought he knew who was molesting him. It's not Slipstream- too slim. It's not Hotstreak- that grunt just isn't him. It isn't Carmen Dillo or Ferret- just think of their noses! And it's not Kangor for the same reason it isn't Hotstreak; that little pleasure-noise couldn't have come from either of them. It's Ebon. It has to be. And who else would attack me in the dark? Yes, darkness helps to frighten me, but most rapists need to see their victims. It's just how things are done. His face cracked into a gallows grin. And it would make perfect sense, really. Ebon's known me for longer than the other Bang Babies- both as Richie and as Gear. He probably knows who I am by now and is enjoying this chance to finally get at Static's weakness. The grin spread until it made his face hurt, but he couldn't let it drop. I'd like to test my theory, though, before I go congratulating myself. Let's see if I can make him do more than grunt.
Richie arched up, moaning louder. He rubbed his member against the other man's belly. When the other moved, and their members met, Richie didn't restrain the gasp that the pleasure invoked. He thought about saying, Don't tease, but decided that was too much. He settled for straining against the ropes and twisting his body this way and that in an effort to increase the friction.
"Gear…"
I was right! Cold horror descended, but Richie still wriggled and that insane grin hadn't left his face.
Ebon bit the blonde's neck.
In a strange way, it felt good, even as the blood trickled down Richie's neck and into his sweaty hair.
Oh God, I'm a whore. Tears began to stream down Richie's cheeks. Virgil will never take me back after this. And forget Christ.
He came in his boxers, crying out wordlessly.
oOo
"Hello?"
Bernadette hung up the phone. "I can't, John," she whispered. "I can't. How do you tell someone their son is a superhero and he's disappeared?" She closed her eyes. "And I can't just sit here while Richie might be hurt. Did you hear what the reporter said? Gear seemed to be running from something. What was chasing Richie and where was Static?" She shivered and hugged herself. "There are so many dangerous people in Dakota." Laughing, she added, "If there weren't, there wouldn't be any need for Richie and Virgil to be superheroes." Bernadette brushed the tears out of her eyes. "We have to do something, but who can we go to for help?"
John wrapped his arms around his wife from behind. "If we don't tell Mr. Hawkins, we have two choices. Either we try to find someone who knows Static and Gear, someone who can help them or we go to Dakota and try to find Richie and Virgil."
Bernadette turned in his arms, her face hopeful. "Could we go? Would we have any chance of finding them?"
John said, "Not even a fifty-fifty chance, but a small one. And we could actually look for help while we're in Dakota." He drew her against him. "But you're right; we can't call Mr. Hawkins."
But now Bernadette was shaking her head. "Wait. Richie was staying with the Hawkins'. What will happen when Mr. Hawkins discovers that his son and his son's boyfriend are missing?"
"Could we make up some excuse?" John knew it wouldn't work and he rubbed his hands over his face.
"You don't need to. I already have."
The shadowy figure near the window seemed tall as Goliath, and just as intimidating.
John stepped forward, awe warring with a healthy dose of fear. "Batman." He swallowed and mastered himself. "You were the one who came to help Richie."
"Yes. Don't worry about Virgil's family; I have already spoken with them. And I will go to Dakota to find Static and Gear. Neither of them would want you to get hurt." He turned towards the window. Only now did John and Bernadette notice that it was open, even though they kept their windows closed at night.
He got in without a sound, John thought, coming in a window that usually groans.
Bernadette stepped towards Batman, her hand outstretched"Please find them. And thank you for coming to tell us you're going to help."
Batman nodded once and left.
Bernadette and John stood at the window, staring out into the night. John put his arm around his wife's waist. They stood that way for the better part of an hour, neither speaking, neither praying, just watching the moon inch its way across the sky.
oOo
On the heels of that thought (Virgil will never take me back after this. And forget Christ), Richie thought, I can't expect forgiveness, but I can start my penance. Richie had never believed in the idea that people had to make up for what they did by repaying God. The principle had seemed to cheapen Jesus' gift of redemption in Richie's eyes. But maybe things like this are what penance is really for: times when the sin is so big, and not just against God but against another person. And when it's committed against yourself. The bitterness in his mind was almost strong enough to make him cry again. No; sinning against God is wrong and so is sinning against others, but sinning against yourself is just stupid and probably doesn't count in God's eyes.
Ebon was cutting away Richie's boxers, but the blonde wasn't afraid of the knife. Ebon seemed to be treating him gently. I don't understand why, but he is.
His breath stuck in his throat as it did sometimes when he discovered the key to a problem that had been locked tight. He trusts me, or at least almost trusts that I'm broken and responsive. Maybe he was coming in here to torture me, but since I started out pretending to give in, then gave in for real, he believes he has me.
I can use that.
Not to get back to V, he assured himself quickly, or to be in a position to beg God's forgiveness for playing the whore, but I can atone a little, find a way to alert the Justice League to Dakota's need, to Static's need for help.
It was worth a shot.
oOo
A small part of Ebon's mind wondered why Gear was breaking so easily.
The rest of him was confident in his powers of seduction. I've always been able to charm any girl or boy in bed; this is just evidence of that. And it's not like he just spread his legs immediately. He had to warm up to me.
As he licked Gear clean, having used the knife briefly to cut away the sticky boxers, Ebon thought, He must never get any. Static's straight and Gear's gay, and Static would never give his needy partner a sexy smile let alone a blow-job. Grinning, he began to kiss up Gear's body, pausing to dip his tongue into the superhero's navel. As Gear gasped, Ebon moved on, lavishing attention on each of the blonde's nipples before continuing upwards. When he reached Gear's ear, he whispered, "Tell me who you are."
A pause, then Gear answered, "If you do that again, I'll tell you." He moved his hips reminiscently. "Please."
"That's all you want?" Ebon asked, his suspicious side grumbling.
"You can't give me what I really want."
Ebon laughed. "And what's that? Static fucking you?"
Gear released a sob that shocked Ebon. Damn, I didn't think I broke him so completely.
"Static's dead. I saw him go down," Gear said.
Or maybe it's because his partner is dead. "Then what do you want? I might surprise you."
"Two things," Gear answered. "I want you to be inside me-"
Ebon hardened again.
"-and I want to know if my robot was completely destroyed. It's my greatest invention and I want to see if any of the fail-safes worked."
"That thing was crushed," Ebon answered. "Now as for me taking you-"
"You should check anyway," Gear answered. "I planted a few fail-safes into it. One of them has probably already called the police. Another has almost surely called the Justice League by now."
"Why do I care about them? They can't find me here; no one can."
"And the third thing I programmed into my robot was a homing beacon. I have one end implanted in my head, and the other end is connected to a direct link to the Watchtower. Even if the other two devices don't work, that one will because it was programmed to go off if my robot and I were ever separated. If you bring the robot to me, we'll be together again and the homing device will stop transmitting. Then I can remove it."
"Why would you want to do that?" Ebon had shifted so that he was sitting on the side of the bed. One of his hands was resting between Gear's legs. He fingered the blonde's balls lightly. He almost said, You don't give up that quickly. How could you? Superheroes never give up like that. Instead, he asked, "Don't you want to escape?"
Gear seemed to be struggling for words. "Static and I were in Gotham up until a few nights ago. We were helping Batman with a problem. But while we were there, Batman asked me something. He asks the same question of every new superhero, he said. He asked me why I fought crime." Gear's voice was tight again. "I told him that I love fighting beside Static, that being able to back him up is the greatest feeling in the world." He sobbed again and Ebon felt the tension in the blonde's muscles. "I can't fight without him. And if I can't fight, why would I want to be free? My father's physically abusive, my mother's insane and I don't trust anyone in the world except Static. What do I have except maybe a nice touch from you once in a while?" He burst into tears.
Ebon ran his hand over Gear's chest, feeling it hitch. He soothed, flattening his palm to add touch to his words, "I'll find your robot. And from now on, I'll take care of you." He kissed one of Gear's hands. "I'll be right back. Rest here."
The bed creaked as he stood.
"Wait!" Gear's call reminded Ebon of a kitten mewling for its mother.
"Yes?"
"Can anyone else get in here? Will someone come and hurt me while you're gone?"
Ebon returned to Gear and kissed his hand again. "No one will hurt you, Gear. I promise. No one can get in here."
"What about Slipstream? He wanted me." Gear was trembling all over. "Couldn't he blow the walls in? When Stat-" his voice broke- "Static was being chased by him, he destroyed a stone bridge and a metal one, too. What if he comes in?"
"He won't." But even as Ebon denied the possibility, his mind was alive with uncertainty. He could. He would try. And if he accidentally crushed my Gear instead of just blowing the wall in- Or if he raped my Gear… Ebon touched the chains on Gear's wrists. It's not as if he can do anything. He's only a human without his inventions. Ebon untied Ger's hands, then his feet. "Close your eyes."
"They're closed."
Ebon turned the light back on and gazed at his prize for the first time. Gear was huddled in on himself, his hands over his face. "Look at me."
Gear took his hands away. "Do you… like me?" He uncurled slightly. "Do you like my body? Dad always said I couldn't make it as a whore because I'm too skinny and-"
"And beautiful." Ebon drew Gear to his feet and nuzzled against his neck. "When I come back with your robot, you'll turn off the homing device. Then you'll take your mask off for me."
Gear was nodding, even smiling a little, but he asked, "Do you want me to take it off now?" He reached up as if to do just that.
Ebon caught his hands, holding them with a delicacy that even he was amazed by. This all started out as a way to make him feel like a whore. I wanted his body to take over for his mind and make him beg. But this… this… He kissed Gear's fingers. "Wait til I come back. I don't want anything to interrupt us." Still holding on to his prize, Ebon stretched one arm out to reach under the bed. He took out a small gun and a grenade. "Use these if Slipstream tries to hurt you. But I'm going to make sure he's busy doing other things until I get back."
"Please put them back. I'll know where to get them if I need them. But I don't want to touch them. My best friend's mother was killed by a gunshot and I'm scared of guns."
Ebon put the weapons back under the bed. Then he drew Gear close. "I'll be back soon. You probably won't even need them." He kissed Gear's neck, then let him go. After brushing his fingers down Gear's arm, he turned and disappeared through the wall.
oOo
It wasn't in Virgil's nature to linger in the shadows when he saw no immediate danger, or even when he did. But he was well aware that, of the two of them, he was much more capable of controlling his reckless tendencies, the one able to keep calm. If Hotstreak had a calm bone in his body, Virgil thought the flame-head had disintegrated it long ago.
The alley was almost pitch black, but the sun would be coming up soon; Virgil had seen the hint of it as he and Hotstreak made their way to the place where Static and Gear had been ambushed. The sky had been turning a peach color that reminded Virgil a little of Richie. One cloud, hovering high up, had looked like Backpack. Lower clouds were kissed underneath with gold, calling to mind Richie's hair.
Face it. Everything reminds me of him because I'm scared to death that Slipstream has already raped him, or crushed him with his weight. Or maybe Ebon-
Virgil took a deep breath. I have to be the calm one. Hotstreak can't do it. And if I lose my cool now, even when there doesn't seem to be anyone watching this place right now-
"Virgil, I am glad you waited."
Hotstreak let out a surprised half-scream and his fists became torches.
Virgil would have laughed at his jumpy ally if he hadn't squawked himself. "J'onn! Where'd you come from?" The Martian was sticking half out of the brick wall on Virgil's right.
"Batman asked me to help locate you. The defeat you suffered was on the news."
Virgil groaned. "Great. Now every Bang Baby in Dakota thinks that Static and Gear are out of commission." He glanced around as J'onn phased out of the wall and stood beside him. "Who else is with you?"
"Batman is here." J'onn was staring at Hotstreak.
"He could have given me to Ebon and didn't," Virgil said, but his mind wasn't on Hotstreak. He looked to where Backpack lay. "Now that you're here I can go get Backpack."
"I wouldn't if I were you."
Hotstreak opened his mouth to cry out again, but one look into the Batman's fierce eyes silenced him. "We have company," Batman whispered. "Stay perfectly still."
Virgil looked around without moving his head, taking Batman's command literally. It was always best to do that with the Dark Knight, because literally was usually how his commands were meant. He didn't see anything at first, and he sensed Hotstreak getting ready to ask a question or make a wise-ass comment.
A black and purple vortex opened in the wall to Virgil's left and the young superhero was left wondering how Batman had known the Shadow-man was coming.
Ebon went straight to Backpack and picked up the robot. He turned back to the wall without even glancing in their direction. His attitude was one of preoccupation.
Is he thinking about Gear? If he's hurt him-
Quit it, Virgil, or you'll never see Richie again!
Virgil slipped a homing device out of his belt and tossed it. It stuck to Ebon's lower leg. The vortex opened and Ebon disappeaered.
"Now what?" Hotstreak asked as soon as the vortex had closed.
"We find a place to talk." Batman shot his grappling hook straight into the air and grabbed Hotstreak by the collar. As they started to ascend, Virgil slipped his mask on (no one should be watching at quarter to five in the morning, but stranger things had happened) magnetized a bit of metal that had been lying on the ground and followed. J'onn floated beside him.
oOo
Richie dismantled the grenade (he found it in a box of almost thirty) and one of the six guns piled next to the box. I've never seen Ebon use a gun. Why would he do it now? And if he isn't planning to use all this stuff, what's it doing under his bed? Does it make him feel safe or something? Is this how he used to sleep before the Big Bang? That would make sense; maybe he can't sleep without all this stuff nearby. But if I were Ebon, the only person I'd be nervous around would be Static. I'll bet it doesn't occur to most police officers that they can shoot a shadow and have the bullet actually do some damage. Or maybe bullets can't hurt Ebon.
The scattered pieces of the deadly weapons awoke a hunger to create that Richie had lived with for months, a high he loved, but not one he ever sought. Because whenever he'd tried to make it come by building something without inspiration, the high was a no-show. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, the sheet warped around him to hide his nakedness, Richie forgot for a little while that he was in danger. He let time slip away on its own, knowing that it wouldn't matter how long this took if he got distracted and messed his invention up.
As the conglomeration of parts began to take shape, however, and Richie saw that it would work, his high faded and he started thinking about what would happen after Static found him.
He'll see me naked, maybe see the cum on my boxers, and understand what I've done. He closed his eyes for a moment, then tried to focus on his work.
A minute later, he thought, What's to keep me from following Ebon and giving him what he wants? What's to stop me? If Virgil doesn't love me- and how can he after this- where else do I have to go? I can't even disappear into my Bible and hope things get better because God won't take me back.
"Richie, stop."
The blond head snapped up. Richie's eyes were wide. "Who's there?" He craned his neck around, looking for the source of the voice. He didn't recognize it. "Who are you? Where are you?"
The voice didn't answer.
I must be hearing things. Richie used a tiny rod he'd taken from the grenade to nudge a piece into place. Maybe I'll start hearing voices, too. That would be just great. And if I start going crazy, why shouldn't I become Ebon's-
"I said stop."
Richie jumped up, almost losing his invention. He cradled it against his chest and turned in a full circle. "Who's there?"
"Don't you know my voice, Richie?"
The blonde bit his lip. "Uh, no, sorry. Who are you?" He set his invention down and drew the sheet around his shoulders, hiding himself.
"On June eighth, you read a story in the Old Testament. Do you remember what that story was about? You had been reading in the New Testament until then, and afterwards you went back to the book of Luke, but for that brief time you read about a young lad in a temple."
Richie's knees felt watery. He sat down on the bed. "I was reading about Eli."
"In those days, God did not speak often to his people. And yet Eli heard His voice. Is that what you read?"
Richie could barely speak. "Yes." A feeling, much like the field he felt coming off of Virgil when the hero was charged up, skittered up and down his arms. And, as with Virgil, it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. Richie felt comforted. He eased under the familiar sensation without realizing it.
"You were thinking that you would never be forgiven. Is that true?"
"Yes." Richie wanted to add that he wouldn't be forgiven, that not even Jesus could forgive such a sin. But the skittery feeling was now under his skin and he felt such peace that even uttering that one word had been almost too much for him.
"Why do you think I would never forgive you, Richie? Didn't I forgive the sins of a murderer on the cross beside me? Didn't I forgive the sins of Mary Magdeline? What would stop me from forgiving you?"
"If I didn't ask." Richie put his head in his hands. "Please, Lord, I don't want to see You. I can feel that You're close. Please don't show Yourself. I'm afraid."
"Consider this the first test of your faith, Richie. Not all answers to your prayers will come in this way."
Thank God, Richie thought.
"But sometimes they will. You have been blessed with the ability to hear things that others cannot, and to understand them. Think of our conversation as another level of existence, much like alternate realities and various futures that may exist."
"Can I- can I open the door to this other level?"
"No. That is a power that belongs to the angels and to Me. Even if you could, you must not. Satan would see you."
Richie shivered, and the warm static feeling under his skin drew closer, as if wrapping him in an invisible blanket. "I won't try." He bit his lip because he could feel the presence so close. "Please don't come in here, Lord."
"You have your message now, Richie. Please remember that I will forgive everything except a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit."
"Yes, Lord." Richie could feel Him leaving, or maybe just closing the door between the two levels of existence. "Thank You."
"I love you."
Richie realized tears were coursing down his cheeks. They splashed on the floor between his feet. Shaken and amazed by what had just happened as well as the strength of his reaction, he laughed and dashed the tears off his cheeks.
The door was closed now. Richie asked forgiveness for his sin and then sat in silence for a moment, centering himself. When he was calmer, he stood and wrapped the sheet around himself again.
Turning to the bed, he looked down at the beacon he'd built. He hoped Static would think to check the frequency that their Shock Voxes operated on. Of the three fail-safes Richie had told Ebon about, none actually existed. Richie only wanted his robot at his side to know if Backpack was still-
Doh! Richie slapped the side of his helmet with his open palm. I forgot to ask if Backpack has a soul!
oOo
I feel like a frickin slug, Hotstreak thought as he sat in front of Batman and the green-faced thing Virgil had called J'onn. Or maybe something under a microscope. And even if they're both looking at Virgil, too, that's no help; I'm the dangerous one. They'll probably throw me in jail if I fart sideways.
Virgil had been talking for almost ten minutes, his hands twisting his mask until Hotstreak thought it would have to rip. Nothing could be worried at that much without giving way. "…with Richie and there's no way to find them except to trust Hotstreak."
The red headed teen opened his mouth to demand what was wrong with that, but Virgil continued, "He could have killed me or turned me over to Ebon. But he didn't. I'm not saying that makes him a saint, but he doesn't owe Ebon anything." He shook his head. "And I don't get this next part, but this is what he said. He doesn't want to fight me when Richie's been taken because it wouldn't be the right kind of fight. I think he wants a duel instead of me just losing it on him cuz I'm so worried about Rich."
Well, that's not exactly it, but close enough. Hotstreak tried to read the faces of the two Justice League members, and couldn't get so much as a hint. Scowling, he decided he was going to have to say something. "You have two choices: trust me and find Foley or don't trust me and spend all your time searching for him. Because without me you'll never find him. Ebon's hidden him away where nobody would look. And I'm assuming you want Foley back in one piece and sane. Well, Ebon's raped him at least a dozen times by now. Because he lusts both Gear and Foley, get it? He dreams about both of them. And when he figures out they're the same person, he's gonna shit himself and probably come just from thinking about having his whore to himself." Virgil's hands were crackling with electricity, but Hotstreak ignored him. If his words got Virgil pissed, so what? They might help Batman and the green guy to make up their minds just a little faster. That's what Hotstreak needed. What Foley needs, too, when you come right down to it. He might be stronger than I thought, harder to break, but I don't think he's that strong. He glared right at Batman, noticing that Virgil had kept his control, though he would probably fry the closest person next time he was reminded just how much Richie was suffering. "So you won't get the first one. But the second's still possible, if you make up your fucking minds."
J'onn said, "We must find Richie. He has been through much in the last month."
Yeah, Hotstreak thought, like his father tearing up his room and trying to get him shipped off somewhere for "treatment."
"If we'd gotten to Backpack before Ebon took him we might be able to find Richie without Hotstreak's help." Virgil's eyes were narrowed, and Hotstreak realized the teen beside him was pissed at the Batman. "We could have taken Backpack if you hadn't told us to wait."
"Why would Ebon take Backpack?" Batman asked, cool as you please.
I guess one ticked-off teenage superhero is small potatoes to him, Hotstreak thought, interested to see how this power struggle would play out. Here was a new target for Virgil to release his rage against; would he try to take on the Batman? Wish I'd brought some popcorn.
Virgil was on his feet now. "How should I know?"
"Think, Virgil; this is important. Why would Ebon take Gear's computer when he already has Gear?"
Virgil fell silent, actually seeming to think about it. "Maybe Ebon wants the technology Backpack represents." He shook his head. "No. Ebon doesn't care about machines. Maybe he thought Backpack would act as a lure for the Justice League. He probably doesn't want anyone else involved. It's bad enough I escaped."
"But we would just follow Backpack's signal- if he had one- to Ebon's hideout. If he had left it alone, there would be no danger to him." J'onn looked puzzled.
Hotstreak spoke up. "Gear might have talked him into it." He felt everyone's eyes on him and shrugged, not looking at any of them. "He can talk. That's all I'm saying. I swear when he's out of ammo his last weapon is his mouth. And he'll use it all the time. He could almost talk the devil into turning Hell into a refrigerator." Hotstreak peeked at Virgil and saw he'd punched a hole in the other teen's anger. And maybe I even believe some of what I'm saying.
Step off, Francis.
Or maybe I believe all of it.
"So what you're saying is that Richie talked Ebon into getting Backpack for him." Denial and a species of pride warred on Virgil's face. "I don't know how he could do it, but he'd try if he could." Shaking his head, he repeated that final statement. "He'd try if he could. He loves Backpack."
"Is there a homing device in Backpack?"
Virgil, still pondering the possibilities, said, "Yeah, but it probably doesn't work. Backpack made a link between Richie and me that was supposed to link our minds so we could watch out for each other without actually having to be near each other."
"But you can't feel Richie," Batman said.
Virgil had come out of his thoughts. He sat down beside Hotstreak. "No. Backpack was damaged too badly. Assuming he's even still alive, he'd need all his power just to keep a few basic systems running."
"Perhaps I can enhance the connection," J'onn mused. "My telepathic powers will not extend over a dozen city blocks, but if I can follow the link that was made between the two of you, we could talk to Richie."
"I'd only be able to feel what he's feeling," Virgil said. "The link between Richie and Backpack was fully functional; they could hear every word over the mental connection. But what Backpack built for me and Richie was more like an empathic link" Grimacing, he blew air loudly through his nose. "I'm not sure I want to know what Richie's feeling. If he's hurt- If Ebon is raping him…"
"And knowing what Richie is feeling won't help us find him." Batman turned to J'onn. "Unless you think that we can make full telepathic contact with Richie, don't bother."
J'onn said, "Perhaps you should talk to Hotstreak about the layout of Ebon's hideout and how to find it. I wish to try to reach Richie. He may be able to give us more information."
Batman nodded. Looking down at Hotstreak, he said, "Follow me."
Hotstreak watched the Night Terror stalk away and he stood to follow. But his legs were wobbly and his knees were like rubber.
"He only hurts criminals," J'onn said distractedly as he sat down beside Virgil.
Great. I'm fried. Hotstreak trailed after Batman. He glanced over his shoulder once and saw J'onn touching Virgil's forehead, making contact. Virgil's eyes were closed and he looked to be completely in control of himself for the first time since he'd woken up in Hotstreak's room.
"Are you coming?"
Hotstreak scurried after Batman, hating himself for obeying, but not daring to fight the Dark Knight. He followed Batman through a door, noticing for the first time that they were in some sort of warehouse. I couldn't see out the windows when we arrived, but I knew we hadn't moved far.
"Close the door," Batman ordered.
Hotstreak did as he was told, the Martian's words chiming in his head like a snatch of song that won't leave your mind until it's damned good and ready: He only hurts criminals. He only hurts criminals.
Batman had turned to face him, and Hotstreak squared his shoulders, refusing to look as intimidated as he felt.
"I don't trust you," the Night Terror said. "J'onn can read every intention in your mind, so we'll know you're going to betray us before you can act." He took a step towards the teen, his cape swirling around him.
Hotstreak swallowed.
"If you hurt Richie or Virgil during this mission, I will kill you. If you help Ebon, I will see to it that you are castrated, eviscerated and hung." He took another step.
Hotstreak stepped back.
"Think of Static and Gear as my sons and you won't be far off." Batman turned away, pulling a blueprint of the city's subway system from under his cloak. "Show me where Ebon is hiding.
And if I say fuck you? Hotstreak looked for the anger that should have come, but his protective rage was busy elsewhere. He moved to the table, trying to stride with purpose. Peering down at the map, he pointed. "Here's the subway station where we're staying. But Ebon's hideout isn't on here. He built it himself." He pointed. "Right here. There's supposed to be nothing there but rock, but Ebon discovered it was actually empty space. He tore down the wall, found a way to get ventilation in and out, then sealed the wall back up. No one can get in or out unless Ebon takes them. That's where he's taken Foley. It's the only place he'd feel safe leaving him."
Hotstreak glanced at Batman to see if he wanted more information Not receiving an answer either way, Hotstreak decided to chance it. If he didn't tell, Batman might accuse him to holding out. "Ebon isn't the only one who wants Foley. Carmen Dillo wants to fuck Gear and Slipstream wants to fuck Richie. He really wants Static- Slipstream, I mean- but he'll settle for anything that screams."
Batman's eyes had narrowed.
"They probably haven't gotten a chance at him yet; Ebon wants his tiem first, and what he probably wants is to break his whroe. When he's done that, he'll gladly give his whore to the others. He gets-"
Batman lifted Hotstreak off the floor and punched him full in the face. Then he dropped Hotstreak and said, his voice still calm, "You will not call Richie a whore again."
Hotstreak opened his mouth to ask what would happen if he did, but again his anger didn't come to his defense. He nodded and stood up.
"Does Ebon know you took Static?" Batman was mercifully looking at the map again, learning its layout.
"No… I don't think so. He knows I'm missing and that Static is missing, but he took Foley before he saw me. If Ebon saw Static, he would have seen he was unconscious, able to taken later. He must have sent someone back by now to check, because he didn't seem surprised when he took Foley's computer. Besides, all Ebon really wanted was Static dead and Gear as a… with him. He got the second, but I don't think he feels safe, knowing that Static has escaped him before." He grinned a little, relaxing now that Batman wasn't looking at him. "Most super villains are supposed to be stupid. And Ebon's done some pretty idiotic things. But he learns from his mistakes. He'll be on the lookout for Static."
"How did you learn that Richie was Gear?"
"I saw him without his costume-" probably without underwear, too, I know all about how they degrade you in hospitals- "with his robot beside him. The KKK was attacking the hospital, looking for him, and I came in, wanting…"
Batman started to turn towards him.
"I wanted to fight Static," Hotstreak blurted. "And I figured that since Static had saved Foley from the KKK that he might be there checking on him."
"How many metahumans are working for Ebon?"
Hotstreak blinked, glad for the abrupt change of subject, but thrown off balance. "Well, there's Kangor. He has big feet and-"
"I know what each Bang Baby can do. Just list who will be there."
And how do you know about the Bang Babies? Hotstreak shook his head. He's the best detective in the world, moron. Just answer his questions before he looks at you again. "These are the ones that were in on the plan. I don't know if they'll all be there, or if they'll be others. Kangor, Shiv, Carmen Dillo, Ferret, Slipstream, Replay, Replikon, Aquamaria… and Talon."
I'm definitely getting soft. What do I care if Batman changes in and fights Talon or sends her to jail? He fidgeted, rubbing his bare arms.
"And that's all."
"And Ebon, of course."
"I see several ways to approach this station. Are there any entrances that aren't on this map?"
"Yeah. Two." I can worry about my feelings later. I just hope I don't get dragged off to jail, too. I deserve something for helping.
oOo
This is hopeless, Virgil thought. I can't even feel him, J'onn.
Do not give up yet.
It was strange to have the alien in his mind, but Virgil told himself that he would get used to it. And if he didn't, well, it would only be for a few minutes, right?
A tingly sensation ran down his neck and to the ends of his fingers. What was-?
A feeling of concentration, fierce and focused as a lioness on the hunt, stopped him mid-sentence. Was that J'onn?
The feeling intensified, making Virgil think of the small laser Richie manipulated when he wanted to cut something too small for a knife. And Virgil realized he couldn't open his eyes anymore or hear anything outside his mind. He fought against panic.
can't… distracted right now. The level of concentration jumped up another notch.
That's not my voice, Virgil thought. And it's not J'onn's. Unsure of how to make his presence known- or maybe he already knows I'm here if he felt my panic- he called, Richie? Rich, can you hear me?
The feeling changed, now reminding Virgil of the time he'd handled raw chicken breast for the first time: in a word, slimy. The concentration came back at once, but it was now underlain by that wet and slimy feeling. It was as if Virgil had been dipped into a swimming pool full of raw chicken breast. He resisted the urge to shiver and called again, afraid for his partner now, Richie? Gear, answer me. It's Static.
A pause, and the concentration dissipated. Virgil? Skepticism, fear and hope mixed together. Virgil was amazed how close Richie sounded, as if the two of them were side-by-side.
Still the slimy touch in Virgil's mind didn't go away.
It's me, Rich. J'onn's using the link Backpack made.
A wave of nausea came over the connection. BP's with me. Richie groaned. I can't talk. He… Virgil could have sworn Richie was wincing. He wants me. Come as soon as you can… And bring some clothes.
Richie, wait! I need to know- Except he didn't. Virgil had heard everything that mattered to him. Ebon- or someone else- was touching his Richie, maybe about to rape him again.
Not again, came Richie's voice in his mind, sounding tight and afraid. This'll be the first time. But BP isn't ready to travel. I can't escape until he's ready.
But, Richie, if you can get away-
Don't, Virgil. The rage in Richie's voice was so unlike him that Virgil flinched. I can't-
Pain ran down the connection and Richie screamed in Virgil's mind. Before he was forced out, Virgil heard one last thought: So much for being gentle with me. Then Richie was gone.
Virgil's eyes flew open of their own accord. He realized he was breathing heavily, almost panting. He snapped his head to the left and saw J'onn looking at him, his eyes troubled but resolute.
"I had to sever the connection."
"No!" Virgil reached out, his hands turned into claws. "I can't just leave him when Ebon's raping him!"
J'onn took Virgil's hands gently but firmly. "We must rescue him. You cannot do that if you can feel what Richie's is feeling." J'onn dropped Virgil's hands and strode towards the door that Batman and Hotstreak had disappeared behind. "Come."
Virgil stared at the Martian's back for a moment; Richie's scream still seemed to echo in his mind. He swore, punched the wall nearby and followed J'onn. But his anger was swallowed in grief a moment later and he thought, Richie. I love you. Please hang on, bro. We'll be there soon.
oOo
Ebon set the damaged robot on the bed and watched Gear carefully. He saw that his whore had wrapped himself in the sheet; well, that was probably best, since the blonde hadn't known if Slipstream would show up. But now… "Take that thing off, will you? Don't tell me you're shy."
Gear looked up at him and smiled. "Sorry. I just… I was scared, I guess." He stood and the sheet fell away. There seemed to be tears on his cheeks, but maybe that was just Ebon's imagination.
Ebon's pulse quickened. His whore was blushing, but his penis was also half-erect. "Can you find the homing device?" he asked.
Gear knelt beside the bed so that he was at eye level with his creation. He moved tentatively at first, seemingly afraid that he would destroy what he'd built. Ebon leaned against the wall behind Gear and watched him work. Almost at once Gear went over to his belt where it had been dropped on the other side of the bed. Before he picked it up, he looked at Ebon. "My tools are here. Can I get them?"
Ebon strode to the other side of the bed and looked down at the belt. Many of its small loops still held the circular grenades Ebon had come to respect. "What do you need?"
Gear had knelt by the belt, but his hands were folded in front of him, well away from any of the grenades. "My screwdriver's in the side sleeve and I'll have to use my laser to cut away some of B- the robot's surface so I can get at the homing device."
Ebon had a brief vision of Gear's hands tied in front of him while he knelt, ready for the first strike of a whip. He laid his hand on Gear's shoulder, felt the teen tense, then relax. I wonder how long it'll be until he isn't afraid of me. He licked his lips, then pushed his lustful thoughts away. As soon as he was sure they wouldn't be interrupted-
He had to keep reminding himself not to take risks.
Ebon made sure his voice would come out normally before he spoke. "Get whatever you need."
Gear looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Thank you."
Ebon groaned softly.
Gear didn't seem to notice. He took just what he'd said he would from the belt and left it lying on the floor. Then he stood.
Ebon shivered. His whore moved like a swimmer or a lynx- lithely, with unconscious grace. Unable to stop himself, Ebon spun the blonde around and pressed their bodies together.
The younger teen cried out softly and tensed, straining upwards, as if trying to reach Ebon's lips.
Ebon's hand moved to the helmet.
"Wait," Gear gasped. "If you take it off, I won't be able to see. My visor takes the place of my glasses." He hugged Ebon against him, turning his head so that Ebon felt his ear against his chest. "My glasses are in my pants. Can I finish the robot, then get my glasses? I want you to see me how I really am- and I want to see you. Please."
I should get a medal for how much control I have. Ebon backed away from Gear and nodded. "Take care of the homing device and then I want to see you how you really are."
Gear ducked his head like a shy virgin and headed back to his robot. He dropped to his knees again and began to work without further comment. Ebon took up his position by the wall.
About five minutes later, Gear stopped working abruptly, his hands, which had been moving confidently, temporarily frozen. Ebon was about to say something, but then Gear started to work again.
And he stopped again, tilting his head slightly to one side. Then he sat back on his heels and put his tools down.
Ebon's eye was drawn to his whore's ass. As Gear continued to sit there, unaware fo Ebon's thoughts, the leader of the Meta Breed realized that he couldn't wait any longer. He advanced.
Dropping his hand on the blonde's shoulder, he was surprised when he didn't get an over-the-shoulder look and a smile. Gear seemed lost in his own world. Ebon tightened his grip.
At last Gear looked at him. Ebon wasn't sure about the first time, but now he definitely saw the tears in Gear's eyes on and his cheeks.
Ebon's last resolve broke. He knelt behind his whore and used one of his hands to encourage his whore to move to all fours. Gear was tense; Ebon could feel it. But he no longer cared. What does it matter if I hurt him? He'll be mine whether I'm nice or not. Closing his eyes, Ebon took his whore's ass in his hands, moaning at its suppleness.
If I don't go in now I'm going to waste my orgasm. Leaning forward, he grabbed one of the blonde's shoulders with one hand while he grasped his shaft in the other and positioned it.
He took in a breath, felt his whore tense even more, surely scared out of his wits, and pushed inside.
Gear's scream was everything Ebon had wished for.
Ms Manga: I didn't know this fic was dark. I thought "dark" meant "no happy ending." Go figure. Is Backpack good? Is he evil? I'm not sure myself, but he seems to be doing the right thing so far (not that he did anything in this chapter…) As to the chapter length, I have to thank my readers for that. It was their idea.
Tristripe: Did I mention I like your little brother? And thank you for the review and the questions. I'm glad you're checking to make sure I write stuff that can really happen. Also, I'm glad Ebon's obvious to you, because he just doesn't get it yet. He and the clueless Virgil that exists sometimes are perfect for each other, I think.
leev: Hotstreak needs a clue bus… I like that! Where did you hear that?
Rheanen: I'm not sure if you meant is the story going to go somewhere or that you like where isn't going. What can I say except: If you were Hotstreak, would you think one person could change everything that you've always believed in? That's quite a leap of faith. (And I'm not offended, if that's what you meant- I'm just curious what you think.)
Moonjava: Richie's going to need some major hugs after this. What do you say to taking turns with me so Virgil can get some sleep sometimes?