Author: Summer Starr
Disclaimer: I came, I saw, I wrote fanfiction for. No profit is being made, so don't sue.
Warnings: Slash (Virgil/Richie, GL/Flash, Sups/Bats, a lot of others), Alternate Universe, Crossover
Author's Note: This story -is- slash. I've posted warnings in every chapter and in the summary. The warning was there from the get-go. Your disappointment is your own fault. Since you don't like it, and have proven yourself capable of writing and your review shows you're motivated, I can only assume you prefer to be a slacker and settle for reading things you don't enjoy instead of writing things you would. I like slash. I like reading it and writing it and dreaming it. Regardless of psychosis, either yours or mine, I'd like to thank you for the review.
Ratings: M
Title: Like A Dream
Like A Dream
Chapter Seven
Hotstreak looked around, soaking up the moment. There was noise from a variety of places: the soft hum of computers, the music for the party, from a subway roaring past them through just a few walls, and the laughter and cheers from his friends.
His friends.
Shiv was on the table, trying to dance to the music he spliced for Hotstreak's montage. When he began trying—trying and failing—to break dance on the table, others began placing bets on how long it would take him to break his neck. Puff and Onyx were dancing as well, the female swirling around her large partner in mists that changed colors at random intervals like the lights of a Christmas tree. Kangor was doing the mixing for the drinks, and Talon was doing the mixing for the music.
This was his farewell party. After tonight, Hotstreak had no idea when he'd see any of them again. If he'd see any of them again. Sure, he was going to try to come back for Maria. But in life, there were very, very few guarantees.
It was almost time. There were just a few hours left. The bids were coming in, but he wasn't sure what the final price was going to be. In truth, he didn't care. He was going to be leaving.
He was leaving.
Getting out of the ghetto he lived in, getting out of the slum. He was going to be working for pay. He was going to be working for the big leaguers. More than that, though. He was going to be someone with power right off the bat.
Sure, he was up there in Ebon's chain of command, even though he -didn't- command any of the others. He was respected because he had proven himself able to handle their regular pest, Static Shock.
However, soon, Static wasn't going to be a problem. They had a plan, a good plan, to take the Defender down. Word was out, too, that soon, there was going to be a living battery on the auction block, one that didn't want to be there. No names were stated, of course, but 'rumor had it' that the living battery was none other than Static Shock himself. And while most Buyers flat out laughed at the idea that the Breed could take down a Defender, there were a few who answered by saying that -if- Static found himself on the Market, they'd be willing to handle such hot merchandise.
Francis thought it was a crying shame that the world thought so little of them. But, he wasn't so slow as to acknowledge the history the Market had with Defenders. The Night Terror alone scared most of them. Static wasn't Batman, though.
Static was just a lucky punk who got picked up by the Defenders. But his luck was about to run out.
It was a pity that he wasn't going to be there to see it.
But really, what was he going to do after they bagged and tagged the Defender? Smash and grab routines? Ebon wasn't into the Protection racket, and Hotstreak wasn't all that fond of it either. It seemed... so cheap. But, once the challenge was gone from Dakota, and the other Bang Babies were all bought up and shipped out, there really wasn't going to be anything left to do in the town except rule it. While it might have been fun to be king for a day, ruling a large city for a long period of time seemed... rather boring. He couldn't even play SIMS because that much dedication to ruling someone else's life when he had his own to live was utterly ridiculous to him.
They were all... so alive right then. So young and full of un-met potential. But soon... soon they were going to show the -world- what kind of potential they had. And after that? Then the bidding wars would -really- be interesting.
An unknown hand at his shoulder sent him sprawling to a nearby seat, but before he could protest, a wet figure was sprawled across his lap, one arm around his shoulder. Smirking, Hotstreak accepted a cup full of some strange juice that Kangor handed him. He didn't ask what was in it because he really didn't care. This was his party! He was allowed to indulge.
There was the soft hiss of sizzling, a noise that both Maria and Francis ignored. They were used to it, after having been together for so long after the Bang. She leaned her head against his shoulder, one arm draped behind his neck as he took a sip from his punch. She smiled as he tilted his head so that his cheek rested on what passed for her forehead.
"Man... Ya know what sucks about this?"
"Hmm?" she tried to murmur, but it came across as a soft gurgling sound, like a small stream of water over rocks.
"Now that I'm leaving, we're actually going to be capturing Static."
"And that's what has you so down?" Maria asked.
"Well, that and I'm going to miss you. And the others, of course." Hotstreak shrugged, hiding his flush of embarrassment by taking another drink.
"It's... going to be so different." Maria grinned, knowing her boy too well. He was finally beginning to realize that he was leaving. Going into parts unknown, with no one there that he could trust. She leaned up to look at the rest of the party. "Everything's changing. You're leaving. And soon, we're going to capture Static. This town is going to be so... different."
"Yeah," Hotstreak whispered, and there was a tone in his voice that she had never heard before. Something she couldn't classify. "You'll all rule this place."
"Yeah," she replied, but there was still doubt in her tone, as if she doubted that the dream was going to be as great as everyone thought it was going to be.
"Hey," the redhead chided. "Cheer up. You'll be one of the people in charge here, and I'll be making a name for myself. And after that, the future will be ours. With our power, my name, and your skills, we'll be unbeatable. You just wait."
For a moment, the aquatic female merely nodded. But then, she moved to stand up, pulling Hotstreak with her. Maria's smile was bright and painfully large as she dragged the pyronic youth to the middle of the floor. The liquid female caught Talon's eyes, and the two females shared a silent message. And then the room was filled with the softer beat, slower and more rhythmic. "Can I have this last dance, Francis?"
"Sure, Maria," Hotstreak nodded, pulling her close and beginning to sway.
None of them had been able to finish high school. None of them had ever gone to a prom. But this... this was a decent substitute. Puff blew a few clouds of incandescent vapor, even as Shiv moved over to dim the lights. At first, Hotstreak felt slightly foolish, but soon... soon he and Maria weren't the only ones on the floor.
Talon remained behind the DJ-station, but the others were moving to the floor as well. He wasn't sure who was dancing with whom, and honestly didn't care as he felt Maria lean against him, her wet cheek resting and sizzling against his shoulder.
Maria asked quietly, "Do you want us to tape Static's capture and send you a copy?"
Hotstreak smiled, partly out of pleasure and partly out of malice. "You know I do. I also want you to rip that stupid mask off his face. That'll be a sweet, sweet victory."
"Ya know, it's kinda funny," Carmen Dillo said as he swaggered off the dance floor, passing by them as he did so. His gait said that he had already had more than one cup of whatever it was Kangor was mixing. "It's the good guys that wear all the masks and disguises, but us... we're not afraid to show the world who we are."
Hotstreak was going to answer that, but the bestial meta-human promptly collapsed where he stood, one ear flopping over to hide his eyes. For a moment no one moved, everyone just stared at the fallen Breed member. But, just as quickly, they shrugged it off and went back to partying.
And then, at last, the countdown began. The music was turned to a low thrum of base, a tempo set by the ticking away of the seconds. Everyone who was still conscious and capable began the familiar chant, with commentary sprinkled through out.
"Ten!"
"My money is still on the Joker!" Shiv reminded everyone.
"Nine!"
"We -KNOW-!" Kangor shot back.
"Eight!"
Talon snickered. "We're gonna miss you, Hotstreak!"
"Seven!"
"NOT!" Everyone else intoned.
"Six!"
The usual laughter followed, a sound that was so free and wild it was almost painful to everyone involved.
"Five!"
"Gonna hafta remember us-"
"Four!"
"-when you make it big!" Maria smiled.
"Three!"
"You know I will." Hotstreak nodded, tightening his arm around her waist.
"Two!"
A bright flash blazed through the room as someone took his picture.
"One!"
Hotstreak smiled as confetti rained down on him. He flared his powers to ignite the small pieces of trash paper, enough to make them dance brightly, like fireflies, but the imitations lasted for only the briefest moments.
A few, mainly Puff and Onyx, began to sing, "Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."
Carmen groaned as he tried to pick himself up off the floor and looked over at the two. "Happy New Year."
Hotstreak and Maria smiled at each other, though their eyes held different thoughts. It really was going to be a whole new year for them.
-oOo-
Martian Manhunter stood on the bridge of the Fortress, looking down from his station to the many people working other various consoles below him. Outside the view port, Earth spun in a lazy rotation and several space worthy carriers were waiting to dock. Batman was down in Gotham, tending to his own business, as was his preference. The Teen Titans were dirt-side as well, something about a carnival or fair; J'onn wasn't sure. Green Lantern had been called to another system to help deal with a trade alliance. Things were running smoothly, as they should, in a well-ordered fashion. It was a sign that they were doing their jobs correctly.
It was also incredibly dull.
"J'onn, can I have a moment of your time?" came an ever-cheerful voice from behind the Martian.
The shape-shifter turned where he stood and nodded, "Of course, Superman."
The dark-haired leader of the Defenders nodded and stepped back, indicating that J'onn should follow him. With a backward glance over his shoulder, making sure that things were in proper order and that there was someone else there should the need arise, the green male followed. They moved to a more secluded part of the bridge, cast in more shadows than was common, an area where Batman preferred to frequent.
"What seems to be the problem?" J'onn asked, his voice as eerily calm as ever.
"Well, I'm not sure. It could be nothing."
"And yet you seem... agitated."
Superman sighed, gathering his thoughts. He shifted where he stood as he tried to figure out a way of saying exactly what was concerning him without coming across as completely incompetent. Finally, he began to speak. "You know the rules governing Defenders and their Chosen."
"Yes, I am quite aware of them," J'onn replied, tilting his head to the side. He had it within his powers to simply go into Superman's mind and discover the true source of the man's concern, but he felt that would be too invasive. "I was there when the Defenders organized themselves."
"Right," Superman nodded, distracted. "So, you remember the rules governing what we do when we discover one Defender... making unwanted advances onto someone else's Chosen."
"Of course."
"Good. Because I've... heard that Batman has been spending an inappropriate amount of time with someone else's Chosen."
"You mean young Richard, Static's Chosen."
"Yes." Superman nodded, some of his anxiety leaving him. If J'onn knew about whom he was talking, then the conversation would not have to be limited to hidden names and innuendo.
"I know that Batman has asked for the boy to help him in his Lab, something about special projects."
"Yes, I'm sure that's what Batman -says- is going on."
"You do not believe him?"
Superman drew himself up to his full height and crossed his arms. "Let's just say that I have reasonable doubt to his honesty."
"And yet, are you not the one who promises that all are 'innocent until proven guilty'?" J'onn asked, his voice betraying none of his thoughts.
The last son of Krypton narrowed his eyes at the other alien.
"In any event," J'onn continued, as if raising Superman's ire was of no concern to him, "I have heard no one come forward with any complaints."
"But would they?" asked Superman. "Batman is not someone many people want to cross."
"Meaning, if there is anyone with a complaint, are they afraid of coming forward?" The green-skinned Martian's eyes glowed slightly. "I do my best to avoid spying on other people's minds. Humans tend to find it offensive and intrusive."
Superman looked at the other male. "All right. I can understand that."
J'onn was wise enough to not comment... Because nothing he said would be appropriate.
"I am just trying to avoid another Trial." Superman sighed, turning to look at the Earth spinning so docilely under them. "I'd rather sire a bastard child with Lex Luthor than sit on another tribunal."
"Even if a Trial was called, you would not be part of the tribunal," remarked J'onn.
"Oh?" Superman asked, one dark eyebrow lifting up.
"Others would perceive it as an unfair Trial," the Martian clarified, a slight grin on his face.
The Man of Steel opened his mouth to say something else when a red blur made its way over to them.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Flash asked as he came to an stop that seemed abrupt to the other two Defenders but that he had seen as merely prompt.
Superman turned his attention from J'onn to the speedster, remembering that his usual babysitter, Green Lantern, was out presently. "Is there something we can help you with, Flash?"
"Well, maybe." Flash shrugged his shoulders and waived a hand through the air, unable to remain standing still for too long, especially since he wasn't sure if either of the two were going to be willing to play. "Starting up a little poker game. You guys interested?"
"Who's playing?" Superman asked as he uncrossed his arms.
"Let's see... There's, uh... Cyborg and Green Arrow and Richie. Oh, and yours truly, of course. We -could- go with just the four of us, but five is always best. May as well just play -Bridge- with just four, you know?"
"Sorry, Flash. Count me out," Superman answered, shaking his head. He knew he didn't want to be a part of it as soon as he'd heard Richie's name, but as for reasoning behind it, he added, "Green Arrow cheats."
"Your loss." Flash shrugged. "J'onn?"
J'onn nodded his head, a slight smile appearing. "Yes, I believe I will join your game."
"Seriously? Neat-o. My place. Ten minutes. Gotta go!" And then he was gone.
After a moment of utter quiet between the two remaining Defenders, J'onn turned to Superman. "If you no longer need me?"
"Oh, of course. Go on and enjoy yourself," Superman replied absently, walking over to where J'onn had been standing when he had first come to talk to the Martian and dismissing the green male.
-oOo-
Most of the others were unconscious, either because of exhaustion or because of substances that no one really wanted to know about. There were still a few awake, though. Such as Talon, who was taking care of the DJ station, and Maria and Hotstreak who were still swaying on the dance floor, both of them with their eyes closed.
It had been a really great party, both before and after the countdown. They got to pretend, for a little while, that they were all that mattered in the world. That this 'death in the family' was something to celebrate. In a sense, it was like that. It was a funeral, a New Year's party, a birthday party, and a farewell party all rolled into one. Granted, there were no presents, no cards, nothing of that nature. No one really knew whether to be happy or sad. But it was fun.
They had parties like this every time it came time to go to Market. Whether it was someone they knew, one of them, or if it was someone they had to keep under lock and key because they didn't want to be there.
Maria didn't bother to remind Hotstreak that she was going to miss him, just like he didn't bother to remind her of his promise to return for her. Those things didn't need to be restated. They knew. They knew that they shared the promise of being reunited one day, no matter what happened.
Talon's soft gasp of surprise alerted the two to Ebon's arrival. They fell away from each other, but continued to hold hands, as they turned to face the shadowed man.
"Hey, Hotstreak. You ready?" Ebon asked as he stepped completely into the room.
"Just a little bit of packing left." The redhead shrugged. "I was waiting to know who and what to bring before I finished it up."
"Smart move." Ebon nodded. He then produced a small piece of paper. "Here's your walking papers."
"So, who won you?" Maria asked, curious and excited. Talon came up to look over both of their shoulders, her curiosity piqued as well.
"It seems... Twoface, from Gotham." Francis read the paper quickly. When he got to the end, he frowned, reading aloud, "And please tell him to dress appropriately. Big boys don't tuck their shirts into their underwear."
Talon snickered beside him while Maria merely covered her mouth with her free hand. The newest Dark Disciple merely glared at him before burning the paper in his hand. "All right, so, it seems that I've gotta go conservative. I can do that."
"Good." Ebon nodded. "Now, go get ready. I'm gonna be takin' you to see him before dawn."
"Got it, boss-man." Hotstreak grinned. He turned to Maria, and pulled their still entwined hands up. With a small smirk, he kissed what passed as her knuckles, causing steam to waft upwards, before releasing her completely and jogging towards his room.
Maria, Talon, and Ebon watched him leave in relative quiet before Talon moved off to finish picking up her things. With the feathered female's departure, Ebon turned to the liquid one beside him. "Hey, are you okay with him leaving?"
"Yeah." Maria nodded. "But... I'm going to miss him."
"I'm sure you will," Ebon agreed.
The clear figure grinned at him, and even though she was almost transparent, Ebon could see some lingering sadness to her features. "Don't worry, Ebon, I won't let it interfere with my duties."
"See that you don't." Ebon nodded curtly. "You're going to be a very important part in bringing down Static. I need you at your best, not pining away."
"I know. I'll miss him, Ebon, but no man is going to get between me and my job. Especially a man that isn't even there anymore," Maria replied. If she had been human, she might have blushed. She knew her part in the plan, just like she knew everyone else's, and just like they knew hers. She did have an important part in the plan, and it made her feel... special to be such an integral part. "Besides, it's not like me being okay with it really matters. He's following his dream."
Ebon nodded as he looked towards the direction in which Hotstreak had run off. No, there really wasn't a point in letting someone who wasn't there interfere with business.