Disclaimer - I don't own Static Shock, any of its characters, The Crow, or any of its characters
Gear lowered himself to the ground. Backpack had a small camera out and was scanning the nearby area to make sure there was no one around.
'I wonder what stopped Slither," Gear thought to himself. He had managed to get into the air, but as he flew away he had saw a figure sneaking up on Slither. It had also looked like the figure had attacked Slither.
'But that's crazy,' Gear told himself. 'No one in their right mind would challenge Slither. They would have Ebon and the other's crashing down on them.' But then Gear remembered that Heavyfist was dead. Someone was out to get them. Gear shook his head as he touched down on the ground. This was one puzzle he might not be able to figure out.
Gear was in an alley in an abandoned part of Dakota. After the blackout, many had fled for their lives. But then Ebon had closed off the city. Gear walked up to a wall and felt along it. He counted off a few bricks then pressed. The wall slid open just enough for Gear to get through. He walked in, letting wall close behind him.
But there was a dark figure watching him and his movements on top of a building next to the alley. As Gear walked in the figure jumped off the building and landed on the ground. He darted for the wall and caught it right before it closed. The figure pulled and slowly opened the door. He held it open and a bird flew in. The figure then darted in and let the door slam behind him.
Gear heard the door slam and turned around. He couldn't see anything there. Then again, the hallway from the door to his home was dark. Gear stood there and waited. Suddenly something moved. Gear picked up an orb and threw it. It flew towards a crow. But it didn't make it. A black lightning bolt shot out and knocked the orb down. Gear's jaw dropped as Static walked out of the shadows.
"Long time no see," Static said quietly. His voice carried a hint of sadness.
"I knew it was you," Gear replied quietly. Static stepped forward and the two embraced each other in a bear hug. Gear then broke off and started walking towards his home, knowing Static would follow.
"I need some answers," Static said, getting down to business.
"I know, I know. I'll tell you all you need to know when we get to my home." Static nodded and remained silent. After walking for a few more minutes they came to a door. There was a small number pad nest to it. Gear punched in a code and the door's lock clicked. Gear grabbed the handle and opened it. He motioned for Static to come in. Static walked in.
And was suddenly attacked. Static ducked as someone flew over him, his or her foot poised for a kick. He threw up his hand and caught the person with his powers. He then spun and pinned the person to the wall.
"Who the fuck are you?" he fumed, angry at being attacked so suddenly. Gear ran up behind and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Let her go, it was an accident. We're all a bit tense these days," he said.
"Her...?" Static mused as he dropped her to the ground.
"Yes, 'her'," the female said. Gear walked to the wall and flipped a light switch. The lights came on, revealing a big room that had a table with two chairs, couch, TV (it looked like Gear had built half of it), and a desk that littered with mechanical parts. Static guessed it was Gear's workstation.
There was also a girl standing in the middle of the room. She had one what looked like had once been a red jump suit but was now torn in the knees, elbows and the stomach, revealing her midriff. Her dark hair fell around her face and looked like she tried to keep it neat, but had a hard time doing. But her eyes were what Static instantly recognized. Her eyes were the yellow night-breed.
"Static," Gear said, "you remember Nightingale, don't you?"
A girl in a red jump suit stepped in front of Static.
"I'll have to absorb the dark matter while you shut it off," she shouted as a look of concentration came over her face.
"Yeah," Static said as he shook his head, trying to free it of the flashback, "I remember Nightingale."
"Oh my god," Nightingale gasped. She had recognized who Static was. "Y-you're d-dead."
"I still am," Static said. As he spoke the crow flew up and landed on his shoulder. "This bird is my guide threw this world. Or something like that." Static smiled. Nightingale only stepped back and shook her head.
"Don't worry," Gear said as he stepped forward. His arm draped around Nightingale's hip as she clung to him. "He's our friend."
"Right," Nightingale said. She sounded like she was trying to convince herself more then anything else. Static shrugged and flopped on the couch.
"Nice place you got here," Static said.
"It's all we got," Gear replied. "Do you want something to eat or drink?"
"Love to, but can't," Static replied with a grim smile. Gear winced.
"Sorry." He pulled up the two chairs and set them in front of the couch. Nightingale slowly lowered herself into the chair and Gear sat on the other backwards, leaning on the top of the backrest. He lifted off his mask and laid it on the ground next to him.
"I want to know what happened. From the beginning," Static said as he sat up. Gear sigh but nodded and began talking.
"It started back when you and me stopped the dark matter machine. We destroyed it and thought it was over, right? Well, Tech had built two. He just didn't tell us that. Maybe it was his pride, maybe he was too afraid, or maybe he just forgot. Whatever the reason, he didn't tell us and the machine remained hidden. Until Ebon found it. Then he went underground and recruited a three of the most powerful bang-babies ever seen. Bullet, Heavyfist, and Slither.
"Now that he had the team, he decided it was time to put his plan into play. He started snatching up chemicals to power the machine. Since he knew how to work the machine this time, he didn't need Tech. And Tech had no way of telling us that Ebon had found the machine anyways. He was dead. Ebon got the chemicals he wanted to power the machine. And in the process he killed you.
"After he had the chemicals he activated the machine. The sky was completely eclipsed in dark matter. It was chaos. Everyone running everywhere, screaming. Some people got out of the city, but not many. Then Ebon set up the borders. He has a few teams of night-breed patrolling the borders. No one gets in, no one gets out. And in the meantime, the city lives in oppression from Ebon and his thee bang-baby powerhouses."
Static nodded his head, taking in all of the information. "What about the Justice League? Have they tried anything?"
"Well," Gear said shaking his head, "they tried a few attempts, but no results. Dakota is still heavily populated, believe it or not, and the night-breed usually use the population as a shield. And the dark matter messes with most of their powers. Even Superman couldn't do anything without the sun's rays.
"Tell me," Static said slowly, "what happened to my family. I've heard rumors, but..." Gear cringed but started talking anyways.
"The police and ambulance recovered your body after your death. They removed your mask and identified you as Virgil Hawkins. When they did they gave your body to your family. But they also published a story about your death in the newspaper. It was actually a nice article. It praised and thanked you for all of you efforts and victories. But it also did another thing. It told you name to the world.
"After your funeral your house was attacked and ransacked. Your dad...Virg, they killed you dad. Slither did. And your sister went missing. We've heard some rumors that Ebon has her, but we can't confirm anything." Static's face fell into an empty expression. Nightingale looked at Gear, silently asking if there was anything they could do. Gear shook his head with a frown. Static suddenly stood up and started walking towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Nightingale asked.
"Out," Static replied. "I have some things that need to be taken care of." He suddenly stopped by the door.
"Well, you need to be over here. There seems to be some type of robbery under way. It's on the corner of 13th and Young Street, by the docks," Gear's reply came over the small two-way radio.
"I'll be right there," Static said. He slipped the radio into his jacket and pulled a U-turn. He then crouched low and shot through the air towards the robbery location.
"Gear, I have one more question. The night I was killed. You sent me to the docks. I thought you were going to meet me there. What happened?"
Gear looked down at the ground, ashamed at what he was about to say. "I was on my way when I noticed a robbery. Nothing big, just a few small-time crooks holding up an old lady. But they were waving around guns and it looked like it was about to turn nasty. So I stopped and helped her."
Static walked up to Gear and touched his finger to Gear's temple.
"Give us the money, bitch!" the crook yelled at the old lady. The lady cowered back but held on tightly to her purse, whether out of stubbornness or fear. The crook let out an irritated groan and motioned for his two friends to move up. The two other grabbed the lady and the crook pulled out a gun and pointed it at the lady's head.
"Drop it," he said, "or else." The woman let out a whimper and frantically looked around. There was no one in sight. The crooked looked at her and smiled. His finger moved to the trigger.
But suddenly an orb hit his hand and exploded. The orb shot out a dozen metal straps and tied the crook's hand down. He dropped the gun and let out a yelp.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you to respect your elders," Gear quipped as he flew towards the thieves.
Static nodded and started walking towards the door again. Gear looked up at him.
"I'm sorry, Virg. If I would have been there, maybe, maybe..." Gear fell silent.
"Just tell me one thing," Static asked as he reached for the doorknob. "Did you save the lady?"
"Uh, y-yeah," Gear said, a bit shocked.
"Then it was worth it," Static said. He turned around and smiled at Gear. A genuine smile. "I'll be around." And with that he walked out the door, his crow on his shoulder. Gear just sat there, staring at the door as it shut.
"You ok?" Nightingale quietly asked.
"Yeah," Gear said as a smile slowly crossed his face. "I'm ok."
Ending Notes - It's been a while since I updated. I'm kind of disappointed by lack of reviews, but I suppose that's part of being a newer author. Got to build up my reputation. Anyways, I'm working on the next chapter and will have it up eventually.