Ben nosed around Kevin's subway home, worrying about Kuri whether he liked it or not. He tried to distract himself. "How'd you get your power, Kevin."
"I was born with it." Kevin grinned. "I'm like an energy sponge. Motors, air conditioners, lights, batteries, whatever. Soak it up and dish it out when I have to... or want to."
"Cool!" Ben grinned.
Reiko scowled. "You shouldn't tell him so much."
"Aw relax, he's cool." Kevin gave her an entreating look.
Reiko seemed to nod.
Ben wondered what was going on there, but he had other things to worry about. "Why was that gang after you?"
"I kinda trashed their hangout under the 39th Street bridge." Kevin grinned at Ben. "What about you? Sounds like your girl's pretty steamed at you.
"She's not my—" Ben eyed Reiko. So that's what was going on. He made a face. "Like usual, and all I did was sneak in and play the new Sumo Slammer video game."
Kevin looked impressed. "The one that won't be out until Christmas?"
"Yeah" Ben smiled proudly.
"Come with me." Kevin lead Ben to a warehouse, Reiko trailing behind, giving Ben dirty looks.
Walking over, Kevin shorted out the lock, and Ben kicked down the door, revealing a shipment of the game he wanted.
The two of them grabbed a copy just as the cops showed up, firing tear gas. But it was quickly dispersed by a sweet, rose scented fog.
Ben looked around, and saw that Reiko was responsible. "What's she—"
"No time!" Kevin cried. "We gotta go!"
But there was nowhere to run. Pressed in from both sides, Ben turned to Kevin.
"Can you keep a secret?"
Kevin nodded wordlessly, and Ben turned into Stinkfly, getting them outta there. He turned for Reiko, but Kevin just shook his head.
"Dude, she's gone. BAIL!"
The flew off, and Kevin laughed. "Awesome!"