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Decades of going hard—never could finish that phrase—and only Liberty Bell replicas to cap off her final day, crunches of leather over sidewalks to follow. As routine a ride as any other, truth be told, save for those persistent fears that her career would remain in absolute pieces, much like Mayfield.
Collecting her album and Counsellor jacket upon coming home, she'd be in n' out in good time before rounding right back for HQ. Up the elevator to Velcro up and tuck collars down, such moments spent imagining the coffees and memories, countless without question.
That whole time, a steadfast belief that none did better—daresay got ahead—by virtue of playing games. Course, trust her crew to teach her otherwise in offloading HQ's packages; now, this'd be her best finish to hope for, perhaps believe in of late.
"Computer, play all our greatest hits you have in storage," she commanded, taking the head of the table. "And if you happen to catch anything unusual, alert me at once."
An affirmative response to then kick up her feet and place palms to her heart; classic adventures, couch mumblings and crazy impulses to reminisce upon, as the starlight again consumed the Sun. Declarations of love the common theme, from the only guy she ever opened up to beyond these steel walls… And yet, one whose advances she'd reject 'till she could no longer reconsider.
The more she watched the tapes and flicked her pages, the closer to relative peace she'd come to; promises of meeting again to drift over the desk, think about having a snooze, and then cop a cracking zap to her wrist just minutes later.
"Argh, you mother-fu—what the hell was that for?"
"Hey, you told me to alert you, not be subtle about it. Anyway, caught the presence of an intruder; stepping light, seems in a rush."
"Jeez, why am I surrounded by smartasses? Just go to sleep, would ya?"
A glancing about from her wrist to walls of footage to wake-up calls beneath, to palm her miracles and concentrate. What other time than the twilight of her Captaincy, and who else to trespass but that blackened Admiral. Did promise they'd be back, that World's End would await the wicked.
But upon a particular accent, mumbling enough of death and defiant luck to beg for a straitjacket, she'd come to experience an immediate surge.
"Bless those sewers and Bellevue doctors… Tonight, we can finally start again."
With a handspring over the rail before hitting the ground, she'd race for HQ's rack to grab some Pi-in-One, approach the intruder in quiet tiptoes. Not that she'd credit the 'lover'—unworthy of date OR thought—to ramble of them, but it seemed those cartoons she'd crash into had their uses after all.
Any ideas of slipping him up however to be put to bed, for she'd find that 'crook' up against his locker, rocking back and forth. Were there plans of leaving town to begin with, didn't take much to stymie them, as she approached him with a smile.
"Man, yours is a face I'm so relieved to see. Holdin' up okay?"
A haunted whisper, to match his eyes: "How? How? Can you even picture the bones methodically breaking, the scrabbles as your lungs begin to flood? Is there even an answer, when one so impossibly returns to life?"
"Welcome to the 31st century kid, where it's not just miracles that bring ya back. Though speaking of which, somethin' you wanted to share?"
"Gimme a minute, please…" Several needed on top, to regain his composure, any strength to stand. "Question, what did that bastard mean by wanting to kill me?"
"Well, either they've got a soft spot for me, some hardass is ordering them about, or perhaps both. Can't imagine the former though; virtually haven't allowed a day's sleep since old hustles went to hell. Miracle how I survive some days."
"Branded me damaged goods, an injustice who didn't belong. One he'd correct ever since I got here… Did you carry it out on their behalf?"
"From the day you dumped yourself at my feet. Must've been some grand game, having us—"
"Be played against each other?"
"Gotta be. These hands were stained already, so even to pull ya out from that abyss, wouldn't be a big stretch to get pinned for something."
"Wicked smart sons-of-bitches, give 'em that. Why on Earth is this coming out now?"
"Deals secret and promises made; keep my mouth shut, and nothing worse would happen. Seemed the natural conclusion, since none would believe me anyway."
"Yeah, nothing, a real choice word… Pretty obvious you're going through a special hell, so why bother interfering? Though I doubt they won't twist certain screws, seeing you've no means to really do anything."
Was left to hum and think things over, while she watched him thumb some buttons.
"Five sets of double digits; year I'd be born, age of Captains to treasure, birth of the Lieutenant I'd break, my age when all'd go to hell, and lastly, a world leader of really wide contrasts."
Could only glow to feel the slap of taxi fares, plus four Miracle Creams, in her palms—even to imagine expecting payment for risking it all, knew he was beyond square now.
"Come along, let's go for a walk… 'Bout time you earnt yourself a better orientation."
Cementing their reunion with a firm handshake, it wasn't long until they'd vanish into the city, and its clear moonlit night.
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"Well here we are, a world as seen through a schoolgirl's eye. One I'd never grant my worst enemy."
Even in spite of darkness, starlit or otherwise, there was no mistaking the dirt he'd been dragged over, nor the whiffs of old grounds within. An immediate understanding then as to how Leela withstood Zoidberg's decay, as she led him through that gymnasium and from portrait to portrait.
"Used to call me 'Queen' round here… Why do you think I preferred Captain, or ma'am instead?"
"For leading crew you could count on, compared to those you 'ruled' over?"
"That right there's a ten Bennies answer, kid."
"The hell does that—ohhh! Believe I get it, but why exactly?"
"Tried damn near anything to earn the friendship, or God forbid, grudging respect of those snot-nosed brats—just compare my picture to any of theirs, for how that turned out. Matter of fact, I'd even believe that this floor behind us was my biggest ticket—home of our Barefoot Slide Olympics, back then."
Beginnings of a handmaid as the Captain shared tales of that once-hopeful one-eyed girl, all the work carried out in attempts to 'qualify.' And as messy details of waste and liquids cleaned, to where they'd end up were revealed, his instinct was to slam a fist straight into a group shot, and shatter it.
"Jeeeeeez, what kinda dropkicks WERE they? I've heard of bloody idiocy and damn sure did my share, but to place your suffering above their ACTUAL own needs? Those sawn-off savages were on another level."
"A question I'd axe myself for almost thirty years, seeking any valid answer besides this stupid eye. Imagined it had to do with the things I'd inherit, or all the help I'd get, or how clean my clothes looked… Got precisely NONE other, as of this tour."
Soon the scattering of woodchips to help gather up, while reaching the court's other end; wonders had of how far such hatred had seeped, to notice she'd carry only her picture. Indeed, an obvious gap to suggest that someone had ripped it out—notably, from the Hall of Fame of these haunted halls.
"Should've been the first and only on this wall, yet I would hang after attention whores, hygiene freaks, gluttons and junkies. Never made sense to me, yet even so I knew there were standards we had to uphold. And in better times, I absolutely did."
"Used to think the same way. Back in the wayback, ten thousand miles ago, had my share of honours too. Dean's list here, commendation there… Turned out that grades over friendships would get me absolutely nowhere."
Same hallways of chases and second chances to confront, only this time, an immediate left to reveal her first home, her 'palace' as it was.
"You gotta be friggin' kidding me… THIS was the slice of heaven they gave you such hell over?"
"Pal, if you paid me a Ben in hand for every incident, even on good days, you'd be bankrupt by bed-time. And not like nights were any better, with the constant calls of "One-Eye!" or "Bedwetter!" or whatever else. Got to the point that I was never sure of peace or safety, that I didn't deserve any of my comforts… Several times, I'd actually think of bequeathing them."
"Gods-dammit, and there I was thinking my same such years were a disaster."
"Oh yeah, never did axe for how I'd dismiss yours. How rough did it get?"
"Bit embarrassed to compare, but here goes… You've got the gist already of my spikes and incidents, but never of my actual beginnings—story goes that after seeing a dozen or so 'specialists', they'd be unanimous in declaring me a waste. An endless drain on proper society. Didn't know better for being young and delayed, but my true angels had no hesitations tellin' em where to shove that belief."
Her tour to continue through a quick alleyway shortcut to Applied Cryogenics, West 43rd Street; any memories of rebirth to stop upon confronting a sonorous voice that'd resound right through the hallways. Almost his heart too, the instant some mysterious shadow would begin sweeping its coat.
"Welcome to the world of tomorrow! Come, your destiny awaits!"
"Shut up Terry, he's with me," Leela snapped back. "Save the theatre for someone who cares."
"I find your lack of showmanship a shame! But farewell and—"
Her quick shove to shut wannabe Hamlet up, before he'd be personally led through that facility. Just that minute's meeting to piss him off; temptations shared of giving a good punch up the throat, that earnt a laugh as they'd travel some ways to a nondescript-looking office.
"After my senior prom and let's say, ungraceful exit, I'd clean myself up and bum around from borough to borough, doing odd jobs for cash on the down low. Very few and far between, but necessary to stay in fighting shape, afford fresh wardrobes too. Third year into adulthood before I'd get my first true tastes of steady life, coming here as 1B-DI."
"A path I never needed, and don't deserve these days. Saying that though, you let that Shakespearean dickhead get away with calling you that, even after everything at Cookieville?"
"Didn't have much choice back then, and had grown numb to any names. Figured this'd be my legacy in life, least before I got a Supernova in the face."
"My oath lady, is there anything you can't survive?"
"Just our local paper, don't get it twisted. Anyway, can call it fate, but I'd gather an eyeful of Cardinal Point's full-page ad; civilians encouraged to apply and earn their true purpose. Naturally, wanted to chase my wings there—so driven was I toward the heritage I had and family I craved, that I'd throw myself into ninety-hour weeks, on average, for years straight."
"Wow, that's a mindset I can admire, wish I had. Might've been the only proper way to pay back decades of efforts to deny my 'experts.' Through the love and lessons, daresay it became our mission to create and enrich our collective worth, AND the world's too."
That moment to encounter a series of cryo-tubes just offside; entire body shakes to experience for finding pod forty-five toward the middle. Gripped his face hard over memories that started to sear, namely the cheap Scotch and floating on rocks before he'd crash-land on linoleum.
"A life I'd never gain, so didn't think so back then. Nobody wanted a one-eyed woman fresh out of academy; of a gruelling world to promise so much, this outfit's my only other keepsake… And only because of honours, I might add."
"Ain't no loss, to gain a body and mind as blessed as yours. For me, seemed like whatever I'd do didn't matter a thing; eventually all I had left was to apply for Centrelink, get SOME crumbs to contribute. Cruel irony made clear then, when those 'expert' opinions became undeniable fact."
Copped a pang in the chest, to grip his past's sole physical link; how best to explain arrivals here, to elude him. Such a story to wait though, upon noticing Leela right beside the window, fond touches of her own given to pod forty.
"Who was in there to express that level of love towards?"
"Just another stiff for my check, I once believed… But over the years I'd come to call him Fry."
Another walk to then insist on as she'd rummage through pockets, pull out some three-by-fours; instant recognition to bulge his eyes, especially to realise the big chunks that'd been cut out since.
"Hey wait a damn second, what happened to—"
"Nobody important, so never mind. Anyway, we'd get off the wrong foot at first; my hopes to get his assignment over with, against his issues of being a delivery boy for life. Instead, would spend all of NYE 2999 chasing him all over the city, not that I'd blame his protests given the man he'd become."
General chatter to cut off when they'd approach their next stop, several blocks offside to admit being tempted by what it offered.
"O'Zorgnax's, huh? Sure could go for some whiskey n' colas, how 'bout it?"
"Please, I'd rather we didn't. Not here, at least. Anyway, the spot where Fry's hide-n-seek would begin, soon became ours to reminisce on our adventures, toast to the weekends. These days it only reminds me of what I'd lose—thoughts of excessive alcohol already maddened me, before you came screaming into my life."
"Given all you did since, I gotta say, madden seems rather apt."
"You'll get why to give me enough time… That's my promise."
Grew awash with silent dread over secrets kept, as they'd take a couple of corners and staircases toward some giant stone building. Couldn't make out its name all that well, and would express surprise for how it'd stay open, but upon laying eyes over the exhibits, might've wished the opposite case for both.
"By Dundee's bowie… Be a fool to doubt my senses these days, but live human heads in JARS?"
"Life of quiet dignity if you believe our guide; left the place open for owing a favour. Anyway, hiding next to nobody important, I'd think, this'd be Fry's latest stop. Was then that I'd make my role quite clear, certainly enough to back him up into the Presidents Wing. Quite a mess to create, and one he'd quickly surrender over, not that it stopped my stupid backup from beating him senseless."
"Dunno why, but I've a gut feeling I know who. And I'm gonna teach 'em a REAL abuse of power, one day."
"Yeah, many times I've thought the same. So, after my intervening, would then corner Fry and 'friend' in New York's original ruins, where I'd finally realise the truth after hearing him out. Whole time, our motto of 'gotta do what you gotta do' to be complete crap; what DOES one do when they've lost their home, family, friends, and world in one single night?"
"Drink to excess and plead for peace of mind?" he'd betray a sniff. "How did that poor bastard earn such a luxury?"
"Strangest thing—any day I discover any truth, can bet by tomorrow that I won't remember. Regardless, once all became clear, I chose to quit; cue meeting our Professor and having a midnight escape, before we became his latest crew… Fry's great-to-whatever nephew, if you can believe it."
"Gee, got this strange warm stream running down my leg. It's not raining, I hope?"
Unimpressed stare to dissuade him and damn fast: "Holy shit, that was TRUE? What else haven't I heard out here, as if my head didn't hurt enough?"
"Rest of our stories might require a stiff drink and a seat, if you're ready to hear it obviously."
"Can't say no to any of that, so how 'bout mine? Or maybe not, for that big-arse ben—"
"Not a name I wanna hear, pal… Only had to remind me of him, to get it so rough out here."
That warning to wonder what had caused this merciless change, as she shared a cream so they could rush across the river.
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If anything had hit harder than lady's fists or fetid crabs, he hadn't found it 'till that instant after turning his key.
"Auugghh!" he'd choke, falling back out his door. "How did I not die, to so condemn all this?"
"When Dr. FlimFlam can save you from space vacuums and beatdowns below sea level, even to be unconscious, fixing a liver is frankly child's play. Now unless you wanna live in it, how 'bout we get it cleaned up?"
"Gotta say you're some creature to handle this without wavering. More than welcome to it, 'cause I sure ain't."
A gentle if firm persuading to take on this task, where in spite of any tools, expertise and especially speed, it'd grow into a mammoth undertaking. Demons to linger in the damnedest places, even to believe all was done; wound up greasy and guzzling water by the time they'd be satisfied.
While Leela would freshen up, he would stare down his wannabe minibar; catalysts by the bottle to his biggest problems—then, now and since—to stare back. Even then it'd feel like an eternity, before he'd slap his knees and begin grabbing two in each hand, making moves for the balcony.
"Whoa whoa whoa, where do you think you're going with those?" he'd hear Leela call out.
"Gonna destroy these Devil's drinks—like I should've done a lifetime ago."
"Pal, you'd surprise me to suddenly quit cold turkey, and I don't surprise easy. Besides, what's wrong with having a couple?"
"What's wrong is that I always said the same, before couples began to double, then go beyond. They've already created more problems than solved 'em, and I wanna be done with it."
"I get it kid, but if you are serious, I'd believe it best to wean you off. Sudden withdrawal's gonna be a bitch, especially when miracles won't cure your mind."
"Yeah, s'pose that's some solid advice. In that case, what are you after?"
"Half-glass of the highest volume you have, no ice."
"Oh damn, oookay. Well, DOT MATRIX is a tough sucker to sample, but—"
"You're the barkeep. And judging by your own words, by no means a rookie either."
Arguments to fail him as he'd click finger rhythms and get to pouring, first cutting his with Trotter-brand cola—over half this time—then fulfilling his Captain's order. Handing it off, he'd be left doing double-takes when she swallowed the lot in under five seconds.
"What the, how did you—?"
"If you're impressed by that, you oughta see me on Doohan-6 sometime."
"No, no, I think you convinced me enough. So, whatever possessed you to gimme a chance at Cookieville, then actually risk your life in ensuring it? I wasn't kidding while giving you my A to Z's back then, to say nothing of all the chaos I'd bring to—"
"Telling the truth, even for hearing just half the story, I only bothered because our boss ordered me to. Was so adamant against it then, but that moment I'd reveal your whole game, was when I realised I was completely wrong… Hell, YOU became the light you wished out of me."
"Me, such a hero? Ohhh please, as if a couple of creams could ever redeem what I've done."
"Did I say you were? And was I ever the type to forgive anybody without meaning it? My whole life, as you've seen laid out, virtually nobody has ever given help of that magnitude… Much closer than you realise, y'know."
First time digging into first cuts, those deepest of all, to drain at least a third of his glass, draw a good breath or two.
"After my failure, not to those who mattered most to me. Was aged 27 with change when, from outside my original bedroom, I'd pick up on odd babblings, thumps and dragging in the absolute dead of night. Noises to notice even through headphones, so had to go and suss out the source."
"Which'd be what, exactly?"
"Damned if such mysterious creatures ring any bells, but I'd witness my Ma and Da taken right into our backyard, out cold. Moment they found me I'd feel my whole world turn fuzzy, before a voice of ice gave me this ultimatum… 'Their lives, or yours?'"
"And I gather that you begged for yours?"
"Jeez, how craven do you think I am? For one thing, they were absolutely all set; Da had done his 40th year at the foundry, been happily married to Ma for most of that, and together they'd raise and ready my Lieutenant and I. So rock-solid were we, I still think we could've taken on the world."
Her question of downward spirals to swirl his glass, torrent the rest right down his throat, and grit his teeth as the wounds stung ever worse.
"I wanted to believe, waking up in grass with horrible headaches, that they were just nightmares. Or barring that, that my wayward life was given so they could have theirs… You tell me, when I'd find everything just as it was, except my parents. You tell me, when I'd call the police over and over to file missing person reports, only to be threatened with arrest. You tell me, when my Lieutenant got the word, branded me a traitor, and broke off all contact."
Ultimate lie finally sinking in, to deflate and bend his body forward, grabbing his face in fistfuls again. Only his furious scream would be stopped by a shoulder being rubbed; enough signs perhaps, to instead stare back up at her.
"Stood behind my truest Captain and crew, long would I enterprise the discovery of being next-gen voyagers. Then, one stupid choice I never wanted to cost me everything I cared for… And you wonder why I'd end up at the bottoms of bottles, begging to forget that fuckin' night?"
"All that time to beat spirits up, be so hard on yourself; some guide out of Hell I turned out to be, to never listen nor have sympathy."
"Yeah, but can't say I'd blame ya. Between that prison for kids, what could've been, and this life in general, just can't imagine your nightmares."
"There'll be no need from tonight. That day we first met, I'd be reliving the adventures of my original crew; specifically, our final mission together. One moment then to create a severe failing of trust, which'd since bury itself deep inside…"
"Jeez, well no wonder you could never see Mayfield the man. In essence, I really DID become that robot."
"So much so, you had me fighting urges to send you out the same way. Crazy thing is, all your little reminders presented a truth that just wasn't—scumbag though you've been, could never hold a candle to half the stuff he'd do. Didn't help that during my stages, I'd block out the life-saving too."
"Hey, the losses grieved my heart sore, but there was no excuse to letting such destructive thoughts fester within me. So, what would I have to do to become the ultimate scumbag, so to speak?"
"Can you settle for ideas instead of the whole story?"
Jaw to unhinge upon his chest as she would regale all her episodes at length, clocks drawing closer to midnight as she tried staying composed. In listing that litany of crimes, he couldn't fathom how this 'friend' got away—seemed the photos were only samples of the Mariana-sized depths they'd explore on the regular.
"Could I have been capable, powers or not? Become such a spirit of malice as to steal your cargo, subject you to tyrannical reigns, screw you at any opportunity, or—" A moment had when all became clear, which'd sink him down the wall.
"Thing is Thomas, even the worst of us have a hero streak within. I still believe in that, in spite of everything; course, they either come naturally or with a much-needed ass-kicking. Captains are made when they confront such antics."
"And I gather that Fry had a more passive approach?"
"Wasn't the type to try otherwise, really. Often had a habit of being an idiot, and loved too much to question anything around him. If I didn't go beyond my job description, that day we met, I doubt he'd have survived his first day."
Squirms and aches to grow, for thinking the same of his fate; no wonder she would deem his acts to be so heinous. Even if that shiny 'friend' ran rings around any rap sheets of his, it could never excuse the lines he crossed nor the levity in doing so.
"Man, they don't call whiskey 'aqua vitae' for nothin'. Open a bottle, open up our lives."
Two exact-same glasses to once more become theirs; even to grow a bit mellow, could notice the subtle things that'd betray a Captain ill at ease. Not the faintest slur in her words, but sure couldn't hide any shifts in her movement.
"So, I wouldn't be wrong to believe that this kinship could've lasted a lifetime?"
"Not at all, in fact, I'm gonna be blunt for a bit… When I don't even consider Amy as a close friend, what hopes would you EVER have?"
Sudden lungful of air to betray a brewing rage, and then an immediate understanding as to why such odds were rigged from the start.
"Ohhh, who was I kidding? Damned close to family from the sounds of it, and let's be real, I speak from experience."
"Rather crass of you, but right as well. Since the day I was dumped on Hell's doorsteps, and after all the kids adopted before me, I never believed I'd get such a luxury. Not to be antagonised by whoever looked my way—indeed, whoever I looked TO as well."
"Really, like who among the latter?"
"My old martial arts master, Fnog. Forever against me, and for the dumbest reasons. How I'd always lack the will of the warrior, for starters. Only his say-so to end any chance of claiming a trophy, proving any worth; didn't matter how many or whose asses I kicked."
"So virtually no-one besides your original crew had your back and kept it. But then… No!"
"I think, since you've got a good idea already, that we should quit bringing this up. Besides, got a whole month's worth of cooking to—"
"Are you kidding me? Leela, for all I've given and got back, the LEAST you could do is to hold up your end. Wasn't that your promise out on the town?"
"Thomas, when I said you'll get why to give me enough time, I didn't mean right this second. Trust issues aside, could you even understand why I HATED your theft in the first place?"
"I didn't then, and still don't now. But like those bottles before me, that cream's been the catalyst to your problems, mine by extension. And unless you let me in, they're gonna remain as such."
"Well, well, and to think you were crushing my hand to dust only last week."
"You could've left my body down below, taken my stash, and began a new life; not like anybody'd be the wiser. Given the fact that I'm here with all miracles intact, I'd say I owe you… But damn me to the darkest abyss, to suffer your violence without validity again."
That glass gulped down in an instant, and another one poured to follow it fast, as he began to hear the grinding of teeth. Could only arch up, as she started closing in.
"Swear on all I hold dear, keep pushing me and I'll—"
"Twist pretzels outta my arms, make a speedbag of my ball-sack? Careers aside Captain, if your rescue meant anything, you're welcome to enlighten me about who the fuck else you'll turn to."
Might've been moonlight's reflection, but noticed a grip to whiten knuckles. Cracks heard and cuts discovered to have her scream and hurl the glass offside, exploding it into rather tiny crystals.
"God-dammit, fine! Lemme axe you, do you know how I first came across these crazy miracles?"
Only shook his head, and watched in silence as she launched into her latest tale.
"Years ago, the originals and I had built some cheap, dumb supercollider for the chief; toughest work in a while to leave us humans aching all over. Our dumbass doctor—biggest reason I hate him—to offer that cream first, with a story 'bout a travelling salesman. Was virtually right after that, when our miracles reared their heads."
"Never thought I'd hear that about supercolliders of all things, and never would've pegged Zoidberg as a miracle worker, either. Sooo, how did they?"
"While carting that exploded Swedish crap down the city, some alley rat would confront us, rattle off yet another ridiculous story before ordering over our wallets. Of course we didn't believe him, 'till his armed robot forced us to comply. Even as we began to, that coward created an excuse—lasers would've ripped Fry apart, and his iron pipe might've caved my head in."
"Except that those miracles stopped him cold. So, can picture you kicking his ass then kicking up dust, what happened after?"
"Fry and I got to talking, then exhibitions to prove it wasn't any fluke, daresay farce. After we were satisfied that it wasn't, and our tin-can traitor made his case, we made the call to form a superhero squad."
"Not gonna lie, I've always LOVED such ideas. Dreamed of 'em too, and perhaps more so than healthy."
"Well it's no careless fantasy, so cram it. We became the New Justice Team in banding together; community servants, comic book legends, fighters of fortune. A real great ride at first, especially to require violence, as each key crime stopped came with merits and even sponsors."
"Sorry, at first?"
"As our reputations came to rise, so did the notice of serious villains; one sworn enemy of ours came to be The Zookeeper. Dormant for a decade, the word goes, until he'd show up to the Natural Museum of History, targeting the Quantum Gemerald. Though we'd send him out with empty hands, he'd prove our biggest test, I'd argue without trying."
"What the hell did he have, to face three superheroes at once so easily?"
"You mean besides the cunning mind and control of animals? Call it the one weak link in our chain; Shiny Ass caught himself a complex, so had to boast of his big role. Wasn't long 'till everyone in the city knew of our secret identities—for how much was revealed, only a complete idiot wouldn't."
"Bad to worse, by all means. Saying that, how come that didn't happen earlier, given your hair and eye?"
"Y'know, I never really thought of that. Maybe I wore my hair up, or dressed less revealing, or there were other alien heroes, or our city was too busy to notice… Anyway, Zookeeper would pay us a personal work call, offering a simple trade. Lives of millions to release all the world's zoos, or get him the Gemerald. Might've made ourselves a plan, but for one serious issue—only need the one guess."
"Running out of the cream?"
"Bingo. Word was that he would figure out, hunt down and buy up our power sources, so we were forced to bluff our way through that heist. Cutting this story short, we'd somehow get that glowing green rock into his hands, then tie up a couple of loose ends, then retire—our entire standing reduced to dust."
"So back to being crewmates then, only… No-one dared to touch Planet Express."
"That'd be a given, but on the bright side, it did allow Fry and I to get together; latest of several dates when I'd get an actual home call, first time in months. Blubbering plea to surprise us, as it begged for justice to save the 'last' Peruvian Spider-Fly."
"May I never find out what that is."
"At first I was really hesitant, but the moment I heard that Keeper's voice again, cackling over that poor scientist, I just couldn't refuse the return to heroics, nor the giant reward that was promised. Easiest mission ever, and such a cutie too… Course, when the son-of-a-bitch bit me, all would turn into total hell."
"What is such a concept to someone who's known nothing else?"
"How 'bout when we realised that our 'scientist' had suckered us in? How 'bout when his most lethal creatures would surround us on all sides, eager to get snacking? How 'bout the glimmers of hope for latching onto metallic limbs, only for Rat King to rake us off and abandon us? How 'bout when Fry gave his life for real, just so I could confront that bastard trying to hotwire our engines?"
Noting the breaks of water in her eye, Mayfield would drain his entire drink and begin tapping his glass. Right then, was admitting to worries that he could no longer abort the subject.
"Traitor never saw me sneak behind and shut him off, but he knew once I rebooted him in the airlock. I close my eyes, I can still hear myself speak of violations, picture him pleading for a chance, feel the button slam that'd cast him out forever. And you wanna know the worst part in all this?"
"Please don't tell me you actually—"
"Turned out Fry had kept a surprise gift hidden in his filthy locker… One final tube, somehow kept safe from the Zookeeper's spree."
"Thirana dean trocaire…"
Horror to dawn over him, even before those steel-trap hands gripped his shirt, and that eye virtually bored through his head.
"Do you FINALLY get the scars for life I spoke about? Can you FINALLY grasp why I only wanted decent crew over a superhero? Have you FINALLY realised why your constant lies and lack of good faith earnt such contempt?"
"Didn't think it'd get so bad… Was often tempted to kill the creature I'd become, now I know why."
Felt himself thrown offside, the force to send him toppling: "Especially when such types vanished my truest friend in nearly THIRTY years, sight unseen. But what could you understand, you had an actual family… To grab the life you led, could you even grasp what I would've done?"
Could only gather his steps and scurry for the bedroom, before she would stop him from going anywhere.
"To have those angels you spoke of, I'd have fought ALL the world's armies! Instead, since beyond last year, I wake up crying or screaming every single day—nightmares of the very ground we battled on, or that the one to fertilise it… was the only person to love me for me."
Dared not move a whisker; Captain at her rawest, perhaps ready to rip him or the place apart. A great relief to see her move for the balcony, though not an assured one to watch her look toward the stars then the sidewalk, gripping the rail. Eyes to cup and soon his mouth too, the former to start pooling up as her body began racking.
Crystal raindrops to grow obvious as quiet steps soon tapped his runners against her boots; guts ripping out to witness this heartbreak in real time.
"How come did this happen to me kid?"
Any histories or hesitations, for always asking himself that question, to be dropped; instinct in that moment was to embrace her tight, cradle her head and try to comfort her. Not a familiar frontier of late, but by all means a welcome one, even for soaked clothes and suffocating hugs.
"Twice the eyes, yet stayed so blind… It's time I gave back what I was gifted, restore my name."