Omega Kid

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the Kick-Ass comic or film written by Mark Miller, or any guest characters from other Kick-Ass fanfic's they are owned by their own writers and creators. However, all rights and characters for Omega Kid belong to me and are owned by me alone. So if anyone wants to ever use any characters or anything else from this story for a special chapter or fic will have to ask first...but don't worry, there's a 99% chance I'll say yes.

Chapter 47: Black or White?

I was the envy of my friends when I told them about my little misadventure of almost being a stunt double for myself, and then having Cook on the scene to ruin everything and almost cut off…something of great importance to me. Don't know why, I never actually got to do anything thanks to the stunt doubles getting better, maybe it was the fact that I got an actor's autograph, and Alex had to have a little strop when he realised Miley Cyrus wasn't even on the scene at all.

But one thing just kept bothering me since then, and that's been Cook's little revenge motive. I know for a fact that it wasn't me he wanted revenge against, sure I threw him in jail for a brief time but it just wasn't me he wanted. So with Donavan's permission, we looked up more information on who Cook really was and who he would want dead…other than people unlucky enough to try his food.

We were back in League of Heroes HQ, the others training with weapons or sparring with each other while Viper and I searched for any match on Cook. While he was arrested they must have done some DNA scans on him or something. As Viper and I kept searching for any info, I couldn't help but notice her snickering and smiling brightly at me. ''What?'' I finally had to ask.

''Nothing.'' She replied innocently…too innocently, she was thinking of something.

''What?'' I asked more firmly.

''I knew something was bothering Rachael, but whenever I asked she'd get all nervous and won't answer me.''

Oh no, she's not going on about…Megan didn't tell her about…I slumped my head in my hands and turned around to make sure no one else was listening to this conversation. ''That's private alright!''

''Sorry, sorry. It's just Megan told me the other day and I couldn't help myself. Rachael's been my friend for years remember, just knowing that you and her was so close to…''

''We weren't!'' I cut in. ''It was just kissing and…and…long story short nothing happened!''

''Aw, you're blushing!''

''You're really enjoying this aren't you.'' I smirked and she started laughing again.

''Weren't you enjoying it?'' She teased.

''Don't we have a psychotic Hungarian Cook to find?'' I tried to switch the subject, but she was having none of it.

''Look, I know this is something new. But I'm being serious when I say if you ever want to talk…''

''Have you just appointed yourself my new big sister?''

''Good idea, you can talk to Jenna about it.''

''Are you crazy? She flips out when she thinks we've done, even when we cuddle she thinks it's just going to lead into something…else.'' She chuckled lightly again, not loud enough to draw the attention of others.

Donavan was a real stuck up stereotypical army officer, he didn't like that we were using his resources just to search up on some wannabe super villain instead of his enemy. Not like we really follow the guy anyway, so we just went ahead and used it. He'd probably get his Shadow Men to kick our asses if he knew we were actually just talking about relationships and sex.

''You're doing the right thing,'' Viper said to me. ''Waiting for the right moment, that's the way to do it.''

''Bet you and Megan know about that,'' I whispered to her and then she playfully slapped me on the arm. ''Oh, so we can't talk about your sex life but mine is open for the world to know about.''

''It can't be a sex life if you two haven't…'' She stopped in mid-sentence, her attention at the computer screen. ''Hold on I think we got a hit!''

''Seriously?'' I gasped out loud enough for the others to hear. And soon enough Ultra Kid, Super Kid and Hood crowded around, the newbie's waited for us while Hellrider was in the corner somewhere not really caring.

''So who is he?'' Ultra asked.

Eventually, Viper opened up a tab showing a much younger looking Cook by about 10 or 15 years, hair much longer although not many other facial features were that different. ''His name is Ferenc Javour, he's 38 and was born in Sopron on April 20th. Seems to have had a fairly average education, although the interesting part is that every line of employment he's had is in the food business.''

''Any deaths?'' Hood questioned.

''Not at first, but after 2005 it was like he disappeared off the face of the Earth. The last they saw of him was trying to audition for this new Hungarian Cooking show.''

Then an idea came to me. ''What was the show?''

''I can't get it up in English, but in Hungary it was a huge hit. In fact the cooks on that show not only create the ultimate delicacies, but are some of the highest paid TV cooking show hosts in Europe.''

''So it is a revenge motive!'' I summed up. That explains why he would want to do this, missing out of the deal of a lifetime and using his talent to exact revenge.

''But why did he attack the Omega Kid set?'' Super Kid asked me.

''You don't think someone from the series was involved in that cook show?'' Ultra Kid pondered. I just looked at all of them suggesting it was worth a go having a look. Viper did a comparison for the crew on both shows, it took a while but a name came up on both. My heart felt like it shrunk when I saw the name. And Ultra Kid was the only other one to know how I felt. ''Thomas…wasn't Sean Jones the producer who thanked us?'' I nodded, finding it hard to get the words out.

''He was a judge,'' Viper continued. ''On the Cook show, he was a judge. He must have not passed Ferenc.''

So that's the mystery of the Hungarian Cook, simple revenge was all he was after. I admit, kind of disappointing that was all it was to set him off. But now we have the advantage over him more than ever, we now his motive and back-story, we could use that against him next time we cross him…shame that Donavan doesn't agree with me. ''We'll deal with this matter another time,'' He said standing by his Shadow Men as always. ''Right now we have more pressing matters to attend to, such as the location of Hunter and Volos.''

''But they were in the same group!'' I replied. ''How's finding one going to be different from the other?''

Now Hellrider finally got in on the act. ''This could all have been avoided you know.''

''Please don't go on about the death is the only way speech again!''

''Oh I wasn't!'' He snapped back and stood up facing me. ''Guess if I remember correctly, Hunter was in the custody of the police when the corrupt ones helped her escape. And both Cook and Volos were behind bars when they escaped…''

''Thanks to a full on Toxin attack!'' Hood pointed out.

''That's not the point!'' Hellrider continued. ''Why weren't they more secure? How did the Toxins still working for No-One know where to strike to get those villains out? The truth is we can't trust anyone anymore in this city.''

''What about us?'' Emeraldian advanced towards him.

It took longer than usual for Hellrider to counter her question, but he got it out eventually. ''You're backing those who are untrustworthy,'' He finally faced me once more. ''Time and time again I've told you, no matter what good you think you're doing the world is going to overlook it. What I do can't be ignored; I'm actually saving the world here. You're all just sweeping the crime under the rug and hoping it doesn't creep back up.'' Having enough of this he turned and walked out of the room.

''Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed!'' Snapshot said.

''Believe it or not, that's him in a good mood.'' I told them. Everyone went back to their normal routines while Emeraldian leads me over to another corner of the room to talk privately.

''You trust us, right?'' She asked me out of the blue.

''Yeah of course, a lot more than I trust Hellrider.''

''Then why do you keep letting him join, I hate that guy.''

''Can't argue there,'' I said. ''I don't know whether I do have some inner sympathy or understanding for him, he just…he can be a good superhero, he just needs to learn that he can trusts others instead of himself all the time.''

Donavan then approached us. ''And I hope that will be sooner rather than later.''

''He's work in progress.'' I mumbled back sarcastically.

''Well he better be ready soon, I won't tolerate that kind of talk here.''

''Hold on, you're not off the hook. I'm still not on the trusting level with you yet. At least Hellrider backs us in a fight, you've only been giving us warnings and little snippets of who you are and then leave us squat!''

He suddenly found his feet very interest, not looking me directly in the eye before walking off. I hate it when he does that, sure I don't trust Hellrider completely, but I'd still rather him watch my back than Donavan and I'm being honest. Because I know what Hellrider wants, simple justice like me, except accomplishing it in a different way, Donavan I can't point out…but I will soon.

''I really don't think I'm ready for this!'' I tried to make another run for it, but Rachael showed her surprising strength once more and forced me to sit back down in the chair.

''Don't worry, first day for counsellors is never that busy anyway.''

''But what if someone does come to me, what do I say?''

''Nothing at first, you listen.''

''I'd much rather be fighting one of my enemies now than this.'' I half-joked.

Rachael kneeled down next to me and looked me in the eye, those sea-blue eyes of hers that I lost myself in sometimes…scratch that, all the time. She ruffled me hair as usual before saying. ''You can help people by doing more than being the strong man. Anyone can put on a costume and try to be a superhero, but it'll only help the person physically. They could still have emotional and mental scars, and only talking can heal those.''

''Be handy if they could heal the physical ones.'' I muttered, she chuckled lightly and kissed me on the cheek before leaving for her break. I mean she's right, a superhero can do more than save people from thugs and rapists, they can help out more. Like in America, I've seen on the news how some heroes volunteer work at hospitals or homeless people centres just to help a few extra people. If they can do it, why not me? It can't be that hard…

Right?

Thankfully it looks like I'm not going to be finding out today, I've just got 10 minutes until my shift is over and I have to make my way back to class…huh, actually staying here might not be such a bad thing if I get to miss class. And typical, just as that moment someone walks in and comes over sitting opposite me, although I was a little surprised when I saw who it was. ''Chloe?''

''Hey, long time no see.'' She greeted.

''Yeah it's been a while, so…what's up?''

''Well I heard from Rachael how she finally managed to convince you to be a part of this counsellor thing, and I thought that would be the perfect opportunity to ask you something.''

''This wouldn't be about the football team?'' I guessed and she nodded in response. ''About that, I do want to try and get back on the team. But things have been…a bit…chaotic lately. I don't know if I'll ever find the time to try out for the team again.''

''Oh!'' She almost stuttered out and looked slightly nervous now, and was that a hint of a blush I could see come across her face? Something was up.

''There's something else you want to talk about is there?''

''Well…it's…not that important…''

''Hey, I need to start somewhere with this counsellor thing, so fire away.''

''See…it involves…the boy you hang around with.''

If I were leaning back on my chair I probably would have tipped over, thankfully my feet were planted firmly on the ground, although they might have floated a bit when she said that. ''You mean Alex?''

''Yeah that's him. Rachael told me how you two have been best friends for years, and so I thought I can come to you and talk…see…I think he's really cute…''

''You do?'' I gasped out in shock.

''Yeah, although I don't know if he thinks the same way about me…'' Oh trust me, he does! ''But, she also mentioned how he wanted to be on the football team with you, so…is he okay to join?'' I could flip on my chair if I could, well I can but I'll save myself the embarrassment. Chloe likes Alex? All this time he's been nervous about asking her out and she is asking me he's alright to join the…oh shit the football team.

''Yeah he'd love to join! And also, I might find the time as well to join back up if I can.''

''That's good, I know you'll do great.''

''Better than my first game.'' I mocked myself.

''Is Alex any good?''

Oh crap, here it comes. If she knows that Alex can't last a full game all the time, she probably won't let him join. But this is what Alex will want, he's been driving himself crazy over her, don't even get me started on what he does when he checks her Facebook pictures. ''He's good at football, I'm sure he'll do well.''

''That's great,'' She said cheerfully. ''I'm sure he'll be amazing…on the pitch I mean; he'll be great, and you too of course. Thanks, and can you not tell him about the cute thing, I don't want to come across as too observant on him.''

I had to hide back a chuckle from the sheer irony. ''Don't worry, I won't say a word.''

''Thanks, well see ya!'' She walked out quickly, looking all excited like she'd just gone on a date with her first boyfriend…oh crap I'm only just starting to process this, she likes Alex! This may be his chance to finally ask her out, hopefully Megan will have helped with his confidence by now, he might never get a better shot.

That talk went a lot quicker than I thought, it was finally my break off for lunch. I admit it wasn't that bad, but then again I only talked to one person, and it really wasn't that hard of a discussion. Hey, that's not a bad way to start, easing into this, I think soon I'll get the hang of it. And guess who calls me at that moment I walk out the door.

I answer my phone with a huge grin on my face. ''Alex, you are not going to believe…''

''No time to talk now, all over Twitter and Facebook there's been talks of some guy in a clown suit going on a crazy spree!''

There was a silent pause for a brief moment; well it's not exactly something you hear every day even if you are a real-life superhero. ''You mind repeating that?''

He groaned on the other side of the phone and continued. ''I checked my IPhone, well my mum's but anyway, apparently there's some super villain in a clown suit attacking people. And it's not even a mile away! We can handle this guy during lunch break, just sneak out of school and we'll take this guy.''

''Wait, were are you?'' I asked.

''Stella, Steph and I have already sneaked out. We're just waiting on you!''

''You're right, it is sad how easy we can sneak out of school.''

Managing to find a way out of the building through one of the windows, I hurried to the location Alex told me he and the others were at. I changed into my costume by the time I found the three of them, and soon we all dashed off to wherever this guy could have gone. Then again if he's in the clown costume, it's not going to be that difficult.

''Now this is what I'm talking about!'' Ultra Kid said as we ran across the street. ''Good old fashioned Fantastic Four. Don't get me wrong, I like Hood and the newbies. But it's been a while since it's just been us, it feels great.''

''Yeah well that feeling didn't last long,'' I called to him and pointed just outside a park entrance. ''Isn't that the Hell-Cycle there?''

As a matter of fact it was; Hellrider's pride and joy sitting there parked up against the gate. Looks like we were going to have help, even if Ultra didn't like it. He started moaning on the way in. ''We don't need his help, we can probably take this guy ourselves.''

I really hope those won't be famous last words as he have to manoeuvre out of the way of locals running past us in terror, looks like Hellrider was going to help, although from the looks of it he didn't need it. In the centre of the park, we could make out Hellrider taking on some guy in a traditional colourful clown suit. The white make up, rainbow hair and yellow suit…he even has the big red nose on his face. Although something else that caught my attention was the little colourful razors he has stuck on the end of his fingers, he was armed with some kind of weapon.

BAM! Hellrider knocked him aside with a whack of his staff, the colourful creep sent flying into a tree and down for a moment. The rest of us stood by him, not something he was happy about either. ''What are you doing here? I can handle this myself!''

''No doubt, we're just here to make sure he's still alive when you're done with him.'' I snapped back.

''Whatever, you want to take a crack at him go ahead, I'll be back here!'' And then he walked off leaving the four of us a little bamboozled by his mood, and with the Clown getting back to his feet and charging for us.

Thanks to Viper, she brought out her bow staff and jabbed right into Rainbow's stomach…well he's got rainbow hair, and the little razors on his finger tips are different colours, so Rainbow's now his adopted super villain name. Slightly dazed from the blow, I give him a double punch to the face knocking him back. However, I started to feel a slight stinging sensation on my knuckles, and I look down and it looks like my skin just got a major rash attack.

Rainbow tries to slash at me, but Ultra grabs his arm before he could strike. And this left the clown open for Super Kid to kick in the stomach and knee. Down briefly, Ultra Kid flips the clown onto his back side and still having a hold of his arm swings him around, but not without a price as he jumps away clutching his now bleeding arm. ''Jeez that stings!''

As Viper and Super Kid continue to distract Rainbow, I run up and check on Ultra Kid. He had a small cut across his wrist, nowhere near as serious as his scar from Slasher's attack, but what made this one stand out more was that there was some dark orange ooze around the cut. Using the sleeve of my costume I rubbed the ooze off, while Ultra hissed in pain.

But that sound was soon muffled out by the sound of an engine getting louder; Ultra Kid and I turned just in the nick of time, as Hellrider drove right towards us. We both dived out of the way as the Hell-Cycle came shooting past us, and heading straight for Rainbow. Viper and Super Kid moved away as the cycle skidded to a halt, but was still going with enough force that when Hellrider spun, the impact was enough to send Rainbow flying and land hard on the ground, out cold.

''Are you out of your mind!'' I yelled at him, probably getting out what everyone else was thinking.

''Relax, I got him.'' Hellrider replied smugly as he got off his ride and walked over to the destroyed clown.

''Well how about a warning next time!''

''Where's the fun in that?'' He grabbed Rainbow by his throat and hoisted him up; blood was dripping from his nose and open mouth. The wannabe superhero held him up like a trophy, a hunter that just caught its prey. ''He ain't so tough!'' As he stared at us, he didn't notice Rainbow's eyes shot open.

''He's awake!'' I screamed but it was too late. Rainbow was like a blur as his hand reached round, and with his razor nail stabbed Hellrider in the back of his neck. He yelped and let go of the clown, as well as his bow staff as he slumped to the ground holding the back of his neck as Rainbow tried to make a run for it.

''Oh no you don't!'' Viper said as she threw her staff like a pro javelin thrower, the stick getting caught in between his legs and causing him to drop to the ground. Before he could get the chance, I ran towards him just as he got back on his feet, and gave him a double jump kick to the chest knocking him down for the final time. And to give extra insurance he wasn't going to make another break for freedom, Super Kid stamped down as hard as he could on Rainbow's privates.

''I never liked clowns.'' Super Kid said.

In the distance we could hear the faint sounds of police cars coming, even though we're celebrity superheroes, the law enforcers aren't some of our favourite people, especially after the Hunter incident. While the others ran back to check on Ultra, it was forced upon me to make sure that Hellrider was alright. After a while, he let go of his neck, there wasn't any weird ooze like Ultra's, just lots of blood.

''Still don't think he's tough?'' I muttered to him sarcastically.

''Shut up!'' He mumbled back as he walked with us. Hey, it didn't look life threatening, so I might as well have my fun with him.

''Is it poisoned? Please don't say it's poisoned! Oh God what if it's radioactive? It's not radioactive right? Cause I mean that will be just silly…is it radioactive?''

''Maybe if you let me check I can tell you!'' Stella answered him as she cleaned his wound. Alex had been in a panicked state since we brought him back to HQ, Hellrider had refused to be checked saying he was fine and it was just a scratch. The newbies and Hood watched on as Stella wiped away all the orange fluid that was around the wound. I could see Bobby looking like he was going to puke every five seconds.

Soon Donavan walked into the room. ''The clown has been safely transferred and is now waiting trial, no escapes from him. How's Ultra Kid doing there?''

''Gumdrops and ice cream,'' Alex replied with bitter sarcasm. ''Why do I always get hit or cut?''

''Cause you saved me back there,'' I told him. ''Thanks for that.''

''No problem, ah!'' He yelped as Stella pressed on his cut with some wet wool. ''Not so hard woman!''

''This isn't nearly as deep as your last cut.''

''Yeah but it stings like hell, not to mention the fact it wasn't clean. Who knows what he's infected me with?''

''Well hopefully I'll find out soon.''

As this went on, Diandra moved closer to me and noticed the rashes on my now burning red hands. ''Do you want that checked at?''

''No thanks, just a reaction to his face paint, I'm fine. I just want to know what was on those razor tips of his.''

''You said Hellrider was hit also?''

''Yeah but he wasn't covered in ooze; he probably didn't get any of that stuff on him. Besides, he's probably got knife and bullets wounds we don't know about and he doesn't complain about,'' I looked at Diandra, and as she watched Stella continue to clean Alex's wound, I noticed her face starting to pale a lot, like she's seen a ghost. ''Diandra, you okay?''

She forced her stare away from the wound and looked at me intently. ''Fine just…hope that his arm gets better.'' Now it made sense what scared her, I could see her holding on tightly to her cape covering her left side. She was afraid Alex would lose his arm, and she'd be forced to relieve that moment. That must have been horrible for her. Without really knowing what I was doing, I rubbed her shoulder tenderly to help her feel better. She smiled at me lightly…oh man, what am I doing? I have a girlfriend; this is going to send the wrong message to her!

''There!'' Stella said as she finished cleaning Alex's wound and stitching it up.

''Okay, good, now can we find out exactly what I was hit with?'' He said impatiently.

For the next hour or two, the atmosphere was so thick you could slice it with a knife, I know that's a cliché but that's what it felt like. As Stella and Harry went to work on the computers trying to find out what was in this ooze, Alex walked around as if he was waiting for his first kid. Every so often he would twitch or bit his finger nails, but he seemed to be doing fine, he didn't look faint or anything.

And funny enough, the twitching thing could be said for Hellrider as well. He was in the back of the room as always not getting involved, and whereas Alex wasn't looking faint or weak, Hellrider was sweating like mad there were wet patches on his costume and his arms wouldn't stop shaking. Alex grunted loudly getting the group's attention. ''I can't take it anymore! Stella, no offense, you're a hot girl and everything, but can you please work faster?''

''I'm looking as fast as I can, I need to know what exact chemicals were in the…''

''Chemicals? Oh God, I'm going to die aren't I?''

''You're not going to die!'' I tried to calm him down, but he was having none of it.

''It can't end like this; Ultra Kid cannot be defeated by a clown of all things. This isn't fair, I'm still a virgin, I'm going to die a virgin! Not even getting to first base with Chloe!''

Oh man! I almost forgot about my talk with Chloe earlier, what better way to keep Alex's spirits up? ''Alex, I've got something that will cheer you up…''

''No offense Thomas, but nothing at the moment can cheer me up…unless it's a naked picture of Rachael!'' He covered his mouth with both hands instantly, but it was too late. ''Sorry, don't know where that came from.''

''Alex are you okay?''

''Oh yeah I'm just panties and bra…I mean, oh God is it hot in here? Don't know what I'm saying,'' He was yelling uncontrollably. ''Stella please, can you find out what's wrong with me instead of sitting on your sexy ass doing nothing.''

''Sitting on my…what?'' Stella questioned.

''I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm saying these things. And hey it was a complement; sure it's not as good as Chloe's…AHHHH! What is wrong with me?''

None of us could talk for a second, then again what could we say? Alex was having a frenzied fit or something, mumbling the silliest things. He was panting frantically and trying to keep himself calm by walking around the room. ''Oh no!'' Patricia broke the silence as she stared at the computer screen Stella and Harry were working on.

''What? What oh no? What does oh no mean?'' Alex kept asking.

After a few more seconds of silence, Stella leaned back in her chair and turned to Alex. ''I think we know the problem.''

''Well don't keep me in the closet…I mean, of course you're not in the closet…JUST TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!''

''Well…'' Harry started. ''Technically speaking nothing is wrong with you. You're not infected or poisoned.''

''I'm not? Thank God…so then why am I speaking my mind? Of course my mind isn't filled with all the little fantasies I'm about to blabber out…'' Before he could say anymore, Bobby walked up and held his mouth shut before he would scar our minds even more so.

''So what's wrong with him?'' I asked.

''It's colour spectrum,'' Patricia answered. ''There's basically this theory that colours can represent different emotions. You know like green is peace and nature, and yellow can be for cowards and deceit. You said that clown had different colour razors, well maybe they had some emotional trigger chemical that's making Alex act this way.''

''It makes sense.'' Diandra said.

''I guess, but how do people even make that?'' I had to ask.

Stella had that answer. ''Who else do we know with billions in the bank, as well as the tech and resources to make and ship out these chemicals?''

''Triple Terror!'' I cursed. Well it just had to be, they've been shipping more and more tech to super villains worldwide, only they should be able to make this kind of stuff. But then another thing bugged me. ''So which of Alex's emotions has been heightened?''

At that moment, Alex broke free from Bobby's hold. ''Yeah which one?''

Patricia looked around as if she was trying to find some way out of this, but eventually gave in. ''Well, if you're correct and it was dark orange…then…umm…''

''What?'' Alex screamed in a high pitch voice, the pressure was getting too much for him.

Patricia sighed. ''Okay Alex, what are you thinking about right now?''

''Naked girls!'' He gasped before covering his mouth again leaving all of us bug-eyed except for Patricia as if she knew what was coming. ''I didn't mean to say that…''

''I know, dark orange represents sexual desire.''

Alex's twitching stared up once more before he screamed out loud. ''Fantastic! Out of all the emotions he could have juiced up it had to be…it had to be…so what you're saying is I'm basically horny?''

''I'd say hornier.'' Stephen giggled.

''Shut up you!'' Alex screamed at his little brother. ''Or how about I tell the world about your little fantasies with Patricia!''

''His what?'' Patricia asked.

''Nothing, it's the chemical talking.'' Stephen defended himself.

''Yeah, yeah right, it's the chemical talking,'' Alex went on. ''Tell you what, how about everyone in this room talk about their ultimate fantasy? While I then talk about mine, having a threesome with Stella and Megan!'' Once again he covered his mouth too late. If our mouths could drop to the ground they would, especially Stella who looked like she'd just met E.T.

I leaned in closer to her. ''Is there a cure to this?''

''Huh?'' Stella stuttered, still in shock from what Alex said. ''Oh right, cure…well apparently not because according to Rostrum Tech, the effects of this prototype chemical are only temporary.''

''For how long?''

''A day possibly, no more than two.''

''Two days?'' Alex yelped. ''I can't last two days, not like this. How am I going to shut up at school tomorrow…oh boy, what about school today?''

''It was your idea to sneak out.'' I pointed out.

''And that was my worst idea ever, I would have rather taking maths than get infected by this. Oh God, what am I supposed to do when a hot girl walks by me? Even now I'm finding it hard, right now I trying hard to not think of Diandra and…'' Luckily he covered his mouth in time before he would say something he would regret.

''This is going to be really awkward.'' Harry said and I couldn't agree more.

The sound of a table smashing made us all look Hellrider's way; he stood shaking uncontrollably and his bow staff being held out. ''Oh that felt good.'' He said.

''What's wrong with you?'' Diandra asked.

''Oh, nothing much. Just bored out of my God damn mind, all you lot ever do is talk about your little date problems and school work, while out there are people in need of help, and scum that need to be taught a lesson. You lot are just shameful jokes!''

Oh no again, I hate think of what might be causing this sudden rage, but I have a pretty good idea. I slowly walk towards Hellrider; I just know I'm going to regret this in a second. ''Hellrider, I need to see that scratch on the back of your neck!''

''I told you it's just a scratch I'm fine!'' He snapped at me. ''Now get away from me!''

''Hold on, I just need to check something.''

''No, I don't need your help with anything. I've never needed your help; you've been holding me back. Keeping me in this cage listening to you all the time, well I'm fed up with it.'' He held his staff at me, looking like he was ready to attack me there and then.

Harry reached for his bow and arrow and aimed it at Hellrider. ''Settle down!'' He ordered.

''No, I've had it. All I want is to teach the criminals not to mess with good innocent people, and all you lot ever do is talk. There's no action, you all wait and let the villains off with warnings. That's not how it should work, I've had it. If you aren't going after them, then I'll kill all of them myself!'' He took off running for the exit. Two Shadow Men tried to stop him, but he slammed his bow staff against one's knee and then threw another into the wall with such force he left a crack in the wall.

''What the hell just happened with him?'' Patricia questioned.

I know Hellrider's no boy scout, but that was just aggressive even for him. It had to be the clown's emotion chemical, but I didn't see any ooze like Alex's cut so how are we supposed to know? ''Ah crap!'' I yelled at my own stupidity.

''What?'' Stella asked.

''He was hit! He's become more violent and aggressive, that chemical's mixed him up as well.''

''But you said you didn't see any ooze on his wound?'' Stephen pointed out.

''What colour is mostly used to describe anger like that? Red! Blood red, that's why I couldn't find it, I thought he was just bleeding heavy. I can't believe I didn't see it.''

''Hey it's not your fault.'' Stella said.

''She's right,'' Alex followed up. ''He was acting so cocky thinking he'd beaten the clown that that he let his guard down…wow, did I just make a rhyme?''

''Guys this is serious! As if Hellrider wasn't bad enough as it was, now that he's more aggressive who knows how many people he's going to attack.''

''Not to mention he might be confused distinguishing friend from foe.'' Diandra said.

''Well he would if he actually had any friends,'' Alex joked and I gave him a look that showed how serious this situation really was. ''Hey at least I'm talking about something and not about how badly I…'' He covered his mouth again before saying anything he shouldn't.

Out of nowhere, Donavan pulled me away from the others and looked at me like he was ready to explode. ''Hellrider has been a loose cannon since I brought him in, I want you and Emeraldian to find him and bring him back by any means necessary!''

''I could have done that without your orders!'' I snapped back and turned to Diandra, we both reached for our rucksacks and got our costumes on heading for the exit, and I turned back to the group. ''Oh and keep an eye on Alex, make sure he doesn't try anything.''

''Hey it's not like I'm going to rape them or anything…right?'' He looked unsure and the others didn't seem so sure they wanted to know if he would.

''Good thing I'm not staying.'' Emeraldian joked in my ear before we left to find Hellrider.

You know I silently feared that we would have to follow a trail of destruction to find him, thankfully though there weren't any dead bodies leading us right to him Hansel and Gretel style; he just seems to have disappeared completely. Emeraldian and I checked everywhere we could to find him, searching all our little hideouts and alleyways we normally hang around but he wasn't there.

Man, I can only imagine how the chemical has affected him, all that repressed anger and rage inside him ready to just blow. Feel sorry for the next super villain that crosses his path. We had to take a rest at some abandoned apartment building, it was so late at night and we were both tired from searching and I was still sore from my fight with Rainbow. ''I still think this is my fault.'' I said.

''Stop talking like that, it was just a little mistake.''

''Won't be so little if we find a dead body.''

''Just shut up!'' She snapped making me do what she said. ''Everyone makes mistakes alright, it happens. It's not good bitching about it all the time. I'm sorry if I'm coming across as rude but we just need to find Hellrider and that's that.''

I couldn't find the words for a second, but I eventually did. ''It's okay, you're right. It's just the others don't like Hellrider…''

''Hadn't noticed.'' She said sarcastically as she sat down next to me.

''And they can't understand why I keep giving Hellrider these second chances, sometimes I don't even understand.''

''You have any theories?''

''Now that I think about it…we once worked together to help out this reporter and her sister. Although 99% of the time we argued or threatened to kill each other, I could just tell that there was something about him that makes him a good superhero. He's got the right stuff, he just hasn't learnt to use it right.''

''If anyone can pull someone out of the gutter it's you,'' She encouraged me. ''I've always had this crappy, depressing mood swing before I even lost my arm. But I never feel that way with you.''

Empty feeling in the pit of my stomach again, please don't let this be what I think she's about to imply. ''How do you feel?'' Why did I have to ask that? I know I'm going to regret it.

No, no, she's doing it, she's blushing. ''I just…I just feel…comfortable with you. Like I can tell you anything, and you'll just support me all the way.''

''I'm just that sort of person, once you're friends with me your friends for life.''

''Just friends?'' She asked curiously but then back away in embarrassment when she realised what she said. ''I mean…never mind.''

Ah crap she is crushing on me! I can't do this to her, I can't led her on making her think I like her that way. ''Emeraldian wait, I need to tell you something, I already…''

''There he is!'' She whispered to me. I looked around the corner and there he was, coming out of the abandoned building we were next to. Jeez, what are the chances? He doesn't have his Hell-Cycle, so this is the perfect chance to stalk him and see what he's up too.

The two of us spend the next half an hour following him; he was still shaking and cursing. And every once in a while, he would kick the closest thing next to him; thank God it was something alive though. We stay a fair distance away from him, making sure he doesn't spot us, because if he did it'd be World War 3/Armageddon/Godzilla rampage all rolled into one.

And I noticed something else, the wound on the back of his neck was still bleeding heavily through his mask and costume, or that might be the ooze. All Alex got was a little cut, whereas Hellrider had it jabbed right into his skin, does that mean the effects are going to last longer or not go away at all? Either way this is bad.

''He's stopped!'' We both waited around the corner. As he walked up to the front steps of some old house and knocked on the door impatiently. I think at first the both of us feared the worst, maybe this is the home to one of his enemies or a Toxin member and he's about to dish it out on them. If that was true then he had a made stranger taste in arch-enemies then I did, because his knock was answered by a frail old woman hooked up to an IV machine.

''Who's that?'' Emeraldian asked me. I just shrugged my shoulders; I've never seen her before. We were too far to hear what they were saying, but close enough to see that this woman was obviously concerned about him, and he wasn't aggressive towards her. Then a moment that solved the riddle, she hugged him and led him inside.

''I think we just met Hellrider's mother!''

To Be Continued…