32 Productions Presents…
A HIVE Team StoryThe HIVE Team In…
"Reality: You Break it You Buy It"
Chapter Six
Krystal's Room
Something was tugging Krystal's blanket as she woke up. Groaning she opened her eyes to see a white dog tugging on her blanket with its teeth. She sat straight up, stunned. Across from her bed was a cracked mirror. Her once white hair was a sandy blonde. Her ears weren't pointed either. She climbed out of bed and examined herself closer. An examination of her teeth showed that her sharp canines were gone. It started coming back to her…the secondary memories. She was an ordinary human named Sarah Knight. She lived with her mother and father in a run down house in a run down neighborhood with her brother. Her recollections were cut off as the dog whined and tugged on her t-shirt.
Sarah: (tired) Yeah, yeah…I'll let you out now, Krystal.
Yep, the dog's name was Krystal. It was a Labrador, skinny and probably flea ridden. Still it seemed happy enough. They were poor and couldn't afford to do much for the poor thing besides feed it…a little. Sarah got dressed in her tattered old jeans and a pink t-shirt. Combing her hair, she headed for the kitchen to grab something to eat. As expected, her brother was already there, sitting in the chair across the busted up table eating toast with nothing on it. He was mute, born that way in this world. He glared at her as she sat down with her milkless cereal. It was suspected that he suffered from mental illnesses, but since his parents couldn't afford to (nor cared enough about him to) send him to a doctor, it was just speculation. His hair was scruffy and his nails had been filed into points. He wore a dirty white t-shirt and his coat along with black pants and boots.
Sarah: Mom and Dad home?
Derek shrugged, obviously not caring either way. After breakfast, they brushed their teeth and started walking to school. They went to Johan Hex High School, named after some cowboy or another. They each went to their first class. Sarah had Chemistry with Dr. Von Furth while Derek had Algebra with Mr. Drury Walker (five points to you if you can tell me who they are!).Sarah sat down and sighed. This was going to be the worst reality yet. She had no powers, no means of getting out of this world…
Familiar voice: Wow, you look like crap, Kry…er…Sarah.
Sarah glanced up to see the looming figure of Baran Flinders. In the other world, he was Mammoth. Here he was a teenager with a severe body hair growth problem. He was also one of the best wrestlers in the school.
Sarah: Gee, Baran. You're such a flatterer.
Baran: Sorry.
Sarah: Man, I smell like a landfill…I couldn't even shower this morning.
Baran: I can tell.
The other students Sarah didn't recognize...until a blonde boy was called on. His name was Garfield Logan, a name Sarah vaguely recognized to be that of Changeling. Though she was not exactly one with her fingers on the pulse of school society, she did know that Garfield Logan was an animal rights nut. He was beyond being an activist. His methods were to the point of being hurtful and violent. Nobody could pin it to him, but it was rumored he had burned down several stores that sold fur.
Dr. Von Furth: (German accent) Mr. Logan, perhaps you'd like to tell the class what's so engrossing that you can't pay attention to this lesson?
Garfield: …no, not really. Thanks for asking though.
That got a laugh from the other students, as expected. Garfield was the class clown as well. His girlfriend, Tara Markov, shared similar interests in nature. However, rather then wanting to protect animals, Tara wanted to protect the earth in general. One might call her a hippie, given her style of dress and the fact that if she could get away with it, she'd go bare foot everywhere so she could feel the earth under her feet. As it was, she had to settle for sandals. Class passed on with its usual slow pace. The bell couldn't have rung any sooner. Her next class was Latin with Ms. Hawkins. As she walked down the hall, she noticed Blackfire…or rather Kathy Anders…in the hall. Perfectly dressed in the latest clothes, she was one of the riches girls in school. She was also a senior while Sarah was a sophomore. Her sister, Kory, was the exact opposite of Kathy personality wise. While Kathy was humble and modest, not one to flaunt her beauty or wealth, Kory made sure everyone knew how much better off she was then them. In fact, it was why she attended a normal high school. That way she had people to step on…metaphorically speaking of course. Kathy was a member of the student council, while Kory sought a more…popular form of activity. She was the captain of the cheerleaders. Sarah had no interest in staying in the building any longer then necessary. She had few friends due to her social status…and body odor. As they passed, Kathy slipped her a note which she took. As soon as she was out of sight, Sarah opened it and read it. As she thought, it told her to meet her around 10:30. Sarah smiled softly. That was another thing about Kathy. She didn't care that Sarah was poor…the only thing was, if anyone found out about them, it would ruin her reputation on the council. Alas, Kathy liked to live dangerously. Besides, it wasn't easy sneaking out to see her when they weren't in school.
Physical Education Class
They called her Jean the Jinx for a reason. Despite her gift at gymnastics, the team she was put on never won. That, coupled with her constant bookwormish attitude has made her rather unpopular. Around first grade, she met a girl with a similar love of reading named Rachel Roth. They became friends, though it was quickly apparent that Rachel was going down a path Jean wouldn't follow. With her alcoholic father and inattentive mother, Rachel slowly became bitter with life and found everyone who wasn't to be extremely annoying. By the time she was a teenager, Rachel had become a goth, demanding that everyone call her "Raven" and became violent when people refused. She detested physical education more then any class in the school, but knew that if she refused to take part, she'd fail the class and have to be held back. Much to her disgust, she found herself stuck on the same team as her ex-best friend Jean was on during a game of dodgeball.
Raven: (muttering) Dodgeball…what imbecile decided, "Hey, I bet it would be fun to heave this spherical object at that man's face"?
Raven huffed as her human shield was struck, forcing her to duck behind somebody else. Jean, however, was being more sporting…then again, given that she now had the memories of having to dodge far more dangerous items, it was rather foolish to think that a teenager with a rubber ball could hit her. Jean smirked to herself as she caught the ball and threw it at the other team. She'd win this time. With her HIVE training in the back of her mind, how could she possibly lose? The answer came as Raven stuck her foot out and tripped her. Two balls flew at them, hitting Raven in her leg and Jean in her arm. The pair were now "out". They sat on the bleachers. Of course, everyone blamed Jean.
Jean: Raven, why'd you trip me?
Raven: It's not my fault you're a clumsy oaf.
Jean: What is your problem with me?!
Raven: My "problem" with you, is that you betrayed me! You were supposed to be my best friend, Jean! What happened to that?
Jean sighed. Their friendship went downhill when Jean told somebody that Raven was smoking. It wasn't the smoking that bothered her…it was the fact she put the cigarettes out on her arm that made Jean concerned enough to rat her friend out. Unfortunately, Raven didn't see it as the form of help Jean meant it to be, especially when she came back to school the next day with a black eye from her father. Not because she was smoking or putting it out on her arm, but because it was his packs she was taking the cigarettes from. They were in middle school at the time and Raven didn't get an allowance so she couldn't buy her own. With her dad constantly getting drunk, how was he to know how many cigarettes he smoked before he passed out? Raven told her out and vowed that she would be her mortal enemy from now on. She had a taste for the dramatic.
Jean: I was only trying to help…
Raven: Whatever. Oh look. Your retarded boyfriend is here.
Jean: He's not retarded, he's deaf! At least mine chews with his mouth closed.
Michael Trevor was laid out on the bleacher after getting a ball to his head. It didn't help when you couldn't hear the other students yelling at you to move out of the way. Michael went deaf after being exposed to literally ear piercing guitar riff when he was four. He was messing with his old brother David's electric guitar and turned the amplified all the way up. Now all he ever heard was a faint ringing. It didn't stop Jean though. Everybody thought he was cute, but the whole "not hearing a damn thing you say" thing kept people back. Jean went out of her way to learn sign language. Jean climbed up and poked his head.
Jean: (signing) Hey.
He sat up and scowled.
Michael: (signing) Hey yourself. Can you believe this crap? I'm deaf!
Jean: (signing) Could be worse. You could be dead. See the others yet?
Michael: (signing) No. If they said anything…OBVIOUSLY I didn't hear it.
Jean rolled her eyes. Michael was going to be difficult. After class, they went to the locker rooms to change. Jean found a note sticking out of her locker and she opened it.
Note: Jean. Sorry I can't make a public appearance this time around. My mask doesn't exist in this world, thus…well, you understand. Just know that I'm around and doing what I can. If something comes up, I'll leave another note. –Red X.
Jean sighed and pocketed the note. That figured. Oh well. The one she really needed to see was Gizmo…or rather Mikron O'Jeneus. Little had changed about him in this universe. He was still a bald midget with an extremely high I.Q. and a knack for inventing. Still…it's not like he's had much luck before with fixing the problem.
Janitor's Closet
Sarah and Kathy were holding each other in the closet. It was really all they dared do. Love was a fickle thing. Kathy loved Sarah because Sarah loved her for who she was, not who she hung out with or the things she could buy. Sarah loved Kathy because Kathy loved her DESPITE who she hung out with and the things she couldn't buy.
Kathy: I think Dick was over last night. Kory's hair was a real mess this morning and her clothes were strewn about her room when I woke her up. I bet he was hiding in the closet again.
Richard "Dick" Grayson was the all around popular guy who seemed good at anything he tried. Whether it was football, baseball, or even lacrosse, he was like a pro. To the school staff and any other adult, he was the perfect gentleman. Polite, witty, and good looking. The student body, however…at least the less popular student body…knew the truth. Dick Grayson was an asshole who tried shamelessly to get as many girls in bed as he could (not a once, he learned his lesson). The only one he seemed to go back to was Kory. Even Raven slept with him once…much to Dick's regret. Raven was a violent person, after all, and it showed.
Sarah: …your sister is a skank.
Kathy: It's really bad when you feel no impulse to defend your sister when somebody says that… What about your brother?
Sarah: What about him?
Kathy: Has he been with Rachel recently?
Sarah sighed. Unlike Dick, Derek had no problem with Raven's…less then gentle ways. Furthermore, the fact he COULDN'T talk back made Raven pleased to no end. Add how fiercely he defended her (and how he did other things fiercely) and Raven couldn't have been more satisfied.
Sarah: Well, he did have another mark along his cheek this morning…so I guess he did.
Suddenly the closet opened and there was a flash. Sarah grumbled. Was this why people got so mad when she teleported? Her heart stopped when she realized what had happened.
Kory: Well, well, well. I knew you were gay, sis, but I never thought you'd stoop so low as to make out with garbage like her in the closet…in the closet? Oh my, I've made a pun.
Kory giggled and pocketed her digital camera.
Kory: I'm sure the student council would just LOVE to see what you do with your spare ti…
Kathy tackled her sister, catching the red head off guard.
Kathy: Give me that camera!
Kory: Get your hands off me!
Sarah bit her finger, not sure what she should do. Especially with so many people starting peer out from the classrooms. If she tried to help now, it would look like too people attempting to rob Kory of her camera…they'd have to explain WHY they want it. Sarah thought and thought, but no excuse for it came to mind.
Mr. Wilson: And what seems to be going on here, ladies?
Slade Wilson, the principal himself stood before the two sisters, arms behind his back and awaiting a pathetic attempt at explanation. Kory immediately put on an innocent face.
Kory: It was her, Mr. Wilson! She's trying to take my camera!
Kathy: She has a photo on it that needs to be deleted! It's an invasion of my privacy!
Wilson: I see. And what does this "Invasion of privacy" entail?
Kathy: Being as vague as I possibly can, it concerns my life outside of this school and would be harmful to my reputation if it got out. So may I PLEASE delete this one picture, Mr. Wilson?
Kory: Feh. Fine, go ahead.
Kathy deleted the picture and the problem seemed resolved. Of course...
Mr. Wilson: Wonderful. Now…about the matter of you three being out of in the halls…
Kory held up a hall pass.
Kory: I was on my way to the restroom, Mr. Wilson. These two were mucking about in the janitor's closet.
Sarah swore mentally. She was still standing in the doorway, making it very hard to lie. Kathy sighed held up her own pass.
Kathy: …I admit, we were in the closet. It was open and I was curious. I was on my way back from the bathroom myself and I got sidetracked.
Sarah: …I was on the way to the nurse…but Kathy kind of talked me into looking inside real quick.
She held up her own pass.
Sarah: My fault for being gullible, I guess.
Mr. Wilson: Hmph…well, your passes seem to be in order. I'll overlook your "mucking about" this time…so long as nothing was broken.
Kathy: Nope. Everything is fine.
Mr. Wilson: Then off you go.
The three took off at a brisk walking pace. Kory scowled at her sister.
Kory: You may have gotten rid of THAT picture…but I know your secret now, dear sister. You and your dirt poor girlfriend are never going to get a moments peace from me now.
The pair stopped. Kory kept walking, a smirk on her face. She had her sister now.
Sarah: Why is it your sister is a bitch in any reality we go to?
Kathy: I don't know…but she's right about one thing. She's never going to leave it alone.
Sarah: So what do we do? Please don't say break up…
Kathy: Trust me on this. I know what to do.
Lunch
The group had their own table. Both groups did, really, though Raven and Derek were never actually considered to be part of the group. They just sat down at the table one day and not even football champion Victor Stone could get them to move. It was shortly after that that Dick tried to sleep with Raven and found her not to be to his liking. Back at the HIVE table they all sat down to eat and discuss the present situation.
Jean: Mikron, any chance that you can get your hands on what we need to get home?
Mikron: …I invented a tractor beam out of a flashlight and a vacuum cleaner. I can make anything I want if I got something to make it from.
Baran: How soon?
Mikron: Hell, I don't know. Ain't got a lot of time in school, you know.
Kathy sighed.
Kathy: I guess it's about time.
Jean: Time for what?
Kathy: …for an old secret to be revealed.
Kathy stood up and whistled loudly, two fingers in her mouth. Everybody went quiet.
Dick: What's your sister doing?
Kory: I have no idea…
Kathy: Okay, everyone. I have an announcement. In light of certain people's discoveries, I cannot hide this fact any longer. I am gay. I've known this since I was sixteen. …if my lover is willing to come out with me…
Sarah stood up and raised her hand, smiling.
Sarah: That would be me, folks!
Kathy: Thank you, sweetie. As for all of you, judge me how you will. I can't stop you. Just remember who has enough money to sue all your asses if you harass either of us.
Kathy kissed Sarah, earning several hoots and cat calls from the males in the crowd. It also got Garfield hit over the head by an angry Tara. Kory clutched the sandwich in her hand tighter.
Kory: She can't…how could she just…my blackmail plans…ruined…
Raven snorted and shook her head.
Raven: I got to say, I respect somebody with that much guts…even if they are a preppy.
Kory glared at her.
Kory: You respect that?!
Raven: I don't hate her for being gay if that's what you mean. I hate her for being a preppy.
Tara: You hate everybody.
Raven: Maybe so…but not without reason. I hate people because of their need to be so…very much like one another. Cheerleaders…football players…they all point and laugh at the same thing, just because the one next to them is doing it. Down the line it goes until they all convince themselves that what they point at is funny…
Tara: …you mean, WHO they point at.
Raven stiffened slightly but relaxed.
Raven: …yes. That's what I meant. But you…you're different. You and Garfield…and I suppose even Dick and Victor are different for tolerating you both.
Raven glared at Kory who was still staring at her sister with uncomprehending anger.
Raven: But Kory…she's the near living representation of all the things I despise. I don't know how you tolerate it.
Garfield: Eh. You get used to it.
Raven: …I need a damn cigarette…
Derek sighed. It sucked not being able to add to a conversation. It was about that time that the roof of the school was ripped off and sucked into a white vortex.
END PART SIX