Disclaimer: I do not own Static Shock or The Incredible

Chapter Nine: Halloween

The last bell of the day rang and the students of Dakota High School poured out of the classrooms and into the hall, clogging every available space with teenage bodies and teenage voices. Shouting, screaming and laughing at each other. A football flew overhead as two jocks played catch in the congested thoroughfare. Lockers slammed open and shut and papers escaped binders, floating to the ground where they were tread upon until they were crumpled and torn to shreds. Backpacks swung, knocking into students as they filed past, never breaking stride.

Francis thought high school hallways were a lot like highways. There was the fast lane, kids who were speed walking in their anxiousness to get outside. The slow lane consisted of those who walked in groups and meandered at their own casual pace. Veering off to the lockers was like parking. Finding an opening in the traffic and peeling out was like changing lanes. Francis hopped to the side, parking himself at his locker.

He grabbed the books he'd need for homework, made sure he had his keys, and shut the locker, rejoining the traffic. It carried him out the doors and into the parking lot. Francis flipped the keys in his hand, swaggering leisurely to his motorcycle. The students who could drive were flooding the parking lot, walking to their cars and backing out, soon the lot was as congested at the hallways. There was a line of a dozen or so cars waiting for their turn to exit.

Francis straddled the seat, watching. Today had been an exceptionally good day for him. He had gotten an 'A' on his science test. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gotten an 'A' on anything. Two of Frieda's friends had shamelessly flirted with him through Spanish, which was a bonus. He wasn't going to be celibate just because Frieda didn't want to go out with him. Francis had needs. The icing on the cake was that the Parrs were finally giving the kids some free time after school now that they had made friends and were being invited to things. As far as Francis was concerned, the more time spent outside of that house the better.

"Francis!" Violet waved over the heads of students still streaming through the parked cars. Francis nodded at her.

He caught sight of Richie's platinum blond head next to Virgil's dreads and shook his head in wonderment. How could two guys who had known each other for a few weeks be such natural best friends? Francis was a little jealous. He'd never connected with another guy like that. He had friends, sure, but he'd never had a best friend. He wondered if he was missing something.

Violet made her way to the bike, letting out a deep breath. "It's like a jungle out there." Francis nodded. Violet leaned against the bike. Francis braced it with his feet, making sure it didn't tip over. "We're never going to get out of here." She sighed, looking at the backup.

That was true. They'd just have to sit and wait for a couple of minutes. Francis leaned back, closing his eyes. He liked the feel of the sun on his face. Its warmth reminded him of his powers. His brow furrowed. When was he going to get to use his powers? He missed them.

"Hey guys." Francis opened one eye. Richie and Virgil had joined them.

"Hey." Violet returned the greeting.

Richie adjusted his backpack. "So next weekend there's going to be a Halloween party at the community center. A lot of people are going. Do you think you guys will be able to make it?"

Violet and Virgil exchanged looks. "Dunno bro." Virgil shrugged.

"Yeah, we'd have to ask our parents. But I think it will be okay." Violet said.

Richie grinned. "Great. It's a costume party, just so you know."

"Sounds like fun." Virgil said.

Richie looked at Francis, still lounging on the bike. "What about you?"

Francis raised his hand and gave the bespectacled blond a thumbs up. Richie smiled. "Hope I'll see you guys there then." He waved and walked away.

"We'd better get going." Violet smacked Francis' knee to get him to sit up. "Traffic's cleared."

Francis rubbed a hand over his face. "Okay."

"A costume party?" That sounds like fun!" Helen said. "I think that would be okay." She looked at the other two adults. "Bob? Lucius?"

Virgil and Violet turned expectant faces on their fathers, silently pleading. Francis chuckled to himself.

Bob shrugged. "Sounds okay, as long as you all adhere to the curfew."

"I suppose that means I have to drive?" Lucius asked, feigning exasperation. After a pause he smiled. "I guess I could get over it."

"Thanks Pops!" Virgil smiled.

Violet quickly added her thanks as well. The teens got up to leave the kitchen, heading towards their respective bedrooms. Francis caught Virgil's arm before they split ways. Virgil raised an eyebrow at the older boy. "Yes?"

"I need some help with my costume." Francis said conspiratorially, his mouth quirking into a smirk.

Dash leaped onto the couch, spring-boarding over the coffee table, cape streaming behind him. Helen reached a hand out to catch him but Dash sped up, flying under her grasp and blurring around the room at a break neck speed. Helen put her hand on her hips. "Dashiell Parr! If you don't calm down this instant you are not going trick-or-treating!"

Dash skid to a stop, the carpet bunching up under his feet. "Awww Mom. I'm sorry."

"Come here." Helen beckoned Dash over. "I need to finish mending that tear before you go out with your father."

Bob put his newspaper down. He was lounging on his easy chair, feet propped up on the coffee table. He had been unbothered by Dash's antics moments before. "Actually Helen I thought I'd take a pass on following Dash around this year."

Helen looked up. "What?"

"He's old enough to go on his own." Bob explained. "He's only going to be in the neighborhood."

"I don't know." Helen said softly, holding on Dash's pant leg, threading a needle in and out of the fabric. Dash looked from parent to parent. On one hand, he liked personal time with his father. On the other, he wanted to prove he was mature enough to look after himself.

"I can do it Mom. I can." Dash argued.

"I don't feel good about it." Helen said. She tied the thread off and Dash leapt away in delight, examining himself in the mirror. He was a vampire, complete with cape and fangs. Helen had even let him spike his hair up with gel.

"You have to draw blood on." Dash complained.

Helen smiled. "Okay, let me go get the face paint." She left the room.

"C'mere sport." Bob said. Dash hopped up onto the armrest of his father's chair. Bob put his hand on Dash's shoulder. "Do you think you're ready to go it alone tonight?"

Dash nodded. "Sure. No problem."

Bob looked off into the distance, thinking. "Your mom doesn't think so. Maybe she's right. Maybe we should ease you into it."

Dash frowned. He didn't understand where his dad was going with this.

Helen walked back into the room with a little case under her arm. Dash hurried to her and offered his face for her inspection. Helen cracked the case and pulled out a little red crayon. She took Dash's chin with one hand and angled his face in the light. The little boy held as still as he could, giggling as the cool wax slid across his skin. In a few seconds, he had blood dripping from the corners of his mouth. "How's that?" Helen asked.

Dash went to re-inspect himself in the mirror. He liked what he saw. "Awesome." He smiled at his mom.

"Hey guys." Violet walked into the room. "Nice costume Dash."

"Thanks." Dash grinned.

Violet leaned against the doorway. "I was thinking we could leave at around nine. What do you think?"

Helen opened her mouth to reply but Bob beat her to it. "Sounds fine sweetie, but you have to take your brother trick-or-treating first."

Dash and Violet turned to Bob, mouths agape. "What?" Violet managed.

"It's almost seven now, take him around, make sure he gets all the candy he wants, and you should be back in plenty of time." Bob picked up his newspaper and resumed reading, using the paper to hide his smile.

"That's not fair!" Violet protested. "I don't want to take a little baby like him trick-or-treating!"

"Violet!" Helen warned.

"Well I don't want a loser like you to take me!" Dash countered.

"Dash!" Helen scolded. "That is enough, both of you." She looked between her two fuming children. "You will do what your father says and you will have a good time. Is that clear?"

Both kids grumbled and nodded.

"Good." Helen said, appeased.

"C'mon squirt." Violet said after a moment. "Might as well get this over with."

Dash picked up his empty pillowcase to gather candy in and trudged over to his sister, dragging his feet. They turned to leave.

"Take Francis with you." Bob called to their retreating backs.

Violet groaned. Dash pumped his fist in the air. "Francis can come? Cool!"

"How did I get roped into this again?" Francis asked, standing outside a house with Violet, arms crossed petulantly over his chest.

Violet shrugged. "Don't ask me."

Dash came running back from the house; bulging pillowcase slung over is shoulder. "Can we go to the Peterson's next! Someone said they're giving out King Size candy bars!" Without waiting for the reply of his two teenage chaperones, Dash took off down the street. Francis and Violet hurried to catch up.

"You know, candy's probably not the best thing to give to a kid like him." Francis said.

Violet grinned. "It's not, but Mom rations it. He only gets two pieces a day. One in his lunch and one for dessert. That way it lasts longer and he doesn't get hyper."

"So should we not be letting him do that?" Francis asked, pointing at Dash's figure in the distance. The little boy had torn open two candy bars and was eating them at the same time. Devouring the chocolate within seconds, he started on a lollipop the size of his face.

Violet gasped. "No!" She ran for Dash. "Stop it! Dash!"

Dash looked at his sister and smiled before taking off, leaving only the wrappers behind. Violet's eyes widened. "Oh no."

Francis laughed. "I love that kid."

Violet slapped his arm. "It's not funny. He's all hopped up on sugar and he's using his powers in public!"

"Would you chill?" Francis said. "He's going so fast nobody can see him."

"Then how do you propose we catch him?" Violet said, her hand on her hips in an eerie resemblance to her mother. "Or should I tell my Dad you lost him?"

Francis gulped. "Dash! Get your ass over here!" The boy did not materialize. Francis ran up the street. "Dash!"

Violet followed. "What do we do?"

"I don't know." Francis' eyes flickered over the street, searching for the speedster. "Shit I'm going to be in so much trouble."

"What if someone sees him using his powers?" Violet gasped, a hand flying to her chest in horror. "Our secret identities are everything! I don't even want to think about that."

Francis put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He's hyped up, he's not stupid."

A breeze blew by them at an extraordinary pace, spinning the two teens around like tops. Francis fell to all fours and shook his head to get his bearings back. "The hell was that?"

"Dash." Violet growled. "This isn't funny."

Francis thought back over the neighborhood's layout. Dash wouldn't leave the neighborhood; he had been warned numerous times by his parents. Chances were he was just having fun with his appointed babysitters. There was one road that looped around the neighborhood and exited out into a main road at some point. If Dash was running laps around the neighborhood, he would come flying by again in a few moments.

Francis braced his feet. His muscles were taut, tensed and ready to pounce but he didn't turn around to face the direction he knew Dash would be coming from. "Violet, when I jump, put a force field in front of me." Francis said.

"What? I can't." Violet looked surprised at the suggestion. "Someone will see."

"Just for a second." Francis assured her.

There was a shriek from behind them as the breeze caused by Dash swept by two trick-or-treaters. Francis leapt.

He had timed the jump perfectly. He managed to catch Dash by the ankle. He slowed Dash's momentum just enough for the boy to slam headlong into Violet's force field.

"Ow." Dash sat up, rubbing his forehead. "No fair."

Francis pinned the boy down. "Not cool dude."

"What were you thinking?" Violet asked, disintegrating the force field and looking around anxiously. None of the costumed children or their chaperones seemed aware of the situation. That was good. Dash had been going fast enough not to draw attention and Francis' leap and Violet's subsequent force field had gone unnoticed.

"I was just having some fun." Dash pouted.

"Give me your candy." Violet held out her hand. Dash passed the pillowcase over to his sister.

"Are you mad?" Dash looked up at Francis.

Francis rolled his eyes and got up, hauling the little boy to his feet. "No." He ruffled Dash's hair. "That's something I would do if I could."

Dash beamed, delighted. Violet groaned. "Great. Encourage him." She turned her back on the two boys. "Let's go. Trick-or-treating is over."

"Are you gonna tell Mom and Dad?" Dash asked, worry etched onto his face.

"Depends." Violet said mysteriously, walking away.

"On what?" Dash called to her. Violet didn't answer.

Francis snickered. "C'mon." Dash didn't move. Francis raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Piggyback." Dash ordered.

"What?" Francis was taken aback.

"Please?" Dash pleaded, eyes widening pitifully.

Francis looked around and shuffled his feet. Finally, he squatted down. "Get on."

"Yes!" Dash clambered onto Francis' back, latching his legs around the teen's chest. His little arms settled loosely around Francis' neck.

Francis hooked one arm around Dash's legs and followed after Violet, ignoring the endless stream of chatter flowing from Dash's mouth. At one point Dash settled his chin on Francis' shoulder. The pyro smiled.

"You guys are going to be late!" Lucius shouted, looking at his watch. "By the time you get there it's going to be time to leave."

"Chill Pops." Virgil sauntered into the room, adjusting the brim of his cowboy hat. He hooked one of his thumbs into the waistband of his breeches and made a gun out of his fingers, shooting a round at his father. "Got all the time in the world."

Lucius laughed. "Looking snazzy V."

"Thanks." Virgil grinned. "I was going to go as Static, but Helen vetoed that."

Lucius clapped a hand onto Virgil's shoulder. "That's probably for the best."

"Wow!" Dash looked over the back of the couch, now clad in pajamas. He was watching some TV before he was sent to bed. "Cool costume."

"Thanks." Virgil said again. "Where's everybody?"

"Helen's manning the door for trick-or-treaters." Lucius counted on his fingers. "Bob was getting a drink last I saw." Bob walked into the room, holding a can of beer aloft. "Yep, getting a drink. As for Violet and Francis." Lucius shrugged. "I assume getting ready for the party."

Violet huffed into the room, glaring behind her. "Francis is taking forever in the bathroom." She complained.

Virgil snickered when he saw her. "Nice."

"You think?" Violet smiled. She was a bumblebee, complete with antennae, stinger, and wings.

"Oh honey!" Helen walked into the room. "That is so cute!"

Violet beamed. She'd put a lot of thought into her costume.

"Are you losers ready yet?" Francis called from the hallway.

"You're the last one you idiot." Violet called back.

"What's your costume Francis?" Helen asked, sitting on the couch next to Dash. Jack-Jack had been put to bed and was sleeping soundly, judging by the little snores coming from the ever-present baby monitor she had strapped to her waist. Time to kick back and relax.

Francis walked into the living room and smiled. Everyone stopped what they were doing, mouths dropping open in astonishment. Bob choked on his beer.

"So?" Francis asked, his smiled turning into a smirk.

"Oh my god." Violet covered her mouth and started convulsing with laughter. Lucius and Helen were not far behind. Virgil and Francis nodded knowingly. It had taken a combined effort to get Francis' costume ready.

He was dressed in a replica of the old black and blue Mr. Incredible uniform, from back before the Superhero Protection Program, complete with mask. Francis had bleached his hair blond to be as convincing as possible.

Dash burst into giggles on the couch.

Francis struck a pose in the doorway, putting his fists on his hips and looking into the distance, flashing a toothy grin.

Bob's expression was priceless. "Wha…?"

"Fear not citizens!" Francis held a hand out. "Mr. Incredible is here!" The room erupted into fits of laughter.

Dash jumped up and down on the couch, attracting Francis' attention. "Halt rapscallion!" Francis boomed in a voice deeper than his usual tone. Delighted to be included in the act, Dash jumped down and raced across the coffee table. Francis leapt over the couch and caught Dash around the waist with one arm, slinging the boy over his shoulder. "Another evil doer subdued by the fantastic Mr. Incredible." Francis turned to the room and smiled toothily at them again.

Lucius leaned against the wall, holding his stomach. "Stop…oh…stop. That's too much." He had tears of mirth on his cheeks.

"Ha ha." Bob muttered. "Real funny."

"Oh don't be a poor sport." Helen chided him, wiping tears from her eyes. "That's clever and you know it."

Bob pouted and crossed his arms.

Francis put Dash down. "We must depart now, or those dastardly villains in Dakota will have consumed all the merriment." He pounded a fist into his hand. "Those fiends!" Without another word Francis took off down the hallway for the garage. Violet, Virgil, and Lucius followed after him, still choking on laughter.

Turns out, Francis can be downright hilarious when he wants to be. He didn't break character all night and had the party in stitches the entire time. Francis insisted on striking heroic poses at the most awkward moments and tackling "evil doers" whenever the urge seized him. Usually the "evil doer" was some guy talking to a cute girl, who Francis wanted to talk to. Surprisingly, this method was very effective. Francis had gotten quite acquainted with the broom closet in the short time he'd been at the party. He thought he might have to wear spandex more often. It really showed off his guns.

Frieda had even asked him to dance, which was awesome.

The best part of the night? The look on Bob's face when Francis had walked into the living room looking like his younger self. He got to poke fun at the cantankerous Super and he wasn't even going to get in trouble for it. Score.

All in all, Halloween was Francis' new favorite holiday.

Francis put the bar back on the rack, chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to get his breath back. For a change of pace, Bob had him lifting in the weight room today.

He sat up a little, adjusting the weight lifting belt around his waist. Bob was insisting on all kinds of safety equipment Francis had never used before, including weight lifting gloves. Francis had never used gloves before and had a harder time finding a comfortable grip on the bar.

"Couple more reps." Bob said. He was spotting the teenager.

Francis wiped a beat of sweat out of his eyes and gripped the bar again. There was a sweat stain on the front of his muscle shirt, he'd been lifting weights for hours and it was showing. Fatigue was setting in. There were 200 pounds of weight on the bar. Nothing Francis couldn't handle.

He lifted the bar and raised it, stretching his arms to full extension, and then brought the bar down to his chest, exhaling as he did so. He did this ten more times and then put the bar back down on the rack and sat up, gasping for air. Francis shook his arms out.

"Not bad." Bob commented, making a notation on his chart. "You've got good strength."

"Thanks." Francis grabbed his water bottle off the floor and squirted liquid into his mouth. It was some protein drink Bob had invented and was now making Francis drink. It tasted awful but Francis didn't want to argue about it. Not worth it.

"We're going to start on the leg press and cable machine and then call it a day." Bob said.

Francis nodded and got up to switch machines. He lay down on the bench, putting his feet up to the bar, bending his knees.

Bob started putting weights on the bar. Francis knew he would increase the weight at intervals, depending on how well Francis was doing. Bob never gave him more than he could handle, testing his limits without crossing into recklessness.

Francis frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Hey. I've been here for almost two months now and you still haven't let me use my powers. When are you actually gonna start training me in that?"

Bob continued putting weights on the machine. "Don't know." He grunted after a very long pause.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Francis asked. "That's why I'm here. Remember?"

"This is training." Bob nodded to the machine.

Francis' frown deepened. "Not the kind I expected, or the kind I need. I've lifted weights before. No one's ever bothered to help me with my actual powers."

Bob didn't answer.

"Are you just messing with me?" Francis asked, voice rising. He felt his latent rage bubbling to the surface and he didn't check himself. Let it come. He wanted to yell.

"Do ten reps for starters." Bob said, ignoring Francis' question.

"No." Francis swung his legs over the bench, sitting up. "No way. Not until you tell me when I can use my powers."

"Do the reps." Bob growled.

"No." Francis stood up.

"You want an answer that badly?" Bob asked, stepping closer to Francis.

The pyro nodded. "Yeah."

"Never."

Francis' eyes widened. "What?"

"I am never going to let you light up in my house. I do not trust you and I do not want to give you the power." Bob explained.

"That's not fair!" Francis shouted.

"Too bad."

"How am I supposed to learn how to use my powers?" Francis was arguing logic now to try and persuade Bob, a little fear creeping into his voice. Never? He had not expected that answer.

"You're not. Dicker doesn't want you using your powers either. You're too much of a liability." Bob started gathering his things, turning his back on Francis.

"The fuck is that supposed to mean?" Francis asked.

Bob whirled around. "Do not swear at me. Go to your room. You're grounded."

"What!" Francis shouted. "You can't do that! How am I a liability? I'm a liability not knowing how to use my fucking powers. Teach me and I won't be."

"I'm not discussing this. Go."

Francis clenched his fists and forced himself not to strike the older Super. He'd only get his ass kicked. Or sent away. Neither seemed appealing. "Fine." He stalked from the room.

Bob watched the teen go and sighed, running a hand over his face. He couldn't teach the kid how to use his powers. Not after reading his file. It would be too dangerous.

Author's Note:

You guys all know the suit I'm talking about right? The one Bob wears at the beginning of the movie when he's chasing Bomb Voyage? That one. How do you like these weekly updates. I'm actually writing ahead so I'm not in any rush. I feel like I'm actually accomplishing something. As I type, the next two chapters are done and I'm starting on the next. How's that for efficient?

PLEASE REVIEW!

FHGVZEhyde