Whew! You guys don't know how happy you make me feel when you tell me you like this story. It motivates me so much, and I really do like the support that tells me you like this fic and want it to go on :D Thanks aside, I hope you all are ready for a brand new chapter! This time, you get to know your favorite couple and characters better, so I hope you enjoy! Now let's get this chapter rolling!
Disclaimer: Tiger and Bunny is under the rights of Viz Media. I am only fulfilling a request.
~Episode Three: This Above All: Be True to Thy Jest!~
The bullets were fired off at them without warning. The only light came from the bullets racketing off metal and the glow of their hero suits. The dynamic duo quickly took cover behind a set of heavy crates and Wild Tigress looked over their hiding spots, pulling back when a multiple rounds launched at her.
"Damnit!" She shouted, wiping sweat off her brow. "We gotta do something before we end up dead! Got any ideas?" She glanced at Barnaby, her eyebrow twitching as he seemed to be busying himself. "Un, hello? Earth to pretty boy?" No response. Grumbling, Katsuko pushed herself to standing position. "Fine! I'm going without you!"
"OK," Barnaby switched off his scanning mode, after looking over how many enemies were attacking them. "On the count of three, we head to the right."
"Screw counting! Let's just-" Tigress stopped in mid-run, looking back at her partner. "Wait, why the right?"
"There's less dirt on the right. Less dirt, less mud. It's the logical direction to take."
"OK, let me rephrase that; screw counting and direction!" Barked his female accomplice. "This situation has nothing to do with logic! I follow my gut, and my gut tells me we take my way!"
"No, we go right." Stated the young man firmly.
"Like it matters which way we go!" Argued Katsuko.
"Then we go right."
"No! Left!"
"Definitely. Right."
Growling, Tigress pulled up her visor and scanner, glaring at Barnaby as the final straw was pulled. "That does it! Listen, buddy! I've been around the block a few times, and I think I know just a little bit more about this business than you, Bunny-!" A static shock suddenly caught her tongue, and Tigress fell back as all the wind was knocked out of her lungs.
Barnaby walked over to her, sighing as the rain drizzled over her temporarily knocked-out form.
"That's what you get for complaining, old bat," He chide. "And for the last time, my name is not Bunny. So please, refrain from calling me anything else but." With that, he swiftly walked out of the training zone, leaving Katsuko to sit up and glare holes into the back of his head as he went.
"Geez, what a kid," She muttered, rubbing her head to sooth from the little shock she got. "Seven years, and the NEXT and heroes change like that. What bull."
"Tigress," The door to the training room was knocked, and Agnes appeared at the doorway. "Get up and cleaned up. You've got an interview to do."
"Huh?" The tanned hero stood up, brushing away her chocolate strands. "When did I agree to- YOWCH!" She stood up when a snapped wire whipped at her with electricity. "I'm going! I'm going!" She shouted, racing out of the hazard zone.
What do you think of Barnaby Brooks Jr.?
"What do I think of Barnaby?" Rock Bison thought for a moment while the camera was rolling on him. "Well, he's an opponent. And an opponent I can respect! It'll be an honor to beat him this season." Promised the large NEXT, tapping his palm with his fist.
"He's certainly going to be a big star! I just have to wonder if anything else about him is big," Giggling, the red-clad hero flirtatiously licked her pink-glossed lips. "I mean, come on! With that face, and that body, Oh goodness!" The overly-dramatic woman swooned. "That young man is going place! Hopefully, one of those places is mine. Mmm-mm, talk about hot stuff!"
"You know, I sense something special from that young man. And so I say; Thanks!" Cue dramatic pause. "And thanks again!" Went Sky High, radiating with holy praise. The camera angled off to Wild Tigress, the brunette scratching at her chin.
"Let's see. . . Oh!" She nodded and took a deep breath. ". . . I got nothing."
"Cut, CUT!" Agnes shoved her hand to the camera lenses and glared at Tigress. "What the Hell was that?! "I got nothing"? Do you know him at all! You two are supposed to be a couple!"
"Staged couple!" Corrected Katsuko, swatting her hand to express her anger. "I never agreed to being "in love" with some phony!"
"So is that it?" Asked one of her bosses with acid. "Not only are you embarrassing my show and Barnaby, but you're doing a pretty good job with embarrassing yourself, Tigress!"
Looking away, Katsuko muttered a few things under her breath.
"My mother happen to taught me that if I can't say anything nice-"
"This has to be the most idiotic and unprofessional behavior anyone has ever displayed!" Growled the TV star.
"Unprofessional and idiotic? Please, gag me with a spoon! What about Sky High?! "Thanks, and thanks again!"- No offense, Sky High,"
"None taken, Miss. Tigress."
"-His line is so plain! Why the Hell would anyone be motivated by it?"
"The people happen to love his catchphrase."
"What people?"
Agnes sighed, smoothing circles on the temples of her head as a headache began to form.
"Look, I don't have time to explain this," She grumbled. "I'll just write your lines for you."
"Write my lines?" Katsuko groaned. "You have got to be kidding!"
"Does it look like I am? And be grateful I won't make you quote Shakespeare, because I would if I weren't such a good boss." Agnes's eyes spoke enough, and Katsuko did feel a tiny bit grateful. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Barnaby pausing from his weights, looking at the scene that was unfolding. Deciding that she did not want the blonde to see her looking like a kicked dog, she turned her heel and walked swiftly out of the changing room.
The door to Barnaby's home opened the latter followed by HERO TV's audio crew.
"You really aren't going to find much." Barnaby shrugged, the lavish home simple yet unique. The red and white walls complimented with Barnaby's personality.
"That's no trouble," The head of the audio crew, Cain Morris, laughed. "Your fans just want to know what you're like. You know, they want to know the real Barnaby." He added with a grin.
"If you say so." Replied the new hero, quickly walking over to his laptop and putting away a file.
"Oh, that's how it is." Cain nodded.
"How what is?" Asked Barnaby.
"You've got pictures of Tigress on there, hm?" He asked, laughing a little. "Good to know that you're loyal to those you date."
"Well," Barnaby didn't know what to say. He did agree to stage being Katsuko's lover/partner, but that didn't mean he was comfortable with it. There were points where he could manage to tolerate the woman's insane behavior, but that could only last so long. "When you date someone like her, what can you do?"
"Yeah. Though, I'd be careful if I were you." Laughing seemed to be a habit of the camera man tonight. "It may not look it, but you got yourself some competition."
"Competition?"
"Sky High and Rock Bison. I'd throw in Blue Thorn, too, but that's still an "if"," The older man shrugged. "The first two are both close with Tigress. With Rock Bison, I think the two have known each other before they joined the heroes. As for Sky High, whoo-boy, you should see it. Every morning, since who knows how long, he's sent flowers and gifts to Tigress's locker and desk. He'd probably send them to her house if he knew where she lived. The man's probably head-over-heels for her."
Barnaby chewed on that new information, tapping his fingers along his arm.
"Competition, eh?"
"That jealousy there, Barnaby?" Teased Cain.
"Heh, no," The rookie fixed his glasses. "I prefer the term, a candid acceptance to a challenge."
That same night, Barnaby stepped into his room, showered while towel-drying, and he picked up the remote to his large-screen television. On screen was a news report about the unveiling of Sternbild's newest attraction, a statue of Mr. Legend, at Sternbild's own Fortune Tower. Presenting the new monument and establishment was Albert Maverick.
"By building the Fortress Tower and dedication to Mr. Legend, we think we've added a while new landmark to this skyline city, as a symbol of peace, and a beacon to a better tomorrow. . ."
It took Barnaby a second to realize that he was clutching the family picture he had, old memories rippling into his mind like ocean waves.
He was only a child. A very small child with wide eyes and quivering lips. The heavy rain forced his blonde hair to darken and drip on his shoulders. His feet were inch-deep in soot and charred remains, the smell of ash stinging his nose.
"Barnaby, it's time to go," He didn't look up as Lloyds placed his hands on the child's shoulders, green eyes taking in what was left of his home, the childhood he grew up, and built with his parents. "I promise you, you will never be alone, ever again."
Barnaby didn't believe him. Even to this day.
His fingers grazed along the pictures, the one in his hand, and the one on the web newspaper on his laptop. He repeated his parents' names over and over in his head, like a mantra. Somehow, they bought him closer.
Barnaby Brooks Sr.
Emily Brooks
"Please, I'm as alone as ever, sir."
"Um . . . H-Hey, c-cutie!" Katsuko swore her jaw would break from the huge grin she forced on. Barnaby looked just as bewilder, even a little more when Katsuko pulled him into a awkward hug and bumping her head to his chin.
"Hey! Ouch!" Barnaby felt his jaw clipped. "What the Hell?"
"Bunny, h-hug me, alright?" Cringed the brunette. "It may have been a day, b-but it feels like years since we've cuddled and – I am not doing this!" The NEXT of strength pushed herself out of Barnaby's arms and glaring behind her. "I'm not saying this crap you wrote, Agnes!"
"CUT!" Agnes shouted, disrupting what was a peaceful morning. "Crap? This is not crap, Tigress! This is a day planned for you and your boyfriend/partner and she how much you two work well together. And for God's sake, just call him Barnaby! Bunny? Just where did that come from?"
"C'mon!" Katsuko waved her hands in the air. "In his hero suit, he looks like a bunny! Can anyone really argue with me on that?"
"Well," Cain pondered that for a second. "Now that she mentions it-"
"Shut it!" Snapped the TV producer. "Just behave and at least act like you're in love with him! The whole female population of Sternbild would gladly step in your place to do this."
"Well then pick one of them, then!" Argued Wild Tigress, both women growling and barking like a cat and dog.
"Do they always argue like this?" Barnaby now stood next to Cain and the rest of the camera crew. The other male nodded with a laugh.
"Yeah, but just ignore them," Cain waved his hand. "Anyway, I just suggest you put on the old 'suave and smooth' act."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Just put your arm on Tigress's waist and compliment her once in a while. That don't seem too hard, right?" Asked Cain. Trying to hold back the brief laugh in his gut, Barnaby shrugged and walked over to Katsuko. Doing as Cain suggested, he took the surprised woman by the waist and led her away from a gawking Agnes.
"H-Hey," If that red stain on her cheeks meant heat stroke, Barnaby was sure that his partner was blushing. "Bunny, let go!"
"It's Barnaby," The blonde corrected, though he kept a smooth smile on his face. "Just play it cool, old hag. Our time isn't apart by ten years. You can pick up what's happening now right?" He asked, silently laughing as Katsuko fumed along the way. His date with Katsuko Kaburagi had officially begun.
As the "couple" walked over to a department store to go window shopping, Barnaby stepped away from his arm-lock with Katsuko and opened the door for her, giving a bow as he did so.
"After you?" He asked charmingly.
"Gee . . . Thanks?" The golden-eyed hero stepped through the door. "Still, that's creepy as Hell . . ."
"Tigress!"
"I get it! I get it! Man!" Sighing, Katsuko smacked as kiss on Barnaby's cheek. "Thanks, honey." She muttered sarcastically.
Barnaby blinked before glowering at her, wiping the wet kiss off his cheek.
"You're welcome, dear."
The date has moved onto a busy square with shoppers flocking from all over. Many crowded the star couple as they walked near a flower stand. The rich blonde pulled to a stop and waved the vendor over.
"One dozen of your top seller, please," He asked, receiving a bouquet of gardenias from the seller. After paying the woman, he held them out to the older hero. "For you." He stated. Katsuko accepted them and gave the white flowers a sniff, smiling at the smell.
"Huh, this isn't so bad- ah!"
"Hm?" Barnaby blinked at her crumpling.
"Ah! Ah!" Katsuko gasped.
"What are you doing?"
"Ah! Ah, ah!"
"Hey, are you-"
AHHHHH-CHOOOOO!" Katsuko sneezed with a little too much force, sending the flowers flying everywhere and sniffling. "Right, mom said I was allergic to these as a kid . . . Oh, my bad!" She laughed weakly, getting nothing but glares from her "date" and TV producer.
The last of the date was ending in a display of the sun crowning the ocean in a glow of orange, seagulls flying overhead and crickets were about to chirp for the night. Katsuko would have found none of this wrong, if it weren't for Barnaby taking pictures with fans while she sat in the side cart of their double ride.
"See, told ya he was a showboat," Katsuko muttered with a shrug. "Whoa . . . And I think Origami Cyclone is rubbing off him, too." She observed, everyone surprised by the sudden appearance of the kimono-wearing hero, waving her fan all over the place with "comic book hero" poses. "This can be either a funny thing, or a bad thing, but I digress," The cat-themed hero looked over to Agnes. "Are we leaving yet?"
"Yes, it is getting late," The television woman admitted. "We gotta move onto the next location."
"Another one?" Whined her charge.
"One more," Agnes confirmed this. "Fortress Tower."
Katsuko's eyes lit up with interest. Agnes decided it was time to take advantage of that, now that she had the bored hero's attention.
"The sponsors want us to do some coverage of the newest landmark," Agnes quirked a brow. "Are you excited?"
"Hell yeah!" Katsuko shouted, bouncing in her seat and causing it to teeter. "What are we still doing around here for? Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"
Like a child excited about Christmas, Katsuko ran into Fortress Tower excitedly. Since it was funded by Apollo Media, no expense was taken lightly. The floors were polished with golden and cream-colored walls. Art pieces were displayed all over the place, the grandest being the golden statue of Mr. Legend.
"Look at that!" Katsuko raced around, pointing at everyone and laughing with joy. "And that! Oh, and that! Whoa!" She ran over to Mr. Legends statue and sighed in content. "This place is just amazing!"
"Tigress, come on," Agnes tried to make her follow the group. "We haven't got all day."
"B-But!" Katsuko kept pointing at the bronze hero, mouth agape. "You gotta get some pictures of this! Come on, Mr. Legend was one of the greatest! H-Hey! Wait for me!" She shouted as she raced after them, sulking a bit.
"Huh? Is it stuck?" Agnes tapped the elevator button over and over, getting nothing. The double doors suddenly slid opened, and a man dressed in blue walked out of it with his head low. The man almost brushed them wordlessly, before Katsuko stopped them.
"Hey!" She called. "Is it OK to get on?"
The man looked back at her with zoned-out eyes, dense with a thick smile.
"Yeah, I just fixed it." He drawled out.
"Huh?" Katsuko looked back at him as his smirk widen. "Fixed it? I thought this place was brand new . . ."
"It wasn't anything big. I was just greasing the cables." The man almost looked ready to laugh, almost hiding it well. The once-legendary hero gave him a skeptic look, eyeing the red metal box he used. Katsuko didn't look it, but she did notice a few things that looked odd in a picture. That red box was one of them.
"Well? We're waiting." Katsuko looked back to the waiting elevator, eying the ceiling.
"Um . . . Are you sure it's safe?" She questioned, looking around the small space.
"Just get on." Ordered Agnes. Reluctantly, Katsuko did as she was told.
The brunette of the duo had never experienced jealousy. As her mother had told her, jealousy was an ugly thing, and that she should never have it. No matter how better or fine-looking the item was, she was told to leave it be and accept the loss with grace.
She had to wonder thing though; Was it OK to be jealous of the waitresses that were staring and giggling at her fake boyfriend.
"Seriously, do you have to do that?" She asked as Barnaby brought his fingers to his bangs and ran his fingers through his hair, the sweeping locks sprawling handsomely across his cheeks. She could hear the food servers laugh again, and she turned a sharp glare their way, warning them. They ran quickly to take care of orders or back into the kitchen, afraid of the older woman's look.
"Do what-" But another waitress intervened and asked Barnaby for a handshake, the latter agreeing and shaking her hand politely.
"That," Katsuko sighed, pushing around her salad with a fork. At last, she thought she was pushing salad. It was hard to tell since the lights in the fine restaurant were dimmed so much that the only lights used were by candles. Katsuko found this to be one of her newest pet peeves. "Flipping your hair, moving your glasses to wink at someone, throwing a snap-" His older partner performed one to prove her point. "Doesn't that get exhausting? Don't you get tired of all the attention?"
"Not at all," Barnaby took a sip of the ice tea he ordered. "Comes with the territory."
"Whatever." Sighed Katsuko, dragging her mineral-colored eyes over to the lights below. Barnaby followed her gaze, before looking back at her.
"Nice view, huh?"
"Yeah. Breathtaking."
"Very," He agreed, eyes raking over Katsuko's form in the candle light. Her skin was a golden caramel under the molten lights, her hair with her kitten ears and ever-so present domino mask surrounding her glowing eyes. In this close-to-dark light, Katsuko actually did look like a wild tigress, true to her namesake.
'She's beautiful, for someone her age,' He observed. 'There's nothing wrong with finding someone you work with attractive.' He assured his psyche.
"Hey," Katsuko snapped him out of his musings. "Why are you staring at me?" She began to wipe at her upper-lip. "Is there something on my face? We haven't even eaten anything!"
"Alright, alright," Barnaby stood from his seat. "Hold still," Grabbing his napkin, he dabbed it over the imaginary food on Tigress's lip, one stray finger swiping near her lip. The texture was moist on soft, something thumping under Barnaby's touch.
"U-Uh," Katsuko felt all air escape her lungs from that simple touch. Barnaby had been so close. He still was. Like that day they were tied up by the giant statue, she was caught by how handsome her young partner looked. His pale skin darkened by the night, and his green eyes glowing past the dark. His voice, so hauntingly gentle, caused her to shiver.
"Thanks, Bunny." She whispered.
"It's Barnaby," Yet the blonde was smiling gently. "And you're welcome."
"Are you getting this?" Agnes whispered, hitting at Cain from behind her. "Tell me you're getting this!" She whispered harshly. Despite being hit in the gut, her camera man nodded weakly.
"We got it all."
A siren suddenly screeched throughout the top of the tower, Katsuko and Barnaby standing up as a red light brighten throughout the late nigh establishment.
"Attention all citizens. The building's emergency system has been activated."
"Great," Muttered Agnes. "And just when we were getting somewhere . . ."
A security guard ran into the room, Katsuko already taking charge.
"What's going on?" She asked as she and the blonde hero made it to the man in green. "Is it a fire or something?"
"Well, Miss-"
"It's fine," From behind, Agnes had an assuring tone. "They are Barnaby and Wild Tigress. You know, HERO TV?" She asked.
"Oh!" The security guard nodded. "Well, OK then. Just between you and me, we've got ourselves a bomb threat." He whispered.
"What?!" Katsuko balked.
"Where's the bomb?" Barnaby urged on.
"We're not sure of its location," Whispered the guard. "We're still searching for it. It could be some prank, I guess. . ." The guard didn't look so sure, but the man was only following regulations. Barnaby was off and wondering.
"It might be a prank," He guessed as well. However, his partner looked different. Something in her mind was clicking. Something that she had heard before.
"It wasn't anything big. I was just greasing the cables."
"Unless . . . Move!" She suddenly shouted, running past everyone.
"Tigress!" Agnes shouted after her. "Get your ass back-!"
"I gotta take care of something!" Katsuko shouted over her shoulder, making a sharp turn. "Just get everyone out of the building!"
Barnaby stared in the direction she ran, knowing that the old hero was onto something. And for once, it looked like she was on the right track.
Jumping the last three steps, Katsuko ran into the elevator lobby and pressed on the button of the elevator she and the others went on. With a sharp ding, the double doors opened and the room titled Otis was singing with calming music. Rushing in, Katsuko jumped and opened the elevator latch from above, swinging herself to the top of the moving room and gasping.
Sitting near the thick cables was a large bomb with a time limit, blinking dangerously with a few minutes.
"I knew it!" She shouted, climbing the rest of her body in. "But damn! Why does it have to be so big!" She shouted, worriedly looking over the wire and controls. Seeing that she had no idea how to deactivate a bomb, she pulled herself out of the room and raced past the evacuating people, trying to locate the emergency staircase.
'Where is he?! Where is he?!' Her body swam through the people until she spotted a head of pale-blonde hair. 'There he is!'
"Bunny!"
Barnaby turned at the familiar nickname, groaning a second later.
'Great, I'm getting use to that dumb pet name.'
Katsuko made it to him and whispered what she found, Barnaby seeing that it had to be true. Why would Katsuko be lying at a situation like this?
"How much time do we have left?" He asked.
"So there is a bomb." Stated Agnes, walking to them with her camera crew.
"Let's go," Katsuko said, wordlessly throwing the television woman a look as the blonde walked with her.
"Alright, time to cover some-"
"No way!" Katsuko stood in front of Agnes before she could take another step. "Agnes, this is where I draw the line! You gotta leave like everyone else!"
"You aren't my boss, Tigress!" Argued Agnes, horrified at the command. "I'm running this show and you can't-"
"Well you aren't running this show, then!" Shouted Tigress, the producer caught off guard by the tense glare that was shot down at her. Never had she thought she'd see so much rage in the sleep tiger's eyes. "This isn't a game anymore, Agnes! It's not some staged or promo event! It's real life! If you want us to be heroes, then let us do your jobs. And our jobs involving protecting those of the city!" Golden eyes filled with passion narrowed. "And that means everyone! Including you, and your crew. Do you want to be the one responsible for their deaths? Just because you wanted a freakin' shot of us deactivating a bomb? Man, and I thought criminals sank lower." She growled, turning back and running for the elevators.
". . . I'll be taking that." With that, Barnaby had swiped the palm-sized camera from one of the camera men's hands and ran after his partner, leaving the HERO TV crew to evacuate with the rest of the citizens.
"Got any ideas here, Bunny?" Katsuko looked over the young man's shoulder. Getting no response, she turned on the camera and gave a cheery laugh. "And while we're at it, can you tell our viewers at home what you use to keep a vibrant look to this golden locks, Mr. Brooks?" She joked.
"When did you suspected there was a bomb here in the first place?" Asked Barnaby as he looked over the detonator.
"It was weird when they said they were working on it when this place was brand new and all," The brunette shrugged. "Nothing to it."
"Is that all?"
"That guy back there. That elevator maintenance guy?" Katsuko reasoned. "He was way too clean to be greasing cables. Looked as clean as Spring cleaning day."
"Years and years of honing your skills seem work for you, old hag."
"I ain't that old," Shrugging off the compliment mixed with an insult, Katsuko looked at the problem herself. "But seriously, you got a plan or what, Bunny?"
"Yes," Barnaby said. "To be careful. You're lucky you didn't set it off when you barged in here." He replied, pulling out a Swiss army knife from his handle and switching it to the screw-driver option. "Fortunately, I have some experience with mechanics like this."
"You serious?" Asked Katsuko, amazed. "Some skills. When did ya learn 'em?"
"It's part of what I consider to be basic training for a hero." Snide Barnaby.
"It's part of what I consider to be basic training for a hero~" Katsuko mocked, watching as her partner in justice unscrewed the board of the bomb. She shrugged good-naturedly. "I guess I'll just sit and enjoy the show, then." She said, lying down on the floor with her chin held in one hand while the other angled on her working partner.
"What are you doing?" Asked the blonde, looking at the relaxed hero.
"What does it look like?" Katsuko waved the camera a bit. "You're the one who put my on camera girl duty."
"Look, I can do this without your annoying commentary," Sighed the man at work. "Why don't you just leave-"
"Yeah riiight," Katsuko yawned and batted her eyes from sleep. "I'm not gonna leave ya here to take this on by yourself. If you die, everyone will be after my ass. Besides, what kind of bitch I'd be if I did something like that- and don't you answer that." She caught the obvious look the green-eyed rookie was giving her. Her eyes closed just for that.
"Touching," Barnaby muttered as he worked. "But you should leave while you can. I'd ditch me if I were you." He shrugged.
"Well, I'm not you, am I?" Was that a flicker of a real smile on the blonde's face? "Don't get any ideas. It's not like I'm actually falling for you, ya dick." She muttered, looking at the camera. "I just got standards to follow and a rep to protect. And another thing-"
"I get it, just stop talking," Sighed Barnaby. "I rather focus on working than bicker with you."
"Fine, deactivate it, then." Grumbled Katsuko, looking at the closing in time. She gulped and silently prayed that Barnaby would speed up the process.
As those of the city waited anxiously, the heroes were lined up by the entrance, readily waiting in case they were needed.
"Th-They have been in there for a l-long time . . ." Murmured Origami Cyclone, fanning herself worriedly with her hand.
"I do hope Handsome and Sweetie are fine," Signed the flame-related heroine. "They don't have their hero suits and all."
"I know there fine," Swore Blue Thorn. "They just have to be."
"They will make it." Dragon Kid nodded.
"We shall be ready in case they need us!" Promised Sky High.
"You better not die, Katsuko," Whispered Rock Bison. "Please, don't die."
Wire after wire was clipped, Katsuko sitting up as the clock was beeping closer and closer to explosions.
"Are you almost done yet?" She asked, biting on her thumb nail. "We've just passed the time we had to escape, you know!"
"Yes!" Barnaby wiped sweat from his brow. "I've made it pass the conductor. So now . . . I have to avoid the trap."
"What trap?" Asked Katsuko.
"There are two wires left," Barnaby explained. "One above, and one below the detonator."
"Oh, this is so cliché!" Groaned Wild Tigress.
"I have one chance," Muttered Barnaby, eying the two wires. "Cut the right one, defuse the bomb. Cut the wrong one-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know! Cut the wrong one, this place goes "BOOM!"" Confirmed his partner. ""Does the term "cliché" mean anything to you?" Knowing that this wasn't the situation to be freaking out, the tanned woman looked over the two wires. "Sorry, sorry! I'm just getting antsy, alright? Listen, do you know which one to cut, or not?"
"If I knew, I would have done it already!" Barked the rookie.
"I say go high!"
"Excuse me?!"
"I said go high, duh!"
Barnaby pinched the bridge of his nose. "This isn't your gut speaking to you, is it?"
"Hey, my gut's got a pretty good record!"
"So far, that's score one to zero!"
"That's not the point!" Seconds were drawing near the end. "Look, then pick one yourself! Use Bunny Logic if you want to!"
"I'd go with my logic if you'd just shut up!" Shouted Barnaby.
"Well then hurry up!" The beeping was running near thirty seconds. "Bunny!"
'Which one? Which one?!' Barnaby's hand alternated from the top and bottom, unsure with only a few seconds left. One move would lead to not only his death, but Katsuko's as well. You would look really bad on television if you just let yourself and your fake girlfriend blow up.
"BUNNY! GO HIGH!"
His eyes snapped over to Katsuko, catching her glow with her Hundredth Power and the idea just hitting him. At the last five seconds, he, too, glowed and threw the bomb in air, Tigress helping him with a powerful punch and sending the bomb flying into the air. In a matter of the last three second, it soared high and fired off in an explosion powerful enough to wipe out of all of Sternbild. Helicopters reeled back and people from below watched in awe.
"So, what did it take for you to trust me?" Panted Katsuko as she removed her mask and wiped off the sweat that formed on her head, pulling back the wet bangs that stuck to her forehead.
"A rash decision?" Barnaby guessed, sitting in front of Katsuko with his momentum powered down from that rush of power. As he sat up, he suddenly adjust Katsuko's hat. "At least have the decency to wear this correctly." He scolded lightly, making sure the fake ears were popping out of the edges of the hat.
"Hey, don't so that," Katsuko half-heartedly swiped at his hand, though only managing to fall herself over Barnaby. " . . . Ow. Sorry."
"This had better be an accident," Muttering, the blonde helped her stand on her feet and held her up by the waist. With her hands resting on his shoulders, they almost looked to be in an embrace lovers would share. "You sure you're not falling for me, old bag?" He joked.
"Please," Katsuko rolled her eyes. "The day I fall in love with you is the day I agree to marry Sky High."
"He's proposed?"
"A few weeks after we first met."
"Huh," Katsuko froze. "He better stay away. I don't like to share." Katsuko wondered if he was doing that for the cameras outside or if he was telling the truth.
"You know, jealousy is not a cute thing," She stated with a shrug. "And you are so not acting cute right now, Bunny."
"Shut up." Muttered Barnaby, leading Tigress out of the shaft to get the both of them a few shots from the Media and some well-needed rest.
"I'll have what he's having."
Looking up, a well-built exotic man gave a hand salute to Katsuko, the latter returning the gesture The smooth-appeal of the bar made Katsuko sink into the seat next to the man with dark brown hair and dark green eyes.
"You two made the news again," The man showed her a newspaper, having a shot of Katsuko walking out of the building with Barnaby's arm around her waist and the other heroes there ready to greet them.
"You're there too, Antonio." Said Katsuko with a light smile.
"But the article's all about you," Smiling, Antonio looked over her. "So you OK? And did you catch a sign of the bomber?" He asked.
"I'm fine. I got tired, but I'm fine. And for the bomber, well . . ." The veteran looked back to her memory before shrugging. "Evil-looking bad guy." She shrugged again. "But the bomb was something I could never forget. It was a C-9."
"That's the most sophisticated kind out there," The Spanish man gasped. "You sure you OK?" He asked worriedly.
"I said I'm alright, Tony!" She scolded playfully. "Geez, I'm not fragile."
"Can't I be worried about my best friend?"
"You can," Laughing, Katsuko pinched his cheek. "But that's cute! You're worried about me!"
"Wh-Who says I can't be?" Antonio looked away from that brilliant smile, fighting back his blush. He had admired Katsuko, in more ways than one. Just like Cain predicted. "By the way, it seems that you and Barnaby are getting along."
"What makes you say that?"
"Up there."
Just as Katsuko looked up, her persona of Wild Tigress talking animatedly on the screen.
"Barnaby? He's the greatest partner any hero can hope for! I was a little worried when I first met him, thinking that we'd never get along! But eventually, we became total best friends and partners! Not only that, but we had a lot of things in common! And well, one thing led to another . . ."Tigress suddenly fluttered and giggled. "I-I'd rather not say! Barnaby really is a sweet guy, and he can sure romance a girl off her feet!"
"Man," Katsuko sighed. "I think I was getting sick from all the lies I was shoving out of my throat at that time." She muttered, taking her drink and gulping it down. A sudden start of clapping went around her, and she looked up to see that the young man on stage had finished his piano solo.
He looked no older than eighteen, dressed in simple black slacks, matching dress shoes, and a white-collared, long-sleeved shirt. His golden-blonde hair was styled in a wind-blow way with sprawled bangs and hazel-brown eyes. Resting on his forehead was a pair of black sunglasses and around his neck with a Gothic crucifix.
"Let's all give him a hand, folks!" Announced the owner of the bar. "Here, performing his first solo! Mr. Kyle Lyle!"
Kyle bowed to his audience, beaming the whole time. He heard a loud whistle, and looked, gasping as he saw Katsuko sat at the bar and clap loudly. Something inside him snapped, and he bolted from the stage.
"Huh?" Katsuko asked, her eyes trailing him and leaving her confused for the rest of the night.
Katsuko: Hi! This is Katsuko, the member of Tigress and Bunny who likes to put mayonnaise on everything! Mm-mmm! That's a food choice to stick by! OK, so Blue Thorn is the dubbed "Prince of Pop" but how come he's hanging up his tux and crown? Are you really going to be giving up being a hero, Kyle? Next time, on Tigress and Bunny; There is Nothing to fahh- fahhhhh! Fe-fear- What kind of crap are you trying to get me to say now, Agnes?
Tigress and Bunny: Episode Four: There is Nothing to Fear Than Fear Itself!
I had a lot of fun typing up this chapter! Then again, when is this never fun? X3 Anyway, I hope you all liked this chapter! Questions? Requests for a character to switch genders? A good ol' fashioned review? Let me know! I'll take 'em all! I wanna hear what you guys got to say :D Well, thanks for reading and I hope to see you all in the next chapter soon! Please wait and have a good day!
This is me saying, Peace!