Disclaimer: I don't own anything I didn't originally create, so it's starting to get fuzzy what I do own, but the Victorious characters, not them. Don't sue, cause it's possible you'll have to deal with a powered cat otherwise, and we know you don't want that.

:}

Jade, meanwhile, was talking to Techbanger. "So, I saw what the news would show of your fight with Bastion here." The Asian woman said. "Loved how versatile you are. Kinda my thing, versatility, but I can't be the only one out here showing that no one way is always right. Still, I will kinda, sorta admit, Warpath, that's my girl crush. See, she's so, I don't know, kinda manly in a very feminine way, and while I'm not gay, I've admired the few things she's done out there, more then enough to think highly of her." A beautiful smile. "Though I hear we're gonna see a lot more of our funeral dress clad heroin out there, showing the world that she can do more then just fly or toss big cat illusions at her opponents."

"Wow. Just wow." Jade breathed. "That was kinda a lot coming at me in one burst, so I'm just gonna focus on one thing, and hope it gets us talking in a more normal way." She glanced around, seeing that Techfire had yet to return. "Why the hating on Techfire? Not that, having met him, I don't have my reasons. But me, I have my reasons to hate everyone. Still working on being a hero here, but yea, I have my reasons."

"I just hate how unoriginal his designs are." The Thai woman said. "His stuff, actually kinda basic, and…" She held her breath, debating something. "I'm what they call a technopath. I don't actually know how to build most of my gadgets. I just, damn, this is awkward, but I can force the parts to build themselves into something that will work kinda like I wanted, and I can, with more time, shift the parts into other parts, to be used to make whatever. Just, I don't know the science or engineering or whatever to build things, and yet my stuff looks so much cleaner then his. My stuff, not as clunky, and he's supposed to be the one who knows how the sausage is made, if you know what I'm saying?"

"I totally get that." Jade nodded. "Thanks, you didn't have to tell me how your powers worked…"

"Except I made the mistake of telling someone in an interview about a year back, when I started heroing." Techbanger admitted. "So I figured… Is that the Velvet Phantom? I heard she's been working with Constable, the current one, on solving a few of the harder cases. Man, gotta get a words with her." She hesitated. "Sorry, the fangirl in me, still shows her ugly head sometimes. Kinda why Star over there is my ex, and not just some guy I knew."

"Not sure I want this story." Jade told her.

"Not much to tell." The woman said. "We worked together about nine months ago, hit it off, started dating, THEN I found out his community, the African Latino community, not crazy about him dating me, cause of, honestly, I don't know why. I just know, my own community was hoping I'd stay dating guys of Thai decent, like that's gonna happen. This is America, where half the white guys are looking to date Asian women, to make up for the white women dating the black guys."

"And that, I think, was raciest." Jade said.

"And only feels true." Techbanger finished. "Yea, anyways, we were, and are, different people. His powers, control over earth and stone, neat. But other then defending our communities, and in his case, pushing the idea his community exists and are valued members of society, we have very different interests. Plus, guys a total nerd. Doesn't look it. Even trains with his high school football team. But that's cause they knew how to do the weight training, and that kind of chiz, and he wanted to be in shape for his heroing career." She sighed. "Yea, you should probably talk to him, get to know him, cause otherwise, he'll Bogart the guys and avoid talking to anything female. I'm gonna go talk with Phantom and Warpath."

Jade found the boy talking with Steel Copper and Achilles Junior, explaining how he traveled. "So, I tried riding a wave of earth, but it really tore up the streets. Wasn't gonna go and repair everything over and over after the first time, so I researched another way. Turns out, while not cheap, there are stone tiles out there. Bought me a nice set, put them on something to reinforce them, and use that as a platform. My geokinesis lets me lift this thing up and carry me. Kinda odd, an earth mover flying, but I do, at least to and from where the action is."

"Sweet cheese." The wielder of the Hero's Crown proclaimed.

"Yea, kinda smart." The power armored hero agreed.

"But can you play an instrument?" Jade asked.

"Dahlia, behave." Steel Copper warned.

"Sorry, just spoke with his ex, and I get the feeling it didn't end well." The Black Dahlia informed her ex.

"Yea, I wouldn't wish having to do this kind of meeting with one's ex on anyone." The Afaro-latino hero told her. "I assume she only said bad things about me?"

"Other then you were a nerd who'd talk the boys ears off if given a chance, no." The blue eyed girl explained. "She was of the opinion that outside forces drove you apart, though she did admit you guys had very different interests as well. Me and Steel, we share loads of interests. In the end that contributed to our breakup, when we both were crushing on the same girl." A less then sweet smile. "Turns out I'm kinda gay, and as such, dating him, not something that was gonna last. But we both accepted it, moved on, and now, we can work together just fine."

"Oh… Sorry?" The dark skinned boy said. "Terrastar, earth moving hero, Afro-Latino, and man with his foot firmly placed in his mouth." He forced himself not to look at her chest, and tried to smile. Nervous energy crackled under his skin and the reality of talking with this woman warred with the simple reality he never stood a chance, as she was gay, and thus out of reach. That last bit won out, and he was able to let go and relax. "So, Dahlia, I read someplace you use earth too. How?"

"I can summon earth elementals to fight for me." Jade told the boy. "Been under a limiting spell from a full coven, a precaution until the police trust me more, but once I prove myself, I'll be able to do a hell of a lot more then just toss illusions at my foes."

"With that, I'm out." Achillies said, moving to talk to the other newcomer, as well as place himself between various potential troubles. Troubles like Techbanger and Techfire, the later having just reentered the room, now using an armored drone, and looking to prove the girl the inferring tech user. Troubles like Wildcard talking with Cool, someone she obviously knew, while her very jealous girlfriend was making the rounds. In short, his tall, solid form was more of a wall right now, a meat shield meant to keep eyes from looking on anything that might stir drama. A job, alas, he just wasn't broad enough to do.

Jade glanced over and noticed Tori with Cool, and immediately the green eyed monster rose inside her.

Just moments earlier, Wildcard had pulled the boy aside, intent on clarifying things. "You are Trevor, aren't you?"

"Look, Tori, so sorry about Danny." The now nervous hero tried. "I get it, he wasn't the greatest boyfriend. I mean, there has to be some reason you just cut him out of your life. Like, Sherwood, you left, and we had no idea why." Her look, while soft, screamed at her disbelief. "Okay, that whole magnet school thing came up, and you two had already broken up, on account of him being a less then perfect boyfriend. Boy has his issues. I told him, like a dozen times, never show fear, and you'll do fine." More of those deep brown eyes peering into his soul. "FUCK, I have no idea why you dumped his ass, except he did admit to kissing you while he was seeing that other chick, so…"

"Dude, enough." Tori giggled. "I may not believe the Danny chiz, cause I know how much of that was my fault. Cat had herself a decent boyfriend, someone I'd dated in the past. Meanwhile, I was just as hopeless as ever, flailing around, looking for mister right, when all along my bisexual ass needed to understand, forever, it was gonna take a very different mix. So, now I'm dating a girl, and life's good." Her million dollar smile eased tensions a bit. "So, Cool?"

"It goes with the tude." He puffed up. "And maybe the frost powers. Look, I don't do this for the fan clubs, or all the perks. Love it if I proved myself, maybe got an invite to LA Justice, cause I'm way powerful compared to the street level chiz I deal with, when I have the time. High school takes time too."

"How long have you had these powers?" Tori asked.

"Okay, answer for answer." The frosty hero retorted. "How come I had to recognize you by your voice, your attitude, and your willingness to tell me who you are, cause that mask, should not have been able to hide you from someone who knows you?"

"Distortion filter." Tori said, smirking. "Blue Circle had itself an enchanter, and he's been churning them out. Makes it hella hard to identify us, even if we're only wearing a domino mask, and why the holy hell is Phantom only wearing a domino. How does that thing even stay on, paste?"

"Maybe." Trevor shrugged. "Okay, my dad, he worked for a bad guy, Master Dread, who liked to muck with his henchman's DNA. Guy was hoping to create a few meta's to work for him. Even did, if you recall your history. Only dad, all he ever got was this weak ass telekinesis, not more then he could life physically. I mean, sure, throwing a punch from across the room, kinda useful, but it quickly became obvious that Dread was moving into the big leagues, and dad, he was just a target in that world. So, long story short, I was born, had these genes, and eventually developed frost powers. Turned hero to try and balance the scales, cause dad did do some bad things before he had a kid, and had to start thinking of the kind of world he wanted us to live in."

"And your mom?" Tori wondered.

"Mom, she knew about dads past." The boy continued. "Used to ask him to get all kinds of things down from high places. Never understood until later, she was just taking advantage of his abilities. Think mom was just jazzed she got a meta, and didn't worry about possible consequences. Dad says some of the people Master Dread mucked with didn't look remotely human after they were done. Still, I'm doing this so Andy won't have too."

"Lets hear it for younger siblings." Tori nodded. "So, after we get out of this, I'm thinking I wanna show you where the Blue Generation Initiative trains. Maybe make a pitch for you to join us. It's working with the police, as in heavily involved, but the head of the program, she's fair."

"Only if you tell me, why Wildcard?" The boy asked, noting the hot brunet dressed for a funeral eyeing him. 'Girls hot. Hot and bothered. Thinking I have a shot with her.'

"I'm a probability manipulator." Tori explained. "Luck powers. Usually held in reserve, but honestly, this group, it wouldn't be half as big without me. So, yea, loved catching up, and I'll ask Phantom to maybe show you around. Until then, I need to go let Dahlia know I'm not interested in you, before she starts thinking of ways to make you disappear."

"Wait, that hostility, it's aimed at me?" Cool wondered, taking in the death glare from under the veil. "I thought, given how unbelievably hot and cool I am, she was just jealous."

"She is." Tori shrugged. "She doesn't like it when her girlfriend is talking to hot guys. We need to work on her issues, cause I snagged me a winner, and one thing I learned from The Black Dahlia, when you have something that good, don't let go."

Across the room, Techbanger had closed on Techfire. "So, I see you made it." The Thai girl noted.

"Bitch." The modulated voice replied.

"Guys, calm down." Phantom said, stepping between the two. "Bastion, stand here, between the two."

"No, I don't wanna." Cat smiled. "They're both so much taller then I am, and they'd just talk over my head. I don't like it when people talk over my head."

"Given out technological expertise, no mater where you stood, we'd be talking over your head." Techfire scoffed.

"It's just, you're strong enough to rip his arms out, and can probably resist anything she has ready, so you're our best peace keeper." Phantom argued.

"Oh, right." Cat smiled, replacing the Velvet Phantom between the two angry heroes, while nudging Techfire back a few paces, just to remind him, she wasn't dumb, and didn't like to be treated that way.

The armored hero slammed into the far wall, systems recovering quickly as damage assessments confirmed nothing major had broke. "Sorrysaorrysorry…" Cat shot out, upset that she might have, with her field up, nudged him too hard.

"It's okay." Techbanger offered, along with a comforting hug. "You didn't mean it, and he definitely deserved it."

The conversation continued form there, with Techfire showing more respect to the petite girl. It was still hostel, but both played nice because neither needed to see bastion enforce any real rules. Techbanger, because she had some empathy fro the petite girls feelings, and Techfire, because his systems had been shaken by a nudge.

After a short while, they all agreed they'd need to head out now. "Okay, everyone, we have us a problem." Warpath called to the gathering. "The press, they're not stupid. A gathering like this, it could be lots of things, but whatever they think it is, with me and Dahlia here, not to mention our outsider guests, they're gonna assume. Some assumptions, not that hard to disprove. I trust LA Justice, except they'll deny any new members, so that's out. The other rumors, all things the press is gonna wanna know."

"Um, Warpath?" Bastion asked, the actress, good at using whatever name was given in an improve, despite her tenancy to use the real name otherwise. "Just, um… Yea." She shifted, not sure how to ask her question. "How well do they know Mister Blue Steel's car?"

"Oy vey." The metahero groaned. "Yes, they'll know his car, and they'll understand Dahlia getting out of it. They've been seen together a couple of times. And yes, the others, you and Wildcard and whomever else rode in with you, all of you getting out of THAT car will raise questions. So, that means the press, very interested in this meeting. So, what do we do now?"

The Velvet Phantom chose to speak. "You remember that training space we had, for the Blue Generation initiative?" She hesitated. "I suggests we relocate there, just to talk to our friends here about possibly working with us, and the new Metahuman Internship Administration. Just, you know, a friendly sales pitch, with no real pressure, cause I get how some of you might not want to work under the police's supervision."

"And what do we tell the press?" Dahlia asked.

"We don't." Warpath replied. "You do. As in, we come up with a statement, and you speak to the press, embrace that new position you have, and explain to them what this was."

"And what was this?" Techbanger asked.

"And be sure to mention that I'm Afro-Latino." Terrastar added.

"DUDE!" Techbanger screeched. "They get it. You're community, they're proud. Just, you don't have to remind us every six seconds. Instead, just let it go, and spend the time thinking of what else you want to tell the press about this meeting."

"It was a support group." Cool told them. "I know, it was really a chance or the teen heroes to get together, talk, see who's who. It's also a sales pitch, as Phantom mentioned, but also it's a social thing, so we can get to know each other."

"I like that." Warpath said. "Yea, I like this. We sell it to them as nothing more then socializing, a chance for the teen heroes to get together and talk it out, be among our peers. Maybe discuss similar problems see how we're not alone. Yea, thats a good explanation. Okay, Dhalia, we're gonna write you a press release, and you just wing it. Say what you need to, but be open, personable, cause this is you're big moment. Face the press, and let them know out position."

"Got it." Jade said, not sure why they'd tossed her under the buss. 'Yea, not the worst idea. Only, me, improvising, without wazzing people off? Gonna be hard, cause those people are leaches.'

A short time later, the meeting broke up. The Velvet Phantom was going to head over to the facilities the Blue Generation Initiative had, and show them off to the three newcomers. Warpath had her own vehicle, and was gonna give Phantoms and Bastion a ride, while Wildcard would stay behind and stand by Dahlia. Steel Copper would fly himself, with Achilles Junior riding along in gliding form, Terrastar and Techbanger would follow Copper, and Cool would go with The Black Dahlia, later, after the press conference. Before that, he'd just hang out in the background, maybe handle some questions. The unsaid part was that pretty boy would be there just in case Jade wasn't good enough, while also there for Wildcard, to hold her hand when things got awkward.

"Okay, can I have everyone's attention?" Jade called the press together. The press gathered, and Jade noted the odd podium arrangement, with multiple microphones strapped to it. They were covering this like a political announcement. 'Amazing how quickly this came together after only five minutes. Course, LA Justice had the press room, cause they need it, but…' She exhaled, and focused. "I'd like to start by thanking LA Justice for both hosting this meeting, and the use of their press room to give this announcement. Now, there will be a brief, and I do mean brief question and answer period after, but I'd like to start with my announcement. Kay?" Her hidden blue eyed scanned the press, all eager for something they could use.

"In an attempt to build a sense of community among the teenage heroes of the city, the police department along with the Metahuman Internship Administration invited most of the known teen heroes, as well as a few they knew about but weren't well known to the general public, to this get together. In addition, myself and Bastion were sent, as semi-reformed bad guys, with the intent of this community helping us with our various struggles. And yes, there are unique struggles associated with being a costumed crime fighter, including the stresses of maintaining a secret identity, something necessary to protect our families, as well as the pressures this lifestyle has on out socializing and dating."

Jade gestured behind her. "Okay, I'll start by announcing the two behind me, though I'm told you all know Cool." A gesture. "Beside him is Wildcard, a part timer, but her powers are, lets just say, unique. Best to leave it at that, and move on." She reached down and activated a slide show, pictures of the other guests. "From the MIA, we have Steel Copper, the powered armor hero, and Achilles Junior next to him. Both young men represented the polices contributions to the future of metahuman heroes. Next, we have Terrastar, the Afro-Latino hero, who's earth moving powers are well known to us all. Then the Velvet Phantom, who of late has been working with the Constable. And, of course, Bastion, who you know went berserk just a few days ago, but already the police and out affiliated scientist have helped gain control of her abilities, and will be helping the city to repay the damage she'd caused."

Jade hesitated a moment to let the press catch up. "Of course, the meeting Had to have Warpath, who we all know and respect, despite her very part time status. And Techbanger rounded out the group. We talked, socialized, and in general got to know a bit more about each other then the struggles we've faced in our path to public service. Now, questions?"

"Yes, I have two." A woman said. "Why did some of you show up with Blue Steel, and why did others show up half an hour after the first group?"

:}

Thoughts? Lots happened here, and I'm just gonna let you mull it over. Feel free to reread, cause as I said, I covered a bit. Plus, I gave you a touch more about Terrastar and Cool.

So, review. Plus, what powers should Dre get?"