Smoke: hey everyone after a long break we're back with a new chapter.
It's a quiet day at the Sharp household, Sarah was sitting on the couch reading a book until she looked at her watch and see that it was nearly 5:30. "Ashley should have been home by now." Sarah said to herself. Then her cellphone rang and she answered it. "Hello?"
"Hello Sarah." The voice on the other end said causing Sarah's blood to run cold. "It's been a while my dear. How are you?"
"What do you want?" Sarah asked her voice no more than whisper.
"I have someone here with me." The voice tells her. "Go on say hi."
"Mom. Help me!" Ashley's voice is heard over the phone. "This man just came out of nowhere and kidnapped me!"
"Ashley baby stay calm, ok." Sarah told her. "I'll find a way to save you."
"How sweet." The voice said. "Now if you want your little girl back in one piece you'll do what I say. Tonight come to your old high school in Hazeltuckey. Don't call the cops or contact the L-Crew because if you do, well let's just say you'll have one less mouth to feed. Understood?"
"Yes." Sarah responded her voice barely a whisper.
"Also one more thing." The voice continued. "Bring those no good brothers of yours." The line on the other end then hangs up.
"I can't believe I have to get those guys." Sarah sighed as she gets off of the couch and grabs her keys and exits the door.
In another part of Royal Woods, Johnny and Phantom were talking with their drug dealers in one of their drug houses.
"So you're saying that you can do different strands of weed?' Johnny said.
"Hell yeah man." One of their dealers answered. "And you can give them fun names when you prepare them."
"You really didn't know that lad?" Phantom says to Johnny in an amused tone.
"No this was way different when I was young." Johnny said. "What are the names you have?"
"Gorilla panic, they're coming! They're coming, and This is permanent." One of the dealers said,
"That's just to name a few man." said the other dealer.
"I don't even want to know how they got those names." Johnny says as he rubbed his temples. "As long as they sell and make us money." He makes his way to the door. "And no surprises." He opens the door to see a familiar blonde haired women wearing a black pullover hoodie on the other side. "Sarah?" Sarah flashes him a small smile.
"Hey Johnny. It's been a while." She says. Johnny stands their speechless as he stared in shock at his sister. "Johnny? Are you there?" She snaps her fingers which seems to snap him out of his stupor. He narrows his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Johnny growled.
"I need your help. My daughter Ashley has been kidnapped." Sarah said.
"Ask the L-Crew for help." Johnny scoffed.
"That's the problem. I can't." Sarah tells him. "He said that if I call the police or the L-Crew, Ashley will die and the only way I can save her is to go to our old high school with you and Mike." Johnny stares at her before turning away from her.
"Still ain't my problem." Johnny responded. "So unless you can tell me one reason that it's my problem then I ain't gonna help you." He starts walking towards Phantom.
"The person who kidnapped her was dad." Sarah told him, stopping Johnny in his tracks.
"Dad kidnapped her?" Johnny asked. "Why would he kidnap your daughter?"
"To get your attention and it's working." Sarah said.
"You want my help after you rejected your own family many years ago," Johnny asked.
"Are you seriously still upset about that?" Sarah argued. "You were involved in a cop's murder! If I hid you and Mike I would've been just as guilty. And not only that but I'd be arrested leaving my kids, your nieces and nephews with no one! And might I remind you of all the times I bailed you and Mike out of prison?"
"Oh big whoop!" Johnny retorted. "You bailed us out a few times but the one time we needed you, you turn your back on us! You, our older sister who was the only light we had when it came to our family. Mom didn't love us. Dad used us as a punching bag. You were the golden child. Couldn't do no wrong. But you still were the only one who gave a damn about us. And now you come expecting me to help you? Nuh uh. Not happening. Go home sis. I'll have boys escort you." He's about to order his thugs to take Sarah home when Phantom places a hand on his shoulder.
"Hold on lad. Are you really gonna turn down family?" Phantom whispered.
"Yes. Yes I am." Johnny replied. "Sarah can beg and cry all she wants to help her. But I'm not helping her out, she turned her back on her family first. Now the tables have turned."
"Hear me out laddie. A sheepdog never turns away from its flock." Phantom said.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" Johnny asked enraged.
"It's something my grandfather has taught me when I was a wee lad." Phantom said.
"You and your Irish sayings I swear." Johnny muttered.
"The point is, family is everything and you don't turn your back on family." Phantom says. "Don't forget, you're not the only one who has a say in this." Johnny looks at before groaning.
"Right. Of course Mike would have a say." Johnny groaned.
"Listen let's take her to the hideout." Phantom says. "We're gonna be out of there tomorrow anyway since we're moving somewhere else. We take her to the hideout and get Mike's opinion on this. And again it doesn't matter if she knows because if she tells anyone we'll be in our new hideout where nobody can find us."
"Alright fine." Johnny said as he took out his phone and called the same thugs who carried Sarah off. "Change of plans. Take her to the hideout."
"Right." The thugs say in unison.
At the base the remaining Terror Crew members were training Zoya in more advanced combat techniques and learning to fight different opponents with different powers.
"No no no." Golden Tiger growled. "When dealing with an energy user, don't try to tank the attack. A majority of the time they'll break through your defenses."
"Well how am I suppose to fight them when my body isn't fully coated in metal?!" Zoya complained.
"There is more to fighting your enemy without brute strength." Golden Tiger said.
"For fights like that you gotta use your head." Virus tells her in a bored tone. "Avoid the blasts as much as you can and wait for an opening."
"Which is what we're trying to teach you today runt." Squatch says affectionately. "Remember constantly move. A moving target is harder to hit."
"Alright if you think so." Zoya said.
"Just keep practicing and you'll be running the Terror Crew." Squatch said.
Zoya let's out an excited gasp. "Really?" She says as Squatch nods while everyone else watches in amusement. "New goal unlocked. One day, I'm gonna lead the Terror Crew!"
"Like the enthusiasm kid." Nuke said with a chuckle. "Now I think that's enough training for now. You got all your stuff packed for the new hideout?"
"I sure am!" Zoya replied with excitement in her voice as she runs off.
"It's so cute when she's excited." Squatch said.
"Indeed. Especially since now you gave her a new goal." Candyman says from the kitchen. "Not only has that new goal inspired her to improve on not just mastering her powers but to improve on fighting. And even once she masters that she has a even higher goal to attempt to reach. Taking over leadership of the Terror Crew. Oh it's so exciting!"
"Are we really gonna have the kid lead us one?" Virus asks his arms crossed. "Seems a little embarrassing."
"She's not gonna lead us Virus." Squatch replies. "Look one day, our luck is gonna run out and we're gonna end up in the Dungeon. Johnny's goal for Zoya is to prepare her for when we ain't around. He wants her to take over and maybe one day form her own Terror Crew to beat up the L-Crew with. But for now we just gotta get her ready."
"But she needs to master her powers first." Tiger said from the living room. "We can't advance her combat practice until she can fully turn her body to steel. There's only so much we can teach her the way her powers are now."
"Which is why we need to start picking up the pace on power training." Nuke comments. "The kid has potential but for some reason she can't fully coat her body in steel. We know she can do it because we've seen her do it. We just gotta figure out what's keeping her from doing it."
Then Johnny entered the hideout with a serious look on his face. "Squatch I neeed to talk to you in private." Johnny said.
"Yeah sure thing bro." Squatch replied as he and Johnny walked off to the side away from the rest of the Terror Crew.
When they step out, Squatch stops in his tracks with a shocked look on his face because standing just outside next to Phantom was Sarah.
"Mikey?" Sarah gasped as she slowly approached the large meta. "Is that really you?"
"Sarah?" Squatch said after he finally found his voice. "You're actually here." He takes a few steps forward until he was right in front of her. He stares down at her and Sarah prepares herself for her youngest brother to yell at her for turning them away when much to her and everyone else's surprise, he bends down and engulfs her in a hug. "It's good to see you sis. I missed you."
"I missed you too." Sarah said. "You finally got your hair back."
"Yeah I know." Squatch said as he puts his sister down. "What brings you here?"
"I need your help." Sarah tells him. "My daughter Ashley was kidnapped. And I need you to help me save her."
"Why not ask the cops?" Squatch asked with a head tilt.
"Because the person who kidnapped her said he'd kill her if I did that." Sarah explains. "He told me to come to the old Hazeltucky High School with you guys." Squatch looks at her confused.
"Why us?" He asked.
"Because the person who kidnapped her is our old man." Johnny says. Squatch looks at him surprised before getting serious.
"We gotta save her." Squatch growled.
"You're on board with this?!" Johnny exclaimed.
"We can't let Sarah lose one of her kids." Squatch said.
"After she abandoned us in our hour of need." Johnny replied,
"Johnny we would do the same if Zoya was kidnapped." Squatch stated.
Johnny's gaze softened as he thought of their little apprentice being kidnapped forcing them to something they wouldn't usually do. Johnny let's out a sigh. "Damn it." He muttered. "Looks like we're doing a rescue mission." Sarah smiles while Phantom looks at him with a serious expression.
"You sure about this lad?" He asks. "It sounds risky."
"Yeah but as Squatch said, we'd be doing the same thing if Zoya was kidnapped." Johnny assures him. "Besides weather I like it or not, Sarah's daughter is still family." Phantom let's out a sigh.
"Well I see that there's no stopping ya." Phantom says. "At least tell the others lad. Just in case something goes wrong."
"We will." Johnny said. "Ready to go see our old man bro?"
"I'm ready to put him to rest." Squatch replied.
"Let's tell the boys first." Johnny says. They all head inside and see the rest of the Terror Crew lounging around. "Alright boys listen up. Squatch and I are going on a rescue mission." Everyone looks at them before suddenly breaking out into laughter.
"No surprise there lads." Phantom said. "They don't believe you."
"Real funny Johnny." Tiger says while laughing.
"Yeah and I thought Ms. Appear was the one with jokes." Nuke added.
"We're serious." Johnny said.
"What?" Virus replied,
"Look I know this is not the normal thing we do. But this is me and Squatch's niece. If she dies, well our sister won't be able to live with herself." Johnny stated.
"Oh I get it." Nuke said. "You two are going soft on us because of family."
We haven't gone soft!" Squatch said. "You forgot I was the one who broke Parkour!"
"Did you forget who beat them even before Replicate?" Nuke asked. "Oh right me! Did you forget about our plans?"
"Of course we didn't!" Johnny argued. "Hell I didn't even want to do this! The only reasons I agreed was because one Mike here wouldn't let me say no and two the person who kidnapped her was out old man. That's literally the only reason I'm doing it."
"Well you're on your own because I ain't helping." Nuke growled. "One of us has to focus on the move to the new hideout! So go be heroes. I don't care!" He then storms off.
"Virus?" Squatch asked.
"No way. I'm not helping you two." Virus said as he walks away.
"Anyone else?" Johnny asked.
"I'm sorry my friends but I currently have much work to do at my shop with preparing to send more of our enhancement drug." Candyman tells him.
"Yeah and I'm still working on Zoya's fighting skills." Tiger said.
"Looks like you two are on your own lads." Phantom says. "Besides this seems to be a family matter. It's probably best if you two go on your own."
"So it's just us?" Johnny asked.
"It appears that way." Squatch said. "Besides it's just one guy. Dad's not gonna be that hard."
"Mike, dad is slimy sneaky son of a bitch." Johnny says. "He always has a plan." The two head out while unknown to them, Zoya was listening from her room.
The three siblings arrived at Hazeltucky High School.
"Ah back to our first prison." Johnny said. "Ah the memories. Hey Mike, remember when we hung Kevin Lilks from the flagpole by his underwear?"
"Oh yeah! How can I forget that." Squatch chuckled. "What about the time where we pranked the Prom King and Queen by pouring Kool-aid on them."
"Everyone thought that was pigs' blood. Classic." Johnny said.
"You two were such bullies." Sarah says with a sigh. "But you two did have a soft side. I remember when you two found out my ex-boyfriend had cheated on me. Next thing I know I see him outside in only his underwear with the word 'cheater' spray painted on his body and you two just casually standing around trying hard to hide spray paint cans behind their backs."
"It's called payback. You're our sister and we hate to see something back happen to you." Johnny said.
"Now if only we could find that deadbeat husband that ditched you." Squatch growled. "If we find out who he is, I'll smash him into the ground!"
"And then I'll shove my hand right through his skull!" Johnny added. Sarah sweated a little bit.
"Look boys, let's not worry about that now." She tells them. "Remember why we're here."
"Yeah to save Ashley." Johnny said.
"Sorry Sarah, we just hated the idea of some guy marrying you and leaving you for no reason." Squatch stated.
"I know guys." Sarah said placing her hands on their arms. "You guys were always overprotective."
They walk inside the High School with Squatch and Johnny standing on either side of Sarah to protect her from any sneak attacks.
"Did the old man say where to meet him when we got here?" Johnny asked.
"He just told us to come to our old high school,." Sarah said.
"He could be in the gym, cafeteria or the auditorium." Squatch said.
Suddenly a man with fair skin, short purple hair wearing a brown bomber jacket over a black shirt and jeans appears in front of him surprising the three. He looks at them for a second before speaking.
"You Sarah?" He asks. Sarah feels her brothers tense up next to her so she places a hand on their arms where she feels them relax a little.
"Yes." Sarah answered seriously. The man nods and turns around.
"Follow me." The man says. He walks off with the three. "You two are Johnny Speed and Squatch right?"
"Yeah. Got a problem with that?" Johnny growled.
"Naw. In fact I'm a fan." The man says. "You can call me Port. Former enforcer of the Maragenio Family."
"We're flattered." Johnny said.
"What made you quit?" Squatch asked.
"Got bored." Port answered simply. "Mafia life is boring. It's always the same old same old. Plus they think so small. Then there's you guys who think big. I respect that." They come up to the doors leading to the gymnasium. "Right in there."
"Thanks." Johnny said as he, Squatch, and Sarah walked into the gymnasium where they see Ashley tied up and gagged and laying down in the centre of the gym.
"Ashley!" Sarah cried out by Squatch stops her.
"This could be a trap." Squatch said. "We've been in these types of problems before."
"You'd be right my friend." The three turn to see a man with fair skin with white hair slicked back and white mustache. He also wore a black suit. "This is very much a trap. If you get too close, well let's just say that little girl will have an explosive time."
"I don't follow." Johnny says.
"Simple. There a light mines basically around her. You get close, they go off." The man tells them. "Regretfully I put them there. Gentlight at your service." He bows. "Please note that I have no ill will towards you Terror Crew as I have much respect for you. But sadly this is business."
"Understandable." Johnny said. "There's gotta be a way to get her though."
"I can't throw you Johnny. You could set off one of the mines." Squatch said.
"You can't throw Sarah either. She could get hurt as well." Johnny said.
"Or you can be good children and give up." The three look behind Ashley and see an older man in his early seventies. He had fair skin with gray hair on the side of his head. He wore a plumber's jumpsuit and work boots. He was followed by two other men. One was a large fat man with fair skin wearing a large black tank top and sweat pants. He had tape wrapped around his hands and large black sneakers on his feet.
The other man was an African American man wearing red vest over a orange t-shirt. He wore camo pants and army boots. Most notably his arms were completely covered in metal and on his hands he wore fingerless gloves.
At the sight of the older man the three siblings sneered as he walked towards Ashley until he was right by her.
"Hey pop. Been a while." Johnny growled.
"I figured you would have been dead." Squatch said.
"Well I'm still alive." Mr. Meeks replied. "You kids cut me out of your lives. I figure I introduce myself to my grandchildren." He grabbed Ashley by the hair and stroked her head.
"Get your hands off of her!" Sarah shouted.
"Come on baby girl, where's the love?" Mr. Meeks said slyly. "I'm just getting to know my granddaughter." Ashley let's out a whimper.
"Let her go pop." Johnny ordered. "This doesn't involve her. This is between you and us."
"This is a family matter. Which includes all of you kids." Mr. Meeks explained. "You kids abandoned me, after all I did for. Clothed you, put a roof over your head. This is how you repayed me."
"Abandoned you? Abandoned you!" Johnny exclaimed. "You constantly beat me and Mike every damn day for nearly ten years! Hell the day we left you, you tried to fucking kill me! It Mike hadn't walked in and smacked you with a frying pan, I would've been dead. In all honesty we shoulda killed right then and there."
"You should have. But you were weak!" Mr. Meeks exclaimed. "You weren't man enough to finish the job."
"I can tell you this right now pop." Squatch growled. "You ain't walking away this time. This time, I'll make sure you're dead." He takes a step forward and the floor let's off an explosion.
"Ah Mike, you were always so stupid." Mr. Meeks says. However when the smoke cleared, they saw that Squatch was fine. "What?"
"If I had known the mines would be that weak, then I would've just walked over from the beginning." Mr. Meeks scowls before turning to Gentlight.
"You said your light mines would stop them!" He shouted.
"No I said they would slow them down." Gentlight corrected. "My mines uses the weakest setting of my power so someone like Squatch could easily walk through." Mr. Meeks scowls but quickly smirks.
"That's fine." He says. He crouches down and grabs Ashley by her hair and puts a knife to her throat. "Because I still have the advantage."
"Don't you dare!" Sarah cried out.
"You each have no position to stop me." Mr. Meeks replied. "You will stay where you are or else I pay this gym with her blood."
Johnny and Squatch growl at him before turning to Sarah.
"Got any ideas?" Johnny asked. "We're usually on the other side of this situation."
"Don't worry, I have a backup plan." Sarah whispered. "Just trust me." She then speaks up. "You know dad, you said I couldn't call the cops or L-Crew, that right?"
"Yes that's right. You didn't cal them did you?" Mr. Meeks asked as he placed he knife close to Ashley's neck.
"Of course not. My daughter's safety is most important." Sarah said,
"Good." Mr. Meeks says. However Sarah smirked.
"But you said nothing about a third party." She says. Mr. Meeks looks at her confused when he hears something crashing through the window of the gymnasium. Before he can do anything he feels a hand grab the wrist with the knife, forcefully moving it away from Ashley's neck. Mr. Meeks looks up and sees a very angry Replicate.
"George Meeks." Replicate growled. "I had heard stories of you. None of them pleasant."
"You let go of my daughter of I'll knock your Teth down your throat, you'll be coughing up blood and teeth once I'm down with you." Replicate glared.
"You are in no position to threaten me." Mr. Meeks said.
"Your men won't stand a chance against me." Replicate stated.
"Daughter?" Johnny whispered while Squatch growled.
"Tom! Get Ashley away from him!" Sarah shouted. Tom nods and quickly knees George in the face knocking him away. He then grabs Ashley and carries her to Sarah who takes the tape off her mouth. "Ashley baby are you ok? Are you hurt?"
"No mom I'm ok." Ashley said as her mother untied the ropes around her hands. "But um, quick question. Why are Johnny Speed and Squatch here?"
"I'll explain later. Let's just get out of here." Sarah says.
"You ain't going nowhere." George growled as he stood up. "You three brats are finally gonna be punished! Southpaw, kill Replicate! Mungus take out my hairy abomination of a son! Port and Gentlight, kill Johnny! Do it now if you know what's good for you!" The four scowl and face the three metas.
"Well this just got interesting." Johnny said before turning to Sarah. "Sarah, take your kid and take cover. Go!" Sarah nods and helps Ashley walk towards the exit. Johnny turns back to their four opponents. "Time to show you boys why you don't mess with the Meeks Brothers!" The large fat man steps forward, cracking the floor with a step.
"You're mine hairball. You deal with Mungus now!" Mungus shouted.
"Bring it tubby!" Squatch challenged. Mungus let's out a shout and charges forward with speed that caught Squatch off guard before ramming his entire body into Squatch ramming him through the wall into the hallway.
"Mike!" Johnny shouted before Port appears in front of him.
"Sorry man. No hard feelings." He said before punching Johnny in the jaw. Johnny tries to swing back but Port teleports away and reappeared behind him. "Really think I'd let you hit me?" Before Johnny could respond, he gets hit by a light beam sending him flying into the bleachers.
"Sorry my friend but, again nothing personal. Just business." Gentlight tells him. Replicate goes to help him but gets cutoff by Southpaw.
"Where you going punk?" Southpaw says getting in a boxing stance.
"Nowhere important." Replicate said as he cracks his knuckles. Southpaw throws a punch at Replicate but he dodged the punch and gives Southpaw a roundhouse kick to his left arm, but it had no effect.
"I got myself an upgrade. Metal arms." Southpaw said as he choke slams Replicate to the floor.
Replicate tries to pry Southpaw's hand off his throat but with little success.
"I'm not done yet." Replicate grunted. He takes his right hand and punches Southpaw in the jaw. He then proceeded to repeat the process with his left. He then repeatedly punches Southpaw forcing him off Replicate who gets back to his feet while rubbing his throat.
Southpaw throws a series of punches towards Replicate, but Replicate was dodging every single punch as fast as he could. That was when Replicate delivered a straight kick towards Southpaw's jaw.
Southpaw rubs his jaw with a smirk. "That all you got tough guy?" He taunts. He then proceeded to hit Replicate with several body blows which drops him to knee. Southpaw then grabs the back of Replicate's head and hits an uppercut knocking him on his back.
Replicate gets back up and glares. "You give up Replicate?" Southpaw asked.
"No not yet!" Replicate said.
"Good." Southpaw says with a smirk before putting his fists up in a boxing stance. "I'd be disappointed if you did."
In the hallway Squatch was struggling against Mungus who rams him into the lockers.
"C'mon hairy. That all you got?" Mungus taunted before punching Squatch the gut who responded with a headbutt.
"Naw. I got plenty tubby." Squatch growled as he rubbed his ribs. "Damn that felt like I was hit by a truck. He's not just fat, he's solid muscle."
"Come on hairy. Hit me with your best shot." Mungus taunted.
"He has to have a weakness and I better find it quick." Squatch thought right when Mungus rams Squatch with his right shoulder.
Squatch let's out another grunt as he slides back from the hit.
"C'mon. Give me your best shot!" Mumgus challenged.
"You know, maybe they shoulda called ya Wrecking Ball." Squatch tells him. "Because that's what you hit like."
Squatch then punched Mungus in the face it pushed him back a bit. "Well that's new." Mungus said,
"I take you don't get hit like that often?" Squatch asked.
"Not with the amount of force you just hit me with." Mungus answers as he put his fists up. "This is gonna be fun." He then rushes forward.
In the gym Johnny was struggling trying to fight both Port and Gentlight with little success. Every time he'd try to hit Port, he'd teleport away and then he'd get blasted by Gentlight. Then every time he'd target Gentlight, Port would intercept him, forcing him to redirect his focus.
"Damn. This is getting me nowhere." Johnny growled.
"What's the matter Johnny?" Port asked. "Can't take down two Metahumans in seconds?"
"I can fight you both!" Johnny retorted.
"You can only pick one." port taunted
Johnny rushes towards Port who teleports away forcing Johnny to redirect his focus to Gentlight.
"This is getting ridiculous." Johnny muttered. Gentlight appears in front of him blasts several beams at him forcing Johnny to dodge them all. "These two are making it difficult to even get close to either of them." He sees Port teleporting all over the gymnasium no doubt taunting him. However this gives Johnny an idea. "He always tries to cut me off when I get close to money bags over here. So I'll make him regret it this time." He then rushes towards Gentlight catching him by surprise.
"What is he doing?" He whispered. Port teleports in front of him trying to slow Johnny down.
"Making this too easy that's what." Port answers only to realize Johnny wasn't slowing down. Instead he kept going and hit Port with a right hand sending him crashing back before hitting a spinning back elbow on Gentlight knocking him down.
"Impressive." Gentlight says rubbing his. "But it's to be expected from the leader of the Terror Crew. Port perhaps it's time we stopped playing around."
"You got it." Port nodded as he teleported away. Johnny looked around right when Port appears behind him and Johnny elbows Port in the gut and gave Port a roundhouse kick right before he teleported.
"Impressive." Gentlight said before floating into the air. He holds his hands out and several balls of lights appear around him. "But try dodging all of these." He brings his arms down causing all the balls of light to be launched at Johnny who tries to dodge them all only to suddenly get kicked by Port before getting blasted by one one of the light balls. Johnny crashes to ground as the two stand over him.
"It's over Johnny." Port tells him. "Really wish it didn't turn out like this."
"Indeed." Gentlight said as he forms a light blade. "Farewell Johnny Speed." He raises his blade but before brings it down he's suddenly blasted by another beam knocking him back. Port sees a second beam coming towards him and teleports away. Johnny looks up confused as he hears footsteps coming towards him.
"I swear every time you two get into trouble I always end up saving your asses." The new voice said. One the footsteps come closer he sees his rescuer was none other than Nuke. "I swear it's like I'm babysitting you two sometimes." He holds out a hands which Johnny accepts. Nuke then hauls Johnny to his feet.
"I thought you didn't want to come?" Johnny asked. Nuke sighs.
"I didn't but Zoya heard what you were doing and convinced me to go after you two." Nuke explained. "I believe her exact words were 'You and Uncles Johnny and Squatch been through everything together. You have to help them!'." Nuke let's out a chuckle. "That kid is convincing I swear. But she's not wrong. You helped me get my revenge, now it's my turn to help you two get yours. So what's the plan?"
"Take down these two. One can teleport, the other can create light explosions." Johnny explained. "Squatch is getting his ass kicked by some fat guy."
"The light explosion guy is mine." Nuke said as he cracked his knuckles.
"Sure you can take him?" Johnny asked teasingly. Nuke just smirks at him.
"Just watch me." Nuke replied.
"So you think you can stop me?" Genlight asked with a smirk.
"No." Nuke said as he raises his hand that began to glow yellow. "I know I can." He fires a beam but Gentlight dodges it. He then goes through the hole Squatch and Mungus made. "Get back Rich bastard!" Nuke then gives chase. Once they're gone, Johnny turns to Port.
"You're alone now pal." Johnny says as he cracks his knuckles.
"I don't mind. Besides you'll be a goner soon," Port said as he teleported away and appears behind Johnny but punched Port with an uppercut to the face. Port recovered from the attack and teleported again and placed Johnny in a sleeper hold.
"Not bad." Johnny comments. "But not good enough." He throws an elbow into Port's ribs loosening the hold which eventually allowed Johnny to free himself. "Now let's try this again."
Johnny began to punch Port with a series of combos and finished with a roundhouse kick, but Port teleported away and tackles Johnny, but he pushes Port off of him and give him a right hook to the face.
"That all you got man?" Port challenged. "Because I'm just getting warmed up!" He teleports away and Johnny feels a punch to the back of the head. He turns to counter but Port isn't there. He feels a kick to the back and again Johnny goes to counter but again teleports away. Port then proceeded to teleport around Johnny hitting him and then teleporting away.
"Crafty little sneak." Johnny mutters. "I like that. Hey Port, why you working with the old man anyways? What's he got on you?"
"Nothing much. He just needed someone with teleporting powers and I was his main man." Port stated.
"My old man has no powers. How much is he paying you?" Johnny asked.
Port doesn't respond. Instead he grabs Johnny and teleports him to the roof. "He's got dirt on all four of us." He tells him. "Dirt that could put us in the Dungeon for a long time. And I don't plan on going to prison any time soon."
"So you're being blackmailed by an old man with no powers. I don't know if I should give pity or laugh at that?" Johnny said.
"Like I said not a fan of this job but I do what I gotta do." Port tells him. Johnny stares at him and sighs.
"Then so be it." Johnny says before speeding towards him.
Outside the school in the parking lot, Squatch was still being put on the defensive by Mungus.
"Come on you walking furball hit me again!" Mungus said. "This was suppose to be the one to break Parkour. So far I'm disappointed."
Squatch let out growl as he blocked another hit from Mungus. "First time I've ever been put on the defensive." He says. "I'm impressed. But not enough to not break you." He throws a right hand that hits Mungus in the face causing the fat meta to stumble back. Squatch then chargea forward and tries to hit a shoulder tackle on Mungus's torso but to Squatch's surprise, Mungus didn't budge. "What the hell? He didn't move."
"What was that? Your best tackle?" Mungus asked.
"What are you?" Squatch questioned.
"An immovable force." Mungus replied before again ramming his body into Squatch's abdomen. Squatch falls backwards and when he does Mungus stands over him and starts repeatedly punching him.
"Your brother's not here to help you now!" Mungus stated as he keep punching Squatch.
As Mungus throws another punch Squatch catches it. "Who says I needed him?" He growled. He pushes the hand away and then threw several punches of his own to Mungus's face forcing him off of him. Squatch gets to his feet and wipes the blood off his face. "My turn." He then rushes Mungus with large meta running to meet him. The two throw a punch at the same time causing their fists to collide.
In the hallways, Nuke and Gentlight were firing energy beams at each other with neither gaining an advantage over the other.
"Looks likes we're evenly matched." Nuke grunted.
"It appears so." Genlight agreed.
"So what's a rich guy like doing crime for?" Nuke asked as be fired a beam at Gentlight. "Surely you don't need the money."
"If I'm honest, I just do it for fun really." Gentlight replied as he blasted away Nuke's beam. "Being rich is fun and all but it's so boring. Crime adds a lot more excitement to my life."
"So you're a rich guy who's bored with his life? I don't blame you there." Nuke said as he avoid a blast from Genlight. "But mad respects to doing crime instead of the crap rich people do."
"Thank you my friend." Gentlight says as he avoided a blast from Nuke. "It's almost a shame I have to eliminate you." He forms a light sword.
"Agreed." Nuke responds coating his fists in energy. "Don't hold back on me money bags."
"I never hood back." Genlight replied as he charged two shots in his hands and shot them at Nuke but he dodged the blasts and returned the blast with his own attack.
Gentlight then rushes with his light sword but Nuke counters with his energy fist. Gentlight charges again with his blade but Nuke keeps countering with his energy fists. Nuke flies forward and hits Gentlight in the abdomen with an energy fist.
Genlight gets blasted back and hits a wall. But he gets up and groans in pain. "Good one." Genlight replied but he shot another light beam at Nuke blinding him. Once the light clears up Genlight is nowhere to be found.
"Damn it." Nuke growled. "Where the hell did he go?" The lights in the hallway then start to flicker on and off. "That doesn't seem good." He then sees Gentlight on the other side of the hallway his eyes glowing yellow and his glowing with light energy.
"Sorry by friend but you should've taken out the lights when you had the chance." Gentlight said. "Now prepare for a supercharged beat down."
Back in the gymnasium, Replicate stumbled back after getting hit with another punch from Southpaw.
Southpaw tries to land another hot on Replciate but he kept dodging the punches. "You're going to get tired sooner or later old timer." Southpaw taunted.
"Please if that was the case I wouldn't fight the L-Crew as much as I do." Replicate said as he dodged. After dodging another punch he knees Southpaw in the gut before punching him in the jaw causing Southpaw to stumble back.
"Nice shot old timer." Southpaw said. "I guess those fights with the L-Crew really kept you on your A-game."
"I'm not that old and I'm always on my A-game." Replicate growled. He goes to rush forward but stops in his tracks and clutches his ribs. "Damn. I think he broke my ribs."
"Something wrong Replicate?" Southpaw asked with a smirk.
"Not at all." Replicate replied through his teeth.
"Then what you waiting for?" Southpaw challenged. Replicate scowls before getting into fighting position again.
Replicate punched Southpaw in the face with an uppercut and then a right hook to the chest. "I need to fight through the pain." Replicate thought.
"That all you got tough guy?" Southpaw mocked. He then punches Replicate in the abdomen causing Replicate to double over. Southpaw then slammed his other arm onto Replicate's back knocking him to the ground.
Replicate groaned in pain right when Southpaw grabbed him by the neck. "Give up Replicate?" He asked with a smug look on his face.
"No. In fact." Replicate said before throwing multiple elbows into his abdomen forcing Southpaw to release him and let Replicate get back to his feet. "I'm just getting started." He throws his trenchcoat to the side and rips his damaged shirt off.
"Now we're talking." Southpaw smirked as he pounded his fists and ran towards Replicate to punch him in the face,
Replicate dodges then hits him with several kidney shots. Southpaw let's out a grunt a pain before Replicate hits a thrust kick to his back sending him stumbling to the wall. Southpaw let's out a growl before taking off his vest.
"We getting serious now?" Replicate mocked.
"I guess so." Southpaw said as he and Replicate both punched at the same time and their fists clashed blocking their own punches.
Replicate winced a little when his fist clashed with the metal one but he didn't let it show. He delivers a kick to the Southpaw's abdomen before hitting an uppercut.
Southpaw recovered from the attack and deliver a roundhouse kick, but Replicate was able to dodge the attack and punched Southpaw right in the jaw. Then he fired a series of combos onto Southpaw right in the chest.
"I've had enough of these games Southpaw." Replicate growled. "It's time to finish this!" He rushes Southpaw and hits a jumping knee stunning him. He then presses two fingers to the back of his neck hitting a pressure point. Southpaw's body then starts to go numb.
"What's happening to me." Southpaw asked as his body started to sway.
"Simple I hit a pressure point in your neck that'll temporarily shut down your body. Long story short." Replicate said as Southpaw collapsed. "You're finished."
Back with Nuke and Genlight they are still shooting and dodging each others' attacks. "Come rich boy is that all you got?" Nuke taunted.
"Far from it!" Gentlight responded before firing another strong beam at Nuke who dodges it.
"Damn it. He's supercharged from absorbing the light energy and here I am without the drug." Nuke muttered. "But still, this guy is tough. Wouldn't be a bad recruit. But still gotta survive this first. Ok so he's light energy which means if I absorb his attacks it won't hurt. Maybe." He steps out from his cover and holds his hands out. "Hope this works."
Genlight shot another light orb towards Nuke, but he did not move, once the light orb hits Nuke's hand and he absorbed the shot. "It worked." Nuke gasped in shock.
"Impossible." Gentlight gasped. However Nuke just smirks at him.
"Buddy, I am the impossible." Nuke says. He then fires a powerful energy beam at Gentlight.
Genlight gets knocked out by the beam and it hits him at a wall knocking Genlight out. "That takes care of Richie Rich." Nuke smirked. "I wonder how the others are holding up."
Squatch let's out another growl of pain as Mungus slams his body on Squatch's lower back.
"C'mon big boy. That all you got?" Mungus taunted. Squatch let's out a growl as he tried to get back to his feet but Mungus slams him down again.
"Damn." Squatch growled. "My back is killing me. But still been a while since I had a proper fight. Fat boy is tougher than he looks. Could have his uses. Gotta beat him first. His has too much leverage so he doesn't budge no matter what I hit him with. But what if I take his leverage away?" Squatch gets to a kneeling position and slams his fist on the ground.
The ground shock which caused Mungus to stumble and fall down. "What the hell?" Mungus asked, but right when Squatch gets back up and punched Mungus right on top of the head knocking him out.
"Head meets ground." Squatch growled as he breathed heavily. "Damn my ribs hurt. This guy hit like a truck. I like him." He looks back at the school. "Wonder how Johnny's doing?"
Johnny slid back as he blocked another punch from Port. "I'll give him credit. He took me somewhere where I can't go crazy with my speed. But that's never stopped me before."
"Your running days are over Johnny." Port said as he walked towards him. "You might as well submit or I'll take you to place where you can't run."
However Johnny just chuckles. "You really think running is the only way I use my speed? Really shows how little you know about me." He says. Johnny then starts vibrating his body. "Come and get me."
Port was confused by this and teleports away and appears right behind Johnny to grab him, but he felt nothing in his arms but air. "What the?" He questioned.
"You missed." Johnny's voice called out.
"Damn it." Port growled. "Stop mocking me!" He goes to rush at Johnny but Johnny reaches him first where he proceeds to hit Port with multiple super fast punches.
Port's vision started to get blurry with each hit, and then Johnny gives Port an uppercut to the face knocking him out. "No more teleporting for you." Johnny said.
Johnny goes to walk away but stops. He sighs and turns to down Port. "Unless it's for me." He grabs Port's jacket and starts dragging Port behind him to the door of the roof.
In the gymnasium George Meeks was seething. The four men he had blackmailed into helping hadn't come back with the bodies of his good for nothing sons, their walking reactor friend or his damn son-in-law. Hell Southpaw was already defeated with Replicate standing over his unconscious body clutching his ribs, his whole abdomen and back covered in bruises.
"You can either surrender or I'm gonna have to beat you up?" Replicate asked.
"I doubt you're in the condition to do anything Replicate." George growled.
"I've been through worse." Replicate replied,
They hear stomping and see Squatch coming back into the gymnasium carrying Mungus on his shoulder before placing him onto the ground.
"That could've gone better." Squatch grunted.
"This can't be." Geogre said right when Nuke and Johnny dragged Port and Genlight's knocked out bodies.
"It's over dad. Not you're gonna surrender right now or things will get ugly," Johnny said.
"Grr. Like I'd surrender to a couple of no good brats!" George shouted.
"We ain't brats." Johnny says calmly his hand slowly beginning to vibrate. "We ain't the L-Crew. In fact we're the baddest men in this city. As far as I'm concerned you're just a waste of space. Now to finish this." He starts to walk towards George his hand still vibrating.
"JOHNNY NO!" Johnny stops in his tracks and turns to see Sarah had come back into the gymnasium with Ashley hiding behind her. "Don't do it Johnny. Don't be the monster he says you are. And weather we like it or not, he's still family and you don't kill family." Johnny growls before sighing.
"She's right. We don't kill family." Johnny says. He walks back to Nuke and Squatch where he stops when he gets an idea. "But Nuke ain't family. So Nuke, kill him."
Nuke smirks as he walks up to Geogre as he tried to back away but falls back, Nuke held up his hand and charged up an attack as Geogre was Frozen in fear. Nuke fired an energy blast at Geogre which turned him into a pile of ashes once the blast clears up.
"Done and done." Nuke said with a smirk still on his face.
"Nice job Nuke." Johnny said.
"Hey what can I say? I'm good at killing other people's deadbeat fathers." Nuke says with a shrug. He looks down at the four defeated villians. "What we do with them?"
"I say we kill them." Squatch said. "Leave no witnesses."
"I actually have a better idea." Johnny said.
Johnny speeds off and returns with a hose. He turns it on waking the four up.
"What the hell just happened?" Southpaw asked before seeing who was standing over them. "Oh shit. Terror Crew. Oh we dead now."
"Dead? No. We have a something better to give you." Johnny said. "A spot at the table?
"What?" The villains questioned, even Replicate was surprised by this.
"He can't be serious?!" Replicate thought.
"You sure Johnny?" Squatch asked. "Last I checked we just had a giant brawl with these guys and you want to give them a spot at the table? Become members of the Terror Crew? Is that what you're suggesting?"
"Yes." Johnny replied with no hesitation. Squatch stares his brother down for several seconds before looking away.
"Ok I'm in." Squatch said finally.
"Are you sure you're not gonna kill us? Mungus asked.
"No you guys have skill and power." Johnny said. "We need it to stop the L-Crew from putting us in the Dungeon."
"Besides we need as many members as possible for the big plan we got happening." Nuke added. "Consider the fight an audition and you guys passed with flying colors."
"Not to mention I held my own against Replicate." Southpaw stated with Pride in his voice.
"We're not gonna hear the end of it are we?" Port asked.
"Probably not." Southpaw admitted.
"Speaking of which." Squatch growled. He turns his attention to Replicate with anger in his eyes. "Replicate." Replicate looks at him in confusion. "I'm gonna smash you into the ground." He then rushes at Replicate catching him by surprise before hitting him with a hard backfist sending him flying out of the school into the parking lot.
"Well that was unexpected." Replicate groaned. "Wonder what this is all about? Either way, I don't think it's over."
Johnny ran outside and grabbed Replicate by the neck. "Now that our team up is over. My brother and I will finish you off."
"Why the sudden aggression Johnny?" Replicate choked out before punching him in the jaw. "You're usually more composed."
"Fuck composure." Johnny growled. "I'm just gonna rip your heart out you damn deadbeat for abandoning our sister!" He hears heavy footsteps coming and sees that his brother had joined him. "Mike, kick his ass."
"With pleasure." Squatch growled as he took a step forward. "You're gonna regret walking out on Sarah." Replicate scowls before his eyes flash. He then feels a rush of power course through his muscles.
"I'd like to see you try." Replicate challenged realizing that there was no talking to them.
Squatch throws a punch towards Replicate, but he dodged the attack and punched Squatch in the side and followed up with a roundhouse kick. "I had to leave to keep her safe." Replicate said.
"You still broke her heart." Johnny growled,
Johnny speeds towards him and attempts to hit Replicate with a kick but Replicate quickly blocks it. However much to Replicate's surprise, Johnny smirks. With a gasp he realizes what's happening he turns his head to see Squatch charging towards him again. Squatch punches Replicate in jaw followed by Johnny hitting him in the gut with a kick.
"Damn it." Replicate growled. "Their teamwork is almost on par with the L-Crew's. Can't be surprised though. These two have known each other their whole lives, constantly working together in crime even before they became who they are now. Gotta be careful or I'm gonna be in trouble."
Johnny runs and shoulder tackles Replicate to the ground, but Replicate's eyes flashed and sped away and gave Johnny an uppercut to the face. Squatch ran towards Replicate, but he dodged the punch,
"Honestly Replicate I don't see why the L-Crew struggle with you." Johnny said as he went for another kick that Replicate barely dodged. "This is almost easy."
Replicate looked behind him and sees Squatch throwing a car towards Replicate but he nearly dodged it. "You're still weak from the fight with Southpaw." Squatch said,
"That's never stopped me before." Replicate growled. His eyes flash before he rushes towards Squatch where he punches the large meta in the jaw before hitting an uppercut causing Squatch to stumble back. "Besides you're moving a little slow Squatch. Back bothering you a little bit?"
"No. It's fine." Squatch replied through his teeth.
"He's lying. I can use his broken back to my advantage." Replicate thought.
"That bastard is gonna use Mike's injured back to his advantage." Johnny thought. "Can't let him do that."
"Replicate is probably gonna try to use my hurt back to his advantage." Squatch thought. "Hopefully Johnny stops him."
Replicate is about to charge at Squatch with Johnny preparing to intercept when suddenly.
"STOP!" The three fighting metas stop in their tracks and see Sarah glaring at them with Nuke and the four newest members of the Terror Crew behind her. "Johnny. Mike. Tom. That's enough. Please. Enough fighting."
"Sarah! What gives? We're beating this guy up for leaving you and your family." Johnny said,
"I don't want you to hurt Tom!" Sarah said.
"Why shouldn't we?" Squatch growled. "He walked out on you!"
"He came back." Sarah told them. "He came back and told me everything. Why he left, why he didn't come back. Everything. There's no reason to fight so please enough fighting for today." The two brothers hesitate before both reluctantly backed off. Instead they approached Sarah.
"How's the kid?" Squatch asked.
"Ashley's fine, I'm going to take her to the ER just to make sure she's okay." Sarah said. "I won't tell the cops you guys were involved."
"Good." Johnny says. "Then we're done here." He looks around at the rest of his team. "Let's roll out."
The Terror crew all nodded and ran off. "How's Ashley?" Replicate asked.
"She's fine. I'm going to take her to the ER." Sarah repeated.
"Good." Replicate says. The two look at the eleven year old who was rubbing her arm.
"Mom, is it true?" Ashley asked. "Is it true that Johnny Speed and Squatch are your brothers?"
"It's true Ashley." Sarah sighed. "They are your uncles."
"You mean my uncles are members of the Terror Crew?" Ashley asked.
"I'm afraid so. I've been keeping it a secret from you and your siblings." Sarah said.
Ashley turns her head to watch the retreating forms of the Terror Crew. "If they're family, why don't you talk about them?" She asked. Sarah sighs.
"It's complicated." Sarah replied not really sure how to answer.
"Also why didn't anyone tell me about dad?" Ashley asked angrily. "How come nobody told me about him? Why is that I only find out about this stuff when I'm in danger? Why is everything such a big secret?"
"Ashley I promise for now on. I will not keep any secret from you and the rest of your siblings. I promise." Sarah said.
"You sure about that?" Ashley asked
Sarah looks at her daughter shocked especially with the accusatory look on her face. "What?" She gasped.
"How can I trust any of you?" Ashley accused. "Sam, Jack and Jay kept dad's existence a secret. You kept our uncles a secret. Hell dad has probably even more secrets than you all combined!" Sarah and Replicate exchange a glance. "Why does everyone try to keep so many secrets? Why wouldn't they tell me about dad? Why won't you tell us about your family? Why the secrets?" Sarah opens her mouth to answer only to discover she didn't have one.
"She's right." Replicate says surprising Sarah. "There are too many secrets from both you and me. They deserve to know. Problem is, while they would accept your explanation, Sam, Jay and Jack haven't accepted me back. Once I rebuild my relationship with them, is when I reveal my own secrets. But Sarah, it's time that they knew about your family."
"Alright, I'll tell her everything. But not just Ashley, but the rest of my kids." Sarah said.
"It's time they learned the truth." Replicate says. He looks down at Ashley. "No more secrets."
"No more secrets." Sarah repeated.
"You promise?" Ashley asked with a serious tone in her voice.
"We promise." Replicate and Sarah both replied.
"Ok." Ashley says before turning to her mother. "Can we go home now?"
"Sure thing Ashley." Sarah said,
The two head to the car and as they walked, Sarah looked back at Replicate who nodded at her before running off.
When the two got home, after stopping at the doctor to see if Ashley was hurt at all, they were immediately greeted by Jay, Jack, Sam and Simon.
"Ash are you okay?" Sam asked as she hugged her little sister.
"Who took you?" Jay asked.
"We were so worried about you!" Jack siad.
"I'm fine." Ashley replies simply before turning to Sarah. "But mom has something she wants to tell us." The four kids look at her before looking at each other. The five kids then head to the couch looking expectantly at their mother. Sarah takes a deep breath before speaking.
"The person who kidnapped your sister was a man named George Meeks." Sarah told them. "He is or should I say was my father."
"That was our grandfather?" Jay asked.
"You told us he was dead." Jack said.
"I say he was dead to me. But he's dead for real this time." Sarah said.
"Why couldn't you get the L-Crew. They would have helped out." Sam suggetsed.
"Sadly they weren't an option." Sarah tells them with sigh. "Your grandfather said that if I got the cops or the L-Crew involved, Ashley would be dead. So sadly, that was an option I didn't have. But he did say specifically who I could bring."
"Who?" Jack asked. Sarah sighs.
"My brothers." She responded. "Johnny and Michael Meeks."
"Wait those names sound familiar." Jay says. After a few seconds he gasps. "Your brothers are Johnny Speed and Squatch. Which means our uncles are."
"Two of the most dangerous criminals in Royal Woods." Sarah finished.
"We're related to them?" Sam asked.
"It wasn't just them who came to save me." Ashley said.
"I also called your father to come in as back-up." Sarah continued. "He already knew about your uncles from when we dated in college."
"I take it that they weren't fans of dad?" Jack asked.
"No they weren't." Sarah replied. "And the same can be said about your father."
"How come we're just now finding out about them?" Sam asked. "How come you never told us about our uncles?"
"I had to cut them out of my life. They went into a life of crime, one night they came here after an incident with the law."
"Whoa." The Sharp kids say in unison.
"Look, I love my brothers." Sarah told them. "That's never going to change. But I can't live in their world and protect you kids at the same time. I made a choice back then. I chose you." The Sharp kids share a glance before getting up and engulfing their mother in a group hug.
"You really are the best mom in the world." Ashley says.
"You definitely earned that mug we got you." Jack added only to get elbowed in the ribs by Sam. Once they separate they sit back down.
"Listen, I don't want any more secrets." Sarah says. "So does anyone have anything they want to get off their chest. Nobody says anything until Simon raises his hand. "Yes Simon?"
"Um, remember when Spike got into the garbage and blamed Jack." Simon says. "That was actually my fault."
"That was you!?" Jack exclaimed. "I got grounded for a month!"
"I'm sorry Jack." Simon replied with a sad tone.
"Why you little!" Jack growled but Jay put him in a full nelson.
"Chill bro!" Jay ordered. "Besides you're not innocent either! Last week you broke Sam's drumset." Jack stopped struggling and slowly turned to face his Rockstar sister who's face was twisted into a rage.
"YOU BROKE MY DRUMSET!?" Sam shouted. She grabs Ashley's skateboard that was next to the couch. "I'M GONNA BUST YOUR FACE!"
"Jay let me go!" Jack pleaded. Jay obliged and Jack immediately bolted with Sam running after him.
"Get back here Jack!" Sam shouted after him.
"Hey don't break my skateboard just because he broke your drums!" Ashley shouted before also giving chase.
"Guys chill!" Jay shouted after them before also running after them. Sarah sighs as she hears her kids running around the house.
"Ok I guess the meeting is over." She says before turning to Simon. "C'mon Simon. Let's go get the first-aid kit ready."
"I'm gonna beat your ass Jack!"
"Sam chill!"
"Stop trying to use my skateboard as a weapon!"
"This seems a little intense don't you think!"
"Might need more bandages." Sarah says with a chuckle.
Johnny, Squatch, Nuke and their newest recruits for the Terror Crew quickly made their way through the city without being seen.
"This ain't the way to the hideout Nuke." Johnny growled.
"I know." Nuke responded. "Phantom texted me saying they finished moving everything to the new hideout so we're officially moved out."
"New recruits and a new base." Squatch said. "Man our luck is never gonna die isn't it?"
"I doubt it will." Nuke said.
"So where is this new hideout?" Port asked.
"Coming up on it now." Johnny answered as the new hideout came into view causing the the four new recruits' eyes to widen.
"The Godfather's Mansion?" Gentlight gasped. "I had heard you had killed but now you've taken over his former home. Impressive."
"Yep. We might as well live like the top dogs do." Johnny said.
"Now we're talking, you're starting to be Better than your old man." said Southpaw.
"The old man was scum and worthless." Johnny says. "Now time to meet the crew." He opens the door and they head in where they see the rest of the Terror Crew hanging around or doing some last minute furniture arrangements.
"No Tiger. Put the couch across from the TV and the recliners on either side." Candyman was saying to Golden Tiger who held their couch on his shoulder.
"Perhaps you can help out too!" Golden Tiger said.
"I'm helping. Making sure everything is perfect for our new base." Candyman said.
"Not what I meant." Tiger grumbled. Virus was finishing setting up computer monitors.
"Alright. Now this is the perfect set-up." Virus says marveling at his work. As this was happening, Phantom was supervising making sure nothing went wrong and that nobody killed each other. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Johnny, Squatch and Nuke coming in followed by the four other villians. He's about to say something until someone beats him to it.
"They're back!" Zoya called from the second floor she slides down the railing that sends her flying right into Squatch's arms who then places her on his shoulder.
"Hahaha! Hey kid." Squatch said while laughing.
"I thought you guys would never make it out alive." Zoya said.
"Nah, we're still alive." Squatch replied. "Plus you got some new roommates."
"Yay! New family members!" Zoya cheered looking down at the four newest members of the Terror Crew before her eyes rest on Southpaw. More specifically his arms. She gasps. "You're like me!" She climbs off of Squatch and runs up too Southpaw where she turns her arms metal. "See? I can actually turn my whole body metal but this is as far as I can go right now."
"You're really learning kido." Johnny smiled as he rubbed Zoya's hair.
"Thanks to you guys." Zoysia said.
"Anyways." Johnny said louder to address the rest of the crew. "We have returned from dealing with the family matter. Our old man is dead, our niece is safe, and now we can focus on what's really important: crime."
"Who are they?" Virus asked gesturing to the four men behind them.
"These are new recruits. They used to work for our old man until Nuke turned him into a pile of ashes." Johnny said.
"Do they have any powers?" Candyman asked.
"Three do, one doesn't." Johnny answered. "But he has metal arms and he beat the hell out of Replicate so we ain't turning someone like that down. Allow me to introduce them." He gestures to Port. "That's Port. He can teleport. He's also an experienced criminal. Was an enforcer for the Maragenio Family till he got bored."
"Whoa he held his own against Replicate?" Bronze Tiger asked.
"Damn right I did," Southpaw smirked.
"That being said, meet Southpaw." Johnny introduced. "Former boxer turned criminal."
"Oh a former boxer." Golden Tiger smirked. "I like to go a few rounds with you."
"That's Genlight. He's a rich guy who shoots exploding light orbs." Nuke said.
"Is that why his wallet has hundred dollar bills in it?" Zoya asked holding a wallet. Gentlight feels his pocket and realizes his wallet is gone.
"How did she do that?" Gentlight asked impressed.
"She's a prodigy." Johnny answered. "Zoya give him back his wallet." Zoya complies and returns Gentlight's wallet.
"So who's the big guy?" Virus asked as he glared at Mungus. "He another muscle head like Tiger and Squatch?"
"His name is Mungus, he may look fat. But he's pretty strong and he nearly took me down." Squatch said.
Virus doesn't respond. Instead slowly approached Mungus where they stare each other down. "You got a problem skinny?" Mungus asked. Virus doesn't respond and continues to stare down the large meta. Not liking where this was going, Johnny gets between them.
"Easy boys." Johnny says. "Remember we're on the same team here. Which brings me to another matter. Everyone to the living room. Time to have a real team meeting."
"I'll be in my room." Zoya said as she walked towards the stairs. "You won't be needing me."
"Zoya." Johnny said sternly stopping her in her tracks. "This actually does concern you. So go to the living room with everyone else." Zoya looks at him confused but nods before she heads to the living towards the couch where she squeezes in between Phantom and Candyman. Johnny then steps to the front. "Alright. First order of business. I want to welcome our four newest members to the Terror Crew. They're tough fighters and they're only gonna make us stronger as time goes on. Treat them with respect. Now next order of business. As you all know our team is rather large. Currently there are eleven of us on this team. Fourteen if you count Payback and Electron in the Dungeon and Zoya who's still a student. That being said, Nuke, Squatch and I have been talking and we've decided that we're gonna make some changes to the crew. And with our four newest members I feel now is a good time to do it." Zoya raises her hand. "Yeah kid."
"What kind of changes?" Zoya asked. "Are you gonna force us to earn our spots on this team?" Johnny chuckled and shook his head.
"No Zoya. I'm not gonna be doing that." Johnny assured her. "Everyone here has earned their spot on this team. While Port, Mungus, Gentlight and Southpaw are new to the team, they've still impressed enough to join us. However we will probably have them collect our money from our ventures for a while because pretty much all of us being hunted after what went down at Tetherby Industries." The four look at Johnny curiously.
"What happened at Tetherby Industries?" Southpaw asked.
"We attacked the the company, and stole some info from that rich jerk. So we need to avoid Tether an his hired help and the L-Crew." Johnny said.
"You didn't steal his money?" Mungus asked.
"Naw. Trust me when I say what we stole was more valuable than anything else there." Nuke explained. "We'll fill you in later."
"Anyways." Johnny continues. "We also got the cops to worry about but that's neither here or there. Now as I said our little family is getting bigger and in turn getting stronger. However as I was saying, Nuke, Squatch and I have been talking and we agreed that our gang needs some structure or ranks. And with our new members I think it's time we make that reality. So we'll start the leader." He pulls out a newspaper that has a picture of Johnny on the front page. "Media has already labeled me as the unofficial leader of the Terror Crew. Any objections to making it more official?"
"No not at all." Squatch replied,
"I don't care." Virus shrugged.
No one raised any objections so Johnny continued. "Alrighty then. Starting now I'm the official leader of the Terror Crew." He says. "Alright next position is the Second-in-command. I have someone in mind but I wanna know who you all think is right for the position. So, any nominations?" No one speaks up until Virus steps up.
"There's only one person here that can lead us when you ain't here." Virus told Johnny. "And that's him." He points at Nuke. "Outside of your brother, he's been on this team since day and he's probably the only guy outside your brother that you trust more than anyone. He's the only one who makes sense." Virus then heads back to the wall and crosses his arms.
"I was not excepting that." Johnny said surprised. "But we have a vote to do. All in favour of Nuke being Second in command?" The rest of the team all raised their hands even Squatch raised his hand. "Alright Nuke you're the new second in command."
"Excellent." Nuke smirked.
"Alright next position is the Sergeant at Arms who will serve as third in command and also keep the peace within meetings." Johnny continued.
"Honestly lad I'm gonna interrupt and say you should give the position to your brother." Phantom tells him. "Out of all of us, Squatch is the strongest so he would be able to keep the peace."
"Alright, any objections?" Johnny asked and he looks around and sees that no one has any objections. "Ok bro the job is yours."
Squatch looks surprised but then shrugs it off. "Ok." He says simply.
"Alright now I'm gonna appoint our two specialists when it comes down to our science of our drugs and the technology of our crimes." Johnny said. "Obviously our science specialist will be Candyman. I mean let's face it, none of us know science. As for our technology specialist I think that option is also obvious. That spot goes to Virus."
"I'm cool with that." Virus shrugged.
"Splendid." Candyman replied.
"Next up is our combat and tactician specialist. That honour will go to Golden Tiger, because he knows more hand to hand combat than any of us." Johnny said.
Tiger's eyes widen in shock before smirking. "Unexpected but I'll take it." He says.
"Yay Tiger!" Zoya cheered. Tiger smirks down at her and rubs her head.
"Next is lieutenants." Johnny continued. "The lieutenants basically handle a lot of the more hands on situations and dealing with our dealers. Now I've picked four lieutenants based on experience more than anything because experience matters more than anything in our line of crime. So our first lieutenant has more experience than pretty much all of us and that's Phantom." Phantom looks surprised before smiling.
"Thank you lad." Phantom says. "I'll carry this status with pride." Johnny nods before continuing.
"Our next lieutenant is a bit of a surprise since he kinda just joined." Johnny says. "However his experience with the Maragenio family is what got him this spot and that's Port."
"You chose wisely." Port said.
"So who are the other two?" Zoya asked.
"The other two are actually currently not with us." Johnny answered. "The other two are Payback who like Port was an enforcer for a crime family and Electron our resident electric monster who was the fourth member of our group."
"Cool." Zoya says in awe.
"Next we have the enforcers." Johnny said. "They're the guys who actually get to have the most fun. They get to go down and enforce our wills by destroying our rivals and making sure our dealers are doing their jobs properly. The enforcers will be Mungus, Gentlight and Southpaw."
"Nice!" Southpaw smirked.
"Can't wait to have some fun." Mungus said,
"Um, what about me?" Zoya asked meekly gaining everyone's attention. "You didn't give me a role?" Johnny's face becomes serious as he approached Zoya.
"We haven't forgotten you." Johnny tells her. "But we need know something. How committed are you to the Terror Crew?"
"I am fully committed to this team." Zoya said with determination.
"Good, because if anything happens to any of us either thrown in the Dungeon, retirement, or death. You will be place in charge of the Terror Crew. Everything the light touches is your city." Johnny said.
"No more doubts kid." Squatch added. "Part of the reason that you haven't been able to completely cover your body in steel is your own self-doubt and uncertainty. You can't have any of that. You gotta be a hundred percent committed to this crew. Got it?"
"I got it." Zoya nodded.
"So I ask you again." Johnny says. "Are you committed to the Terror Crew? What do you want to accomplish here?" Zoya looked down deep in thought.
"What do I want?" Zoya thought. "Mastering my powers? No that's too small thinking. Hmm. I haven't really given much thought about what I want but then again I never thought I'd make it this far. Wait. That's it! I know what I want now." She looks up at Johnny with a serious look on her face before standing off the couch. "I want to be a member of the Terror Crew. I want to help the Terror Crew accomplish their goals and destroy anyone who gets in the way of those goals." As she spoke her body slowly began to be covered in steel. "And when everything is all said in done and you guys are either arrested or dead, I'm gonna take over and lead my own Terror Crew. Then the city will truly fear the name and power of the new Iron Curtain!" Once she's finished her body is completely covered in steel. She sees everyone looking down at her with smirks on their faces.
"Good answer." Johnny says. He holds out a mirror and shows Zoya that she's fully steel. "Now that your doubts are gone and your powers are working properly now, you're training can intensify. Your rank with kid, is Prospect. Once you're training is finished you'll become an enforcer. But for now, Tiger, increase her training. The real work begins now."
Tetherby is sitting in his office with deadpan look on his face as he pours a glass of scotch. "It was all there and it was taken away from me." He said.
"I'm sorry sir." Stuart tells him. "I was certain that the plan was foolproof. I never imagined that the L-Crew would find their way back. I take full responsibility for this."
"Yes you do. Now we need another plan to destroy the L-Crew." Tetherby said.
"I'm sure we'll think of something Sir." Stuart said.
"What about that one project that you were working on alongside Vector?" Xander asked.
"You mean the clone of Berserker?" Stuart asked.
"Yes him. I want to speed up the process." Tetherby said.
"Yes sir." Stuart says. "I'll get right on it." Stuart then walks out.
"So how did things go with your Multiversal counterparts?" Xander asked.
"Things were going so well. I learned so much about their universes, themselves and the pests they have to deal with." Tetherby explained. "Everything was going so well until those portals opened up."
Flashback- a few days ago.
"Interesting. Your pests are champions of the Gods." Tetherby says.
"Indeed. Very annoying." Titan Tetherby said with a growl. Suddenly a wormhole opens in the office. "What's happening?"
"A portal opened up!" Demon Tetherby exclaimed.
Just then Monster Hunter gets sucked up in the wormhole along with Demon Tetherby. "What is going on!?" Tetherby questioned as he witness his other copies being sucked up in the wormhole.
"Those heroes must have found a way to send everyone back to their respective universes!" Tetherby X shouted. He turns to Andrew Tetherby. "You said that your plan was foolproof!" He's then sucked through the portal.
"It was foolproof. The L-Crew must have found a way to reverse it!" Tetherby growled right before the portal closes. "I hate those kids."
End Flashback
"Everything fell apart." Tetherby growled. "They made me look like a fool." He turns to Xander. "I want you and Helios to continue to monitor our other experiment. He should be almost ready." He looks around the room. "Where's Pike?" Xander reaches into his pocket and pulls out a piece of paper.
"He wanted me to give you this." Xander said as he handed Tetherby the paper.
"His two week notice?" Tetherby says. "This is actually well filled out. I'm surprised he followed protocol for this."
"As he put it, he may be a psychopathic murderer but even he follows job protocol." Xander said with a shrug.
"I don't know what his next job will be. I just hope he doesn't cross paths with our plans." said Tetherby.
"I doubt that will happen." Xander said.
"Head downstairs and do your assignment." Tetherby orders. "I wish to be alone now."
"If you say so." Xander said as he exited Tetherby's office.
"Every time." Tetherby growled as he stared into his scotch. "Every damn time! Perhaps I need to take a different approach in dealing with my enemies." He takes a sip. "Time to get to work."
Zachlor16: Hey guys thanks for reading. Yeah I know we said May but this chapter was longer than anticipated because it's now June. So yeah. Also to clear a few things up that I know some of y'all will complain about.
1) More Terror Crew members. Yes Terror Crew got four more members and we plan on adding one more. Here's the thing. It's all part of the Terror Crew's plan. Just trust us.
2) Another energy user. Here's the thing, yes we have several people with different energy powers. But we've made it clear that they all have different types of energy powers. Nuke and Surge have Nuclear energy. Helios has solar energy. Cheat has kinetic energy. Chloe has Neon light energy which isn't even really energy. It's just her gaining different abilities depending on color. And Gentlight has light energy. He's basically that one admiral from One Piece. They have different energies so we see no problems here. Anyways hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you next time!
Smoke: yeah sorry for the long wait, you can blame tears of the Kingdom. I've been too busy finding all the towers and shrines. Plus we had to added the flashback to Tetherby's variants being sent back to their own universes. We forgot to add it in. We were focused on ending this arc, we forgot to add that scene. Anyway please read and review.
