Virgil had been shocked when the man had not only looked the other way as he spoke to his father; he encouraged Virgil to check in with his father to let him know he was okay. It had been invigorating to speak with his father, but he had to be careful what he told him. He knew his father, Robert Hawkins, was intuitive, and if he said the wrong thing his father would figure out he wasn't doing nearly as well as he wanted his father to believe.

He had done several other assignments, and, to his own shock, the masked superheroes/vigilantes had made no attempts to stop him. He hadn't even seen any of them since this whole mess had begun, and, truthfully, that hurt more than he cared to admit that they weren't even trying to intervene to stop him. He was unaware they were working in the background following leads to find whoever was doing this to him to finally put a stop to it.

Bruce scowled as he watched the footage of Static infiltrating one of his warehouses. He didn't understand how the kid had made it from Star City to Gotham in less than a day, but he wasn't going to ask questions now.

He had made sure that the only copy of that footage was in the Bat-computers. The items he took would disappear from the computers as if they had never existed in the first place leaving no evidence the theft had ever taken place much less that Virgil "Static" Hawkins was the culprit. It was the best that Bruce could do for the young man in question. It was clear that no security personnel saw the young man enter or exit the building, which for a self-trained teen superhero who's powers circle around electricity and electromagnetism that was an impressive feat. It also made Bruce rethink his hiring practices for security personnel if a 16-year-old could get passed them.

Bruce noticed that the kid used a communicator, not his normal shock vox, but something else to communicate with the blackmailer to get assignments and drop off points. Bruce wondered if that device might be the key to getting Gear, who he had easily deduced, was Richard 'Richie' Foley, Virgil's best friend.

It took him a while to isolate the transmission frequency of the communicator.

"Any luck on helping Static, sir?" Alfred asked.

"Yes… what's going to be hard is getting the information to Virgil without the captors finding out." Bruce replied.

Static scowled as he retreated to his hideout in Gotham. It had been less than 48 hours since he left Dakota, how he got to Star City and to Gotham in that short a period of time was beyond even him. Then he remembered that strange feeling that had hit him as he flew out of the city limits of Star City and then suddenly found himself coming up to Gotham.

He was beyond exhausted, staying awake by only his own willpower and an unhealthy dose of caffeine. He felt his eyelids drooping dangerously but he couldn't sleep, not yet, not until he got the drop off assignment from his last mission.

Gear on the other hand was trying to understand who it was that had him. Figure out what made him tick and see if there was any way he could MacGyver his way out. He was a super genius after all, this was a room with four walls and a locked door. There had to be a way for him to get out of there.

The man returned with another meal and another opportunity to speak with Static.

Richie tried again, unsuccessfully, to get Virgil to stop fighting for him but Virgil wouldn't listen to him. Wouldn't stop, they were a team, family and family didn't quit fighting for each other.

The man took the tray, but he didn't leave right away, there was something strange going on and Richie wanted answers.

"I get the feeling you have questions for me." The man said.

"Yeah, lots, but we'll start with, who are you?" Richie asked, "Why use Static?"

"You may call me Syphon and as for why use Static… why not?"

"Wait… you don't really have an endgame do you… you're not doing this for a reason… you're doing it for the hell of it?"

"Maybe I am… maybe I'm not" Syphon replied his smug tone made Richie want to knock his teeth in and Richie wasn't usually one to resort to violence.

"Is that why you keep giving him easy jobs?"

"I don't know why these jobs are going so easily for him… I haven't thought about it." Syphon shrugged "Oh well as long as he keeps delivering I'll keep you."

Richie went back to the cot he had been sleeping on when suddenly a wave of power pushed him towards the wall rendering him unconscious. When he roused he found the cot had been replaced with a proper metal framed twin bed with a mattress that was comparable or better than the one he had at home, he also had a stack of comic books and larger graphic novels. Though he noted to his chagrin the mattress was memory foam therefore no wire springs that he could pull out and use to engineer his escape. It also lacked a box spring so no weapons could be made from that either. Not that he had backpack with him to help him in his escape.

"Call it a reward for your own good behavior." Syphon's voice rang in his mind.

Richie looked to see it was every issue of his favorite comic series including the latest issues that he had yet to be able to get his hands on.

He glared at the door, bribes to continue to behave, but he had no choice but to behave until he had the tools he needed to not behave.

Richie never put much stock in prayer, but he was praying to any deity that would listen that Virgil didn't end up in jail or worse.

Batman sat back in his chair his mind going over the conversation he had with Mystic Sage about the situation with Static and Gear. He honestly hoped he was making the right decision calling Nightwing to let the Teen Titans know what was happening and see if they would be willing to send Jean into the danger zone.

Flashback

Batman was consulting Mystic Sage on what the best course of action was against Syphon.

"For Syphon, living beings in any world are like chess pieces… just things to be controlled and played with." Mystic Sage explained. "Until they outlive their usefulness… then they are expendable."

"So Static and Gear are no more than mere means to whatever ends he's aiming for?" Batman asked.

Mystic Sage nodded "Basically Syphon's greatest opponent has always been… well… me" he shrugged. "If you truly want to help Static I think you should contact Nightwing."

Batman quirked a brow.

"Are you sure that's a good idea… getting Jean involved might be opening ourselves up to the notion that we might be doing all of this only to doom Gear." Batman sighed "For all we know the reason Static hasn't reached out for help is due to the fact that he was threatened with Gear's safety if he acted in such a manner."

"Jean wouldn't need to be a hero ally, just be there as a confidant to help him through all of this." Mystic Sage replied with a light shrug.

"Okay… I'll contact Nightwing…" Bruce replied quietly then went to his computer to pull up the communication frequency for the Teen Titans.

Nightwing had been bewildered when Batman contacted him but relented when he said it was likely best that Jean went out to Gotham to help Static deal with his dilemma. He could see the titans were, in their own way, concerned about the situation but as of now were only minimally affected by it. He heard the girl they called Mockingbird in the background requesting a hiatus to go with her siblings to Dakota to help pick up the slack while Static and Gear were absent. Nightwing hesitated but then relented and let her go.

End Flashback

Virgil put in his order and went to pay only to find that he didn't have enough cash on him and was about to change his order when he saw someone come around beside him.

"Add my order to his and I'll pay for the lot." The kid said then put in his order.

"Thanks, kid but… how…"

"Don't worry about it, Virgil, call it a gift… I believe we have much to discuss and very little time."

"Wait… what… how did you know my name?" Virgil stuttered.

"First food… then we will discuss how I know all of these things." The kid replied "Oh by the way… just to even the score… my name is Jean…"

Virgil quirked an eyebrow but didn't say anything else until the food came out and they started to leave the restaurant.

"Where have you been staying?" Jean asked.

Virgil looked away silently not wanting to reveal that he had been staying in a run down, abandoned house. They walked silently until they arrived at the house.

"This is a dump" Jean said only to be met with a harsh glare from Virgil.

"Sorry if it's not to your liking" he snapped "I'm under eighteen and I've barely been getting enough to eat on."

"You'd think Syphon would have given you a place to stay if he was going to use you." Jean muttered.

"Who is 'Syphon'?" Virgil asked.

"I've got a lot to explain" Jean sighed "But first I get the feeling this food tastes better hot so let's eat."

"To understand what I'm about to say about Syphon I need to tell you a little bit about myself… have you heard of the theory of the multiverse?'

"Yeah… multiple earths, multiple dimensions in which there are either subtle or substantial differences… yes I've heard of it I read comic books. What about it?" Virgil asked.

"It isn't a theory… it's fact and I'm living proof since I did come from one of those different dimensions."

Virgil almost choked on his drink.

"You're yankin my chain!"

"No, I am telling you the truth." Jean replied "Syphon is not unlike yourself, he is a bang baby but he like so many others let the power go to his head… to him others are mere playthings that are only useful until they have fulfilled whatever purpose he needed them for… then they become expendable… a prime example would be an alien known as Blackfire that he tried to use to get to me, convinced her he was in love with her, then threw her to the wolves when she outlived her usefulness."

"Harsh… So… what does he have against you?" he asked after swallowing a bite of burger.

"Syphon and I… we are basically the same person but from different universes… he is the version of me native to this universe."

Virgil had just finished his burger and was working on his fries when he began to process that last sentence.

"That's got to be a weird."

"You have no idea… but back to what I was saying… Unlike Syphon I was born with my powers, so I tried to help him learn to control his powers, but as I told you he let the power go to his head and I was forced to give up and flee for my own sake."

"So… you lived in Dakota at one point?" he said, but it came out as more of a question than a statement.

"That's right… spark-bug…"

Virgil had his drink in hand and had to act fast not to drop it as the memory flooded back of that moment when he and Sage first met.

Flashback

The Thanagarian invasion was in full force and Static, of course, couldn't sit on his hands while his city was threatened. He looked over as Hotstreak lobbed a fire ball at the nearest Thanagarian and shook his head at the thought that he would ever be on the same side of any battle as Hotstreak.

"Don't get used to it… once these winged assholes are gone it's back to business as usual." Hotstreak commented over his shoulder.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Static replied.

Static went over and created some ball lightning to take out his opponent in a flashy display, but, to his horror, the ball bounced back at him and sent him careening into a brick wall.

"Less showing off… more fighting, spark-bug!" a British accented voice admonished curtly.

"Who are you?" Static asked "and don't call me that."

"They call me Sage." Was the reply as the person in question came into view.

Static flew back down so he was only a few feet off the ground when suddenly the nearby fire hydrant took a direct hit as someone swung for Hotstreak, but he dodged. Static and Hotstreak were instantly soaked, Static shorted and Hotstreak's fires were extinguished.

Sage grimaced as both of them reacted in what would almost be interpreted as pain as they were soaked, and their powers were killed by the liquid.

The Thanagarians were about to capture Static and Hotstreak when Sage grabbed the two of them and teleported them out.

"Funny… opposite sides, same weakness." Sage observed as the two of them recovered.

"Ha… ha… very funny." Hotstreak muttered as he pulled himself to his feet.

Static looked around then reached and pulled out a couple of zap caps to recharge as he knew it would be faster for Hotstreak to recover than him and he didn't want to be caught off guard if Hotstreak decided now was a good time to betray.

"Who are you?" Hotstreak asked looking at the new arrival.

"I'm Sage."

End Flashback

"No… no way that's impossible… you're too young to be Sage. I worked with you once... but I swear I asked you to never call me that!"

"You did…" Jean smiled "My powers allow me to use the power of illusion, I can appear younger or older… and sorry not sorry about that nickname I'm afraid you're stuck with that one… it's just too funny." He explained waiting for Virgil to catch up to the other implications of his earlier statement muttering a countdown starting at three and ending as Virgil's eyes went wide.

"Wait… how… I'm" Virgil stuttered for a second "How did you know I was Static?"

Jean points to his head "Telepathy"

"But I'm… we proved with Madeline Spalding I'm immune, or at least resistant to most telepathic powers."

"What makes you think I got the information out of your head?" Jean asked "You do have a handful of people that do know your identity. Your dad… Richie… Batman… Rubber Band Man… I believe Superman knows too… so take your pick… they aren't immune like you."

Virgil just stares at him for a moment.

"You should be a lot more careful with your identity…" Jean pointed out "We can talk more later… grab your things, I have someplace better for us to stay.

"Okay…' Virgil said hesitantly grabbing his backpack and following Jean out of the house and towards wherever it was they were going to go.

Meanwhile: Chi, Stormfront and Mockingbird were at the Hawkins house talking with Robert about what they could do to further help keep the city of Dakota safe when his phone rang. It was Maggie Foley, Richie's mother, and Robert looked worried.

Mockingbird said something to Chi in Filipino and then Chi silently asked Robert for the phone as Mockingbird began to mutter a spell.

"Hi, mom… I'm fine, yes, mom…"

Robert's eyes went wide when Chi opened his mouth and Richie's voice came out.

"How is he doing that?" Robert asked.

"He isn't that's her doing… she's a witch, she cast a spell to make Chi sound like Richie." Stormfront explained "Well his voice sounds that way at least, it's up to Chi to convince Mrs. Foley that she is speaking to her son."

Chi got off the phone and let out a long, relieved sigh.

"Well, we've been handed a blessing." He said back in his own voice "The Foleys were called out of town and were hoping that you wouldn't mind Richie staying the rest of the week here with you."

"No, that's fine." Robert replied.

"They said he could go by the house Monday and let himself in to get more clothes."

"If he's back by Monday" Stormfront muttered which earned a glare from the others.

"What… we really don't know if they're going to be back in time" she reasoned honestly.

"Unfortunately, Stormfront is right." Robert sighed. "We can't assume that this whole situation will be resolved by Monday or if either of them will be in any condition to go to school when Monday does roll around."

"Can't you make some excuse for them?" Chi asked.

"For Virgil yes… but for Richie I'd need Sean or Maggie."

"Hello, what am I, chopped liver… if you have his information I can make Stormfront sound like Maggie I'd just need to hear her voice."

Virgil sat by Jean his mind reeling with question.

"Aren't you worried Syphon is gonna find out you're here? I know I'm terrified he's gonna hurt Richie." Virgil sighed.

"I'm only here for moral support." Jean pointed out "Besides my being here benefits Syphon, you're of no use to him if you're too exhausted to continue or you're shorted out."

"That doesn't help any…"

"Look I've seen what he took and regardless of what threats he has made he needs Richie alive."

"What do you mean… what does this stuff have to do with Richie?"

"He's trying to build a device to track meta humans, in my universe it's known as Cerebro, it allows a telepath like Syphon or myself find the unique brain waves of the mutants in my universe, I don't know if it would work on the metahumans of this universe." Jean sighed "I believe he's trying to create a portable version and… and he thinks Richie could do it."

"So, he wants to create his own gang… like Ebon did…" Virgil inferred.

"Not exactly, he wants to take their powers, his thought is why have a gang when he can have all the power for himself and not have to rely on the loyalty of lackies?"

"So. when he went power hunger he really went power hungry."

"Exactly…"

Suddenly the communicator went off.

"Hey… it's Static." Virgil said as Jean goes silent.

"I have your next assignment… but first… hello Jean…"

"Syphon…"

"It's good to hear from you again… how is Raven since I messed with her mind?"

"She's doing much better, can't wait to see you again."

"Who is Raven?" Virgil mouthed.

"Later" Jean mouthed back.

"Static, I am so sorry where are my manners… your assignment…" Syphon said but Virgil could tell he wasn't actually being genuine with his apology.

Syphon detailed an assignment that would have him leave out the next morning to go to Central City to retrieve some items from Starr Labs.

"Okay, question is how am I going to get there from here?" Virgil wondered as he sat with Jean.

"Look let's worry about that tomorrow… here… go get a nice hot shower and we can talk about it later." Jean says handing Virgil a bag of clothes.

"Where'd you get these?" Virgil asked recognizing the sweatpants as a pair he had in his dresser.

"Shower now… questions later." Jean replied.

"You saying I stink?"

"No… saying it out loud would be rude… now go!"

Virgil walked away muttering something that sounded like "you just did."

Jean looked up as Virgil got out of the bathroom,.

"So how did you get these clothes?" Virgil asked.

"Batman provided transportation for Mockingbird and me to Dakota then transported me from Dakota to here. While I was there I stopped by your house and got these from your father." Jean explained.

"Did pops say anything to you?"

"No but he did give me this to give you." Jean handed him an envelope "I figured it was private between you and your father, so I didn't read it. Though the curiosity was overwhelming."

"Thanks…" Virgil sighed opening the envelope, all the while side eyeing Jean as if trying to figure out if he was telling the truth about not reading his father's note.

"You're a weird kid, ya know it?" Virgil muttered.

"Thank you, and proud of it." Jean replied earning an eye roll.

Virgil sat down on the bed and opened the note.

"Take care of yourself, son, I'm worried about you. I know this is hard but don't forget I'm always here for you. Please, come home safe, love you, Dad." He read.

Virgil looked into the envelope and found some cash in there as well.

"Your dad must care about you a lot… it must be nice…"

"Yeah… wait… you… you don't have parents?" Virgil asked in confusion.

"My father was in prison the day I was born and… and my mother died the same day…"

"Damn, and… and I thought I had it rough… at least I have pops and Sharon, you don't even have that." Virgil sighed giving Jean's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"It wasn't all bad, I had my uncle and cousin, but it would have still been nice to have my parents though."

"I'll bet it would have been." Virgil sighed.

They went to bed and tried to get some sleep but Jean would notice that Virgil was having a lot of difficulty falling asleep. Jean sat up and looked at Virgil in bed.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine… I… I just can't sleep…" Virgil replied sitting up in bed.

"I know this is difficult for you but in order to keep going you have to rest."

"I know… I…" Virgil fell backwards onto his pillows "I'm just worried about Richie, my pops… what's going to happen if something goes wrong, and I get caught…"

"Look, we'll cross that bridge when it comes. Worrying about the future at this point is only going to make things harder in the present." Jean sighed,

"I kinda can't help it… just like I can't help thinkin about what's gonna happen t' me when all of this is over, and all these thefts get tied back to me."

"You don't think any of the other heroes are going to let that happen, do you? I'm sure once you explain they'll understand?"

"'Oh… Static, so you took it upon yourself to break into these high-tech companies instead of coming to us or the proper authorities'" Virgil said in a mock authoritative tone then switched to his normal voice. "I mean c'mon Jean, wake up and smell the bacon… I haven't seen a single other hero yet and I've been in two different cities both of which I know have heroes guarding them. I'm sure they gave up on me."

"I don't think they gave up on you" Jean said, "Have a little faith."

"Then why don't they show their faces?" Virgil demanded standing from his bed "Faith… you wanna talk to me about faith… my best friend is God only knows where undergoing God only knows what. I can't do anything and from what I can see they aren't doing anything. Hell by the look of it they don't even see me as being worth the time it would take to stop!" He ranted pacing the floor "Time to face the music… Jean… I'm on my own."

Jean starts to say something but stops as if he can't find the right words. Then finally gives a slight shrug.

"I see your point."

"Now do you understand… I mean look at me I'm not gonna make it through this with my rep intact. I spent years building myself as a hero… who's gonna believe me now!" Virgil demanded tears rolling down his cheeks. "I'm finished, Jean… finished!"

"Look it's not helping you or Richie by getting this worked up this late at night. We will worry about the aftereffects when we get there. Right now, we need to try and get some sleep, we won't be of any use to Gear if we're too exhausted to continue."

Virgil wiped the tears off his face.

"You're right but…" Virgil trailed off not sure what to say next.

After a few minutes of sitting in silence he stretched out on the bed to try to convince his mind to shut down. Virgil isn't sure what happened next but soon his eyelids began to get heavier and heavier and soon the dark of sleep dragged him under into the most restful sleep he'd had in since the ordeal began.

Jean watched as Virgil slowly slipped off to sleep then walked over and tucked him in a little better.

"I'm always here to take care of you." He whispered then returned to his bed.

"You can take care of him but who is going to take care of you?" Syphon's voice echoed in Jean's mind, but Jean rolled over and ignored him.

To Be Continued…