“You’ve lost your edge.” The Freak taunted, as he swung his fist at Darklight, connecting with the side of the villain’s face. “I’m as strong as you are now.”
“I’m still faster.” Darklight replied, as he delivered two blows to The Freak’s torso, before he could react.
“You move faster, but your reactions aren’t faster.” The Freak got another shot in, winding his opponent. “I can still hit you.”
“But I can hit you more.” Darklight hit The Freak with a flurry of shots, each one harder than before.
The Freak replied with a roundhouse kick to the hip, and a punch to the solar plexus, sending Darklight reeling. “I was trained by The Blackbird. I can hit you better.”
In the air above them, Thunderbolt and the shadow dragon circled each other. “You’re never going to win this, you know that right?” Shadowjumper shouted, from his position on the dragon’s back.
“My predecessors lived to fight dragons.” Thunderbolt said. “I think I can beat you.”
The sky above them began to darken with clouds, as Thunderbolt summoned his powers to their full force.
“You’re making it darker?” Shadowjumper laughed. “You’re just making my dragon stronger!”
“I can still beat it.” Thunderbolt said, as he swung his hammer at the dragon, barely grazing its scaly chest.
“You’re going to have to do better than that.” Shadowjumper laughed, as the dragon engulfed Thunderbolt in flames.
The dragon wasn’t the only thing strengthened by the shadows cast by the stormclouds that were filling the sky. The huge, batlike creatures that composed the Black Swarm were much stronger than they had ever been in the material dimension. While they would usually be destroyed by a moderate impact, they had become almost completely corporeal. The Swarm was deadly, there were dozens of them, and they were all focused on one target. Nymphette.
The slender beauty had managed to hold her own against the swarm, dispatching at least ten with her water jets, before the sky had clouded over. Now she was on the defensive, using her control over water to erect barriers, deflecting the Swarm’s attacks, as she ducked and weaved around the street. She was successful in her defense, but she was getting tired fast.
Her distress didn’t warrant a glance from her ally Perdition, as he focused his strength on battling the other magician, Darktamer. The two traded spells, as each one tapped into his seemingly limitless knowledge of attacks and counterspells. Occasionally, one would tap into his natural abilities, Darktamer’s natural affinity for summoning and controlling pure darkness and Perdition’s ability to control the earth around him, courtesy of his demon father. Each of these attacks would be met by their counterpoint. Neither magician could gain the upper hand.
“Mate, unless you get very very lucky, I’m gonna win this.” Perdition grinned. “My power reserves are deeper than yours.”
“I don’t need luck.” Darktamer scowled, as he activated another spell with a wave of his hand. Glowing knives appeared in front of him and directed themselves straight at Perdition, who drew a symbol in the air in front of him. The knives hit an invisible barrier and disappeared.
“I think you do.” Perdition said, as he drew his sword and charged.
In the middle of the street, there was nothing but darkness. In the middle of the darkness stood Talon, The Gibbon and Hyper Girl. Somewhere in the depths of the darkness was Nightfall.
“You’re never going to be able to beat me.” Nightfall said. Talon instantly threw a shuriken towards the sound of his voice.
“You know I can throw my voice.” Nightfall taunted, from a completely different spot, almost the opposite of his previous position. Moments later, from a third position, a kick connected with the side of Talon’s head, the unexpected blow staggered the heroine, but she managed to stay standing. She swung a fist into the darkness, but found nothing.
“You’re going to have to do better than that.” Nightfall hit her again, from the other side, knocking her legs out from under her, before kicking her in the ribs a few times. Before she could grab his leg, he had ducked back out of her range.
“Where are you?” Hyper Girl demanded. “Just try and attack me.”
Nightfall’s laughter echoed around the teenager. “I’ve already seen your forcefield.” He said.
The Gibbon cried out in pain, as he received a kick directly to his groin area. He fell down, clutching the damaged region.
“Two down…” Nightfall chuckled.
Hyper Girl was starting to get worried. He couldn’t touch her, sure, but her team mates were on the ground, incapacitated, vulnerable to any assault. She had to act fast. It only took her a moment to think of her plan.
“You’re right.” Hyper Girl said, as she silently prayed for her idea to work. “They are both down.”
A halo of light formed around Hyper Girl’s waist, before expanding in an instant, passing safely over her teammates, and hitting Nightfall full force, knocking him flying. The villain crumpled onto the ground, unconscious, and the darkness dissipated.
Hyper Girl acted fast. One Hyper-Blast dispatched Shadowjumper, knocking him from the dragon’s back and onto a nearby roof. Hyper Girl assumed that there was no way he would fall so far without at least falling unconscious from his injuries. Thunderbolt summoned lightning from the storm clouds and dispatched the dragon, while Hyper Girl turned her attention to the Dark Swarm.
His opponent dealt with, Thunderbolt rushed to The Freak’s aid. Although the stone man was more than holding his own, Thunderbolt’s added power made short work of Darklight.
“Guys, tend to Talon and The Gibbon.” Hyper Girl ordered, as she fried the last of the Shadow-plane creatures. “We’ll finish this fight.”
Hyper Girl and Nymphette rushed to Perdition’s side. “Nymphette, hit him with everything you’ve got.” Hyper Girl said. “Perdition, I assume you’ve got some big magical whammy saved up?” The Brit nodded. “I’ll shield you, you get it started.”
“It’s already started; I just need to get close enough.” Perdition said, hefting his sword. “His defences are fairly strong.”
“So are my attacks.” Hyper Girl said, firing a Hyper-Blast at the black fog swirling around Darktamer.
Perdition seemed satisfied and charged forward, protected from the tendrils of darkness that Darktamer attacked him with, while all the while defending himself from the deluge Nymphette was attacking him with. Perdition shouted something in another language, as his sword burst into flames and cut through all the magical shields Darktamer had surrounded himself with, and cut through his shoulder to the bone.
The villain screamed in pain, as he clutched at his haemorrhaging shoulder. Perdition calmly wiped the blood off his sword on his opponent’s clothes and sheathed it. Barely a minute later, Darktamer collapsed from blood loss.
“Alright Boomers, stick a fork in it. We’re done.” Hyper Girl said.
<><><>
“And, though it was a team effort, it was truly Hyper Girl who saved the day.” Talon told the assembled press.
“Hyper Girl! What do you have to say to your detractors now?” One of the journalists shouted.
Hyper Girl smiled. “I guess I’m not the baby of the team anymore.” She paused. “Of course, with a name like Hyper Girl, I’m always going to have that image. Which is why, before this very press conference, I re-registered my identity.”
“From this day forward, my name is Aurora.”
“How much longer is he going to be here?” Hyper Girl scowled at Perdition, who was stretched out on the sofa, with soccer playing on the television.
“Until the Order of Darkness turn up.” The Gibbon shrugged. “He’s not that bad.”
The two heroes sat at the dinner table. The Boomers had a common area in their headquarters, from back in the glory days, when the whole team had lived there on a semi-permanent basis. It had all the basics, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a recreation area, complete with pool table.
“He’s such a pig. And he’s… Ugh.” Hyper Girl said, poking around at her cereal. “He just makes me so mad sometimes.”
The Gibbon looked at his younger teammate carefully. “We’re not talking about the Brit anymore, are we?”
Hyper Girl looked back up at The Gibbon. “… No.” She admitted.
“Boyfriend?” Gibbon asked.
Hyper Girl nodded. “We had a fight. A stupid fight. I overreacted. I’ve been ignoring his messages out of stubbornness.”
The Gibbon smiled and shook his head. “Kids.” He said.
Hyper Girl gave a faint smile. “I know, it’s silly… He just… For a genius, he really doesn’t think sometimes, you know?”
“Look who you’re talking to here.” The Gibbon said.
“True.” Hyper Girl had a full smile on her face now. “I guess if anyone knew about that kind of thing, it would be you.”
“Easy now kid.” Gibbon laughed.
“Quiet, I’m trying to watch the bloody game.” Perdition yelled.
<><><>
“There is absolutely no way.” Nymphette insisted.
“I’m telling you it’s true. It’s my job to know what my team is capable of.” Talon said.
“So? You’re wrong. You’ve gotta be.” Nymphette said.
“No. Thunderbolt is still as strong as The Freak, even without his hammer.” Talon said.
“Impossible. The hammer is the source of his powers.” Nymphette said.
Talon shrugged.
“It’s not possible. You have to prove it.” Nymphette insisted.
Talon sighed. “Fine. Arm wrestling?”
“Done.” Nymphette said.
“Do they know we’re right here?” The Freak whispered to Thunderbolt.
“Talon does.” Thunderbolt replied. “I’d bet my hammer on it.”
“Bet!” Nymphette yelled, overhearing the men. “We need to put a bet on this!”
Talon shook her head. “You’re kidding.”
“No! Loser has to pay for the winner’s drinks every night out for the next month.” Nymphette said.
Talon smiled. Nymphette spent many more nights out on the town than she did. The bet was definitely in her favour.
“You’re on.” Talon said.
Moments later, there was a table in the middle of the Boom Room, and Thunderbolt and The Freak sat on opposite sides.
“This is going to be interesting.” The Freak said.
“I agree.” Thunderbolt said, handing his hammer over to Nymphette, who took a few steps back.
“This bet is as good as mine. Thunderbolt is powerless without his hammer.” Nymphette said.
Talon sighed. “No he’s not.”
Nymphette’s eyes went wide, as the boys started their arm-wrestling match. They strained in the middle, neck-and-neck for a minute, before Thunderbolt began to gain ground on his teammate, eventually putting his hand flat against the table.
“But…” Nymphette pouted.
“Just because the hammer is the source of his powers doesn’t mean he’s powerless without it.” Talon said.
Thunderbolt smiled. “Mjolnir does give me a boost.” He reassured her. “But I’m still pretty tough without it.”
Talon patted Nymphette on the back. “I think a night out is in order.”
“That’ll have to wait.” Perdition was standing in the doorway.
“They’re on the move?” Talon asked.
Perdition nodded.
“Let’s move. It’s Boom Time.”
<><><>
“Kind of fitting, isn’t it?” The Freak asked, sitting next to Talon in the cockpit of the Sonic Boom.
Talon looked out the windshield at the city below. Miami.
“We’re going to win this time.” Talon said. “We’re going to get those bastards back. For Minerva, Pike and Blowout.”
“And for your limbs.” The Freak nodded.
“Right. Have you got this? I have to brief the troops.” Talon asked.
“Of course.” The Freak grabbed the second set of controls.
<><><>
Darklight hefted the pile of paintings. “Ok, let’s go.” Nightfall said. “Shadowjumper, we need an exit.”
Shadowjumper nodded, as he searched, using his natural affinity to find the best entrance to take. “Just outside. Minimum travelling distance.” He said.
“Darktamer, release the guards.” Nightfall ordered.
The thick, black tendrils that held the gallery’s security in place receded. “There’s nothing that can stop us now anyway.” Darktamer said.
Nightfall gave a faint smile, turning back to face his teammates as he walked out the front door. “Nothing can stop us ever.” The leader said.
“We’d like to put that one to the test.”
Nightfall’s eyes went wide, but he regained his composure as he turned to see Talon and the East Coast Boomers standing in the street.
“Here to sacrifice another team to us?” Nightfall asked, drawing a scowl from Talon.
“Oh no Nightfall, they’ve got backup this time.” Shadowjumper scoffed.
“A pretty boy, two little girls, a monkey and whoever that guy with the sword is.” Darklight laughed.
“Idiot.” Darktamer said. “Thunderbolt, Hyper Girl and Perdition. Don’t take this lightly.”
“Aww, we don’t get a mention?” The Gibbon asked.
“Darktamer is just trying to sort out which one of us ‘e’s going to have to fight ‘imself.” Perdition said. “Don’t worry Darkie, it’s just little old me.”
Relief appeared on Darktamer’s face, as he realised he wouldn’t have to fight Thunderbolt, but the seriousness was back within a moment.
“Shadowjumper…” Nightfall said.
“You’re not escaping.” Talon said.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Shadowjumper smiled.
The largest shadow in the vicinity was that cast by the gallery itself. A clawed arm reached out, followed by another, and a large, scaled head and neck.
“Oh my god…” The Freak said.
“There wasn’t one near enough in Salt Lake City, or else those kids would all be dead.” Shadowjumper said. “But Miami is dragon-country.”
The dragon emerged from the shadow portal, followed by a cloud of winged shadow-beasts.
“Thunderbolt… Dragon’s yours, you got this?” Talon asked.
Thunderbolt smiled. “Of course. Who better to fight a dragon, than the embodiment of Thor’s power?”
“Are we going to stop talking and fight, or what?” Nightfall asked.
The Dark Swarm began divebombing Nymphette. “I guess that answers the question.” Talon said.
The Freak crash-tackled Darklight, and the two titans began wrestling on the ground, as Thunderbolt flew at the dragon, and arcane energies began crackling around Darktamer and Perdition.
“I guess that just leaves us.” Nightfall laughed, as the lights went out for Hyper Girl, Talon and The Gibbon.
Matt held Hannah tight, as the two curled up on his single bed. “I’m so glad you came.” He whispered in her ear.
“I’m glad your room mate had class.” Hannah replied with a giggle.
“You have no idea how bad it’s been.” Matt groaned. “No privacy whatsoever.”
“Must make the whole ‘hero’ thing a little difficult.” Hannah said.
“Thank god for hidden pockets.” Matt waved at his bag.
“Clever.” Hannah said.
“I try.” Matt smiled. “We don’t all have huge Boomers budgets.”
“I guess you small-timers need to make do with what you’ve got.” Hannah teased.
“Small-timers? Really? Coming from ‘Hyper Girl’?” Matt teased.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hannah asked.
“I mean, with a name like that, you’re not really in a position to be calling anyone ‘small-time’.” Matt said.
Hannah turned to face him. “Is that so?” She did not look amused.
“Come on babe, it is kind of childish.” Matt said.
“And I suppose you think ‘Mr Universe’ is just soooo mature?” Hannah asked.
“Well, compared to Hyper Girl…” Matt shrugged.
“Well, if I’m so childish, I guess you won’t want me in your bed.” Hannah slipped out of his arms and stood up.
“Hannah, come on. It’s not that big a deal.” Matt said.
“Isn’t it?” Hannah asked, as she pulled her clothes on.
“Come on babe. I was just teasing.” Matt protested.
“It’s because I’m a Boomer, isn’t it?” Hannah asked.
“What?”
“Because I got what you always wanted, you’ve just got to bring me down.” Hannah said.
“That’s not… What are you talking about?” Matt asked, but got no reply, as Hannah slammed the door behind her.
Matt climbed out of bed and pulled his pants on, not even bothering with a shirt, as he ran out the door after her. When he reached her, she had her phone in her hand. “Ok… I’ll be right there.” She said, before hanging up.
She gave Matt one more hurt look, before taking off into the air with a flash of light.
<><><>
Jasmine rolled her eyes, even though she knew her sister couldn’t see her. “I’m not telling you.”
“You have to. I came all the way across the country to see him. Where is he?” Adrienne whined through the phone.
“I don’t have to do anything baby sister. This isn’t healthy.” Jasmine held a dress in front of herself in the mirror, before tossing it back onto the bed.
“What isn’t healthy is the way that he’s moved his entire life to stay with her.” Adrienne said.
“You can hear yourself, right?” Jasmine asked, pausing for a moment to check herself out in the mirror, clad only in her skimpy lingerie. Was she putting on weight? She squeezed her stomach, watching it in the mirror. “How is that any different to what you’re doing?”
“I’m here to get him back.” Adrienne said. “He’s supposed to be with me.”
Jasmine let go of her stomach and shrugged. Of course she wasn’t putting on weight. Look at that midriff, it’s perfect. “You’re an idiot. He doesn’t want you, he wants Barbie.”
“He thinks she’s what’s best for him. That’s why he had to get away. Because he knows he wants me more.” Adrienne said.
“You need help.” Jasmine said. “Professional help. Preferably back in LA.”
“Just tell me where they are. That’s all I’m asking.” Adrienne begged. “That’s all I want.”
Jasmine sighed. “Addy, I can’t. I might not like her, but I’m not going to help you break up Barbie and Ken.” Before Adrienne could answer, there was a beeping sound. “I’ve got another call, I have to take it.”
Adrienne didn’t get the chance to argue. “Hello?” Jasmine said.
“Jasmine? We need you at Headquarters as soon as possible.” The voice on the other end belonged to The Freak.
“I’ll be right over.” Jasmine said, hanging up. She picked up the last dress she had tried and sighed. It was going to have to do.
<><><>
Hyper Girl walked through the door of the War Room and looked around. The rest of the team had already assembled. Talon was standing in front of the screen, The Freak was at the main computer terminal, Thunderbolt and Nymphette were sitting across from each other at the middle of the table, while The Gibbon sat between Thunderbolt and The Freak, trying not to be noticed.
“Sorry I’m late, I was visiting my boyfriend…” Hyper Girl explained, taking a seat between Nymphette and The Freak. She face Talon.
“Now that we’re all here, it’s time to get down to business.” Talon said, before nodding at The Freak.
The screen behind her came to life, displaying photos of The Order of Darkness.
“I have gathered you all here today for one reason.” Talon said. “The Order of Darkness escaped from Guantanamo Bay a year ago.”
“That’s hardly news.” Nymphette said.
“And we haven’t done anything about it.” Talon said. “That’s going to change.”
“Finally, we’re taking action to stop evil before it has a chance to strike.” Thunderbolt said.
“Exactly. They’ve been active for months now, they go where they please and take whatever they want. Any resistance they meet is dealt with quickly. Nobody else has the firepower to take them down.” Talon explained.
“You mean no-one else has Thunderbolt?” The Gibbon asked. “Because really, he’s the only one here on their level.”
“That’s not true.” Thunderbolt said. “Everyone here does their own part. We’re a team.”
“Thunderbolt is right. Just because I don’t have a magical hammer, doesn’t mean I’m not strong enough to take on Darklight.” The Freak said. “Doesn’t mean Hyper Girl isn’t powerful enough to take down Darktamer. We built this team to cater for each other’s weaknesses. We’re all a part of this.”
“Right up until Thunderbolt is done with us. When does this temporary arrangement end?” Nymphette asked.
“Enough.” Talon said. “We need to focus on the task at hand.”
“Ummm…” Hyper Girl raised her hand. “We only found The Order of Darkness back in Salt Lake City because Fissure was from the future, and knew where they would be… How are we going to find them this time? Shadowjumper makes it impossible to track them, and pretty difficult to catch them.”
“That’s true. In the past, we haven’t been able to track them. But now, we have an advantage.” Talon said.
“Thanks to our little journey into the Shadow Plane, we know the nature of their teleportation.” The Freak explained. “We know that they have to travel through the Shadow Plane to get to their destinations. Shadowjumper is attuned to the Plane somehow, and can place the best trips in and out.”
“How does that help us?” The Gibbon asked.
“The Shadow Plane is a mystical realm.” The Freak said. “It’s highly magical.”
“And we don’t have a magician on this coast.” Nymphette said.
“No, but we do have the budget to hire one.” Talon said.
“Oh no…” Hyper Girl covered her face with her hand.
“’Ello love. I see you remember me.” Perdition said from the doorway.
Margaret woke up gasping for air, cold sweat dripping from her skin. It took her a moment to realise she was back in her room at Boomers’ Central. She cursed her recurring nightmare, and cursed herself for being weak enough to fear it every time.
It certainly didn’t help that every second of it was an actual memory, not just some terror conjured by her mind, but something that had actually happened to her.
The Shadow Plane. Every moment spent there was etched into her brain forever. Try as she might, she couldn’t force herself to forget the terror, or the pain.
Absentmindedly, she flexed her robotic fingers, as she thought of the arm she had lost to the dragon. Over the past year, the new arm and leg that Don Harris, the former Boomer known as Junker, had built for her felt like they were natural, an actual part of her body.
Still, she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep again, not for a while. She thought about calling her husband, but she didn’t want to wake him. Instead, she pulled some sweatpants and a t-shirt on and left her room, heading for the Boom Room, the team’s training facility.
Inside, she found Dr Eugene Phillips, better known to the world at large as her teammate, The Freak, struggling under what appeared to be a giant car-crusher, a hydraulic press designed specifically as an exercise machine for super-strong individuals. Lately, it had been used mostly by the new Gauntlet, as his mentor wanted him in full control of his newfound powers. Margaret had been impressed by the rate at which the boy was learning. Maybe he could be a Boomer some day.
“You’re up late.” Margaret said.
“I hardly sleep at all. I’m not sure I even need to.” Gene replied. “What are you doing up here?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Margaret said. “Thought a work-out might help.”
Gene eyed up his teammate, trying to figure out what was wrong. They had been working together for decades, and had been close friends for almost as long. There was no-one Margaret trusted more in the world, except for Ralph Davis, the original Blackbird, her surrogate father. Even he drew a blank though, as Margaret’s face betrayed no emotion.
“Be my guest. I’m just doing the weights anyway.” Gene said, still inside the hydraulic press.
“I’ll stay out of your way.” Margaret said. “Computer, Agility training. Level Three, Randomize Level Four.” She ordered, as the room’s built-in hologram and robotic system flickered to life, attacking her from all sides, as she strained to block each blow. Even with the enhanced strength her cybernetic limbs gave her, her greatest edge was still her speed, and her training. Without those, she was just another street tough. With those, she was the leader of the primary super-team in the world, regardless of the fact that she was severely underpowered compared to her peers.
“You’re not big on warm-ups, are you?” Gene shouted out from the press. “I was in here yesterday, and that was as high as Pete would go.”
Margaret smiled. “You don’t get warm-ups in the field Gene; you of all people should know that.” She never paused in her motions, always catching the next attack.
“This isn’t the field Maggie. Don’t want you straining yourself.” Gene said.
Margaret shrugged. “I’ve had worse.” She looked down at her robotic arm. The moment’s distraction saw her hit in the head, followed by a series of body-blows, leaving her on the ground.
“All systems shutdown!” Gene ordered, and their was an audible hiss as the hydraulic press shut down.
He rushed over to his teammate as the holograms around her disappeared. “Are you ok?”
“I’m fine.” Margaret said, as she sat up. “I just got distracted. This stupid arm…” She trailed off, staring at the metal appendage.
“Are you having problems with it? You should call Don.” Gene said.
“No, it’s not that. The arm and leg are perfect…” Margaret paused for a moment. “I just… Look, the reason I can’t sleep is… I have nightmares.”
“Nightmares?” Gene was intrigued.
“About the Shadow Plane. About the dragon.” Margaret explained.
“Completely understandable.” Gene said, placing a hand on Margaret’s intact shoulder.
“No, it’s weak. I can’t let it affect me.” Margaret said. “I’m Talon. I’m strong, nothing gets to me.”
“You were dismembered. You’re allowed to carry a little baggage after that.” Gene said.
“I’m not. I have too much responsibility to this team, to the world. I have to be at the top of my game. I can’t have this weak spot. Eventually someone’s going to start exploiting it.” Margaret said, as tears welled in her eyes, refusing to drop.
“Maggie, you’re the bravest person I’ve ever known. You know what that means coming from me.” Gene said.
Maggie stared at him for a moment. The Freak had been a member of the original Boomers team, along with the likes of Miss Liberty and, of course, The Blackbird. “… Thank you.” She said, wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry. I got a little emotional.” She said.
“That’s fine.” Gene said, hesitating for a moment. “Maggie… If you wanted to, you could take some time away from the team.”
Margaret shook her head violently. “It’s going to take more than time off to deal with this.” She allowed herself a small smile. “Besides, without me, you guys are aimless. And this is my team. From Day One, and until the day it’s all over.”
Gene returned his teammate’s smile. “So what’s the plan then? How are you going to beat this?”
Margaret thought about it for a moment. The source of her problems was The Shadow Plane. “What’s the word on the Order of Darkness?” She asked.
“Still at large, they got out in the big Gitmo break-out.” Gene said.
“Thought so.” Margaret said. “Well, I’m going to have to bring them in, aren’t I?”
“And how are you going to find them? They strike whoever, whenever they want.” Gene said.
“A minor detail. Are you in?” Talon asked.
“Of course. I can’t let you fight them on your own.” Gene said.
Margaret smiled. “A Boomer never fights alone.”
“As true as the day Miss Liberty first said it.” Gene said. “I’ll assemble the team in the morning.”
“I have to get this.” Hannah groaned, as she struggled up from her bed, searching for her phone, which was blaring out ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’.
“No. Let it ring babe. I have to go back to college in the morning. This can wait.” Matt reached out and embraced his girlfriend, kissing her on the lips, then the chin, progressing lower and lower. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“No, that’s my Boomers ringtone. It’s business.” Hannah giggled, as she squirmed out of her boyfriend’s grasp.
“Oh, the Boomtown Rats. Clever. I knew I liked you for a reason.” Matt smiled. “Guess you’d best answer that.”
“I knew you’d understand.” Hannah smiled back, as she found her phone. “Hyper Girl here… Ok… Yep… Lirabite?… Oh, ok… Yeah, I’m just with my boyfriend… Uh huh… Ok… See you soon.”
“Lirabite? Aren’t they the aliens who were in Canada last year?” Matt asked.
“Probably. How do you feel about team-ups?” Hannah asked, as she pulled her costume out of her drawer.
“Team-ups?… Wait… Did Talon ask…? Holy crap!” Matt said.
“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’.” Hannah laughed. “You’re so cute when you’re being a fanboy. Did you bring your costume?”
“Always. It’s in my bag. I’ll get changed now.” Matt tumbled out of bed, scrambling across the floor to his bag.
“Amateurs…” Hannah rolled her eyes.
“I’ve been doing this as long as you have!” Matt said, pulling his tights on.
“Of course you have sweetie.” Hannah said, putting her mask on.
<><><>
Mr Universe took a deep breath as Hyper Girl opened the hangar door.
“-so I told Ralph I didn’t mind, I’m sure it was the right decision.” Talon was already waiting, talking to The Freak.
“And you’re fine with it? I mean, we all assumed you were next in line.” The Freak replied.
“No, I think I’ve done alright for myself.” Talon said, looking over at the door. “Oh good, you’re here.”
“And Mr Universe accepted our invitation.” The Freak added. “It’s good to see you again.”
Mr Universe’s eyes went wide. “Th-thank you sir.” He stammered.
Talon smiled. “You can face off against Gauss alone, but we still make you nervous? Kid, we owe you our lives; you’re practically one of us now.”
“Not quite one of us though.” Hyper Girl warned.
“Although, if you’re going to be on the East Coast for a while…” The Freak said.
“We’ll worry about it later. The Gibbon just arrived, so we’re taking off. Nymphette is already on board.” Talon said, making her way up the ramp into the Sonic Boom II.
“Oh, Mr Universe is coming out with us today? Should be an easy one then.” The Gibbon said, as he swung through the doorway, getting down on all fours to bound across the hangar.
“Thunderbolt is meeting us there, he was working in Mexico.” The Freak said.
“Of course. He’ll probably beat us there.” The Gibbon said.
<><><>
The Sonic Boom II ducked and wove between the shots being fired upon it from the spaceships that swarmed the Miami skyline.
“Why doesn’t this thing have guns?” Mr Universe asked, as he clung to his seat for dear life.
“It’s technically a civilian vehicle. We’re not allowed.” The Freak said.
“And just how good a pilot is Talon?” Mr Universe asked.
“We’re not dead yet.” The Freak replied.
“Ok, I think we need to take some action. Hyper Girl, you with me?” Mr Universe asked.
“What did you have in mind?” Hyper Girl asked.
“Distract the ships so Talon can get this thing on the ground.” Mr Universe replied.
“Is that ok with you?” Hyper Girl shouted up to Talon.
“You got it. Freak, Gibbon, Nymphette, grab on to something, I’m opening the hatch.” Talon ordered.
As soon as the door was open, Mr Universe and Hyper Girl released themselves and sailed straight out, using their powers to fly.
“Try not to get hit.” Mr Universe said.
“Thanks sweetie. What would I do without you?” Hyper Girl deadpanned, as she blocked laser fire with her photonic shield.
“I have no idea.” Mr Universe replied, as he dodged an oncoming ship.
<><><>
Thunderbolt flew through the air, a loud roar following along behind him, as he flew at top speed. As he moved, the Miami skyline appeared on the horizon, rapidly getting bigger and bigger. It didn’t take him long to spot the swarm of alien ships flying around the buildings, shooting at two tiny figures in the air. Moments later, he recognised one of the figures as his team-mate, Hyper Girl, and rushed to her aid.
“Hyper Girl! Where is the rest of the team?” Thunderbolt asked, as the sky began to darken, thunder rolling in the background.
“In the ‘Boom, Talon’s going to try landing the thing. We’re up here distracting the ships.” Hyper Girl replied, as she blasted away at a space ship, her blast ricocheting straight off the forcefield that surrounded the ship.
“And this is…?” Thunderbolt asked.
“Oh, right. Honey, this is Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt, this is Mr Universe, my boyfriend.” Hyper Girl said, as she idly deflected another laser blast.
“Hi.” Mr Universe said, waving as he began using his powers to tear chunks off the ship that had fired at Hyper Girl. “Usually I’d start freaking out because I got to meet you, but I’m a tad busy right now.”
“Of course.” Thunderbolt replied, as a bolt of lightning destroyed another ship.
“That is so cool!” Mr Universe gushed.
<><><>
Nymphette looked around. “So if the fliers are up there, fighting the ships, what the hell are we supposed to be doing down here?”
“Saving civilians.” Talon said. “Those ships did some serious damage before we turned up.”
“Or we could take care of that.” The Gibbon pointed at the two ships that had landed three blocks away.
“True.” Talon said. “Ok guys, we’ve all fought Lirabites before. They’re strong, they’re tough, they’re fast. Freak, you’ll head down the middle, charge in, swinging. They can’t hurt you physically, and they’re not likely to fire their blasters at close range. Gibbon and I will flank you, we’re just as quick, and almost as strong as them, so we should be pretty effective. Nymphette, find a water source and hit them hard, but try to keep your distance.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
“Ok. It’s Boom Time.” Talon said.
The Freak began charging forward, letting out a primal scream as he crashed into a crowd of the reptilian extraterrestrials, followed closely by his teammates.
Nymphette looked around, trying to find a faucet or a fire hydrant, but to no avail. Sighing, she reached up and touched the communicator on her left breast. “Thunderbolt, make it rain baby.”
“You got it.” Thunderbolt buzzed back, and the heavens opened up.
“Alright then, time to get wet.” Nymphette said, as she began directing the raindrops, sending streams more powerful that firehoses at the Lirabites, knocking them flat on their backs. “That’s right you slimy bastards, take it!”
“That girl scares me sometimes.” The Gibbon muttered, as he uppercut a Lirabite, sending it sprawling.
“Amen.” The Freak said, tossing another two after it.
<><><>
“… So I figure if I hit just the right frequency…” Mr Universe said, as he sent out a wave of electromagnetic energy directly at an oncoming ship. Moments later, the power cut out, and the ship went crashing to the ground.
“Very nice work.” Thunderbolt said, as he swung Mjolnir, crashing it straight through the hull of the ship.
“Thanks. You too.” Mr Universe said, eyes wide.
“Ok, honey… You think you could do that again?” Hyper Girl asked.
“Of course, that was just a test run. Time for the full wave.” Mr Universe said, summoning all his strength.
“Don’t overdo it babe.” Hyper Girl said.
“I got it… Just be ready to catch me.” Mr Universe said, before throwing out his arms. The gesture was pointless, but he did like to look the part.
As the invisible wave of energy erupted from his body, ships began dropping like flies.
It was Thunderbolt’s turn to be amazed. “Incredible.” He said, as he watched a dozen ships just fall out of the sky.
“He really is, isn’t he?” Hyper Girl swooned, as she caught her boyfriend’s motionless body. “Looks like it took a lot out of him.”
“It took more out of them.” Thunderbolt said, pointing at the remaining ships, as they retreated into space.
<><><>
Mr Universe came to on the Sonic Boom II, Hyper Girl sitting by him, his hand in hers.
“It’s about time you woke up. You missed the press conference.” Hyper Girl said.
“Does that mean I’m not on the team?” Mr Universe asked groggily.
“Not this time babe, but you impressed them. I’m very proud.” Hyper Girl said, kissing him.
“What more could I ask for?” Mr Universe replied, a huge smile on his face.
The lovebirds ignored Nymphette’s chortle at that, too interested in each other.