Shades of Gray
folder
Angst › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
4
Views:
935
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0
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
Angst › General
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
4
Views:
935
Reviews:
0
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Off-white Wedding
A couple weeks later, Travis' PR people came up with a few possibilities for a name for his new superhero team. When word got out that Travis Locke was forming a team, every paper and station began calling Locke Industries to get a comment. By Tuesday, Travis learned that he and the team had been scheduled for an interview with Dick Dickerson, favorite DJ of local station WBAM. His annoyance at being booked was tempered by the thought of seeing Myst and, possibly, Panthera again. He didn't have a means of contacting everyone with the exception of Myst and Yttria, who had called and left numbers he could contact them at. He called Myst first and after the third ring she picked up.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, this is Travis Locke."
"Travis, good to hear from you."
"Look, my PR people booked an appearance with WBAM without consulting me first. So I'm trying to reach everyone so we can decide on what to call ourselves. Which are you partial to- Justice Society, the Revengers, Millennium Foundation, Century 156 or," Travis hesitated. "Or the New Centurions."
The Centurions was the name of the superhero team that his parents belonged to. After the death of Doctor Quantum and Songbird, the team disbanded. Their death was a wound that had never healed. Anything that reminded him of them was like salt poured on the wound.
Myst understood his hesitation and quickly queried, "Century 156?"
Travis forced a chuckle, "Yeah, one of the guys figured the popular thing nowadays was bands with numbers in their name. Hence, Century 156."
"Ah. Well, I guess I'm partial to the Millennium Foundation."
"Okay. I don't suppose you know how to contact Sen Baraka or Panthera?"
"I may have a means of finding them."
"Oh? How?"
There was humor in her voice when she replied, "I'm psychic."
He paused momentarily. "Like crystal ball psychic or for real psychic?"
"For real psychic."
"Cool. I'll get in touch with Yttria then."
"When is this appearance?"
"Friday evening at 6. We're going to be there with a Miss Frye, a model that's starring in the latest Vin Diesel movie."
"Hmm"¦ okay. I'll be there."
Travis hanged up abruptly and dialed Yttria's number. He passed along the same information to her and again hanged up before saying goodbyes.
"Hey! Travis!"
Travis turned to see his friend, Andrew, running down the hall to him.
"Hey, who was that sweet piece of ass you brought to the game last time?"
"You talking about the football game?"
"Yeah."
"That was Kat."
"So when do I get to meet her? Hook me up."
Travis smiled and took off the ground, headed home. "Maybe later."
"When?"
Travis was still in range to hear Andrew call out, but ignored him and continued home.
* * * * * * * *
Travis had been sitting in the booth being interviewed along with his fellow team members and was already getting bored. So far, Dick had ridiculed both Sen Baraka and Yttria's chosen names. He started calling Sen Braka Blue Devil, and caused Yttria to change her name to Titania. All in all, things were not off to a great start.
Things went to hell when Callie Frye showed up. For starters, if the name wasn't enough to drive him up a wall and remind him of his ex, then there was the fact that she had the same color hair, the same smile, the same way she tossed her hair back over her shoulder. Travis was finding it hard to look at her and not see HIS Callie.
Then, as she was approaching the theater, a man dressed like a cowboy with the lower half of his body obscured by what looked like a tornado came tearing through the crowd and grabbed Callie Frye. Travis took to the air and the rest of the team started making their way through or over the crowd. When Travis emerged from the theater, the cowboy was about fifty feet off the ground with the model thrown over his shoulder. Travis pulled up level with the villain and raised his clenched fists, ready to let loose with a sonic blast.
"Give it up"¦. Who the hell you supposed to be anyways?"
"Name's Texas Pete, lil' man. "˜Less ya want me to splatter ya and that pretty lil' suit of yurs all o'er the street, I'd suggest ya get outta ma way."
Titania came flying out first and flew up beside Travis. In a couple seconds he heard a familiar, yet at the same time strange, voice in his head.
*Do not be afraid. I have linked us all mentally.*
*Feels weird. Okay, if I hit Petey here, can one of you get the girl?*
Travis heard Sen Baraka's voice in his head, *I'm on it.*
Travis let loose with a sonic blast that hit Texas Pete in the stomach causing him to double over and drop Callie. Sen Baraka telekinetically reached out to grab her, but the tornado-like winds under Texas Pete hurled her in the opposite direction from which Sen Baraka expected.
"Shit!"
All of a sudden, just before Callie's head connected with the ground, a silver blur rushed up and grabbed her. Travis looked over and saw a man that reminded him of the symbol for the FTD florist's group- silver toga, sandals and the same kind of hat.
When Travis turned his attention back to Texas Pete, he found Titania had already grabbed him by the front of his shirt and knocked him out. Travis landed on the ground next to the FTD hero.
"Travis"¦."
Travis was interrupted as all the reporters that were covering the event came rushing up to get the story.
"Mr. Locke is this"¦."
"When did you form your"¦."
"A quote please"¦."
Travis held his hand up, "alright, alright. One at a time."
He started pointing to reporters one at a time, starting with the pretty ones.
"Are you forming a new team?"
"Yes, this is the Millennium Foundation."
"Who are your teammates?"
"Uh, this is Myst, Titania, Blue Demon"¦."
"Sen Baraka."
Travis chuckled, " Okay, Sen Baraka."
The FTD hero stepped forward and smiled for the cameras.
"And I'm their newest member, Mr. Mercury."
Travis gave him a sidelong glance, keeping a smile on his face. "And Mr. Mercury."
"Do you have a team headquarters?"
"Not yet."
"Do you have a mascot?"
"A mascot? What the fuh"¦? Next question."
For the next ten minutes, Travis answered, what he considered, inane questions. At the end of which, he told the members to meet him out at Quantum Island. He glanced over at Mr. Mercury.
"You too, Mercury."
A minute later, everyone was gathered on the lawn outside the oddly shaped glass and steel monstrosity. Titania looked up at the building and whistled.
"Whew. I've seen pictures of this place, but seeing it close up"¦."
"Come on inside. We can talk in the conservatory."
Everyone took a seat on the sofas while Travis leaned against the inside door.
"Well, looks like we've gotten a new member. Thanks for nominating yourself, Mercury."
"Hey, you needed my help out there, or Miss Frye would've gotten hurt. I can help you."
"Yeah, I'm not questioning that. Let's not set a precedent here for how people join the team, okay?"
Mr. Mercury smirked and everyone else nodded his or her consent.
"Okay. Now that we've got that settled, I've looked at a few places that we could set up a HQ for our little team. Kane Manor on the west side. It's large with lots of rooms. Flipside is that anyone can get to it. Kinnard Island out in the bay. Not quite as big as the manor, but not as accessible. New Ventures Center in Midtown. It was meant to house a tech concern but they went bankrupt. Lots of space, but like the manor, accessible. And the Future Dome. It was an expo center for the museum of science before they moved into their new building last year. My company helped with building the place and installing the security systems so I know it's pretty good. Again, accessibility is an issue. What do you guys think?"
He turned to look at Myst first, his eyes straying from her face down to her breasts and back up.
"Kane Manor or Kinnard Island sounds the best to me."
Travis nodded and looked at Titania.
"I like the idea of New Ventures Center or the Future Dome."
He turned to Sen Baraka.
"Uh, I guess the island gets my vote."
Travis looked at Mr. Mercury, "And our newest self-appointed member."
Mr. Mercury smiled and shrugged, "I dunno. I always liked the Future Dome so I'll vote on it."
Travis sighed. "Okay. So two for the island and two for the Future Dome."
He paused as he thought about it.
"Let's go with the island."
"What about Panthera?"
Travis looked back at Myst, who asked the question. "Were you able to reach her?"
"No, but shouldn't we get her vote."
Titania frowned and leaned forward, "I don't think she was interested in being part of the team."
Everyone turned to look at Travis. Inwardly, he rolled his eyes.
"Alright. See if you can find her. If you do, then ask her if she wants to join and if so give her the choices. If you can't, then we assume she doesn't want to and we go with the island."
Myst nodded her approval, while Titania continued to frown.
"Do you really think we should have criminals on the team?"
Travis looked over at Titania and found his eyes drifting down to her cleavage before coming back up to her eyes. The frown on her face slipped for just a moment.
"I think everyone should be given a chance to prove themselves. This doesn't mean that we're going to be announcing that she's part of the team. I doubt that would go over very well. But I'm guessing that she can help us out. Let's give her a chance, okay?"
Travis looked around the room to find everyone else nodding then came back to Titania. She stared at him for a moment before reluctantly nodding her head as well.
"Alright then. Let's set up a way we can get in touch with each other and Myst you try to find Panthera. If you have no luck by this time next week, we'll give up on her and move on. Sound fair?"
Everyone nodded and the Millennium Foundation was formed.
* * * * * * * *
The next day, Travis got a message that Callie Frye's agent called and wished to personally thank the Millennium Foundation for saving her life. Travis passed the message along to his teammates and that evening they all went to her townhouse in Midtown. When they entered the apartment, Travis was momentarily brought short when he saw this woman that reminded him so much of his Callie talking to a priest. The kindly looking man smiled at the group and patted Callie's hand before excusing himself.
"I wanted to thank you all for rescuing me last night. I don't want to think about what that creep might have done if you hadn't stepped in."
Callie stepped up and gave all the men a kiss on the cheek and the women a hug.
"I have a very nice dinner set up for you all. I do hope you'll join me. Just a little way I can say thank you."
Mr. Mercury was the first one to answer. "Sounds great. I'm starved."
Travis rolled his eyes and smiled at Callie. "Yeah"¦ that'd be fine."
Dinner was a disconcerting meal for Travis. The whole time he kept seeing and feeling like he was there with Callie Poe. When dinner was over, Travis quickly excused himself and left for home.
* * * * * * * *
The next day, the Sheriff called Locke Industries, trying to get in touch with the Millennium Foundation. Travis found out that Texas Pete had been encased in a solid block of ice. The doctors seemed to think he was okay in there, but the ice was being exceptionally difficult to melt. Travis had to blast the block of ice several times before it broke up enough to fall away. The Sheriff thanked Travis for his help and the young man returned home.
Later that night, he received phone calls from all the members of the group. When he found out that all four of them had encountered super villains that night, he called them all together at his home again.
"Alright, Myst, you first."
"I was at the Whyte Tiger Gallery when a woman dressed in a devil's costume complete with a pitch fork suddenly appeared. She stole one of the paintings and vanished."
Travis frowned, "which one?"
"Mmm"¦ it was a van Eyck. Oh! And oddly she said she was just borrowing it."
Travis' frown deepened. "Oh-kay. Mercury."
"I was car shopping when I came across this weird looking woman in a battle suit thing with dials on her breasts. Whenever she twisted one of the dials, there was this intense sound that drove me to my knees. She got away with a Ferrari Comet. I was told it's their newest model."
"Sen Baraka."
"I was going down to the shopping mall when I saw this guy in a glowing, shock pink ninja suit running out of the Museum of Nautical History. I wasn't able to stop him, and he got away with a chronometer."
Travis shook his head. "What the fu"¦."
About that time there was a knock at the sliding glass door leading to the outside. Confused by who could have gotten onto the island without his knowing about it and without the security systems going off, Travis cautiously opened the door. Outside was Panthera.
"Thought I'd find you here."
"How did"¦? Do you have powers?"
Panthera narrowed her eyes at him. "What is this? A superpowers only club?"
"No. Just"¦ how'd you get out here?"
She smiled and pushed in past him. "Trade secret."
Travis shook his head and closed the door. "I take it Myst got in touch with you."
Panthera looked at her and then back at Travis. "No."
"Okay. So what's up?"
"I got a tip that someone was going to try and steal some paintings from Picasso's Blue period. Later I heard that were some thefts this night and you guys were involved. What happened?"
Travis brought her up to speed and Panthera sat there for a moment before a sly grin spread on her face.
"Someone's getting married."
Everyone looked at her confused.
"The chronometer, something old. The car, something new. The van Eyck, something borrowed. The Picasso, something blue. They're wedding presents."
Titania looked like she'd just been hit with a brick. "Damn. She's right."
Panthera grinned at her wolfishly and stretched, gaining Travis' undivided attention.
"So where do we go from here?"
Panthera spoke before Travis had a chance to. "Well, they haven't gotten the Picasso yet. I'm going to stake out the museum and see if anyone comes around. It's still open, so I figure they won't try it until the museum closes."
Myst pointed out, "The devil woman stole the van Eyck while the museum was open."
Panthera shrugged. "Sounds like Lady Satan. She's a teleporter. I doubt another teleporter is going to hit the Museum of Art." She paused, "but it's possible. I'll go stake it out now."
"Want someone to go with you>?"
Panthera had gotten to the door before she turned around. "No. You'd just get in my way." She turned back and left without another word.
"Charming girl."
Travis glanced at Titania and then went back to leaning against the inside door. Then he remembered something.
"Ah hell! Hold on."
Travis rushed out the door and took to the air. He found Panthera getting onto a boat down at the pier. He hovered in the air beside her boat.
"Hey, join us. We could use your help."
"I know. Why?"
"We can help you too. You can't do everything yourself."
"I can try. But that's not what I'm asking. Why do YOU want ME to join?"
Travis tilted his head to the side and quickly considered what he wanted to say.
"My father was a fucking genius and you got past his security systems. I didn't hear you coming up and I can hear a pin drop a few miles away. You've got skill. I think you can help us."
Panthera stared at the wheel for a moment before turning back to Travis.
"You know who I am."
"Yeah."
"So you've heard about what I do."
"Yeah."
"And you still want me to join?"
"Yeah."
Panthera shook her head disbelievingly. "Why?"
"I told you."
"Not good enough."
"I've always given credence to the saying "˜don't judge a book by its cover.' I prefer to find the person behind the mask they present to the world."
There was a slight smile on Panthera's face when she replied, "Know a little something about that, do you?"
Travis was seeing that she was intelligent and well informed. He wondered what she knew about his extracurricular activities.
"A little."
Panthera's smile widened and she nodded her head. "Okay. I'm in."
Travis smiled and stretched his hands over his head.
"Great. Look, we've been talking about where to have our headquarters. You interested in putting in your two cents?"
"Not really."
"Right. Well, good luck with the museum then."
"And Travis?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't send someone to back me up."
Travis' mouth dropped open a little as he stared at her.
"Are you a mind reader?"
"No. I just know you."
The roar of the engine drowned out his reply and she was gone.
* * * * * * * *
The next day, Travis found out that a wedding cake and wedding dress had been stolen. When he went and inquired whom the dress was for, the woman said it was for a Callie Frye. Travis went to her townhouse, but found no one home. When he asked around the area, he found out that she had mentioned to a neighbor that she was going to get married at the New Hope Church tonight. By that time it was getting dark and Travis called the team and directed them to the church.
When they all arrived, Travis filled them in on Callie's involvement in this and that most likely whoever froze Texas Pete was probably the groom. With that, they stormed through the doors of the church and found a motley crew of villains arrayed against them. At the altar was Callie Frye with a guy in a blue and white costume, icy white hair and pale skin. The priest was a very terrified man in the priest's garments who looked incredibly relieved when the doors opened. Also in attendance were Lady Satan, the Neon Ninja and La FM Nikita. Off to the right was someone they had not encountered yet. Half-Jack, a man that was half-cyborg.
What drew Travis' attention the most, though, was the sight of Panthera beaten and strung up on the cross. The sound of her heart beating was the only indication she was still alive.
Ice Master turned around and sneered at the heroes as they entered the church.
"You will not interfere with this special day! DIE!"
Ice Master held out his hands and from each ice came shooting across the room and solidly encased Mr. Mercury and Titania in it. Travis stretched out his hands, pointing at both blocks and poured all his might into it. The strain caused him to almost pass out, but with a deep groan, Travis shattered both blocks encasing his teammates.
He looked and saw a purple mist coming from Myst and surrounding Lady Satan. Sen Baraka had telekinetically lifted a pew and hurled it at Half-Jack. The cyborg broke the pew in two with a punch and just scoffed at Sen Baraka.
"You're going to have to do better than that, boy."
Travis focused his attention on Ice Master and shot a sonic blast at him. Ice Master held up his hands and countered his blast with two blocks of ice. The ice shards scattered over the floor and pews in the middle of the church. Travis blasted him again and was again countered. Annoyed, he quickly looked around the room and spotted a cross hanging directly above Ice Master. Travis again fired two blasts at Ice Master but sonic screamed at the rope holding the cross up, breaking it. Ice Master blocked the beams, but didn't notice the cross until it was too late. It hit him square on the back and drove him to his knees.
"Isaac!"
Callie started to rush over to her love, but he held up a hand stilling her.
"Boy. Your death will be very long and painful, before I put you on ice."
"Yeah, yeah. Try another cliché."
Ice Master snarled as he rose to his feet, just in time to meet Titania's fist. The blow hurled him over the altar and slamming into the cross. He started to rise, only to be blasted by Travis and this time without a defense. Ice Master collapsed to the ground. Travis looked around and found that Myst, Mr. Mercury and Sen Baraka had finished off the other villains and Callie was crying over her lover's unconscious form.
Travis got Panthera down from the cross just about the time she was coming around. Myst came over and kneeled beside her.
"I can heal these wounds."
Panthera shook her head and favored her left side as she got up. "No. I'll be alright."
Myst and Travis watched her with a look of concern but she just waved away their concerns.
"I should be getting out of here."
Travis watched as she limped off into the shadows.
The police were called and the reporters followed. Travis watched with an odd sense of déjà vu as Callie glared at him from behind the window of a police car. When he'd had enough of their questions, Travis flew home and took a long, painfully hot shower.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, this is Travis Locke."
"Travis, good to hear from you."
"Look, my PR people booked an appearance with WBAM without consulting me first. So I'm trying to reach everyone so we can decide on what to call ourselves. Which are you partial to- Justice Society, the Revengers, Millennium Foundation, Century 156 or," Travis hesitated. "Or the New Centurions."
The Centurions was the name of the superhero team that his parents belonged to. After the death of Doctor Quantum and Songbird, the team disbanded. Their death was a wound that had never healed. Anything that reminded him of them was like salt poured on the wound.
Myst understood his hesitation and quickly queried, "Century 156?"
Travis forced a chuckle, "Yeah, one of the guys figured the popular thing nowadays was bands with numbers in their name. Hence, Century 156."
"Ah. Well, I guess I'm partial to the Millennium Foundation."
"Okay. I don't suppose you know how to contact Sen Baraka or Panthera?"
"I may have a means of finding them."
"Oh? How?"
There was humor in her voice when she replied, "I'm psychic."
He paused momentarily. "Like crystal ball psychic or for real psychic?"
"For real psychic."
"Cool. I'll get in touch with Yttria then."
"When is this appearance?"
"Friday evening at 6. We're going to be there with a Miss Frye, a model that's starring in the latest Vin Diesel movie."
"Hmm"¦ okay. I'll be there."
Travis hanged up abruptly and dialed Yttria's number. He passed along the same information to her and again hanged up before saying goodbyes.
"Hey! Travis!"
Travis turned to see his friend, Andrew, running down the hall to him.
"Hey, who was that sweet piece of ass you brought to the game last time?"
"You talking about the football game?"
"Yeah."
"That was Kat."
"So when do I get to meet her? Hook me up."
Travis smiled and took off the ground, headed home. "Maybe later."
"When?"
Travis was still in range to hear Andrew call out, but ignored him and continued home.
* * * * * * * *
Travis had been sitting in the booth being interviewed along with his fellow team members and was already getting bored. So far, Dick had ridiculed both Sen Baraka and Yttria's chosen names. He started calling Sen Braka Blue Devil, and caused Yttria to change her name to Titania. All in all, things were not off to a great start.
Things went to hell when Callie Frye showed up. For starters, if the name wasn't enough to drive him up a wall and remind him of his ex, then there was the fact that she had the same color hair, the same smile, the same way she tossed her hair back over her shoulder. Travis was finding it hard to look at her and not see HIS Callie.
Then, as she was approaching the theater, a man dressed like a cowboy with the lower half of his body obscured by what looked like a tornado came tearing through the crowd and grabbed Callie Frye. Travis took to the air and the rest of the team started making their way through or over the crowd. When Travis emerged from the theater, the cowboy was about fifty feet off the ground with the model thrown over his shoulder. Travis pulled up level with the villain and raised his clenched fists, ready to let loose with a sonic blast.
"Give it up"¦. Who the hell you supposed to be anyways?"
"Name's Texas Pete, lil' man. "˜Less ya want me to splatter ya and that pretty lil' suit of yurs all o'er the street, I'd suggest ya get outta ma way."
Titania came flying out first and flew up beside Travis. In a couple seconds he heard a familiar, yet at the same time strange, voice in his head.
*Do not be afraid. I have linked us all mentally.*
*Feels weird. Okay, if I hit Petey here, can one of you get the girl?*
Travis heard Sen Baraka's voice in his head, *I'm on it.*
Travis let loose with a sonic blast that hit Texas Pete in the stomach causing him to double over and drop Callie. Sen Baraka telekinetically reached out to grab her, but the tornado-like winds under Texas Pete hurled her in the opposite direction from which Sen Baraka expected.
"Shit!"
All of a sudden, just before Callie's head connected with the ground, a silver blur rushed up and grabbed her. Travis looked over and saw a man that reminded him of the symbol for the FTD florist's group- silver toga, sandals and the same kind of hat.
When Travis turned his attention back to Texas Pete, he found Titania had already grabbed him by the front of his shirt and knocked him out. Travis landed on the ground next to the FTD hero.
"Travis"¦."
Travis was interrupted as all the reporters that were covering the event came rushing up to get the story.
"Mr. Locke is this"¦."
"When did you form your"¦."
"A quote please"¦."
Travis held his hand up, "alright, alright. One at a time."
He started pointing to reporters one at a time, starting with the pretty ones.
"Are you forming a new team?"
"Yes, this is the Millennium Foundation."
"Who are your teammates?"
"Uh, this is Myst, Titania, Blue Demon"¦."
"Sen Baraka."
Travis chuckled, " Okay, Sen Baraka."
The FTD hero stepped forward and smiled for the cameras.
"And I'm their newest member, Mr. Mercury."
Travis gave him a sidelong glance, keeping a smile on his face. "And Mr. Mercury."
"Do you have a team headquarters?"
"Not yet."
"Do you have a mascot?"
"A mascot? What the fuh"¦? Next question."
For the next ten minutes, Travis answered, what he considered, inane questions. At the end of which, he told the members to meet him out at Quantum Island. He glanced over at Mr. Mercury.
"You too, Mercury."
A minute later, everyone was gathered on the lawn outside the oddly shaped glass and steel monstrosity. Titania looked up at the building and whistled.
"Whew. I've seen pictures of this place, but seeing it close up"¦."
"Come on inside. We can talk in the conservatory."
Everyone took a seat on the sofas while Travis leaned against the inside door.
"Well, looks like we've gotten a new member. Thanks for nominating yourself, Mercury."
"Hey, you needed my help out there, or Miss Frye would've gotten hurt. I can help you."
"Yeah, I'm not questioning that. Let's not set a precedent here for how people join the team, okay?"
Mr. Mercury smirked and everyone else nodded his or her consent.
"Okay. Now that we've got that settled, I've looked at a few places that we could set up a HQ for our little team. Kane Manor on the west side. It's large with lots of rooms. Flipside is that anyone can get to it. Kinnard Island out in the bay. Not quite as big as the manor, but not as accessible. New Ventures Center in Midtown. It was meant to house a tech concern but they went bankrupt. Lots of space, but like the manor, accessible. And the Future Dome. It was an expo center for the museum of science before they moved into their new building last year. My company helped with building the place and installing the security systems so I know it's pretty good. Again, accessibility is an issue. What do you guys think?"
He turned to look at Myst first, his eyes straying from her face down to her breasts and back up.
"Kane Manor or Kinnard Island sounds the best to me."
Travis nodded and looked at Titania.
"I like the idea of New Ventures Center or the Future Dome."
He turned to Sen Baraka.
"Uh, I guess the island gets my vote."
Travis looked at Mr. Mercury, "And our newest self-appointed member."
Mr. Mercury smiled and shrugged, "I dunno. I always liked the Future Dome so I'll vote on it."
Travis sighed. "Okay. So two for the island and two for the Future Dome."
He paused as he thought about it.
"Let's go with the island."
"What about Panthera?"
Travis looked back at Myst, who asked the question. "Were you able to reach her?"
"No, but shouldn't we get her vote."
Titania frowned and leaned forward, "I don't think she was interested in being part of the team."
Everyone turned to look at Travis. Inwardly, he rolled his eyes.
"Alright. See if you can find her. If you do, then ask her if she wants to join and if so give her the choices. If you can't, then we assume she doesn't want to and we go with the island."
Myst nodded her approval, while Titania continued to frown.
"Do you really think we should have criminals on the team?"
Travis looked over at Titania and found his eyes drifting down to her cleavage before coming back up to her eyes. The frown on her face slipped for just a moment.
"I think everyone should be given a chance to prove themselves. This doesn't mean that we're going to be announcing that she's part of the team. I doubt that would go over very well. But I'm guessing that she can help us out. Let's give her a chance, okay?"
Travis looked around the room to find everyone else nodding then came back to Titania. She stared at him for a moment before reluctantly nodding her head as well.
"Alright then. Let's set up a way we can get in touch with each other and Myst you try to find Panthera. If you have no luck by this time next week, we'll give up on her and move on. Sound fair?"
Everyone nodded and the Millennium Foundation was formed.
* * * * * * * *
The next day, Travis got a message that Callie Frye's agent called and wished to personally thank the Millennium Foundation for saving her life. Travis passed the message along to his teammates and that evening they all went to her townhouse in Midtown. When they entered the apartment, Travis was momentarily brought short when he saw this woman that reminded him so much of his Callie talking to a priest. The kindly looking man smiled at the group and patted Callie's hand before excusing himself.
"I wanted to thank you all for rescuing me last night. I don't want to think about what that creep might have done if you hadn't stepped in."
Callie stepped up and gave all the men a kiss on the cheek and the women a hug.
"I have a very nice dinner set up for you all. I do hope you'll join me. Just a little way I can say thank you."
Mr. Mercury was the first one to answer. "Sounds great. I'm starved."
Travis rolled his eyes and smiled at Callie. "Yeah"¦ that'd be fine."
Dinner was a disconcerting meal for Travis. The whole time he kept seeing and feeling like he was there with Callie Poe. When dinner was over, Travis quickly excused himself and left for home.
* * * * * * * *
The next day, the Sheriff called Locke Industries, trying to get in touch with the Millennium Foundation. Travis found out that Texas Pete had been encased in a solid block of ice. The doctors seemed to think he was okay in there, but the ice was being exceptionally difficult to melt. Travis had to blast the block of ice several times before it broke up enough to fall away. The Sheriff thanked Travis for his help and the young man returned home.
Later that night, he received phone calls from all the members of the group. When he found out that all four of them had encountered super villains that night, he called them all together at his home again.
"Alright, Myst, you first."
"I was at the Whyte Tiger Gallery when a woman dressed in a devil's costume complete with a pitch fork suddenly appeared. She stole one of the paintings and vanished."
Travis frowned, "which one?"
"Mmm"¦ it was a van Eyck. Oh! And oddly she said she was just borrowing it."
Travis' frown deepened. "Oh-kay. Mercury."
"I was car shopping when I came across this weird looking woman in a battle suit thing with dials on her breasts. Whenever she twisted one of the dials, there was this intense sound that drove me to my knees. She got away with a Ferrari Comet. I was told it's their newest model."
"Sen Baraka."
"I was going down to the shopping mall when I saw this guy in a glowing, shock pink ninja suit running out of the Museum of Nautical History. I wasn't able to stop him, and he got away with a chronometer."
Travis shook his head. "What the fu"¦."
About that time there was a knock at the sliding glass door leading to the outside. Confused by who could have gotten onto the island without his knowing about it and without the security systems going off, Travis cautiously opened the door. Outside was Panthera.
"Thought I'd find you here."
"How did"¦? Do you have powers?"
Panthera narrowed her eyes at him. "What is this? A superpowers only club?"
"No. Just"¦ how'd you get out here?"
She smiled and pushed in past him. "Trade secret."
Travis shook his head and closed the door. "I take it Myst got in touch with you."
Panthera looked at her and then back at Travis. "No."
"Okay. So what's up?"
"I got a tip that someone was going to try and steal some paintings from Picasso's Blue period. Later I heard that were some thefts this night and you guys were involved. What happened?"
Travis brought her up to speed and Panthera sat there for a moment before a sly grin spread on her face.
"Someone's getting married."
Everyone looked at her confused.
"The chronometer, something old. The car, something new. The van Eyck, something borrowed. The Picasso, something blue. They're wedding presents."
Titania looked like she'd just been hit with a brick. "Damn. She's right."
Panthera grinned at her wolfishly and stretched, gaining Travis' undivided attention.
"So where do we go from here?"
Panthera spoke before Travis had a chance to. "Well, they haven't gotten the Picasso yet. I'm going to stake out the museum and see if anyone comes around. It's still open, so I figure they won't try it until the museum closes."
Myst pointed out, "The devil woman stole the van Eyck while the museum was open."
Panthera shrugged. "Sounds like Lady Satan. She's a teleporter. I doubt another teleporter is going to hit the Museum of Art." She paused, "but it's possible. I'll go stake it out now."
"Want someone to go with you>?"
Panthera had gotten to the door before she turned around. "No. You'd just get in my way." She turned back and left without another word.
"Charming girl."
Travis glanced at Titania and then went back to leaning against the inside door. Then he remembered something.
"Ah hell! Hold on."
Travis rushed out the door and took to the air. He found Panthera getting onto a boat down at the pier. He hovered in the air beside her boat.
"Hey, join us. We could use your help."
"I know. Why?"
"We can help you too. You can't do everything yourself."
"I can try. But that's not what I'm asking. Why do YOU want ME to join?"
Travis tilted his head to the side and quickly considered what he wanted to say.
"My father was a fucking genius and you got past his security systems. I didn't hear you coming up and I can hear a pin drop a few miles away. You've got skill. I think you can help us."
Panthera stared at the wheel for a moment before turning back to Travis.
"You know who I am."
"Yeah."
"So you've heard about what I do."
"Yeah."
"And you still want me to join?"
"Yeah."
Panthera shook her head disbelievingly. "Why?"
"I told you."
"Not good enough."
"I've always given credence to the saying "˜don't judge a book by its cover.' I prefer to find the person behind the mask they present to the world."
There was a slight smile on Panthera's face when she replied, "Know a little something about that, do you?"
Travis was seeing that she was intelligent and well informed. He wondered what she knew about his extracurricular activities.
"A little."
Panthera's smile widened and she nodded her head. "Okay. I'm in."
Travis smiled and stretched his hands over his head.
"Great. Look, we've been talking about where to have our headquarters. You interested in putting in your two cents?"
"Not really."
"Right. Well, good luck with the museum then."
"And Travis?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't send someone to back me up."
Travis' mouth dropped open a little as he stared at her.
"Are you a mind reader?"
"No. I just know you."
The roar of the engine drowned out his reply and she was gone.
* * * * * * * *
The next day, Travis found out that a wedding cake and wedding dress had been stolen. When he went and inquired whom the dress was for, the woman said it was for a Callie Frye. Travis went to her townhouse, but found no one home. When he asked around the area, he found out that she had mentioned to a neighbor that she was going to get married at the New Hope Church tonight. By that time it was getting dark and Travis called the team and directed them to the church.
When they all arrived, Travis filled them in on Callie's involvement in this and that most likely whoever froze Texas Pete was probably the groom. With that, they stormed through the doors of the church and found a motley crew of villains arrayed against them. At the altar was Callie Frye with a guy in a blue and white costume, icy white hair and pale skin. The priest was a very terrified man in the priest's garments who looked incredibly relieved when the doors opened. Also in attendance were Lady Satan, the Neon Ninja and La FM Nikita. Off to the right was someone they had not encountered yet. Half-Jack, a man that was half-cyborg.
What drew Travis' attention the most, though, was the sight of Panthera beaten and strung up on the cross. The sound of her heart beating was the only indication she was still alive.
Ice Master turned around and sneered at the heroes as they entered the church.
"You will not interfere with this special day! DIE!"
Ice Master held out his hands and from each ice came shooting across the room and solidly encased Mr. Mercury and Titania in it. Travis stretched out his hands, pointing at both blocks and poured all his might into it. The strain caused him to almost pass out, but with a deep groan, Travis shattered both blocks encasing his teammates.
He looked and saw a purple mist coming from Myst and surrounding Lady Satan. Sen Baraka had telekinetically lifted a pew and hurled it at Half-Jack. The cyborg broke the pew in two with a punch and just scoffed at Sen Baraka.
"You're going to have to do better than that, boy."
Travis focused his attention on Ice Master and shot a sonic blast at him. Ice Master held up his hands and countered his blast with two blocks of ice. The ice shards scattered over the floor and pews in the middle of the church. Travis blasted him again and was again countered. Annoyed, he quickly looked around the room and spotted a cross hanging directly above Ice Master. Travis again fired two blasts at Ice Master but sonic screamed at the rope holding the cross up, breaking it. Ice Master blocked the beams, but didn't notice the cross until it was too late. It hit him square on the back and drove him to his knees.
"Isaac!"
Callie started to rush over to her love, but he held up a hand stilling her.
"Boy. Your death will be very long and painful, before I put you on ice."
"Yeah, yeah. Try another cliché."
Ice Master snarled as he rose to his feet, just in time to meet Titania's fist. The blow hurled him over the altar and slamming into the cross. He started to rise, only to be blasted by Travis and this time without a defense. Ice Master collapsed to the ground. Travis looked around and found that Myst, Mr. Mercury and Sen Baraka had finished off the other villains and Callie was crying over her lover's unconscious form.
Travis got Panthera down from the cross just about the time she was coming around. Myst came over and kneeled beside her.
"I can heal these wounds."
Panthera shook her head and favored her left side as she got up. "No. I'll be alright."
Myst and Travis watched her with a look of concern but she just waved away their concerns.
"I should be getting out of here."
Travis watched as she limped off into the shadows.
The police were called and the reporters followed. Travis watched with an odd sense of déjà vu as Callie glared at him from behind the window of a police car. When he'd had enough of their questions, Travis flew home and took a long, painfully hot shower.