Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The New Guy
Anasona was pretty average for a city of it’s size. It wasn’t a bustling metropolis but it wasn’t small either. When it came to crime and schools it wasn’t the best and it wasn’t the worst. There were rich people and poor people but most were somewhere in between just trying to live their life and be happy.
In fact the only strange thing about Anasona was that it was protected by only one hero. Back in the day it had been protected by the legendary hero Voidmage who had kept any villains from causing trouble. But he had retired years ago and so a city that would typically have a team of 3 or 4 heroes from the Hero Commission stuck with just having one and no one thought to change that.
That current hero who was responsible for the whole city was named Dynamo but his friends called him Impulse. He was good at his job and took great pride in how low his casualty and property damage numbers were. He loved being able to help people but couldn’t stand the politics of it all even though he was good enough at that part too.
For five years he had protected Anasona and her people from a group of villains known as Team Best. It was a little frustrating how easily they always got away. He was pretty sure they had secrets that he had yet to figure out but he was confident one day he would arrest them.
He stretched his wings out to catch an updraft and was gliding along looking for any sign of them.
“HQ I’m in the area but no sign of Team Best.” He said into an ear piece. Nervous crackles of electricity came up his disguised blond hair and arched between his horns. Spark’s flames and Harpy’s flashy wings were usually easy to spot even if he didn’t spot the other two.
“The report says they are setting off alarms in some offices on 2nd street.”
Impulse let out a sigh. Oh what he would give to have local support instead of rotating interns from HQ. “It’s not for a break in at Second Street Offices is it? Because that place is over on 5th and they have hit there before.”
“Eh….” He could hear the intern typing and let out another sigh.
“Moving to correct location.” He said calling Bolt and Volt back to him. The two energy constructs were his only back up, a hawk and a wolf made of electricity. Bolt could fly faster than he could and Volt was great at tracking. They were only mildly useful in a fight but they were better than nothing.
Bolt spotted Spark first and let Impulse know where he was. The blaze-hybrid was on look out across the street like normal. A red mask covered the top half of his face but it would be hard to make out his features even without it due to the wild flames that covered his head, shoulders and tail. Impulse had once thought it was pure luck that half the city hadn’t burned with such an out of control blaze living there. Now he knew better.
Getting closer to the building he saw vines coming up the side of it and through a shattered window. Clhoromancer’s work no doubt but he couldn’t spot the maliad anywhere. At night among vegetation he’d be almost impossible to find but if he could Shadow was likely not too far away. He was pretty sure the fox could turn invisible so Impulse would have been surprised if he could spot him. That just left their leader.
Just as Impuse was figuring that he had to be inside he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He tried to dodge but a body collided with him hard enough to knock him out of his glide. He was able to steady himself just before colliding with a building and turned towards his foe.
“Now Dynamo you can’t be slacking on the job like that. I was getting bored.” Harpy snarked.
“I got bad intel.” Impulse shot back as he tried to find an updraft to get some more hight. Harpy’s golden wings made him a lot more agile in the air than Impulse but he had tried to overcome that restriction over the years that they had fought. The blue mask with gold feathers made it hard to track Hapry’s blue eyes so Impulse had taken to reading his body language to try to predict what Harpy was going to do.
Impulse shot a pulse of electricity out above Harpy to make him fly down. If he could get him on the ground his chances would be so much better but that rarely happened. The villain could just out fly him no matter how hard he tried. It was better for Impulse if he could keep the fight at a distance but Harpy knew that and didn’t give him that option.
It bothered Impulse that Harpy was stronger than him as well but Impulse had better training and years of experience in fighting the Avian.
“That shoulder is going to bother you later buddy.” Harpy grinned.
“I’d worry about your own injuries if I was you.” Impulse had tried to hide that his shoulder was hurting from the earlier collision. He supposed that was part of the draw back of having a nemesis for so long. They had fought too many times, knew each other’s style too well, It was easy to pick up on the slightest thing off. He did find it a little strange that Harpy wasn’t trying to work his minor injury and make it worse.
“What injuries? I haven’t gotten a scratch on me.” He says doing a spin in the air to show off.
That was his opening as Impulse launched a ball of lightning towards him. It was only supposed to stun him for a moment but hit the front edge of one wing causing it to seize and Harpy to drop.
Impulse wanted to catch him not kill him so quickly went into a dive to try to save him. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of flames.
Spark had launched himself off the building he was on and snagged Harpy out of thin air. He then used another burst of flame to change trajectory so they landed in a net of vines between two rooftops.
Impulse pulled out of his dive but was close enough to the ground that he had to land. He could hear sirens nearby but didn’t think the police would be much help. He sent Bolt after them but a metal dart struck the construct out of nowhere. The metal caused the bird to short out and it would take way too long to create it again. They had the high ground and were getting away and there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
For not the first time Impulse wondered how they were able to pull that off.
“HQ they got away. Minimal property damage but they probably got whatever they were there to steal.”
“Noted Dynamo any injuries?”
“Minior scuffs, nothing worth going to medical. Were you able to pick up any radio signals from them?”
“Any what?”
Oh what Impulse wouldn’t give for competent local support.
---
Skizz always felt a bit sluggish on mornings after he and the guys had pulled off a project. Removing his halo for so long always left him with a bit of a headache and cleaning the paint off his wings was always a pain. At least it wasn’t as hard to clean as it had once been. Bdubs really had worked to get the formula and color just right. He knew they felt bad that he had to go through so much effort to hide his identity. They all also knew how much he hated doing a deep preen on his wings.
Growing up together he had always begged one of the guys to help him with his wings but living alone now he had to do it himself. As much as he wanted to be a bit lazy he couldn’t miss the best part of his day so he pushed through and got his wings presentable.
With two minutes to spare he got to the front door of his apartment, hand on the door knob listening to the hall outside. When he heard the apartment door across from his open he took a deep breath and counted to 5 before opening his door as well.
“Oh good morning Skizz.” His neighbor smiled at him, handing him one of the two coffee cups he had in his hand.
“Good morning Dipple-dop.” Skizz smiled as he took a sip of the coffee. Impulse had been his neighbor for the last 4 years and was his closest friend outside of the team. He was smart and funny and kind and oh so easy to look at and Skizz was very, very normal about him.
They chatted as they headed to the stairwell, mostly small talk that didn’t require too much thinking.
“Oh you know yet if you can come over to watch the game tomorrow night?” Skizz asked.
“Maybe, work should be okay but I can’t rule out anything. This time though you have to let me pay for some of the snacks.”
“No way. I like to make that stuff and I won’t make it just for myself because then I will eat it all and this manly figure isn’t kept by eating all the junk food.” Skizz flexed as he said it.
Impulse laughed and Skizz felt his heart jump at the way his brown eyes sparkled. “Okay then you at least need to let me bring the drinks this time.”
“Okay you can bring the drinks. I just hope you don’t get called away for work again.”
“Me too. Last time was a lot of work for noting too but what can you do when you work for the government.”
“Sounds like your boss is a big jerk.”
Impulse shrugged, wincing slightly as he did. “He’s a boss.”
“That’s why I’m my own boss Dipple-dop. That way when the boss is being a big jerkface I can look him right in the face and tell him that.”
Impulse laughed again but then winced once more as he turned to his car.
“You okay Dipple-Dop?”
Impulse looked confused for a minute. Clearly he thought he had hidden his discomfort better than that. “Yeah, guess I must have slept funny or something last night and I got a knot or something in my shoulder. I’m sure it will work itself out.”
Skizz’s healing magic burned inside him to be used. No one was supposed to know he had that ability outside the team. It would be too much of a risk. Healing was such a rare talent even among angels that it would put him at great risk if anyone figured out that he had this power. But he hated seeing anyone he cared about in pain or discomfort.
“I can try to give you a shoulder massage. I have been told that I have magic fingies after all.” Skizz giggled and wiggled his fingers at Impulse to try to make a joke out of it.
Impulse froze and his eyes wet wide. Skizz could practically see him trying to jump start his brain. He knew it was a bit of a push but he was a generally huggy, touchy person with all of his friends.
“Sure…if it’s not too much trouble.” Impulse finally gets out trying to act casual.
Skizz put his coffee down on the roof of the car and shook out his hands before resting them on Impulse’s shoulders and started to give him a massage. He could feel the tension right away even through his jacket. He hadn’t had to use it in a while but he had learned about massage therapy years ago when Etho’s growth spurts had left him in too much pain for over the counter medicine. His healing magic was much weaker then, too weak to help.
It was funny remembering that time now. They were basically still kids trying to do their best. Skizz had learned about massage therapy, Tango about heat therapy and Bdubs meditation all to help their brother get through an extra challenging puberty. It had been hell but it was one of the many trials that built their bond of trust.
Impulse relaxed into Skizz’s touch and let out a sigh. If Skizz let a little bit of healing sneak in he wasn’t telling and if he kept up the massage a little bit longer than needed…well Impulse didn’t seem to mind.
“How’s that?” He finally asks.
Impulse opened his eyes and rolled his shoulder then smiled. “Amazing. You really do have magic fingies.”
“Glad I could help.” Skizz smiled and picked his coffee back up. “Guess I’ll see you later then?”
“Yeah…thanks again.” Impulse had to get into his car to head to work.
Skizz waved at him and he decided he’d leave his car and walk to the garage. It was only 4 blocks and the weather was nice.
Second Street Repairs and Customs wasn’t much but it was theirs clean and clear. The building was made out of bricks and rust but was considered a cornerstone of their community. They had built a spotless reputation over the last 6 years.
The two large roller doors were open. They had two work bays, a cramped office tucked in a corner and an area sealed off with plastic so Bdubs could do the custom paint jobs that got them the most money.
He heard the radio on though it sounded like they were giving the weather forecast at the moment. He spotted a pair of overall clad legs poking out from under one of the cars.
“Morning Top.” He said knowing who it had to be. A flame tipped tail waved at him from under the car. “The lovebirds running late?”
“Nope” Tango said as the Employees only door that lead into the stairwell in the back opened up and Bdubs and Etho walked out. Even after all these years in the city he wasn’t used to seeing either of them disguised as humans. At least Etho only had to hide his kitsuni ears and tails. Bdubs looked weird as a human when Skizz was used to him being a little feisty walking tree.
The four of them talked shop for a bit looking over the things they knew they had on their plate for the day. A few of their regulars had appointments for routine things. There was a message on the voice mail from a woman whose car was making a strange noise and no doubt there would be other drop ins through the day.
The radio switching to the news made them all fall silent however.
“....Bright Star Loans was broken into last night by Team Best. Anasona’s own Dynamo was able to prevent any loss of life but was unable to detain the villains. Police report that not only was a large amount of money taken but some amount of the personal data of their clients. Police believe that they may be branching into identity theft and advise all…”
A vine came out of nowhere and smacked the radio off almost breaking it.
“Why we listening to that crap?” Bdubs grumbles.
“They make it sound like we put a bunch of people in danger. The only one in danger last night was me and Top and Double down saved me, not Dynamo.” Skizz pouted.
“Well we are villains. They’ve said worse.” Etho shrugs and puts his arms around Bdubs resting his chin on the top of his boyfriend’s head.
“Yeah the heroes will be the only ones to get any praise. We knew that when we took this path.” Tango said. “We are breaking the law.”
“Thouse sharks at Bright Star had to pay for what they were doing.” Skizz’s knew they all agreed on that point.
“Of course but what they were doing with their loans was legal.”
“But it sure wasn’t right.” Too many of their neighbors and regulars had fallen for those predatory loans for Skizz. Stealing and burning those records was the only way to get some good people out of a cycle of debt they were trapped in.
The conversation stopped however when they all heard a car pull up as the first customer of the day arrived.
---
As he drove into work Impulse couldn’t stop thinking about that massage. He knew without a doubt that was going to get added into his dream rotation now. He wondered what Skizz would think if he knew how often Impulse dreamed about him.
It wasn’t like they were inappropriate dreams…most of the time but most of his dreams did include his angel neighbor. Just doing stuff together, cooking and eating a meal, being close and cuddling. He did dream about kissing Skizz but also just running errands together. They were comfortable and warm and domestic and Impulse was sure they could never be even if he wanted them too.
He had figured long ago that his career would prevent any kind of serious relationship. While his contract didn’t keep him from revealing his identity to anyone he wasn’t sure he could ever do that. Being a hero was dangerous. The idea of being in a relationship with someone and them worrying about him felt almost selfish. And Skizz would worry if he knew the truth.
Skizz was kind and funny and loyal. As much as Impulse wanted to tell him how he felt and ask him out, he knew that would lead to keeping secrets or making him worry. He didn’t particularly like either option.
Soon he pulled up at his work. A sign read “Records Archive. Annex building H11” It was one of those boxy temporary buildings that had been set up in the 80s or 90s but was somehow still being used. At least that’s what it looked like on the outside.
He came in the front door and into an empty lobby with a few chairs and a check in window that had a paper taped to it that read “Entry by Appointment Only”
He swiped his key card at the employee door to get into the actual entrance way. The guard on duty looked up when he entered. “Good morning Mr Dynamo. The boss asked you to come see him as soon as you got in.”
That was never good.
Impulse just nodded and went to the elevator and pressed the button for the lowest basement. The elevator opened on a short hall that lead to the always empty secretary’s desk. Impulse went straight into the office past that.
It was a dark room, mahogony wood with shelves along one side and awards along the other. On the far end was a massive desk with no clutter or personal memotios. Just a single file and a name plate.
“You wanted to see me Voidmage?”
“Please Impulse, my protege, how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Gambit?” the retired hero smiled in a way that did not meet his eyes.
Impulse thought he should feel more at ease working for another demon but he never had. He just couldn’t imagine them being friends but he did respect him for his record if nothing else.
“Is this about Team Best getting away last night? If I hadn’t been sent to the wrong location I would…”
Gambit shook his head and motioned for Impulse to sit down.
“You’re not in any trouble. HQ has just finally decided that this city is too big for only one hero. You’re good Impulse and you’re going to be great. I know it but you can only be in one place at a time.”
“Oh.” Impulse was surprised for sure. “I know I’ve been asking for more backup but I thought it would never happen. Does this mean we will be getting local support too?”
“Yes, though the logistics of that is still being worked out. The coms room here needs to be brought up to date but with two heroes HQ will finally allow that expense.”
Impulse was thrilled this was everything he had been asking for since he started. Then it dawned on him…HQ was never that generous.
“What’s the catch?”
Gambit grinned and pushed the file over to Impulse. “This here is your new partner.”
Impulse looked through the file expecting some kind of trouble to be there. There wasn’t much there at all and he soon realized that was the problem. “Oh no you don’t. He has no field experience and barely any training. I’m not babysitting some kid out there. He’s going to get himself killed.”
“He’s not that much younger than you and yes he has no field experience but he is very promising. His flight skills are amazing. If he can keep Harpy off you in a fight then you have a much better chance of getting one of the other three.”
“I guess so.” But it didn’t feel right to Impulse. Even if this kid could out fly Harpy the villain was still his challenge to arrest. After all this time it felt kind of cheap. “So when do I meet this James Solidarity?”
The elevator dinged and opened and they both heard it.
“That should be him now.”
“Uh hello? I think I’m in the right spot.” The man entering the office was a little nervous. He was an avian with blond hair and yellow wings. He looked a little nervous and Impulse figured that was a good sign. At least he wasn’t cocky.
“Yes you are, Come in James.” Gambit stood to greet him and shake his hand. “You of course know who I am but this here is Impulse. He’s going to be your partner out in the field.”
Impulse shook his offered hand as well.
“I look forward to learning from you. I know I have a lot to learn. Oh and please call me Jimmy, no one calls me James.”
“Okay then Impulse I leave you in charge of getting Jimmy up to speed and settled in here.” Gambit said, sitting back at his desk and effectively dismissing them.
Impulse headed back to the elevator and Jimmy followed after him. He hit the button for the training basement. “I’ll be honest if I had my pick I wouldn’t pick someone as green as you but I’m not going to hold that against you if you’re willing to learn.”
Jimmy laughed. “Trust me I’m very much aware of how little I know. The only thing I’m good at is flying.”
Impulse could work with this. “So what do you know about Team Best?”
“I read everything on the wiki before I got here. Some of it was kind of contradictory.”
“That’s not surprising. Lets go over the basics.” The elevator opened on the training floor. Impulse pointed to the locker room, gym and the combat room but Impulse led him to a conference room that had a board with pictures taken from security cameras.
“Let’s start with Harpy. Avian like yourself, strong and agile in the air. He’s their leader the one I tangle with the most. He is a good fighter but he likes to taunt. If you can keep a clear head he may showboat and give you an opening. It doesn't happen often but the other three have always kept me from taking advantage of it.”
Jimmy looked at the pictures closely but looked a little confused. “Are you sure he’s an avian? I mean I know there is so much variety in our wings depending on the kind of bird and not all of us have the head wings but…I don’t know… there’s something in the shape of his wings that doesn’t feel right?”
“Which wiki did you check? I’m well aware of all the crackpot theories about how Harpy is clearly a valkyrie or a changeling or an angel or whatever weird thing it is this week.”
“I didn’t see any of that. I’m not saying that he’s not an avian, just something feels off.”
“Keep that in mind after you actually interact with him. HQ is sure he’s an avian but it’s not like they have never been wrong before. For example…” He pointed to the picture of Clhoromancer. Dark bark like skin and mossy hair. Clothing that was hard to tell for the vegetation around him and large dark eyes. “For years they weren’t sure if he was some type of plant golem or from an extinct group called the Glares. Turns out he he’s a Maliad which is a type of dryad with a strong connection to fruit trees. He’s likely responsible for the Ever-Trees.”
“The what?”
“Fourteen fruit trees throughout the city that are always green and bearing fruit. They are all in the poorest parts of the city and are beloved. He kind of has a bit of a fan group because of them.”
“A villain with a fan group?” Jimmy was shocked.
Impulse shrugs. “I think they all have fans out there but Clhoromancer has the largest group. Apparently his fans think he’s been forced into this life of crime or he’s madly in love with Shadow and followed him into this. I don’t think he’s forced into anything but the other…I do think there is some kind of relationship between Shadow and Clhoromancer. I can’t say for sure it’s romantic but it’s something.”
“I couldn’t find much about Shadow online. Just that he’s a fox-hybrid and can turn invisible.”
“There isn’t much more than that I’m afraid.” They had much fewer pictures of Shadow and they were all kind of blurry. He had white hair, fox ears and two tails and was dressed in black. “I have never gotten close to him myself. He does throw darts that are very good at shorting out my constructs and tends to be the first to enter a building they have broken into.”
“That really isn’t a lot.”
“No it’s not. When we catch them we will have to be careful he doesn’t get away most of all. And that just leaves Spark he’s a blaze-hybrid and…”
“Oh I’m well familiar with blaze-hybrids and how they work.” Jimmy quipped bitterly.
Impulse was surprised to see a darkness come over the man in front of him. Then remembered the file and the home town that was listed for him. “Oh, I’m sorry. Just don’t confuse Spark for them okay? He’s a different challenge. He’s smart and in control and…”
“In control!” Jimmy slapped his hand against one of the pictures of Spark with his flames flaring wildly. “All of them are wildfires waiting for a place to demolish. A scourge.”
Impulse had a very bad feeling that this was going to get Jimmy in trouble sooner rather than later.
---
Jimmy’s head was still spinning as he tried to keep all he had learned straight. He knew being a hero wasn’t going to be easy but he hadn’t been prepared for that part of it. Impulse had been a wealth of knowledge and taught him so much. At least he was fairly sure they could get along and work together well.
He wasn’t as intimidating as Voidmage was but then again the retired hero was something of a legend. One of the greatest heroes to ever do the job, perhaps the greatest. It was big shoes to fill even with Impulse’s help.
For now Jimmy was focusing on more mundane tasks. He needed to find an apartment to live in so he could move out of the motel he was staying in now and he wanted to get to know the city.
He had looked up some listings and had decided to walk around to check the places out. A few places had potential but nothing had felt perfect yet. He was hoping to to get something a little quiet with few neighbors as he had his fill of living around other people.
That being said he was on his way to check out Valley View Apartments where Impulse lived. There might not be any vacancies but it was worth checking. He was most of the way there when he saw something that made him freeze.
A blaze hybrid in an alley by a garage looking around behind boxes and gratings. He was clearly casing the place. He had a paper bag in his hand that no doubt contained a weapon or some sort of contraband.
Jimmy got out his phone to call the police when the blaze went over to one of the side doors and opened it with ease. He must have picked the lock so quickly Jimmy hadn’t seen it. There was no way the police would get here in time. He was going to have to do something himself and sort it out later. He took just enough time to get his flame proof gloves on.
Following through the unlocked door he found himself in a small, cluttered office. The blaze was in the doorway looking out into the garage with his back to Jimmy. He’d never get a better chance. Jimmy tackled him and then struggled frantically to get his hands restrained.
The blaze struggled frantically kicking and trying to break free while making alarmed sounds. “This is a citizen’s arrest. Hold still you thief.”
“What the hell?” someone shouted. Just as Jimmy got the baze’s hands pinned he was pulled off him by two sets of hands. He struggled but was surprised to see that it was not other blaze hybrids but a human and an angel that had pulled him up. Another human was checking on the blaze he had tackled helping him sit up.
“What the hell is your problem Skippy?” the blaze shouts at him.
“You were casing this place. I know what I saw.”
“For the love of…I was looking for Mama Cat.” He snapped back.
Jimmy was about to snap back that was a likely story when he noticed something. In the scuffle the paper bag had torn open and the contents sure did look like dry cat food.
“Also Tango is one of the co-owners of this place.” The angel insists. “You can ask anyone in the neighborhood and they will confirm that.”
At that moment there was a sleepy meow as a cat wandered out from the office. She was a black and orange torti with a pink heart shaped nose. Her left ear looked like it had long ago been shredded by another cat but was perfectly healed if stubby. She ignored the drama and climbed into Tango’s lap and started making biscuits against his leg. He winced but didn’t stop her as she made herself comfortable and then curled up on his lap to sleep some more. He let out a sigh of resignation accepting that he was kitty pinned and now couldn’t get up.
Tango petted her a few times but stopped the moment her tail lashed to let him know that she had enough.
The whole exchange had Jimmy stunned. It was a gentleness and patience he didn't think blaze hybrids were capable of.
Jimmy felt ashamed by his assumptions and took the time to really look at Tango. The flames on his head and tail were small as if half snuffed out. His coveralls had grease and oil stains on them as did his hands. There was even a smudge of grease on his face.
Jimmy took in his warm red eyes, soft smile angled features and started to feel something he never expected to feel in a million years.
Oh no, he’s hot.
He got smacked over the head and through the heart with an instant crush. A crush on a blaze hybrid. A crush on someone he had just made the worst first impression on and who was currently glaring at him.
“Why is the jearkface still here? I think we proved that I wasn’t trying to steal from my own business.”
“I’m sorry, I misunderstood and jumped to the wrong conclusion. Is there any way that I can make this up to you?” The angel and the taller of the two humans who had pulled him off Tango to start stepped back, seeming to be satisfied that Jimmy wasn’t going to tackle him again.
“You can get lost is what you can do.” Tango says pointing to the main door.
“I’m serious, I’m truly sorry, I can’t apologize enough.”
“You profiled me! You can apologize all you want. I don't have to accept it and if you don’t leave now I’ll call the cops to have you removed.”
“But I…”
The angel put his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “You might want to just leave for now. When Top makes his mind up on something he won’t change it easily.”
“Oh….okay.” It was hard not to feel defeated. “I am sorry Tango.” he said as he left but he didn’t fully give up. He noted the garages address and hours and tried to think of ways he could get Tango to forgive him and maybe…maybe something more.
The next morning he arrived at the garage shortly before it opened with two drinks. Tango opened the rolling door and sighed when he saw him.
“What do you want, Sheriff?” he snarked
“Peace offering.” He said holding up the drinks and following Tango into the garage to his work bay. “I got a coffee and a tea since I didn’t know which one you’d prefer.” He set them both down on his work bench and started to pull sugar and creamer packets out of his pockets.
Tango picked up both drinks and dropped them in the trash can.
“Okay, peace offering not accepted. I’ll try again later then.”
“Or you could just not and get on with your life.”
That was not an option for Jimmy. These feelings got stronger the more he saw Tango and the blaze hybrid was on his mind all the time it seemed.
Next he tried cookies, his mother’s snickerdoodles, only he only had a microwave in the motel so had to make them in the break room at work. Impulse noticed what he was doing so Jimmy had to tell him what happened.
That turned out to be a lucky break however. It seemed that the angel was Impulse's neighbor Skizz and Impulse once again turned out to be a wealth of information. He was able to find out the names of the other guys at the garage and that the 4 of them were practically family. He also knew that Skizz was always talking about how smart Tango was, that he loved to make games and that he was a hero nerd.
Jimmy fell just a little bit more in love.
When he dropped by the garage in the afternoon with the cookies Tango again went to throw them out but Skizz caught them as he did.
“Tango you can’t throw out perfectly good food.”
“I don’t want jerk cooked cookies.”
Jimmy wilted a little but he knew he only had himself to blame for it. Tango and Skizz started bickering in that way that you could only do with someone you were close to. It made Jimmy think of his sister and before he knew it tears were pouring down his face.
He tried to leave before any of them noticed and he didn’t know if he was successful or not.
The next day he tried coming as a customer. He had driven all the way here so it made sense to have the car checked. Only the work got put to Etho and it turned out that wasn’t even Tango avoiding him as it seemed that Etho always took the cars that didn’t have computers.
It gave him an excuse to be at the shop however and a reason to come back later. He only got to say a few things to Tango in that time but felt he had made some progress. Tango was less hostile and more professionally distant from him. It wasn’t much progress but for now he’d take what he could.
----
Tango generally loved the night. It was quiet and you couldn’t be scared of the dark when you were a walking nightlight. It also made their job easier.
He was perched on a rooftop looking out for Dynamo and the cops. Etho and Bdubs had gotten in clean and Skizz was flying circles around the building waiting to be needed.
Then Tango spotted the familiar yellow crackle.
’Skizz the bird is here southwest of your current location.’
‘On it. Going to get electric boy for almost making me go splat last time.’
‘Just be careful.’
Tango felt tense every time that Skizz fought with Dynamo directly. He knew that Skizz was strong and the best suited to that role on their team but he’d do his best to make sure Skizz never got hurt too bad to heal.
He was so focused on that fight he almost didn’t notice the second figure that had made a bee line for him. Tango barely got out of the way of a ball of yellow feathers that tried to tackle him. He was able to use his flames to launch himself up and over to the other side of the roof. It took a moment for him to realize that he was looking at another hero, a hero he didn’t know.
He had yellow wings and bright red hair. He wore a mask with yellow feathers on the top of his face. His costume was blue and white and gold and tight enough to show off his muscle tone. He wasn’t a power hose from the looks of things but he had wide shoulders and toned arms and abbs.
Two thoughts ran through Tango’s mind. The first was that this guy was very hot. The second was that this had to be his first outing meaning Tango was getting to see a hero debut first hand. He started to geek out about that when 3 other voices reminded him that this was not the time and to stop being Tango and be Spark.
“Who do we have here? You’re new.” He gets out as he tries to figure out what Spark should do about the hot new hero that wasn’t geeking out.
“My name is Canary and I’m here to protect the innocent from villains like you.”
Tango smiled; he was just the kind of hero that Tango had once dreamed of being. Spark could have some with this.
“Well pretty birdy we don’t go after the innocent.” He flashed a charming grin as he flirted. He still kept an eye towards Skizz just in case but most of his focus was on the hero in front of him.
“Don’t try to act like you're just misunderstood. Villains like you are part of the reason things are so hard for honest blaze hybrids out there.”
“Righous indignation is a sexy look on you Canary.”
That made the hero blush and Tango laughed. Oh this was going to be fun he itched to find out what this new hero could do.
Canary flew towards him and again Tango barely got out of the way. Tango wasn’t the best at hand to hand combat but had spared enough with Skizz to have the basics. He could tell that Canary didn’t have a lot of experience yet and that he could keep the upper hand as long as things were kept close enough to the roof tops.
He took a moment to check on Skizz and saw that things were going like normal.
“Why do you keep checking on your leader!” Canary says in frustration. “Is fighting me that boring?”
“Oh Darlin’ you could never be boring.” Tango teased when the rest of what he said sank through. “You think Harpy is our leader?” Tango laughed and he just had to let Skizz know that.
’Haha. Dummies. They really think I’m the leader?’
Tango could hear Skizz laughing in both his mind and from where he was fighting Dynamo.
Both heroes were stunned by the news and since Bdubs and Etho had already gotten what they came for Tango called for them to get out of there before the heroes could stop them.
He blew a kiss to Canary as he made a smoke screen to cover his escape.
He couldn’t wait to get home so he could see what info he could find about this new hero. The hero forums would be buzzing with this new debut.
---
Two days later a small figure got off the bus at the main Anasona depot. They found a bench and pulled out a phone to check a map to make sure they knew where they needed to go now.
From their pocket they pulled out a folded newspaper clipping about the debut of the new hero Canary. There were two pictures taken from security cameras as part of the article. One showed Spark and Canary fighting and the other Harpy and Dynamo.
“It should be easy to find them now.” The figure could see more than just what was in the picture. They could see the essence, the part that could not be hidden or disguised.