Talyesin's Tales

Previously on Squirrelman - Sins of the Past:

When Squirrelman, Ragdoll, Darklight and Ace descended into Downtown to investigate the Pixie Dust being produced there, they encountered the demonic troublemaker Pandy Monium. Pandy later joined the Implacable Foes, the criminal group dedicated to the destruction of the Crimefighters' League.

In order to convince the owner of the transhuman nightclub Skritch to provide information about the whereabouts of a potential informant, Midnight Avenger offered to become a silent partner in the popular club, an offer Shawn Fox readily accepted.

When an attempt to rescue several kidnapped city officials, including the Mayor, went horribly wrong, resulting in the Mayor's death, the Crimefighters' League were implicated in the accident.

Upon his assumption of the role of Mayor, former Deputy Mayor Joel Bendis put an end to two decades of established protocol, ceasing the awarding of collars to the crimefighters responsible, and revoking every costumed crimefighter's Action City ID card. Furthermore, he went on to call any individual choosing to fight crime without joining the newly-formed Action City Guardians dangerous, incompetant, and useless, claiming their acts of vigilantism were unnecessary and unwelcome...



Starring

Matt Mattheson ......... as Squirrelman
Kimmy Sinclair ................ as Ragdoll
Rick Duncan ........................... as Ace
Lisa Dumont ................... as Physique
Anna Kimble ................. as Darklight
Stephanie Cooke ............. as Blue Jay
Jay Allen ........................ as Red Bolt
Mike Washington ............. as Dragon
Trevor Andrews ............... as Phenom
Jessica Wagner .............. as Rapunzel
Katie McCormick ............ as Superia
Steven Rand ............... as Showdown
Hank Scott .................. as Powerband
Wayne Masters ... as Midnight Avenger
Jill Suzuki ........................... as Naiad
Hannah Cohen ................... as Psifire
Kyle Drake ........... as Troubleshooter
Jackson Archer ............ as Moonbow
Alistair Crombie ............. as the Mole
Cricket ............................... as herself
Max Mattheson ....... as Captain Hero
Missy Mattheson ........ as Squirrelgrrl
Elizabeth Walsingham .... as Diamond
Gareth King ................ as Lightbringer
Rob Ross ....................... as Ultraman
Rosie Ross ................as Ultrawoman
Ryan Ross .......................as Ultraboy
Rory Ross ....................... as Ultragirl
Melody Johnson .............. as Decibelle
Tony Juarez .................. as Redeemer
Samantha Timmons ... as Speed Queen
Kathryn Hardy.......... as Nightwoman


"Okay, wait. This doesn't make sense. Do we even know it's really the Mayor?" Trevor asks. "I mean, how do we know it's not a clone, or a Doppelite, or a Simulatron-"

"Simulator."

"Whatever! Or even some poor woman taken off the streets and transmogrified into looking like the Mayor?"

"Because the family has requested that the results of the autopsy be made public, so that everyone will know that it's really Maiden America, and that she's really dead," Kyle says.

"Can she even be killed?" Jay asks. "I thought she was, like, completely invulnerable."

"When she's transformed," Lisa explains. "She didn't get a chance to transform into Maiden America. She's only really tough in her normal form."

"She took Baron Zero's energy blast well enough," Mike says.

"Like I said, really tough," Lisa says. "Like, a Class Three or so? But when she changes into Maiden America, forget it, she's like a Class Eight at least."

"Anyhow, a ton of rubble got dropped on her, and a car from the parking garage," I say. "Besides, whether or not she's actually dead isn't the point. Our new Mayor just arbitrarily turned us all into vigilantes."

"The Samaritan Act-" Steph says, but Kyle interrupts her.

"The Samaritan Act only says that we, as concerned citizens with abilities beyond what might be considered normal, are entitled to use those abilities in the defence of others," he explains. "It doesn't give us police powers, doesn't make us duly-designated representatives of the law."

"The Action City Costumed Crimefighters ID cards did that," Hank adds.

"Right. Not quite deputized, but granted certain powers beyond the average Action Citizen."

"You know what's going to happen," Wayne says. "Action City leads the way for everything in regards to masks and metas. New York, LA, Chicago, Knight City - they're all going to do likewise. Especially now that the Registry is public, and the Claremont Act is repealed, and people are thinking they can't really trust us because most of us didn't register ourselves."

Michaels comes into the main lounge.

"Begging your pardon, sir, but there's a call for you. A Mister Fox."

"I'll take it in my study, Michaels, thanks," Wayne says, then excuses himself and leaves the lounge.

"The point is-"

"The point is, unless we want to work for the Action City Guardians, we're on our own," I say. "No more police assistance, no more collars, no more sponsors. Nothing. We're on our own."

"Good."

Everybody looks at Jackson.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kyle says.

"Things were too easy," he answers. "You need guts and stamina to make it in this game. Not just a pretty costume and clever name. People were masking up thinking it was a party. It's not. And it shouldn't be. Now, all we've got is each other, and ourselves. Maybe kids will think twice about masking up. Maybe lives get saved that way. When only the dedicated get into the game. Not for fun. Not for profit. Not for sponsors and collars and glory. For justice. For what's right. For knowing it's okay for that old lady who lives next door to walk the streets at night. Because you're on the job."

It's maybe the most I've ever heard Jackson say in one sitting.

"He's right," I hear myself say, not really believing I'm saying it. "We've had it pretty easy the last few years. But when Squirrelman got into the game, it wasn't easy. Cops were just as likely to arrest me as thank me. Things got better, sure, eventually..."

Because the reality warp in 1999 left everyone with the impression that metahumans were just humans with advantages, like being good at math or a natural athlete. But people - normal people, non-metas - seemed to have forgotten that, that we're just people too. Being a hero means you're held to a higher standard. When you fall from grace, you've got a lot further to fall.

"So what are you saying?" Trevor asks. "We should just give up, stop being crimefighters?"

"No, of course not."

"What then, join the Guardians?"

"I don't doubt there's a lot of people who will," I answer. "I'm not saying anyone in this room. I'm just saying in general. Let's face it, most of us weren't team players before we formed the League. Okay, I'd have to say we mostly are, now, but when we formed the League it was a loose-knit group of individuals. Sure, we came together as a team, gelled, meshed, whatever you want to call it. But we've all got to face facts - the situation, as it is, means either we choose to join the Guardians, or we go vigilante." I look around the room at everyone. "I'm not asking you to decide right here and now. Think about it. Think about what the Guardians gets you, and what it asks you to give up. Think about the same for the Crimefighters' League. We can't offer any of the things the Guardians can offer you. Some of you already belong to other groups - I'm thinking Team Title in particular, but, there might others I don't know about. Maybe those other groups are a better bet for now."

"Are you... are you suggesting we disband the League?" Jay asks.

"Hell no. But I want everyone to know that if there are... other options they'd like to pursue, I for one will understand completely, no hard feelings. And I'll expect the same attitude from anyone choosing to stay with the League."

Wayne walks in, looking pissed.

"What happened?" Kathryn asks him, going over to him. Puts a hand on his shoulder. So that's how it is. I'm not as oblivious about these things as the ladies think I am.

"That was Shawn Fox on the vid," he says. "Somebody firebombed Skritch."

"What?!"

"Why?"

"He wasn't sure, but he thought he heard the firebombers yelling 'Burn you meta freaks' outside," he says.

"Anti-meta protestors?"

"That's the stupidest-"

"They aren't even metas!"

"I don't understand-"

"Jesus Christ-"

"What the hell does-"

"What are we-"

"Why-"

"Okay, everybody cool it," I say. "Yes, transhumans aren't metahumans, just regular humans with too much money and a particular... fetish. No, it doesn't make any sense. But. We can't let this sort of thing spiral out of control. If we go out there, hunt down the firebomber, make a big deal out of it, it's just going to seem like our own brand of vigilante justice, watching out for one of our own, instead of letting the duly-designated authorities handle it. I'm sorry, Wayne. The League can't look into this one."

"Don't apologize to me," he says. "There were injuries. A waitress is in the hospital with third degree burns over most of her body because her fur caught fire. Apologize to her."

"Wayne-"

"Look, I understand your reasoning and I agree with it. It doesn't make me happy about it."

I take a deep breath.

"Okay," I say. "Okay. Tempers are running a little high right now. We need to get out there and do something. We've got more than enough on our plates to keep everyone busy. If you've got stuff you want or need to attend to, feel free. Anyone else, I'm heading Downtown to patrol. The ACPD don't seem to care if we exact our vigilante justice down there."

I head out of the lounge to go upstairs and suit up. I run into the Rosses coming in.

"Hey Rory, you okay?" I ask her.

She gives me the shrug that fourteen year olds use when they want to say 'I guess,' 'I don't know,' and 'What do you think?'

"Matt, can I talk to you?" Rob asks as Rosie takes the kids upstairs.

"Sure," I say, knowing what's coming. I knew it when Rosie wouldn't look me in the eye.

"Rosie and I... well, we feel - with things being the way they are-"

"Rob, it's okay. I understand."

"It's just, the kids-"

"Rob, seriously. No problem."

"I wish..."

"Yeah. So listen, what are you going to do?"

"We've got family, out of state. Just for a while. Rosie can home-school the kids, and... you know. We'll stay low profile for a few weeks. It'll blow over, it always does."

"Yeah. Well, at least you're not joining the Guardians."

"Don't even. That ain't gonna happen. Push comes to shove, Rosie and I will just reactivate our Team Title memberships."

"Jeez, is everyone a member of Team Title but me?"

"Pretty much."

"Har har." I shake his hand. "It's been good working with you, Rob. We're going to miss the Ultras around here."

"Yeah, your daughter and my son especially."

"That was going to happen over my dead body."

"Something wrong with my boy?"

"Not a damn thing - he's just thirty years older than her."

"There is that."

"Thanks. Listen, I gotta-"

"Yeah, me too."

We shake hands again. He heads to his room, I go to mine. Suit up. Head to the sub-basement, to the tunnel to the cave leading to Downtown.

There's a gang waiting for me. Ragdoll, Ace, Darklight, Physique, Showdown, Red Bolt, Blue Jay, Dragon, Moonbow, Cricket, Superia, Max and Squirrelgrrl, Phenom.

"Ready?" Ragdoll asks me.

"Yeah. Uh... the Ultras. They're heading out of town for a while." I do my best not to look at my daughter. "If you guys want to say goodbye, now's the time."

We head back upstairs. Big goodbyes always seem awkward to me. Hugs, handshakes, those European two-cheek kisses for some reason between the ladies. Ryan manages to give Missy a quick, nervous peck on the mouth, just before he's about to leave, but Missy grabs him, wraps her arms around his neck, and plants a good long solid kiss on him.

"She is your daughter," I say to Kimmy. "I'm going to be completely bald by the time we catch up to them."

"I'm sort of hoping you just go grey," she says, then clears her throat as loud and obnoxiously as she can. Missy gets the hint, lets go, they back away from each other, sort of sad and sort of happy and definitely out of breath.

"Big time grey," I say.

"It's distinguished."

"Sure it is."

We say our goodbyes and I'm surprised by how bad I feel. I am going to miss them, even if I barely knew them. But it's more than that. It's somehow the end of something, an admission that things are different now, different than they were a couple weeks ago, different than they were a couple days ago. And who knows how, when, or even if things will ever get back to the way they were.

We're less angry when we go back downstairs, more pensive. Head into the tunnel. Wayne's got a custom-designed vehicle, looks like a long thin mining cart with seats, we all climb in. It'll get us closer to Downtown. Not all the way, but close enough.

The ride's pretty quiet. Couple people here and there talking amongst themselves. Ace catches my eye and grins.

"What's so funny?" I ask him.

"Remember that time we were heading Downtown? The first time we went looking to bust that Boost lab?"

"Yeah?"

"Every think it'd come to this? Riding into Downtown on a Midnightmobile?"

"Can't say that I did," I laugh. "There's one thing that's always bothered me about that day, though."

"What's that?"

"Why was Pandy Monium just sitting there, waiting for you? For that matter, why is she your most Implacable Foe? I mean, Black Jack, Tornado, Flamestrike even... Why Pandy?"

"Yes, my love, why Pandy?" Darklight asks, looping her arm around his and looking up at him, all attentive.

Ace lets out a deep sigh. "She's my high school girlfriend."

"You dated a demon in high school?" Ragdoll asks.

"She wasn't a demon, then. I guess I dumped her pretty hard. She hooked up with the wrong crowd, next thing I knew she'd sold herself, body and soul, to some revenge-fixated demon, possessed her. Only the ritual went wrong - I tried to save her, y'see - and the demon didn't just possess her, it transformed her, and she went a little more loco."

"Doesn't explain why she was waiting for us, though."

"Well, see, the thing is, she can kind of ... sense me? I think? She's always showing up at the worst possible times, that much I know."

"Richard, why didn't you tell me this before now?"

"I didn't want to upset you, hon."

Anna gives Rick a look that says, Not only are we going to have a talk about this later, I'm going to be doing all the talking and you're going to be doing all the listening, and by the way, you're sleeping on the couch. What she says is, "Let me just take care of that right now."

She leans back. Her eyes glow purple-white and she looks all around Ace, even getting him to stand up in the moving Midnightmobile. Then she sees something invisible, grabs it in midair, hands glowing with the same purple-white light, and snips at it, her fingers making a scissors-motion. Then she sits down, next to Rick, but with a little space between them, and a pissed-off-but-somehow-amused-about-it look on her face.

The tunnel ends and the cavern begins, so we pile out of the Midnightmobile mining cart and start hoofing it to Downtown. The trip's not unpleasant, but everyone's got something they want to work out - frustration, anger, fear even. Things are rapidly getting out of control. I'm sure that Reed's at City Hall right now, trying to convince them that these actions are unnecessary and reactionary, but right now people don't want stability, they want someone to blame. Normal folks just found out that people they knew, trusted, loved, have been lying to them, in some cases for years, even decades. Normal folks who have been lied to for years have suddenly become targets in a war they didn't know they were a part of. Normal folks are scared, and angry, and hurt. Normal folks want someone to pay for their fear, and anger, and pain.

Normal folks suck.

That's not true. But sometimes, y'know...

So we hit the streets of Downtown with the intention of taking out our frustrations on the gangers and the drug runners and the assorted badasses that make their homes and livelihoods down there, but the past two weeks of having the Crimefighters' League scour Downtown for information about where the Mole could be means that the gangers and the pushers and the badasses have all gone to ground, keeping their heads down and staying out of sight. We don't get any frustrations out that afternoon. By supper we've got nothing.