“So, if you guys decide to let me join, this whole floor is ours.” Verona said, as the other Brats looked on in awe.
“This place is…” Kevin trailed off.
“I believe the word you’re looking for is ‘EPIC’!” Ally exclaimed, gaping at the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out on Los Angeles from around 70 storeys up.
“We’ve got basement space reserved for vehicles, a private elevator, a Blackhawk helicopter with a pilot on call, some kind of supercomputer, a fully equipped gym, a hot tub-“ Verona paused to wink at Kevin. “- and not to mention full bedroom and bathroom facilities for all of us.”
“Verona… You can’t just buy a spot on our team. Just because you’ve got all this cool stuff doesn’t mean we’re going to let you join.” Kevin said.
“I don’t know… She’s got the moves, she’s got the gear, she’s got the bod…” Mosley paused to eye Verona up and down, much to her disgust. “She’s got my vote.”
“This is pretty cool.” Ally added. “I mean, look at this place!” Ally went on to demonstrate the size of the main common area, performing at least ten cartwheels in a row, and still not reaching the far window.
“These facilities do provide us with a distinct advantage that the mansion lacks.” Fisher agreed. “Not to mention, with training, the Ice Queen will be quite the formidable fighter.”
“Princess. Ice Princess.” Verona corrected.
“Of course…” Fisher said.
“Well, looks like the votes are in. I’ll make it unanimous, I suppose. Welcome to the team.” Kevin said, extending a hand.
Verona ignored it, instead charging forward for a hug, squealing.
“I didn’t even tell you the best part!” Verona said, after recovering her composure. “JAMES!” She shouted.
A door to the left hissed open, and a man in his thirties stepped through, wearing the latest in Italian suits.
“We get a butler!?” Ally exclaimed.
James scowled. “No. Verona’s father has hired me to act as your assistant in any way possible.”
“So you’re a butler.” Mosley scoffed.
“No. Watch and learn.” James said. “Computer. Load file ‘BlackDragonFist091’.”
“Loading…” An electronic voice buzzed, as the floor opened up in front of the Brats.
Light streamed out of the floor, forming a hologram of a folder directly in front of James.
James reached out and touched the folder, causing the contents to spill out across the hologram, before selecting one of the files within.
“Coooool.” Ally said.
“As you can see here, the Black Dragon Fist have made their presence known to the financial elite of this city.” James said, pointing out what appeared to be a business card for ‘BDF Security’. “Corporate sabotage, protection, even sabotage… They do it all.”
“And they have business cards? With their address on them?” Mosley scoffed.
“The address is a fake. The number leads to a disposable cell phone.” James explained.
“So we have nothing?” Kevin asked.
“Not necessarily… I pulled some strings, got a trace…” James said, closing the business card file, and opening another file, this one displaying a map of Downtown LA.
“The cell phone was within this four-block radius.” James said. “We couldn’t trace it any further, it just happens to be one of the highest-concentrated areas of cell phone coverage in the city.”
“Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us.” Kevin said. “Time to suit up and find those ninjas.”
<><><>
Mr Perfect sighed as he soared through the air. He placed a hand on his new communicator. “Remember the good old days, when Belle would do a psychic scan, and we’d find everyone I wanted to?”
“It’s been half an hour; you’re not going to find anything.” Firestorm replied.
“If Matt was up here we’d have found them twenty-five minutes ago.” Mr Perfect said.
“And he’d have reminded you to use codenames.” Pixel said.
<><><>
The Man In Black was regretting his decision to attack the Black Dragon Fist enclave alone. They outnumbered him at least twenty-to-one. He had faced worse odds, but these cyborg-ninjas were among his most powerful foes.
Still, they were a plague on his city, and his mentor’s greatest enemies. He had to fight them.
Still, it would have made sense to try to contact the Brat Pack. He couldn’t win the fight alone.
A well-placed series of jabs to his abdomen left him cringing on the ground, as another ninja mounted him, pummelling at his face.
As he stared up at the ninja, and his certain defeat, he noticed the heavily windows that surrounded the top of the building. He also noticed the red and white blur that was blazing past it. Mr Perfect.
At that, he smiled, firing a flash-bang from his wrist-launcher, through the window, using the non-lethal weapon as a signal flare.
Within moments, Mr Perfect was by his side, lifting the ninja off him and tossing it into a crowd of their opponents.
“Looks like I got here just in time.” Mr Perfect said.
Before the ninjas could fight back, the rest of the Brat Pack oozed out of the walls.
“Who knew Fissure could use bricks for his terraportation?” Pixel asked.
“We need to stop letting you name powers.” Firestorm said.
“But it was clever.” Pixel argued.
“Uh, guys…? Ninjas, remember?” Mr Perfect said.
“Oh, right.” Pixel said. “Let’s do this.” The young heroine fired her flares at the nearest ninja, leaving him stunned, before teleporting up to him, and teleporting away with him in her grip.
Meanwhile, the Man in Black was back on his feet, and taking on a pair of ninjas single-handedly, while Mr Perfect wrestled a trio right next to him.
Firestorm and Ice Princess stood back-to-back, using their elemental control powers to freeze and heat up the ninjas, leaving their cybernetic implants brittle, and easily broken by the cloud of debris Fissure was forming in the air around them.
“See, this is how we would have gone in if the nerd was around. With a plan. Let’s see the ninjas adapt to this.” Firestorm said, as dozens of ninjas dropped to the ground, clutching the wounds where their artificial improvements had once been.
“I must admit, this is quite the strategy. I must admit Verona, your father’s men have done their research.” Fissure said.
“Codenames.” Ice Princess reminded. “And yes, they’re quite good at their jobs, aren’t they?”
“Does her codename really matter if her identity is known publicly?” Pixel asked, having reappeared moments earlier.
“It’s about being a professional.” Ice Princess argued.
“Hey, we’ve all seen the tape of you in St Tropez; you’re hardly one to talk about professionalism.” Firestorm said.
“I was drunk, and it was really hot. It’s not like I needed that many layers of clothing on.” Ice Princess said, as she stopped fighting.
“So you went with ‘none’?” Pixel asked. “Yeah, I’ve seen it too.” She added, after receiving stares from all her teammates.
“There are so many things wrong with the picture in my head right now.” Firestorm said.
“EWWWW!” Ice Princess and Pixel said, as they both proceeded to slap their teammate.
“Guys. Ninjas.” Mr Perfect said, as he knocked yet another ninja unconscious.
“Pretty sure that was the last one.” Firestorm pointed out.
“Hey, where’d the Man in Black go?” Pixel asked.
“Oh, son of a…” Mr Perfect said.

Mosley groaned as he stretched out on the sofa. “I’m sick of us getting our asses kicked. Who knew the nerd was actually useful?”
“Pretty sure Matt was the strongest one on the team, remember?” Ally said, as she slumped down on the other sofa.
“Whatever.” Mosley said.
“Aww, you’re just grumpy because Tag Team hit you with that high-low move.” Ally grinned impishly, as Mosley shot her a glare.
“How was I supposed to know he could split into two? There was no nerd-o-pedia to tell me his powers. If Jockstrap had done some prepwork like a real leader, I would have smoked that guy.” Mosley said.
“My ears are burning.” Kevin said, as he sat down on the arm of Ally’s seat.
“That could be arranged.” Mosley said.
“He’s still got his panties in a twist after the Tag Team incident this afternoon?” Kevin asked.
“Yep. He thinks it’s your fault.” Ally said.
“It is. You had us going in there blind.” Mosley said.
“Oh, doesn’t the internet in your room work? Or on your phone?” Kevin asked.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m not supposed to be the leader here, am I?” Mosley asked, as he sat up to face Kevin properly.
The two boys didn’t even notice the ringing doorbell. “I’ll get it. You keep fighting.” Ally said, as she teleported away.
“Matt was never the leader, he was the brains. He was prepared. Now we need to survive without him.” Kevin said.
“So we’re just going to be rushing headlong into battle instead?” Mosley asked.
“You’re one to talk about rushing into battle.” Kevin said.
Mosley stood up and crossed the gap between the two. “I don’t put the others in danger when I do it. These guys follow your orders. You’re sending us in there without a plan. It’s insane.”
“And you would do any better?” Kevin stood up too, not intimidated by the slightly smaller teen.
“Damn right I would.” Mosley said.
Fisher came down the stairs. “Who’s at the door?” He asked, but was ignored.
“Oh yeah? And what would you do differently?” Kevin asked.
“Prepare for one. Google the guys we’re going up against. Fisher led the Brat Pack in the future, so I’d ask him about tactics.” Mosley said.
“Leave me out of this.” Fisher said, as he crossed the room and went through to the entrance hall.
“It wouldn’t matter. Without Matt’s firepower and his brains, we’re at a disadvantage. And losing Katie certainly doesn’t help.” Kevin said.
“Damn right it doesn’t help. Face it, without those two, you can’t lead. You’re useless. You may as well have followed Katie to Brown, because you’d do us as much good over there.” Mosley said.
“If I’m so bad, why don’t you leave? Why don’t you go to the East Coast?” Kevin asked.
“Oh yeah, your girlfriend would love to bunk with me, wouldn’t she?” Mosley taunted.
Kevin’s jaw set and his eyes narrowed. “Get out.” He said slowly.
“Last time I checked, this house belongs to Katie. And I know she’d never kick me out. I bet she wouldn’t kick me out of bed either.” Mosley smirked.
Kevin clenched his fist. “Get out before I throw you out.”
“You’re getting good at driving people out of your life, aren’t you?” Mosley said.
Kevin raised his fist, and Mosley flinched. “You’re not worth it.” Kevin shook his head and dropped his fist, before turning away.
“Don’t turn your back on me.” Mosley said. “I’m not finished.”
Kevin ignored him, walking through to the entrance hall.
“LOOK AT ME YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Mosley screamed.
Kevin turned back and saw the sparks flying from Mosley’s body. “Get a grip on yourself before you burn Katie’s house down.” Kevin said, before exiting into the next room.
“Wow. What’s his problem?”
Kevin looked at their visitor. The girl was around their age, with long blonde hair, and deep brown eyes. She was very attractive, not a hair out of place and makeup perfectly applied. Her costume left little to the imagination, the form-fitting white leotard showed generous amounts of leg, the baby blue trim cutting the costume off at mid-thigh. Strangely enough, she was not wearing a mask with her costume.
“I know you from somewhere…” Kevin said.
“And it hits him in three… two…” Ally muttered.
“You’re Verona Mitchell!” Kevin exclaimed, as realisation dawned. “But what are you doing here?”
Verona giggled. “Actually, I go by Ice Princess now. After that whole thing with my brother, daddy decided I should clear the family name. So I tried to be a superhero, but I’m not very good-“
The conversation was cut off by the sound of a motorcycle revving loudly, as Mosley rode out the driveway.
“So you’re here for tips?” Kevin asked.
“No. I’m here to join up!” Ice Princess bounced.
“You did just say you weren’t very good.” Kevin said.
“I just need practice. With you guys around, I’m sure I’ll get good in no time!” Ice Princess said.
“I don’t know…” Kevin said.
“Please please please! I can pay you guys! And we have heaps of cool stuff like cars and motorbikes and jetskis that we can give you!”
“But what can you do?”
“Oh duh… I freeze stuff. That’s why I’m the Ice Princess.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to give you a trial run… Assuming the others don’t object.” Kevin turned to his two teammates.
“Yay! Score one for oestrogen!” Ally shouted, as Fisher shrugged.
<><><>
Mosley mumbled obscenities under his breath as he overtook the traffic all the way along the PCH, bringing his speed up to around 70 mph. What right did Kevin have to speak to him like that? To treat him like he was nothing? He had every right to just let him burn.
And the others just walked out on him like that? Just let Kevin keep fighting, even though he was in the wrong? Were those his friends?
Ahead on the road there was a crash, as a semi-trailer overturned. Mosley caught up to the crash, looking to help anyone who was hurt. It was then that he saw the black figures swarming all over the truck.
Ninjas.
“Oh crap…” Mosley muttered. “I really liked this flannel.” With that, he burst into flames, covering his identity within the raging inferno.
“Ok boys! Who wants to be vented on first?” Firestorm shouted, cracking his knuckles.
As one, the horde of ninjas looked up at him. Wordlessly, three of them peeled away from the group, surrounding the young hero.
“Ninjas can’t catch you if you’re FIRESTORM!” Firestorm howled, as he expanded the range of his flames, in order to engulf the ninjas, who simply flipped out of the way.
As the flames died down, all the ninjas moved forward in perfect unison, and Firestorm found himself being punched in three places at once. Within moments, he was on the ground, unconscious.
He woke up with his motorcycle helmet on his head.
“What the hell?” He asked, as he sat up.
“Oh good, you’re awake. We couldn’t find your mask.” Pixel said, as she teleported circles around a ninja.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’d gone into this battle unprepared.” Mr Perfect added, as he narrowly dodged a ninja’s strike, using his super speed, before using the same super-speed to land a super-strong blow to the ninja’s skull, sending it tumbling through the air and crashing to the ground.
“Conservation of Ninjutsu. The more ninjas there are, the less effective they are.” Firestorm shrugged.
“Works in the movies, dumbass. I’ve fought these guys before.” Mr Perfect said, as he blocked another blow. “Wow, that hurt.” He said, before kicking the ninja in the shin. The ninja didn’t even flinch, but then Mr Perfect tossed him into the air. “They’re bad news. Plus, they’ve had upgrades. We heard you were fighting them on the police radio, so we Googled them. Apparently they’re all cybernetically enhanced now.”
“Are these those Black Dragon Fist guys you fought in Vegas?” Firestorm asked, as he began shooting fireballs at the assembled ninjas.
“Yeah, but they’re stronger now, faster, and probably have some kind of mental connection. Like I said: Better.” Mr Perfect said.
“So long as I don’t let them near me, I’ll be fine.” Firestorm said, continuing his assault.
“It’s not that easy.” Mr Perfect pointed at the ninjas, who were flipping out of the way. “They learn. Quick. Use a trick to beat one, the rest will be ready for it.”
“Unless you use a trick they can’t beat.”
Firestorm had to duck, as a frozen ninja sailed through the air, obviously aiming at his position.
“What the hell?” Firestorm asked.
“Oh, right. Firestorm, meet Ice Princess.” Mr Perfect said. “We recruited her while you were off having your tantrum.”
“Do you really want to start that again?” Firestorm asked, as a cloud of fire caught a pair of ninjas.
“Not right now, no.” Mr Perfect tossed another ninja into an incoming pair. “We’re kind of busy.”
“Not to mention how childish it is.” Fissure added, as he encased another ninja in stone.
“These ninjas just don’t stop coming!” Pixel shouted, barely teleporting out of the path of a shuriken.
“We are severely outnumbered, I’m not sure how much longer we can keep this up.” Fissure added, as the heroes converged on one spot, standing back to back, as the ninjas advanced.
“They’re ducking all my attacks.” Firestorm said.
“Mine too.” Fissure said, as a ninja leaped out of the reach of his geokinesis.
“We may be out of our league… I mean, ninjas are one thing, but robot ninjas?” Ice Princess said.
“Guys, we can do this. Focus.” Mr Perfect said.
“Oh shove it. Fissure, let’s get out of here.” Firestorm said.
“I can ‘port us all out of here.” Fissure agreed.
“No! We don’t retreat!” Mr Perfect said.
“Kevin, face it: We’re not as good as we were. We need to retreat you jackass!” Firestorm said.
“You’re the one who got us into this! And codenames!” Mr Perfect shouted.
“You’re as bad as each other. We need a decision.” Fissure said. “Retreat, or fight to the death?”
“Fight. Always stay and fight.” Mr Perfect said.
Fissure sighed. “Yes sir.”
The heroes braced themselves for the worst, as the ninjas approached.
Suddenly there was an explosion to one side, scattering the ninjas, as on the other side, a net appeared over the top of another half dozen ninjas.
“What the-?” Firestorm asked.
“Capitalize! Get them!” Mr Perfect ordered, and the Brat Pack charged forward, unleashing all their power.
Moments later, they were joined by a caped figure in black, his face covered by a beak-shaped mask.
“Who the hell is this?” Firestorm asked. “Another newbie?”
“Beats me. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Mr Perfect replied, as the masked stranger roundhouse kicked a pair of ninjas into next week.
As the combined superheroes combined to dispatch the rest of the ninjas, they discovered that the masked stranger had disappeared.
“To coin a phrase: Who was that masked man?” Pixel asked.
“What?” Ice Princess asked.
“Never mind.” Pixel sighed.

“I’m going to enjoy this.” Gauss said, as he levelled his spear at Mr Universe’s head.
The last thing Mr Universe saw was the spear racing towards his head, before he blacked out.
The spear shattered into a hundred pieces, as Mr Perfect rocketed through it.
“What!?” Gauss demanded.
“Sorry to ruin your fun, but the cavalry has arrived!” Firestorm shouted, as he blasted the villain with flames. Gauss barely reacted in time, shielding the blast with a car shell.
“You insolent fools. You think you stand a chance?” Gauss cackled.
“Pretty sure we can win. Again.” Mr Perfect replied, as he looped around to float directly in front of Gauss.
“Perhaps the banter can wait for another time?” Fissure said, as he reformed on the ground below.
“Like after we’ve taken his ass down.” Pixel said, appearing on a nearby rooftop.
“I’m gonna enjoy this.” Belle finished, as she unleashed her psychic scream.
“Girl, you are little more than an annoyance.” Gauss said, as one hand rubbed his temple. “I will destroy you all.”
“You call that annoying? Try this on for size!” Pixel blasted Gauss in the face with her flare.
“Insolent girl! I will finish what I started!” Gauss warned, as he found himself seeing spots, unable to see what was going on around him.
“We’ve learned too. No metal in our costumes.” Mr Perfect said, as he pounded Gauss in the gut, winding him and sending him tumbling towards the ground.
“And concrete doesn’t contain any iron.” Fissure added, as the sidewalk began to pound Gauss, breaking bones and leaving him bloodied.
“Let’s face it Gauss. You’re old news.” Mr Perfect said, as he raised his fist to lay the final blow.
His fist was stopped in midair, as a nearby parking meter wrapped itself around his forearm.
“You had your chance boy. Now it’s my turn.” Gauss said.
Mr Perfect felt his shoulder begin to separate, as he was dragged through the air by his trapped arm, colliding with the building Pixel stood atop. Pixel barely teleported out of her teammate’s path, instead perching herself on the next rooftop, where a satellite dish dislodged itself and cracked her across the back of the head, knocking her unconscious.
“That girl complicates matters. The rest of you will fall easily.” Gauss laughed.
“Not likely!” Firestorm launched a barrage of fireballs at Gauss, as Fissure followed up with a hail of gravel.
Gauss barely even flinched, as a barrier of scrap metal formed around him, shielding him from the attacks. “Fools.”
The ground sundered below the heroes, as water pipes broke and doused Firestorm with water, before tearing free from the ground and wrapping Firestorm and Fissure up, lifting them from the ground, and squeezing tightly.
“Now… Who am I going to kill first?” The glee in Gauss’ face disappeared, as the loose change from the broken parking meter began to circle him.
“I think you should probably start what you finished with me.” Mr Universe said, struggling to his feet.
“YOU!?” Gauss demanded.
“Yeah. Me.” Mr Universe said, as he began pelting Gauss with quarters and dimes.
“This ends now.” Gauss said.
“For once I agree with you. It is over.” Mr Universe said.
“What?” Gauss asked.
“I knew you’d underestimate me. I’m putting all my abilities into hitting you, aren’t I?” Mr Universe laughed. “Wrong. This is just the distraction.”
Gauss didn’t get time to react, as Mr Perfect streaked towards him, clotheslining the villain, knocking him unconscious.
Moments later, Mr Universe blacked out again.
<><><>
Ally banged on the bathroom door. “Come on Katie! I just need to grab one head band!”
“No. Just wait, I won’t be long.” Katie’s voice was muffled.
“No! I want it now!” Ally pouted.
“Ten minutes, that’s all I ask.” Katie shouted back.
“Nope. I’m ‘porting in now.” Ally said.
“What? Ally no!” Katie said.
Ally ignored her, instead appearing just inside the bathroom. “Don’t worry, I won’t see anything. That’s why you ordered the tinted glass.” Ally said.
“It’s not that…” Katie said.
“Then what’s the problem?” Ally asked, as she checked her headband in the mirror.
“I’m not the only one in here.” Katie said.
“Huh? What are you… Oh… OH!” Ally took a moment to realise just what Katie meant. “Sorry Kev!” Ally said.
“Just get out.” Kevin said.
“You got it. Sorry.” Ally disappeared, blushing redder than her crimson socks.
She reappeared in the kitchen, where Matt and Fisher were waiting. “What happened to you?” Matt asked, seeing the look of mortification on Ally’s face.
“Uh… I ‘ported into the bathroom while Katie was in there, so I could get my headband…” Ally said.
“And what? You saw her?” Matt asked.
“In your dreams.” Ally smirked. “No… I didn’t see a thing… It just… Katie wasn’t the only one in there.”
“What? Oh. Ewww!” Matt said. “Not an image I needed. I have to use that shower sometimes you know?”
“That is particularly unsanitary.” Fisher agreed.
Mosley walked through the front door, pulling his mask off his face. “The press are seriously packed into the driveway.” He said. “Where’re Katie and Jockstrap?”
“In the shower.” Matt said.
Mosley paused for a moment, before scowling. “I hate couples.”
“Amen.” Ally said.
“So Katie calls me here for this dinner thing, and she’s not even ready when I get here?” Mosley complained.
“She’ll be down in a few minutes.” Ally said.
“Huh. I guess Kevin really is the fastest one on the team.” Matt grinned, as their leader and his best friend both walked down the stairs.
“Bite me. You’d be shocked how well the little brat kills the mood.” Kevin laughed, as he patted Ally on the head.
Mosley opened his mouth to say something, but a scowl from Katie stopped him. “So, pizza?” He asked instead.
“Works for me.” Katie said, as the rest of the team nodded in agreement.
“Can’t believe you guys leave tomorrow. It’s not fair!” Ally said.
“Sorry kiddo.” Matt said. “It’s complicated.”
“Tell me about it.” Kevin mumbled.
“How about we stop worrying about tomorrow and focus on what we’ve done.” Katie said. “This is our last dinner together in the house. We’re supposed to be having fun.”
“Ok then. Kevin can start. Tell us about the time you fought alongside Uncle Sam again.” Matt said.
“Uncle Sam?” Fisher asked.
“The original.” Kevin smiled. “It was over a year ago. Just before we met you. I was in Las Vegas for a basketball game…”