Mosley was digging through his room; the pile of clothes on his room had reached maximum density. He had no idea where his phone was, and it was buzzing non-stop.
“Goddamn it, where is it?… got to be here some- There!” He exclaimed, as he picked up the phone. Hiddne number. Great.
“Who is this?” He demanded, as he answered the phone.
“You know who this is Firestorm.” The voice on the other side was obviously distorted by a machine of some description.
“The Man in Black? How did you get this number?” Mosley asked.
“Is that what you’re calling me?” The Man in Black laughed. “Listen, the Black Dragon Fist have another enclave in Los Angeles, they’ve stored the instructions to the sea demon summoning ritual there. We need to destroy it.”
Mosley nodded along. “Go on…”
<><><>
“This doesn’t seem right.” Mr Perfect said, looking around. “He said to meet him here?”
“Yes. We’re a couple of minutes early.” Firestorm replied. “The Man in Black said it was far enough away from the enclave that they wouldn’t know we were here.”
“And we don’t think this is a trap… Why?” Fissure asked.
“Because if the Black Dragon Fist knew how to contact me, they’d just attack me anywhere.” Firestorm said. “They wouldn’t bother calling me out.”
“Unless they wanted us all together.” Pixel murmured.
“If they’d tracked Firestorm down, they’d have tracked the rest of you.”
The team turned around and found the Man in Black standing behind them.
“Look, not to be rude, but who are you? We can’t keep working together if we don’t know who you are.” Mr Perfect said.
“We’ve worked well together in the past.” The dark stranger replied.
“Sir, I think it’s about time you told them. The only reason they haven’t figured it out is because Mr Universe isn’t here. He’d have had it in seconds.” Fissure said.
“Wait, you know who he is?” Firestorm asked.
“Of course. I’ve just kept quiet out of respect for the man he will become.” Fissure said. “If I thought he was a threat, you’d know.”
“The man I will become?” The Masked Man said.
“He’s from the future.” Pixel shrugged.
“Wait, what?” Ice Princess asked.
“Long story.” Pixel said.
“Still doesn’t answer my question.” Mr Perfect said.
The Man in Black shrugged. “Well, if Fissure knows, I guess it’s inevitable.” He paused, seemingly weighing his options. “Look, it’s also a long story, but suffice to say… I’m the new Blackbird.”
“… No way.” Mr Perfect said.
“It’s true.” Fissure confirmed.
“There’s absolutely no way. Do you have permission?” Mr Perfect asked.
“Where else do you think I got the costume? Beaked helmets and bird-shaped shuriken don’t just grow on trees. I’m the real deal. He picked me.” The Blackbird said.
Mr Perfect glanced at Fissure, who nodded. “Fine. Sorry, I guess. So what’s the plan?”
“I’m glad you asked.” The Blackbird’s smile was visible beneath his cowl.
<><><>
“Ok, Blackbird, you’re on our frequency?” Mr Perfect asked.
“Yeah. Are you ready? Got the plan down?” Blackbird asked.
“Of course.” Mr Perfect said, as the rest of his teammates voiced their agreement.
“Alright then. Let’s do this.” Blackbird said.
“Hey, that’s a team catchphrase.” Mr Perfect said.
“I know… Focus.” Blackbird said, as he cut the power to the building.
The Brats closed their eyes, as Firestorm broke through the window and engulfed the room in a fireball, blinding the ninjas, before Blackbird threw in a pair of magnesium flares, dimly lighting the room for the rest of the team, who had time to adjust their eyes.
The Brats took full advantage of the ninjas’ predicament, combining all their powers to make short work of the gathered ninjas. The ninjas could barely react, and by the time they could see again, the Brats already had the upper hand well and truly.
“Well that was easy.” Firestorm said.
“We won!” Pixel and Ice Princess both said.
“There is no way we just did that so quickly.” Mr Perfect said.
“We had a plan.” Fissure said.
“We had someone who knew what he was getting into.” Firestorm added.
“It was like Mr Universe was back.” Pixel said; a note of sadness in her voice.
“Hey, I don’t suppose you want to join up full time? I mean, I know the Blackbird is kind of a solo act, but he started the Boomers, and worked with them until he retired…” Mr Perfect trailed off.
Blackbird smiled. “How about we find that damn scroll first.”
“Or we could just torch the place…” Firestorm suggested.
“We don’t know what else is here, there could be an explosion, or worse.” Blackbird said.
“Doesn’t matter, you guys get out now, I’m impervious to fire.” Firestorm said, as the flames around him intensified.
Blackbird laughed. “But what about debris? Or collapsing buildings? Are you impervious to those?”
“Oh yeah…” Firestorm said. “Let’s find it then…”
“Found a vault.” Fissure said, his eyes closed as he reached his powers outwards, feeling through all the bricks, mortar and concrete that comprised the building they were in.
“Are you sure?” Mr Perfect asked.
“Sure. Double thick concrete around what feels like solid steel. Sounds right to me. Behind that wall.” Fissure pointed, as the wall opened up, revealing a giant steel door.
“Good thing we brought a blowtorch.” Pixel said, to a scowl from Firestorm.
<><><>
Daytripper appeared in his boss’ office.
“Sir, the Brats have destroyed the last enclave.” Daytripper said. “It’s over.”
Carmichael started laughing. “Everything went to plan.”
“But sir, I thought you wanted the Black Dragon Fist to eliminate the Brats, not the other way around.” Daytripper sounded confused.
“I created a no-lose scenario. Best case scenario, they eliminate each other. Next best, either the Brats are destroyed, or the Black Dragon Fist are out of Los Angeles, my biggest rivals as Giovanni Bianchi are eliminated, and Mr Perfect has received his final strike on his record for the Dragon. The Black Dragon Fist clan will demand his blood. I win again.” Carmichael explained.
“Of course sir, I should never have doubted you.” Daytripper said, bowing his head.
“No, you shouldn’t have. They didn’t call me ‘The Napolean of Crime’ for nothing. I am the greatest strategist and most brilliant mind in the world. I do not lose.” Carmichael said, as his face began to slip to its natural form, his hairline receding and face wrinkling.
“Sir…” Daytripper said, and Carmichael reformed his face. “One more thing… Ralph Davis held a press conference… It’s official. The boy is the new Blackbird.”
Carmichael’s scowl was enough to tell Daytripper it was time to leave, as he disappeared.
<><><>
Kevin left his bedroom at the penthouse and headed for the kitchen. It was time for breakfast, before his flight to college.
He almost jumped out of his skin when he found the Blackbird waiting for him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing!?” He asked.
“Your security system needs work.” Blackbird said. “Or is that ‘our’ security system? I trust your offer still stands?”
Kevin nodded. “Welcome aboard.”

“Senpai, all has been prepared for the ritual.” The lead magician said, bowing towards his master.
“Excellent work.” The enclave master said. “Our clan’s master will be freed at dawn. Begin the summoning.”
“At once senpai.” The magician bowed again, stepping out of the study.
The enclave master smiled. For too long, their one true master had been trapped in the America-jin’s prison, the victim of both the accursed Uncle Sam and the youthful Mr Perfect.
The other elders had tried to replace the missing power. Tried to replace the master’s skill and magic with technology. They went against the very nature of the traditions.
No more. Tomorrow, the master would be free, and the natural order would be restored.
And then no-one would be able to stop the Black Dragon Fist.
<><><>
“We should have let a billionaire join us years ago.” Ally said, as she stretched out on the sofa, in front of the 72-inch television in the living room.
“Amen.” Mosley agreed, leaping onto the next sofa and grabbing the remote.
“I have the next episode of True Blood on the TiVo.” Ally said.
“Oooor we could watch anything else.” Mosley said.
“I thought you’d love True Blood, you know how many boobs they show per episode?” Ally asked.
“I have the internet, I don’t have to watch some show about gay vampires to see boobs.” Mosley said.
“Did you TiVo True Blood?” Verona walked in. “I totally hooked up with the guy who plays Eric.”
“Ha! Two against one!” Ally shouted.
“Too bad I have the remote.” Mosley switched the TV on and groaned.
“Well, looks like that argument is going to have to wait.” Ally said.
“This is Fisher’s fault, he’s the only one who watches CNN.” Mosley added.
On the screen, there was footage of a hundred-foot long serpent swimming through the Atlantic, towards San Francisco Bay, leaving a wake of thick, black oil behind it.
“We’d best go stop it before we end up with the next Gulf Spill in the middle of San Francisco.” Ally said. “Let’s suit up.”
<><><>
“Ok James, what do you have on this thing?” Mr Perfect asked, as he flew a wide circle around the oncoming serpent.
“As far as my research can tell, this thing is a Japanese water-demon. Ikuchi. I don’t know about any weaknesses, I just know it’s huge, strong and it’s leaking oil all over the ocean.” James buzzed back through the communicator.
“Do we know where it’s heading?” Fissure’s voice buzzed.
“That’s the biggest problem… It’s moving in a straight line… To Alcatraz.” James said.
“Ok Brats, we can’t let it make it there. Hell, we can’t let it near the Golden Gate Bridge.” Mr Perfect said.
“The police have blocked off the bridge, most of you can’t fly, so that’s probably the best place to fight from.” James said.
“Ok, tell the pilot to put them down on the north end of the bridge.” Mr Perfect said.
“You got it sir.” James said.
“Fissure and Firestorm, you guys will be hitting it with everything you can. Fissure, hit him in the eyes, keep him blinded. Firestorm, with any luck it will be opening its mouth, and that’s when you hit. With all the oil it’s leaking, hopefully it will catch alight. Ice Princess, start freezing the water on the other side of the bridge. We need a barrier. Pixel, I want you ready to teleport them out of there if it even looks like it’s going to hit the bridge, you got it?”
The team all responded in agreeance.
“Ok Brats, I’m going to hit it now while you get into place. Let’s do this.” Mr Perfect said, as he became a blur, flying directly at the serpent. He braced himself, as he crashed directly into its body. The beast roared in pain, and immediately stopped in its tracks.
“Didn’t like that, did you?” Mr Perfect taunted.
The monster roared, coating the young hero in a thick film of oil.
<><><>
“Oh damn! That must suck!” Firestorm shouted with glee, as he watched Mr Perfect drop from the sky, completely covered in oil.
“And his costume is white. That was a really bad idea.” Ice Princess agreed.
“We need to get onto the bridge.” Fissure reminded his teammates.
“Uhhh… Guys?” Pixel said.
“What?” The team turned to see the dozens of ninjas blocking their path.
“Oh for the love of…” Firestorm said.
<><><>
Mr Perfect flew back into the air, the seawater washing the oil from his body, allowing him full mobility again.
“That wasn’t very nice.” He said, as he dodged the next geyser of oil. “Haven’t you heard of Exxon Valdez?”
The hero moved in and punched the monster square in the jaw, causing it to scream again, but it showed no sign of any real damage.
“Uhh, guys, I could really use that backup right about now…”Mr Perfect said into his communicator.
“We’re a little tied up down here.” Firestorm buzzed back.
“What?” Mr Perfect asked, as he ducked out of the way of the monster’s jaws.
“Ninjas. Again.” Fissure explained.
“Exactly what I needed.” Mr Perfect said, as he flew in for another attack.
<><><>
“He complains like he’s the one who has to fight the ninjas.” Firestorm said, as he lit another one of their foes on fire.
“He is fighting a sea monster alone.” Pixel said.
“There’s too many of them!” Ice Princess shouted.
It was at that point that the dark shape descended from the sky, and the Man In Black touched down, hitting a dozen ninjas with stun grenades, dispatching another two with swift roundhouse kicks.
“Go! I’ll handle them!” He shouted.
Firestorm hesitated for a moment. “GO!” The Man In Black ordered, and Firestorm nodded, running along the bridge.
“Pixel, Ice Princess, stay and help with the ninjas. Fissure and I will save Jockstrap.” Firestorm ordered.
“Are you sure?” Pixel asked.
Firestorm grinned. “Damn right I am.”
<><><>
Mr Perfect was beginning to feel the strain, taking blow after blow from the demon was taking its toll. Suddenly the beast lunged forward, and he didn’t dodge in time.
He was in the beast’s jaws, barely managing to keep its mouth open wide enough to stop himself from being crushed.
As he began to falter, the beast roared, a shower of asphalt hitting it directly in the face. Mr Perfect took the opportunity to fly out of its mouth.
“It’s about time you guys turned up.” Mr Perfect said.
“The Man in Black turned up.” Firestorm said. “You’re welcome by the way.”
“You haven’t done anything yet.” Mr Perfect retorted.
“Oh yeah?” Firestorm asked, as the sea serpent blasted oil at the two Brats on the bridge. “Fissure, shield yourself!”
The road around them moved to surround Fissure instantaneously, as Firestorm ignited the stream of oil.
The flames engulfed the monster, forcing it to dive under the water to extinguish itself. It didn’t resurface.
“So… That’s it?” Mr Perfect asked.
“Damn right that’s it. That’s why you don’t mess with Firestorm!” Firestorm gloated.
“I’m never going to hear the end of this, am I?” Mr Perfect asked.
“Probably not. Let’s go finish off the ninjas.” Fissure said.
But, naturally, the ninjas were finished with too, and the Man in Black was nowhere to be found.
“One of these days, we’re going to find out who he is.” Mr Perfect said.
“Yeah. One of these days.” Firestorm muttered.