“You will do as I say!”
The patrons of the bank screamed, as the frosty wind blasted throughout the room, leaving them hypothermic. The tellers rushed to fill bags with money, as their fingers became frostbitten.
“You’re not moving fast enough! Hurry up before I flash-freeze you all!”
Their assailant was a small, chubby man, his face pockmarked and unattractive under his white mask. His costume was pure white, save the silver wolf’s head on his chest and on cape, which was billowing in the gale he was forming inside the bank. Behind him stood two men in full winter-gear, ski-masks down, both holding machetes.
“If I don’t get my money, my friends are gonna start hacking off limbs!” The leader shouted. “I’m the Arctic Wolf!”
“That’s just unlucky.”
The Arctic Wolf turned to see who dared interrupt his robbery. “Who do you think you are?”
“You know, I was looking for someone to vent on. This couldn’t have been more perfect.”
Arctic Wolf laughed, as he summoned a frigid gust of wind, directing it straight at his new foe.
“You really don’t know who I am?” Firestorm burst into flames, instantly combating the cold wind. “Then I guess you’re going to find out first hand just why you don’t f*** with Firestorm!”
“GET HIM!” Arctic Wolf ordered, and his henchmen charged forward.
Firestorm dodged their machetes, as they swung at him wildly.
“You boys are gonna have to do a lot better than that.” Firestorm said, waiting for the next swing to miss, catching his opponent in the face with a flaming fist, as he struggled to bring his weapon back to a dominant position.
“KILL HIM!” Arctic Wolf ordered, as he caused the winds to swirl harder.
“Must be getting kind of hot in there.” Firestorm said, as he moved in closer to the first henchman, laying a series of blows on his heavily-padded torso.
The henchman ignored the blows, instead almost grazing Firestorm with his blade.
“And that was too close for comfort. Sorry boys, it’s been fun, but it’s time to end this.” Firestorm said, tossing a fireball at both men, engulfing their winter outfits.
The men both dropped to the ground, rolling around in an attempt to put themselves out. The constant airflow did little to help their condition, feeding the fires the oxygen they needed to keep burning, but eventually the fires went out, both men passing out from the pain and exhaustion.
“Good thing you don’t have all that padding.” Firestorm cracked his knuckles. “And no way of hurting me. I’m gonna enjoy this.”
<><><>
“Are you kidding?”Ally demanded.
“No. Why would I want to stay in a hotel when I’ve got three penthouses in the city?” Verona asked.
“This isn’t just any hotel.” Ally said.
“What do you mean?” Verona asked.
“This is the Highland Gardens Hotel…” Ally said.
Verona stared at her blankly.
“Formerly the Landmark Motor Hotel…”
More blank staring.
“October 4, 1970?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Heroin overdose. Room 105… Nothing?”
“Not a clue.”
“Janis Joplin died here.” Ally said. “This place is part of history.”
“Oh. That’s kinda creepy.” Verona’s face screwed up.
“Ugh, I knew I should have brought Dylan. Or Matt. Matt would have got it.” Ally said.
“But we’re bonding!” Verona said.
“Yeah. Something like that.” Ally said.
“Ok, my turn!” Verona said.
“But we haven’t even been inside.” Ally protested.
“But you’d rather be in there with someone else who understands, right? I don’t really feel comfortable being here, and I know you want someone who knows who Janis Joplin is with you.”
“You don’t know who-“
“So how about we go do something we both understand. Let’s go shopping.”
“I guess we could.” Ally said, a smile appearing on her face. “But we have to hit the thrift stores first.”
“What’s a thrift store?”
<><><>
The bank was empty, except for Firestorm and Arctic Wolf. As their battle had progressed, the chill had risen, as Arctic Wolf’s powers waned, and Firestorm’s flames countered the previous effects. As soon as they could move properly, the civilians had run away.
Leaving Firestorm plenty of room to throw the smaller man around.
“You’re pathetic.” Firestorm said, as he pummelled the villain in the face. “You get a little bit of power, and think that means you can get whatever you want.”
Firestorm tossed his opponent into a wall, and Arctic Wolf slumped down, barely clinging to consciousness.
“You’re worthless.” Firestorm said, dragging him to his feet by his collar. “You’re just a fat little nerd. You’re nothing.” Firestorm drew back to punch him in the face.
“Stop.”
“P*** off.” Firestorm shouted, as he spun to face The Blackbird.
<><><>
“This is the cutest dress ever! I’ll take it!” Verona said, as she lifted a white dress from the rack. “The tag says ‘2’… I’ll have to charge it to the Visa, I suppose, I’ve only got $50 on me.”
“What are you talking about? More importantly, what do you think of this jacket?” Ally asked, as she spun around in the leather jacket she had found.
“It’s not my thing, but it looks great on you.” Verona said. “And I’m talking about this dress. I don’t have $200 on me.”
“I should hope not. It’s two dollars V.” Ally rolled her eyes.
“What? How could it be so cheap?” Verona asked.
“This is a thrift store honey, this stuff is all second-hand.” Ally said.
Verona turned white and tossed the dress on top of the rack. “Someone else has worn it?” She almost shrieked.
“Yeah. Probably a lot of times. It’s no big deal. We can leave it, and go find you something else, from a bigger store.” Ally said, before sighing.
Verona looked at the obvious disappointment on her new friend’s face. She looked back at the dress. “But I really think it’s cute. I guess I could buy it and ask mom’s dressmaker to copy it. That way I don’t have to wear someone else’s clothes.”
A small grin appeared on Ally’s face. “That’s the closest thing to a victory I’m going to get today, isn’t it?”
Verona flashed her a smile. “Yep.”
“I’ll take it.” Ally laughed. “But next week I’ll be bringing my Joplin records to the penthouse with me.”
“What’s a record?”
Ally groaned.
<><><>
“You can’t just keep pummelling him.” The Blackbird said. “He’s incapacitated. Take him out to the police.”
“Back off. I’m doing my job. You should understand that.” Firestorm said, still clutching Arctic Wolf’s collar.
“You think I don’t understand the temptation? Trust me, I’ve been there. The Blackbird brought me back from that brink. You can come back too.”
Firestorm snorted. “Are you listening to yourself? Who are you kidding? You’re just like me. You’ll never change.”
“I have changed. You can too.”
“Stop that holier-than-thou crap. You’re not better than me.”
“It’s starting to look like I am.”
“Come down here and say that.”
Blackbird rolled his eyes under his mask. “Stop acting like a ten year-old” Blackbird said, from his perch in the open window.
“Just keep digging that grave.” Firestorm said.
“I’m telling you now Ben, let him go.” Blackbird said.
“Make me.” Firestorm taunted.
Blackbird dropped to the floor, and Firestorm charged, dropping Arctic Wolf to the ground.
Blackbird leapt over the top of Firestorm, sending him sprawling through desk.
“You know what? Screw this. I’m out of here.” Firestorm said, as he dusted himself off.
With that, he was out the door and back on his motorbike.

Kevin stretched out on the sofa. He finally had the television to himself. Ally was at school, Fisher was jogging somewhere, Mosley was napping and Blackbird was on patrol.
Kevin switched the game on and grabbed his bag of chips. As he opened it, the door opened behind him. In stepped The Blackbird, followed closely by…
“Oh my god!” Kevin said, leaping from the sofa. “You’re… You’re…”
“Ralph Davis. The original Blackbird, yes.” The Blackbird’s guest said.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe it…” Kevin trailed off.
Ralph smiled. “I’m honoured. Uncle Sam said you had a similar reaction when you met him.” The retired hero said.
“Y-y-yes sir.” Kevin stammered. “Greatest day of my life. No offense sir, but I did get to fight alongside him. This is a close second though.”
“I remember what it was like fighting next to Sam, I understand completely.” Ralph nodded.
“Better not let Katie hear you saying that that’s the greatest day of your life, she’ll get jealous.” Mosley was standing in the doorway.
“You know what I meant…” Kevin said.
“Sure I did. Meeting some old dude is more important that meeting your girlfriend. More important than your first kiss, the day you told her you loved her, the night you first f-“
“Shut up Mosley.” Kevin said.
“Mosley?” Ralph asked. “Not James’ son?”
Mosley scowled. “No. I’m not.”
“Oh. I just assumed…” Ralph said.
“Well, you made an ass of yourself, didn’t you?” Mosley said.
“Ben, watch your mouth.” Blackbird warned.
“And who the hell do you think you’re talking to newbie?” Mosley asked. “You know what? Screw this!”
And with that, the second-generation superhero stormed out of the building, wishing he could slam the doors behind him.
“His dad’s a touchy subject.” Blackbird explained.
“So he is James’ son?” Ralph asked.
“Yeah. He’s not the same man you remember, by all accounts.” Blackbird said.
“I met with him a few weeks ago, he seemed the same to me.” Ralph said.
“Ben hasn’t been home in months, he’s been here the whole time. Napalm has been working, doing the hero thing. Getting back to the way things were before Ben came along… Before…” Blackbird trailed off.
“Before Jacquelyn died giving birth to Ben… Of course.” Ralph nodded solemnly.
“He took it out on Mosley.” Kevin added. “A lot. We’re pretty sure that’s why he’s the way he is. He was a drunk, and he hit his son. I know we don’t get along at all, but that’s still unforgiveable.”
“Of course. I can’t believe he would do something like that.” Ralph said.
“I’ve seen him abuse him verbally, and I’ve seen him try to pick a fight. It’s true.” Kevin said.
“I’m not doubting you son, it’s just hard to process.” Ralph said.
“His history, and resulting personality aside, Mosley is a good man.” Blackbird said. “He’s good in a fight, and he knows what’s right. He’s a hero, as much as you or I.”
Kevin nodded in agreement. “We’re not exactly friends, but he’s right. He’s infuriating, but he’s good underneath it all.”
“So was his father…” Ralph said.
<><><>
Mosley paced in the elevator. What was he doing here? What right did The Blackbird have to bring his predecessor into the penthouse? And who did he think he was, calling out Mosley on his language in his own home?
In fact, just who the hell was that guy?
Sure, he was more than useful in a fight, but he was hardly a part of the team. They didn’t know who he was, and he had this habit of disappearing and reappearing that just got on Mosley’s nerves.
And now he was just bringing the original Blackbird into the penthouse? Anyone of his teammates, or The Shadow or even D13 would have known that it was probably a bad idea to bring his father’s ex-partner anywhere near him, or would at least have had the sense to ask first.
The elevator opened, and Mosley slipped out into the parking lot, before hopping on his motorcycle and getting the hell out of there.
<><><>
“You know, Mr Universe is going to be pretty jealous. He idolises you.” Kevin said.
“Yes, I would have liked to meet him. Talon speaks pretty highly of him. He could be in line for membership in The Boomers.” Ralph said.
Kevin’s eyes went wide. “Wow. That would be… Wow.”
“Don’t tell him, they’re trialling him out. They’re going to need the power upgrade soon, they don’t know how long Thunderbolt is going to be staying with them.” Ralph explained.
“Yeah, I remember them saying he was only temporary. Matt would flip if he found out. Who else are they trialling?” Kevin asked.
“I’m not really supposed to say anything, but they’re basically looking at everyone on the East Coast who isn’t currently attached to a team, and even a few who are. I suggested they cast a wider net, look into Europe, but I’m not sure Talon’s listening…” Ralph said.
“Some of the greatest Boomers have been internationals. Southern Cross, Renaissance and Hercules for god’s sake.” Blackbird said. “With the resources the Boomers have, Talon shouldn’t be afraid to look abroad.”
“Listen to him, he’s been a pro for a few months, and he thinks he knows everything. Looks like we need to go have a chat. It was a pleasure Mr Perfect.” Ralph said.
“Of course sir.” Kevin said.
<><><>
Mosley rode his bike through the city, still fuming over the two Blackbirds. The last thing he needed was a reminder of his father. After everything that bastard had done to him, he just wanted to forget.
He wanted to forget his father, he wanted to forget the abuse, and he wanted to move on. But the world just seemed to want to force him to keep dwelling.
The last thing he wanted to do was be like his father. But here he was, teaming up with The Blackbird.
Mosley pushed the thoughts out of his head and sped up, leaving the city behind him.