Partners

Partners

"Hell No!"

"Not happening!"

Bulletproof and Roy were having an intense staring contest in Murphy's office. They were situated in a black-site under Union Station. Essentially, a motel for spies and government dogs.

"Only person you can blame is yourselves." Murphy points to Roy. "This idiot bragged about working for Horikoshi Ishikawa! Now they're wannabe Snake Clan recruits coming for him."

BP squints his eyes. "Are you serious?"

"And this idiot went on a drunken rampage killing all the mob guys around town that his girlfriend had slept with."Murphy points his finger at BP. "Who knows what confidential shit you've told her anyways!"

Roy narrows his brow. "How stupid are you?"

"And you!" Murphy looks down to Leo who had been sitting between the two smiling. "Y'know what, I'm not mad at you, kid. I'd say good job but look who you're associated with." Murphy pulled his face down, he had a concerning amount of bags under his eyes. Now that Murphy had finally taken his shades off, Leo took note that the man had a prosthetic eye.

"But what does that say about me? 20 more years until retirement ain't that a bitch?"

"Aye! Look! I'm a gun for hire! He looks like a sell-sword! You're a handler, you're supposed to be able to handle all of the dumb shit we get into." BP explains.

"Exactly!" Roy folds his arms.

"Great. You two finally agree with one another. You all will make a great team." Murphy throws Leo a new phone. "Kid, take this."

"2 Phones!!!" Says Leo as he catches the device.

"This will be your Guild phone. It's where you accept missions. You'll start at the lowest rank, E, until you've completed enough missions." Murphy explains.

"Volunteers for Retired Superheroes? Blood donors for research trials? These jobs suck!" Leo scrolls through all the jobs available to him.

Murphy grins, "You'll catch up in due time kid. Your team here, can invite you to their missions for a share of the rewards and experience." Leo couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of embarking on new missions with his motley crew.

"Well let's show the world what we're made of, Boundless Crew!" Leo says excitedly.

"Pffft! Yeah right! Alright we done here?" BP gets up and leaves, slamming the door behind him.

"Don't worry about him. He just needs some time to think about it." Murphy says.

"Boundless? Where'd you get that from?" Roy asks.

"Kinda just came to me, I dunno." Leo shrugs.

"I like it." Murphy laughs. "Go out there and make me look good. At the least don't make me look worse."

Later.

Leo and Roy are walking down the street.

"Like look at this! Litter clean up, $15 an hour, estimated completion time: 45 minutes? Like come on!"

"What do you think about volunteering at the old folks home? Minimum wage? Yes, but it's an ongoing job so you can do it however many times until the better jobs come along. I heard Dogman is the administrator there, you could probably learn a thing or-"

"Dogman?!?!?! What the hell am I going to learn from Dogman? I hope you aren't suggesting he's faster than me!?!"

"Never that." Roy laughs. "Just saying, there's a lot of information in there from primary sources that could be beneficial to your growth. Who knows? You might even find yourself a lil girlfriend amongst the volunteer groups."

"The hoes do NOT want to see a nigga pushing a wheelchair! The hoes wanna see a nigga dragging someone through a motherfucking skyscraper!" Leo sighs.

Roy laughs more. "Right, how could I forget?" He sarcastically added.

"Hey, Boys!"

Skai meets them outside of a popular diner, Bepo's Bistro. Alongside her is a dashing young woman, silky long hair, sparkling ruby red eyes, and form-fitting sundress that nearly made Leo bark.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Ms. Alayna Cedric. Newest Transfer to the Academy of Grooming Gifted Youth."

Roy and Skai give a round of applause. Leo, who is still caught by her gaze takes a moment before he claps as well.

"It's nice to-" Roy squints at Leo who was actively eye-fucking the woman, "Leo, pick your jaw off of the ground. You're being rude." He turns back to Alayna, "It's nice to meet you Ms. Cedric. My name is Roy Walker, and this is my brother Leo."

"No need for introductions Mr. Walker, I've already done an extensive research into your and Ms. Adebayo's academic history and I must say, I am impressed!" Alayna said cheerily.

"Oh, really? Quite the scholar huh? I hope you didn't come here to assassinate me." Roy laughs. "I kid, I kid." 

He was in fact, not kidding.

"No worries Mr. Walker, I am not a Snake Clan recruit. Just a history nerd. Did you know you are the first black swordsman to be recognized by the country of Japan since Yasuke over 400 years ago?" Alayna praised.

"I'm sure there were others-" Roy blushes.

"On top of being the first black Valedictorian in the Academy's history. You and Ms. Adebayo are the only case where more than a single person graduated from Dean Ishikawa's School of Martial Arts. I think that is more worthy of applause than I." Alayna concludes with a soft clap.

"You never told me you were the valedictorian…" Leo scoffs

"Ehh, It feels more like we survived instead of graduated. I can think of a few better candidates that are at the bottom of the ocean right now." Roy pauses. "Shit, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Oh I know a few as well." Alayna chuckles. "I'll have you all know, I'm a researcher before all else. So I'm well aware of the brutal lessons that you two had to endure within the Academy and my condolences to all of your friends and classmates who were either lost or culled during your time there." 

"Wow, you know that too. I must say, I don't know if I could have attended the Academy if I knew all of this beforehand, especially if my parents knew as well."

"Same here. I was raised by pacifists in Tanzania, so my family only thought about how many people I could save after graduation." Skai added. "You know, Alayna, if I may ask? What inspired you to transfer to the Academy?"

"Isn't it obvious? The pursuit of Knowledge. I was dissatisfied with my current understanding of the world after graduating from my home country's university. So I'm doing some post-grad work at AGGY. Which brings me here I guess, my summer coursework is to shadow an alumni and I chose you, Mr. Walker, I've always wanted to come to the Americas."

"I promise I'm not that interesting, buuuutttt, you know who is? Leo here. He was just telling me how he planned on volunteering at the Superhero's Retirement Facility." Roy says with a smirk before opening the door to the restaurant for Skai. 

"You bastard I-" Leo said under his breath.

"Oh wow! Outside of the recruiters on campus, I've never met a real superhero before! The idolization of the 'All-American Superhero' made a significant impact during the Gifted Rights Movements in the eighties." Alayna excitedly explained.

"Yeah, I haven't really met one before either. I figured there would be a lot of beneficial sources of information in there that would be primary to my growth." Leo said with a coy smile, feigning honesty.

Roy rolls his eyes and steps into the restaurant after Skai, "Well, that sounds fun. You two be safe. We'll meet back up after me and my lady grab some food."

Alayna grabs Leo's arm and tells him to lead the way.

He blushes and does as he's told.

…

Later.

"So, that's how I ended up in prison at 13." Leo says, hands in his pockets.

"Wow! That's an incredible story, I must say. We don't have many Gifted back home, however, I believe our judicial system is just as cruel to children who are found committing a crime." Alayna says.

"Speaking of home, where is that for you?" Leo asks.

"Just a small town in Hispania. Probably isn't even on modern maps." Alayna says with a chuckle.

"Oh so you're from Spain?" Leo asks, batting an eye.

"Spain. So that's what they call it now. Interesting."

"What are you? A time-traveler or something?"

"Time flows differently where I'm from. The seasons change, but much else remains as it always was." Alayna says, glancing at Leo.

"Wish I could say the same. Don't think I've had a single day in this city be the same as another." Leo says. "Between giant monsters, to prison riots, to mutant infestations. NDC's only consistency is inconsistency."

"I can't wait to learn why that is." Alayna says before they arrive outside of the retirement home. "Looks like the place."

The two step inside and are unsure as to what they were expecting because it's indeed a retirement home. Soft classical music plays, tennis and golf on the tvs, old men lounge and limp around the lobby, and there's just a general smell of the elderly. Leo is highly disappointed but steeled himself to impress Alayna. He approaches the front desk cautiously where he meets a man behind the counter with graying hair.

"Can I help you, young man?" The old timer says.

"Yeah, uh, my name is Leo Konza, and I wanna volunteer."

"Is that right? I suppose you are with a Guild, yes Mr. Konza?"

"Uh, yeah, ha. I don't know which one though, I literally just joined yesterday so, yeah, sorry." Leo nervously laughs.

"No matter. Your name is all that is needed." The man says as he types on the dusty keyboard in front of him. He squints at the screen before coughing. "Hmmm…ah, I see."

Leo's eyes trail off, watching Alayna as she observes the facility. "And this is paid right?" Leo says before looking back at the old man.

"I'm sorry, your services aren't required." 

"WHAT?! Come on, old man! I mean, What do you mean?!" Leo complains.

The old man makes a face of disgust. "All of you brats are the same. You get your flashy powers, you do something to get yourself locked up, you join a guild and run here to work for a day, then leave."

"What the fuckkk!" Leo sees Alayna and a few of the elderly tune into their conversation. He apologizes and lowers his tone to arouse suspicion. "I mean, what the fuckkk…I was so excited to meet Dogman, I'm a big fan and was hoping to learn a thing or two from him." 

The old man chuckles, not impressed. "Then the first thing you can learn is that Dogman always knows when you're lying."

"Who is he? Santa Claus? And I'm not lying, I'm-"

"He is me." Cutting Leo off as he folds his arms and leans back in his seat. "And Santa Claus knows when you're sleeping."

"And whether you've been naughty or nice or whatever the fuck. And I think I've been pretty fucking nice so far." Leo argues.

The old man stares at him and raises an eyebrow.

"Alright, I'm sorry, but look, I really need this." He looks back at Alayna and snaps back forward. "I'm trying to become better…"

Dogman is quiet for a moment and patiently observes the boy. He takes a breath and says "Despite your obvious attempts to woo this girl, I sense a shred of sincerity in your words. I'm willing to give you a chance."

Leo's eyes brighten. "Thank you so much for this opportunity!"

"Finish your date with the girl then come back tomorrow around this time. Assuming you're short on cash, we can offer you a bed and a warm meal as well."

"Wow, thank you again. I guess I'll see you then."

The two finish conversing and Leo goes to check in on Alayna. She knelt down next to an old timer in a wheelchair listening to his stories. 

"So I got the job, I start tomorrow. How are you doing over here?" Leo asked.

"Oh that's wonderful, I've just been getting to know Mr. Burke here." Alayna replied.

"Please. Please. Call me Olympian. I'm afraid if I lose my ego I'll finally kick the bucket ahyahahaha." The old timer says following with a cackling laugh.

"No shit. The Olympian? Can't believe I'm already running into a legend" Leo says bewildered.

"So you are familiar with him." Alayna responds.

"Of course I am. I didn't pay too much attention in school but when it comes to speedsters, the names you always hear are: The Black Bullet, 1 Million Man, and The Olympian."

"I'm glad the kids still know who came before them." Olympian says. "So I take it, you're a speedster too huh?"

"You caught me! But no one else can." Leo jokes. "Haven't ever had my top speed recorded but I can outpace your best car and as of today I can dodge bullets."

"Is that so?" Olympian asks cheerfully.

"In midair." Brags Leo.

Olympian is shocked for a moment but regains composure, "My, my, lad. You just might be the next newest Speedhunter, after my grandson, they call him The NightRunner!" The old man says excitedly before coughing. 

"SpeedHunter?" Leo asks.

"I was also unfamiliar with the word when he said it. To my understanding it's a search and rescue group created by the 1 Million man and The Olympian at the end of the Warlord Era to serve the United Nations." Alayna explains.

"Our slogan was 'wherever you are in the world, we'd be there within 60 seconds!" The Olympian nostalgically says, "Nowadays, that number is around 10 seconds, or at least that's what my grandson has told me."

"Sounds more like a pizza delivery service than a superhero team." Leo jokes, to which Alayna chuckles. "But 60 seconds, let alone 10, is insane. You HAVE to teach me your secrets, old man."

Olympian laughs, "Now you're starting to sound like my grandson." He pauses, holding his right thigh and flexing the phantom limb of his amputated leg, chuckling once more. "But alas, my teaching days are over. If you find yourself returning one day and my grandson is here, surely seek him out. I'm sure you could learn many things as his sidekick."

"Well lucky for you, starting tomorrow, I'll be working at this place." Leo puffs out his chest and crosses his arms, "and sidekick is never going to be in my plans. I'm going to be faster than him, the Speedhunters, and everyone else in the world."

"Oh yeah? How do you plan on that lad?" The old timer laughs.

"I'm going to make MY slogan, 'wherever you are in the world, give me one second and I got you."

Alayna saw a flicker of something behind Leo's eyes when he said those words. Something akin to a burning determination despite the uncertainty of what lies in his future, as if he can vividly see his destination without knowing anything of the journey to get there. This aura of confidence made her feel safe around him, she was certain, she had found him.

"Now don't make any promises you can't keep." The Olympian laughs more. "What did you say your name was, kid?"

"Leo. Leo Konza." he said dramatically.

Later.

Alayna holds Leo's hand as they walk to meet back up with Skai and Roy. 

"You two look like y'all had fun. My brother wasn't too annoying was he?" Roy asks

"Leo has been such the gentleman on our date today. It's been a very refreshing and enlightening experience and I'm really looking forward to our next outing"

The group responded with bewildered glares. 

"Gentleman?" Roy spat.

"Date?" Skai asked.

"Nexxxxt?" and Leo said once again ogling the woman.

The group laughs, however, unbeknownst to them, a pair of jade green eyes observes them from afar. Without drawing suspicions to herself, Alayna returns a commanding glare, shocking the observer and causing them to flee.