The Speedster, The Super-Soldier, The Small Human and the Psychic (written by Liz!)

So Liz and I continually write stories in this universe and we've come to the conclusion that Leviathan is a father. And the baby is someone we've met before. Well, if you've read this blog anyway! Thanks to Liz for writing this, sending it and letting me put it on this blog!

“Are you entirely sure you ladies can cope?” Leviathan asked mockingly, patting down his ammo bag and looking to Speedfreak with a glint in his eye, challenging him silently. “I mean, she’s a lot to handle.”

“Well, James, I think we can handle a baby,” Othergirl rolled her eyes at him. “Especially such a cute one.”

“Don’t use the J word. And besides, how would you know?” Leviathan affixed her with a look, licking his lips as he chose his words carefully. “You can’t just put this one to sleep. Or k-”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Visionarie warned, holding up one finger. “Really, don’t. She’s not above f-u-c-k-ing you up. Baby or no baby.”

“But…”

“Piss off, Levi.” Visionarie sighed, flapping her hands at him, and he grinned mischievously in response, stepping out the front door and disappearing into the darkness of the night, leaving the four of them alone together.

Othergirl looked down at the small human, laid contentedly on her play-mat, and smiled at her fondly. “Look at her. She’s a precious darling. Isn’t she wonderful?”

“Guys, she’s just a baby,” Jody reminded them with bemusement. “Well, a baby with gifts. Nothing overly exciting.”

“She’s a baby,” Visionarie pointed out, pouting at him slightly before returning her attention to baby Maddie. “Admittedly, she is Levi’s, but I can overlook that minor fault in favour of how cute she looks.”

Othergirl sat on the floor, her legs crossed under her, picking Maddie up and cuddling her close to her chest, stroking the little girl’s dark hair. “Does she really end up dating you, Jody?”

“Yeah, temporarily” he admitted unwillingly, grimacing as he spoke. “One day. I guess. I’m not sure what’s weirder. That I’m gonna… date her… or that I’ve kissed Levi’s… ah, hell.” He groaned loudly, putting his hands over his face. “I’ve snogged Levi’s daughter. He’s gonna kill me.”

“It’s Levi. He’s probably going to be over the moon that he’s kinda your father-in-law.” Visionarie noted. “You can go round for Sunday dinner, and call him daddy.”

“Don’t even make jokes about that, Steph,” Jody warned, narrowing his eyes at Maddie suspiciously. “Why’s she staring at me?”

“Urm, because you’re wearing an eye-watering suit, and babies like bright colours?” Othergirl suggested.

“How would you know?” Jody snapped, watching guiltily as her jaw set in anger. “Sorry, I… sorry.”

“I have the internet, asshole. And that includes baby websites. Babies like bright colours. Stop being a dick about this just because of the dating thing.” Othergirl scowled furiously at him, before turning her attention to the other woman. “Steph, do we have any toys?”

“Nope,” Visionarie chewed her lip thoughtfully, running through the possibilities. “Guns, yes. Grenades, yes. Radium, yes. Baby toys, no.”

“Oh, great,” Othergirl said sarcastically. “Yeah, let’s give the baby a Magnum handgun, see how that goes. Levi would be so appreciative.”

“Are you kidding? Levi would be a proud dad,” Visionarie grinned at her girlfriend. “Baby’s first gun.”

“No,” Maddie said distinctly, and Othergirl looked down at her in surprise, unsure what to do. “No.”

“She makes noises. Should she be making noises?”

“Baby websites?” Jody reminded, lying back on the sofa and closing his eyes.

“Baby websites don’t say jack shit about babies with superpowers,” Othergirl shot back defensively. “So I don’t know. Do babies do that? Superbabies?”

“Never say superbabies again.” Visionarie made a face, turning and disappearing back into the kitchen to check on dinner. “She’s a Natural.”

“She’s a superbaby.” Othergirl looked down at Maddie fondly. “Aren’t you?”

“Da,” Maddie grinned up at Othergirl proudly, clapping her hands together and drawing them apart to reveal a small, perfectly formed orange fireball. “Da.”

“Ah…” Othergirl regarded the baby with concern. “Jody…”

“Mm?” he asked, only half-listening.

“We got a problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“Like, a four-hundred-degree problem…” Othergirl held Maddie at arm’s length, surveying her and the fireball with apprehension, unsure how to proceed.

“What?” he asked, and Maddie turned her attention to him, holding out her arms sending the fireball spiralling into the cushion by his head. The cheap polyester burst into flames, and Speedfreak jumped up with a shout, snatching up the pillow and disappearing outside in a blur. Maddie looked momentarily guilty, and then began to giggle uncontrollably.

“This is not funny,” Othergirl chided, trying to keep a straight face. “This is very much not funny. Bad baby.”

“What did she do?” Visionarie reappeared, drying her hands on a tea towel. “Why can I smell burning?”

“Maddie-” Othergirl was spared having to explain by Maddie’s conjuring of another fireball.

“Holy shit.” Visionarie reached back into the kitchen, pulling out a fire extinguisher and aiming it squarely at the baby, activating it and covering infant, Aug and most of the lounge in white foam. Othergirl coughed and wiped the mess from her face, glaring at Visionarie with fury.

“What the hell did you do that for?!” she asked with anger, as Maddie burst into tears at the extinguishing of her pretty lights. “Now she’s crying, and I’m covered in crap, and – stop laughing, this isn’t funny!”

“My girlfriend is holding a baby and covered in white… yick. This is pretty funny.”

“I hate you,” Othergirl reminded her sweetly. “A lot.” She shifted Maddie to her hip, bouncing her carefully as Speedfreak returned to the room, minus the flaming pillow.

“What the hell…”

“Steph took… inventive action,” Othergirl spat resentfully. “To help.”

“Shut up, you’re not on fire, are you?”

“No, but my suit is ruined.”

“So take it off.” Visionarie smirked.

“Make me,” Othergirl snarled. “Go on.”

“I am present,” Speedfreak interjected politely. “Nudity is not encouraged. Thanks.”

“Take the goddamn baby,” Othergirl instructed, thrusting the infant at him and peeling off her suit, slicking foam out of her hair while glowering at her girlfriend. “I hate you.”

“Nice underwear. Nice pretending you’re not looking, Jody.”

“I’m not looking!” he protested. “Just clean up. And clean the baby up.”

“You’re the speedster. You clean her up.”

“What does-” he began, but Visionarie cut him off.

“Clean-up rate is exponentially faster if you do it. So do it.”

“Fine,” he grumbled, vibrating his hands a little and undressing Maddie carefully until she was left in a white babygrow and her nappy, handing the foamy clothes to Steph. “Can you please make your girlfriend put clothes on?”

“I could do,” Visionarie mused with a small smile. “But I don’t want to. Besides, she needs a bath.”

“Do I?” Othergirl asked, before noticing her girlfriend’s expression. “Fine, I’ll take Maddie. God knows it might tire her out.”

“At least she can’t set fire to anything in the bath,” Speedfreak reminded her helpfully. “Water… fire… not a good mix.”

“Yeah, I did do physics,” Othergirl muttered, turning and stomping upstairs with Maddie. “Even in the Black Triangle.”

Half an hour later, she did have to admit that bathing with Maddie was kind of fun. Once Maddie had realised that fireballs weren’t an option, and that bubbles were a better plan, the entire scenario had played out surprisingly well. Othergirl emerged downstairs triumphantly, wrapped in a fluffy bathrobe, Maddie held on her hip and still resolutely wide awake.

“So: no burns, but she could get more lethal as she gets older,” Othergirl noted, sinking onto the sofa with the baby in her arms. “Especially if she learns about boiling points.”

“Which she won’t,” Visionarie decided, taking the child and kissing her forehead. “Might be safest. Wouldn’t it, angel?! Now it’s bedtime, isn’t it?!”

“No,” Maddie decided, shaking her head. “No, no, no.”

“I bet I can get her to sleep,” Speedfreak mumbled, holding his arms out. “Pass her here.”

“No chance,” Visionarie argued, holding her a little closer. “My go for cuddles. And besides, I can make her sleep way more easily.”

“Using the pretty pictures is cheating,” Othergirl reminded her patiently. “Although, go nuts.”

Moments later, Maddie was asleep in Visionarie’s arms, a picture of tranquillity as she slumbered, her thumb in her mouth.

“God, you have no idea how hot you look being all maternal,” Othergirl whispered, leaning in to kiss Visionarie’s cheek. “Maybe we should go upstairs…”

“That’s an idea I could get on board with,” Visionaire mused, turning to kiss her girlfriend properly and smirking. “Jody, take the baby.”

“I- wait, what?!” he complained half-heartedly, as Maddie was placed gently in his arms. “No fair.”

“Well, it’s this, or we… well. You get the idea.”

“Ew,” he said with distaste. “Fine. Baby. Got it. Go. Ew.”

When Levi returned in the small hours of the morning, he found a silent house, the lounge carpet still frosted with white, and Maddie asleep peacefully in Speedfreak’s arms, his mouth hanging open as he slumbered too.

“Well now,” Levi murmured. “How cute, how peaceful, how… boring.”

Speedfreak #3

I run around a lot. I can't help that. It's all I know how to do. If things get tough, run. If things get good, run. If things get too much, run. It's all I can do. I know that sounds dumb but I don't know how else to explain it. The issue now though is that I ran for too long. 4 years I was gone. I know exactly where I was and what happened. No-one else does though. Except for Karma. But what Karma doesn't know is that I lied to him too. I lied to everyone. That's why I'm running again now. I'm running to the coast. Over the coast. To the only person I know who can keep this a secret...

****

"By the Gods, I heard you were dead!"

"Well, evidently, I'm not".

"When people realise the stunt you've pulled, you may end up dead as far as they're concerned.

Erin Coleman was a young woman with an extraordinary gift. She was the illegitimate daughter of Greek Gods Poseidon and Athena. Although she was born out of wedlock, Poseidon made a deal with Zeus that, should the time come, Erin would take control of Earth's waters and everything within it. Living in an underwater city called 'the Dominion', Born with Poseidon's fierce temperament and Athena's beauty, Erin Coleman is the Queen of the Ocean. An old friend of Jody's, and a friend far enough removed from the situation to confide in. 

Erin allowed Jody into her throne room in the Dominion.

"It's not often the friends on the surface come and say hi now. Social calls are something from the past, it seems".

"I need someone to confide in, Erin..."

"That's all you ever wanted, Jody Kent. But, as usual, I shall lend a sympathetic ear".

Erin sat upon her throne. Jody stood facing her in the middle of the room. Jody sighed.

"I've...been away".

"I'll say. 4 years is a long time to be 'away'. I trust you had a reason?"

"Of course I had a reason. I don't just run out of my friends when the..."

He couldn't finish that sentence as he knew it was a lie. Erin raised her eyebrow.

"I've known you since we were children, Jody, you always ran when you could. Even before you discovered how fast you could run!"

Jody wondered around the room.

"I've been chasing Tamarind..."

"The Speed-Demon. Yes. Any success?"

"What do you think? He's always one step ahead of me. He always has been! Ever since we met he's been able to get one up on me and I can't seem to outrun him".

"That is the nature of the beast, Jody. You can't catch all of them. Sometimes, there are things that even YOU cannot outrun".

"Tell me, Erin, has anyone told you that you're starting to sound like your mother?"

"Tell me what happened, Jody. You've been gone for 4 years yet you're somewhat different. More bitter, you could say..."

Jody sighs again.

"I found a group of them. There's a group of people we've fought. The Freaks. We've all fought them and they're planning something together".

"Which ones?"

"Speed-Demon, BodyBuilder. Timeman, Energie, Fairie, Slipshod and Fool's Gold".

"Tragedy?"

"Nope".

"Necron?"

"No".

Erin looks nervous.

"What about Phaze?"

"She wasn't there, Erin, I promise".

She sits back in her chair in relief.

"What are their intentions?"

"I'm not sure. I couldn't hear most of their meetings. I bugged one and they talked about someone called 'Polaris'. Do you or your friends over Olympus happen to know anything about him?"

Erin thinks.

"I haven't heard anyone by that name. That doesn't mean he's not known though. I will ask my grandfather when I next see him".

Jody chuckles.

"Sorry. It's always weird when you refer to him as your 'grandfather'". 

"He's still not keen on you by the way. He thinks that when we see each other, I keep bad company",

"Yeah, well, he shouldn't have tried to retake the Earth and make me kick his arse then, should he".

"He doesn't like the fact you're Edenic".

"I don't care what he thinks. I care what YOU think. Do you dislike the fact I'm Edenic?"

Erin sighs.

"My tradition dictates that I do. Given the history between our two people. However, you and I are friends. Therefore I cannot. I love you for who you are, just as I hope you love me for who I am".

"Of course I do".

"Then, as always, I will help in any way I can should you require it".

"Thanks, Erin".

Jody ran back to Trillingham, changed out of his suit and walked into the police station. His sister, Laura, looks up from the main desk and gives him an evil look. Despite this, they go into a secure interview room.

"I thought I made myself pretty clear the other day, Jody..."

"I know you did but...things have changed".

"I doubt this somewhat".

"I need you. I need Ghost!"

Laura angrily whispers.

"Will you KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN?"

"I need you, sis..."

"You've never NEEDED me. You've only wanted me when you're out of your depth".

"This time it's different. I promise!"

"I don't want to hear it, Jody..."

Exasperated, Laura walks to the door. She opens the door slightly.

"Energie isn't dead..."

Laura freezes for a moment. After a short time, she closes the door, pushes Jody against the wall.

"What did you just say!?"

"You heard me..."

"HOW is she not dead? I killed her myself!"

"Well she's not dead..."

Laura stares at Jody for a moment.

"How do you know?"

"If you let me go, I'll tell you what I've been doing for the past four years...and why I need your help. I need the Freaks' help!"

Laura lets him go.

"Start talking..."

Jody takes a seat.

"After the Long and Winding Road and...Alicia's...I tracked Speed-Demon down. I tracked him down to a village in Yorkshire. I bode my time until I was ready to strike and then, just as I was about to, a load of other bad guys turned up. Energie being one of them. I don't know how she survived either but she did. A load of others turned up too and that's when I realised. They're planning something! I'm not overly certain what but I've been tracking all of their movements these 4 years. It's the only way I could do it. Complete secrecy and acting at the highest discretion. Eventually, I noticed an increased activity back here in Trillingham. So I came back. I thought it'd started but it hasn't. Not yet anyway..."

"Why would they come here?"

"It's where the Split is. Why wouldn't they come here? Control the Split, you control the world!"

Laura looks into the mirror and stares at herself.

"How fucked are we?"

"That depends if you're willing to help".

"I can't. I'd rather be on the civilian defence than on the front line!"

"We NEED you, Laura!"

"Have you spoken to Sarah yet?"

"No...why?"

"She was devastated when you left. I constantly hear she's been arrested for one thing or another. Anymore and she'll end up in Juvenile detention!"

"I raised her better than that..."

"YOU LEFT! YOU LEFT ALL OF US! YOU RAN AWAY AND NOW YOU EXPECT US ALL TO HELP YOU NOW THAT YOU'RE BACK!? THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS, JODY! YOU CAN'T EXPECT THAT OF US! AND NOW MORE WEIRD SHIT'S HAPPENING! ERIN'S QUEEN OF THE SEA, A HUMANOID FIGURE'S JUST FALLEN SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHAMPTON AND THE RUSSIANS IN LONDON ARE STARTING TO ACQUIRE AUGS IN ORDER TO ROUGH PEOPLE UP! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CARETAKER VANISHES!"

As she finishes this, she hears a bang coming from somewhere in the station.

"Laura...what as that!?"

"I don't know..."

They both run out of the room and into the reception of the police station. As they arrive, a large piece of debris flies towards them. As it nears, Jody runs out of the way and Laura phases out of existence. The debris goes through where they were and ends up flying through the wall. Laura quickly phases back into existence and Jody rejoins her.

"Thanks for speeding me away, bro..."

"You had it covered..."

They look over in horror as the culprit walks into the wreckage of the station. She stands there proudly in the rubble. Wearing nothing but leather, long flowing black hair and a resting bitch face to win them all. She looks around and smiles evilly. 

"Hello, everyone. Don't mind me. I'm just looking for an old friend. I hear Speedfreak's back in town..."

Jody and Laura look at each other worriedly. 

"He'd better be here. I've been tracking him for a few days now...and I think it's only fair he gives me that famous welcome, no? Anyone know where he is?"

Jody whispers.

"Are you going to arrest me if I quietly slip away and take her on?"

"No...but don't expect me to get involved..."

"Ok".

"Just get her away from here. We don't want her going nuclear..."

"Got it"

Jody quietly slips out of the room and quickly changes into his suit.

The young woman walks down from her perch and walks around triumphantly.

"No-one knows? Well, I'm very unimpressed. I genuinely thought you guys kept tabs on Naturals and Augs! Do I need to get...hot...headed?"

As she finishes that statement, she opens her hands and reveals two fireballs. They lay in her hands like she has complete control of them.

"You guys remember what I'm capable of, right? So it's in your best interests to answer me...where...is...Speedfreak!?"

Her hair then turns to fire. The remaining officers try to get back in fear but there's no-where to run. Laura looks increasingly worried that she may have to use her powers to intervene. But, her worries are soon allayed...

"OI, HOTHEAD!"

The young lady turns around to find Speedfreak in the opening of the debris. She smiles evilly again, while trying to look flirty.

"There you are, my dear..."

"Heard you were looking for me, Flame?"

"You're damn right I'm looking for you...I fancy a bit of...fun".

"Why not bother someone else? I know a guy in London who's always up for a bit of fun...you'll have to excuse his manners though..."

"Why would I want Leviathan? I'm...hot...for you..."

Speedfreak smiles.

"Come and prove it, then. As Agatha Christie said on Doctor Who... 'the thrill is in the chase, never in the capture..."

He speeds away. Flame smiles and looks around.

"Looks like I've got my man. I'll be back later when I burn the bastard alive..."

She runs out of the building and pursues Speedfreak. Laura looks at everyone and then at the opening, worried about her brother.

Flame runs through the streets of Trillingham trying to find her prey. Every so often, he'd appear as a blur near her but then he'd elude her once more. Before settling at a crossroads, she looks around, he's nowhere to be found.

"I'M NOT ENJOYING THIS GAME, SPEEDFREAK. HOW ABOUT I HEAT THINGS UP A BIT?"

She throws a fireball into a nearby shop which causes an explosion. People duck for cover as the fireball flies in. They start screaming as Flame throws a couple more into various establishments.

"I CAN DO THIS ALL DAY, MY LOVE..."

Speedfreak runs speeds in front of her and stops, grabbing her hand.

"ENOUGH!"

"There you are! I was starting to think that you'd forgotten about me..."

"What do you want, Flame?"

"What I've always wanted...you..."

"Why? So you can try breaking my heart again? You caused enough trouble last time..."

"You call it trouble. I call it 'drama'!"

"Either way, you can't have me..."

"I could so have you if I wanted to...unfortunately...I wouldn't be able to keep you all to myself..."

Speedfreak looks confused.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means there's another interested party...you interested?"

"Who is it?"

"Come with me and find out. Or I could roast this entire town centre to a crisp!"

"Tell me and then I'll consider coming..."

"NO. IT'S MY WAY OR BOOM"

"You know I can stop you so why even try!"

"BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU CAN SAVE AT ONCE..."

She closes her eye and starts to burn brighter. Speedfreak steps back as she does. The energy and fire within her starts to become more pressurised. He knows what's about to happen.

"Oh...shit..."

She keeps on building up energy ready to fire. As she does so, Speedfreak himself closes his eyes and coils up like a tightly coiled spring. After about 10 seconds, he lets go and everything appears to stop. But it hasn't stopped. Everything's just become SUPER slow. In real terms, Speedfreak just outran time itself. Having utilized this ability, he grabs Flame and runs through Trillingham with her until they're clear of the town. He pushes her away as she lets the energy go. The fireball is significant but, as they're alone in a large field, no one else gets hurt. Speedfreak gets flung some way away from the blast.

Flame looks around and looks upset.

"YOU QUANTUM JUMPED! THAT'S NOT FAIR!"

With his suit half damaged, he gets up to face her. Half his mask remains. He's pretty distinctive to her without it but she already knows his real identity.

"That's the face I wanted to see..."

Jody walks closer but stops 11 feet away.

"Yeah, well, you got your wish. Now leave this town. And tell the fucker who employed you that I'm coming for them..."

"Oh, Jody, you think you're going to get to them first..."

As she finishes this, something zooms in and punches Jody in the face. He goes flying and lands on the grass. He looks up and notices someone next to Flame.

"You've done well, my dear, your idea worked!"

"Of course it worked. If there's anyone who I know well enough to trick, it's Jody Kent. Josh Peterson, no. Alison Pally, no. Hell, even Sarah Jones is a bit tricky to trick. But Jody Kent, sucker".

The other man walks over to Jody and looks over him with utter contempt.

"Tamarind...how nice to see you again..."

"The pleasure's all mine, Jody..."

Tamarind picks him up and throws him into a nearby tree. He then grabs Jody by the throat.

"You really think I wasn't aware of you being there in Yorkshire? You really think you could be THAT FAR AHEAD OF ME THAT I WOULDN'T KNOW?"

Tamarind sonic punches Jody. Jody slumps to the ground.

"I KNEW YOU WERE THERE AND YOU HAD THE AUDACITY TO TREAT ME LIKE AN IDIOT?"

Tamarind kicked him in the gut.

"YOU THINK YOU WERE BEING SO CLEVER IN SPYING ON ME. BUT I WASTED FOUR YEARS OF YOUR LIFE, ALIENATED YOU FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND JUST GENERALLY HANDED YOUR ARSE TO YOU! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, SPEEDFREAK!?"

Jody spits blood out as he tries to stand up. However, he can't.

"You...and the...others...what is...Polaris?"

Tamarind smiles.

"Oh...so you heard that? Well...with any luck...he'll kill you once he gets here...you and your pesky friends..."

Jody tries once more to stand up but slumps again. Tamarind laughs.

"Come, Flame...it's time we left the impostor alone..."

He turns around to see a young woman in a pink costume holding Flame by the throat. Flame can't speak but the young lady smiles.

"Oh, sorry, was I interrupting? Please, do continue..."

"Miss Invincible. Aren't we lucky! How's my favourite Daddy's girl today?"

"Here's the deal, Tamarind, leave Speedfreak alone and I'll give you your monkey back. Hurt him once more and you may find your cyber unit ripped from your body. I don't know if that'll hurt but I'm more than prepared to find out!"

Tamarind laughs.

"Oh, I'm done with Speedfreak. Just remember though, Invincible, that we're not done here. There much more Speedfreak and I need to discuss soon".

He turns around to Jody once more.

"Remember I knew you were there. So don't believe everything you hear...and only half of what you read..."

He speeds in and takes Flame from Miss Invincible and disappears. She goes over to Jody who's in the process of healing.

"You've been out of this too long..."

"Good to see you, Elsie..."

"You too, Jody. Now, what was all that about?"

"You wouldn't believe the half of it".

"I'll bet I would".

They chuckle as Speedfreak's phone rings. He looks at it.

"It's Sarah..."

He answers it and listens. He gets up, winks at Elsie and speeds away. Elsie stands in the field and watches as the purple streak vanishes over the hills. She sighs to herself.

"Yeah, I'm fine thanks, Elsie. How have you been these past 4 years?"

She flies into the air and heads in the direction of where Jody went.

At the police station, Sarah turns around and he's there. Speedfreak. They both hang up.

"Hello, Sarah..."

Sarah looks at him expressionless.

"So...Doctor Eureka, huh?"

Miss Invincible lands next to him.

"Did I hear Doctor Eureka?"

Sarah is still shocked.

Othergirl & Speedfreak: 'Getting To Know You...#1' (co-written with Liz)

The bold font is Othergirl.

The normal font is Speedfreak.

****

Speedfreak speeds in. They're in a park in Southampton. Othergirl is sat on a park bench.

"Greetings, Jody".

"Liz. I got your message, what's up?"

"Just fancied coffee and a catch up..."

She sits back down on the park bench.

"Do sit..."

They do so. Othergirl stretches out her arms. Speedfreak sits awkwardly.

"You do drink coffee, right?"

"No..."

"We didn't have it before, it's a rather cute little earth thing that St- someone introduced me to".

Speedfreak knows who she's referring to but carries on.

"Fair. How are you finding the 21st century? I trust Visionarie and Erin have treated you well?"

"It's a little slow..."

She makes an unimpressed face.

"Earth is nicer than our time though. Much more intact".

"From what you've told me, I have all that to look forward to".

"Oh, definitely. Got any money on you?"

"What for?"

As far as Speedfreak's concerned, this conversation is a bit strange. As is the meeting. And Othergirl is acting strangely...

"Coffee, idiot. Failing that, go and nick me one".

Speedfreak thinks for a moment before vanishing. A few seconds later, he returns with a coffee for Othergirl and a lemonade for himself. He unscrews the lid and sips from it.

"It was 2 sugars and soy milk, wasn't it?"

"That's the one. Cheers".

She smiles and sips the coffee. They look around.

"I like Southampton during the day..."

"It's nice isn't it!"

"Yeah..."

Speedfreak closes his eyes and enjoys the serenity, despite being in a city.

"How are you, anyway? How's the war?"

"Your war? Or the war against superassholes?"

"It was never MY war. But yes, that war".

"I haven't reached that point yet. I'm still waiting to be called up".

"Run for your life!"

Othergirl laughs. Speedfreak hasn't seen her laugh before...this was definitely weird.

"That was punny!"

"You're doing puns now? God, you're becoming like Leviathan. I saw him again the other day. Asshole".

"I had the joy of meeting him".

"Yeah. Helped you take down that Russian, didn't he?"

"Yep. Once he'd stopped trying to get in my pants..."

She looks annoyed as she remembers.

"And Visionarie's..."

"Yeah, sounds about right. Sorry about that"

"I broke his arm..."

She sips once more.

"And a couple of other things..."

"Good! He had it coming"

Sips lemonade.

"But no, everything's fine. Laura's fine. Trillingham's fine and everyone else is fine. I've even...ummm..."

"Yes...?"

"...Met someone..."

Othergirl looks at him surprised.

"Oooooh, spill!"

"Well, she's called Elizabeth. Elizabeth Morrison. She's a redhead and she's a science masters student".

"Nice!"

She smiles sweetly.

"Thanks. How are you and...you know..."

"We're good!"

They both smile.

"Good! I'm glad"

Speedfreak still feels somewhat uneasy about this. Something's wrong.

"We got each other's backs! She gave Leviathan some beautifully weird visions while I broke his arm".

She smiles remembering.

"Ha! You know, out of everyone I know, he's the only one whose real identity I don't know".

"He's nothing special. He's a bit of a bore!"

Speedfreak looks surprised.

"So you found out who he really was? Do tell!"

"Spoilers..."

"Oh come on...Don't River Song me..."

Othergirl raises her eyebrows.

"Secret identities, Jody. They're kinda... secret".

Speedfreak sighed.

"Goddamn it, almost had him..."

"Sorry, Jody".

"It's ok..."

He sips his lemonade once again.

"So, tell me more...OH!"

Suddenly, Othergirl's expression gets wicked. Almost like she's digging for something...

"What happens when you... you know?"

"What?"

"Have sex?"

She smirks.

"I mean, what if you go supersonic and kill her?"

"I wouldn't know..."

"...What!?"

"What?"

Othergirl looks shocked.

"Aww, cmon.You're a superhero. You must get laid loads!"

"You're a superhero too! You're half-cybernetic. Do you give your partner a computer virus?"

"How rude. I've been thoroughly tested..."

"What do you want to know about my sex life for anyway? Not that I have one but...why?"

She shrugs.

"Just makin' conversation".

Speedfreak sighs.

"If you must know, I'm asexual. Grey asexual I think it's called".

"Welcome to the club, boyo".

"Really?"

"Well, yeah. Don't let the tits and the talk fool you!"

"Fair. I just assumed you and...you know...might've...you know..."

"God, no. Well, not yet anyway...although she does do these amazing visions..."

She smirks dirtily.

"Lovely..."

"Well, you asked..."

"Well, at least you have the option to at some stage. I haven't told Elizabeth who I am yet or...where I'm from..."

"I'm sure it'd be OK, Jody. You're a great guy".

"Thanks. I appreciate that. But there's no easy way to explain this to someone I actually feel for. 'By the way, I'm the guy in purple and black that runs around saving people and, also, I'm an alien from a distant planet'".

He sighs.

"It doesn't change who you are though..."

Speedfreak smiles.

"How's the coffee?"

"It's good!"

Othergirl smiles once more. Silence then falls.

"So...ummmm..."

"Yes...?"

"...is a catch-up all you wanted? Getting your message was quite out of the blue..."

Othergirl looks at him.

"Jody...not everything has to have an ulterior motive".

He sighs.

"Sorry. After spending years away looking over my shoulder...it makes one paranoid".

"It's ok. So, what's Elizabeth like? Is she...nice? Normal?"

"She's...amazing. She's human. Plain old human but she's...beautiful!"

"One head, two boobs, nothing mutanty?"

"She's like a...you what, Liz?"

She chuckles.

"Just teasing".

He chuckles too.

"There's nothing 'mutanty' about her".

"Good to know".

She smiles.

"I think you'd like her..."

"You should introduce it!"

She smiles.

"When I get the chance, I will".

"Sounds good..."

Speedfreak's phone rings.

"Excuse me...Hello?"

He looks around while listening.

"Oh, hey, Sarah!"

Othergirl sighs and looks around.

"...He did what!?"

He sighs.

"Look, I'm a little busy right now. Can't Miss Invincible sort it?"

"This sounds like fun..."

He sighs again.

"Fine. Give me, like, 10 minutes?"

Othergirl smiles.

"...Ok. See you in a bit. See ya!"

Puts the phone away.

"So...where we headed?"

"Not 'we'. Just me. Karma got into a fight and got thrown through a building. Apparently, I need to sort it out".

Othergirl pouts in disagreement.

"Why can't I come?"

"You've got your work cut out here. Besides, the guy Karma's fighting is...ridiculously strong..."

"Jody, darling, it's my day off. I'm bored. Please..."

"I'm sure there's a problem Aug in Southampton to keep you occupied..."

"Stop making excuses, I can handle it!"

"I don't doubt it. I just think you'd be better off here".

He stands up, preparing to leave.

"Jody..."

She opens her jacket to reveal a gun.

"I got this. C'mon........ we won't tell Visionarie, she'll sulk!"

"That's the main reason I don't think you should come. You know what she can do! One time I took her best friend to a fight and she filled my head with rocking horses for hours..."

"Well, I won't tell if you don't..."

"She's a mind reader...do you see the problem with that statement?"

"Jody...this is a radium gun..."

He laughs.

"No. That's not a radium gun. They don't exist yet".

She looks unimpressed. She removes it from the holster and cocks her eyebrow. She fires it at Speedfreak's tow. He lets out an agonising scream. It was radium.

"OW. FUCK! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?"

"You didn't believe me, darling".

"YOU COULD'VE TESTED IT ON A TREE"

He tries to run at super speed but he can't.

"I CAN'T RUN NOW!"

"Oh you'll recover".

He falls to the floor, nursing his toe.

"Drama, drama, drama".

"I'M ALLERGIC"

"I know. But you don't look terribly dead..."

Speedfreak grits his teeth.

"THAT'S BECAUSE, LUCKILY, IT'S A SMALL DOSE!"

She crouches down and pats Speedfreak on the cheek.

"Now now, darling. I've got Karma to deal with. You lie here and be nice to my girlfriend. If you ask nicely, I'm sure she'll offer you some morphine visions..."

"LIZ...LIZ...COME BACK...YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH",

She walks off into the distance.

"...Shit".

"I'm sure I can handle it, dearest!"

She walks over to her motorbike which is parked on the edge of the common. She gets on it and rides away...

Leviathan #1

The moral of my story is clear. Push someone far enough and they'll bite back twice as hard. Some call me a hero while others call me a pest that needs to be destroyed. And there are plenty of would want to. Well, if you're one of those people, my message is this:

You're welcome to try...

****

It's strangely quiet in London at night. I know that sounds strange but it's true. I can sit on top of a building for hours on end and just enjoy the silence. There are nights when I don't have anything better to do than admire the silence. Silence is beautiful as it is terrifying. Most people are cautious of silence. I'm not. I use it to my advantage.

This is a normal night for me. I can jump from building to building and just wait with a good paper. What's in the news today?

'MP caught sleeping with female secretary'. Hmmm. Good for her.

'Large influx of immigrants will cause country to destabilise'. Not this bollocks again. You live in a war torn country and see how you fucking like it.

'Object seen falling out of the sky in Southampton. Object not identified, thought stolen'. People will nick anything these days.

'Humanoid object found in ocean thought to be alive. Scientists discuss existence of mermaids'. Ha. Nice to see Erin's making waves again.

'Black Dragon busts 12 year drug ring in 2 minutes'. And she didn't invite me? Bitch.

Oooh...a bang. What's going on here? Looks like some kind of gangland thing. I love gangland things. They think they're so tough with their accents and their guns. Just wait to confirm though...

"You do realise, I've warned Kruzhev about encroaching on my deals. I warned him there'd be consequences..."

Oh, Russians. My favourite...

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. KRUZHEV DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS!"

"He knows full well that Southampton is MY patch. When something valuable ends up in Southampton, it's mine. No-one else's. MINE. So, I'm going to ask again nicely. Where is the item?"

OH. IT'S THIS GUY. I've been after him for some time...

"WE HAVEN'T BEEN TO SOUTHAMPTON! KRUZHEV KNOWS IT'S YOUR PATCH. WHY WOULD WE RISK A WAR WITH YOU OVER A STUPID SKY OBJECT!?"

"Because word on the street is that it's valuable. Unconfirmed reports suggest that this 'sky object' was a humanoid. Possibly an alien. Now, let's entertain the idea that aliens exist for a moment..."

I've met one, mate. They're arrogant arseholes...

"...Kruzhev could utilise that alien as a weapon. Get it onside, get it to help him and then take me and my whole operation down".

"WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY ALIENS"

"Do you know how many Naturals and Augs are in Southampton? It's a hot-bed for powered-people. And many of them are in my territory. An alien could potentially destroy them. Many are going missing as it is without Kruzhev getting an alien!"

"WE DON'T CARE ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON! WE KNOW THERE'S AUGS AND NATURALS THERE BUT WE DON'T CARE FOR THEM. OUR FAMILIES HAVE AN AGREEMENT".

"Which Kruzhev seems to want to break..."

"NO. LOOK, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE AUGS AND NATURALS FROM SOUTHAMPTON ARE GOING AND WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT AN ALIEN. I SWEAR".

"Hmmm. I don't believe you...Rough him up..."

"NO, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT...THERE'S RUMOURS GOING AROUND".

"What kind of rumours?"

"ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE AUGS AND NATURALS IN SOUTHAMPTON"

"...This had better be good. Or I'll chop your balls off and shove them down your throat..."

This ought to be good.

"There's rumours of an operation running in Southampton protecting them. Finding them and either stopping them, protecting them, or rehabilitating them".

"Who runs it?"

"I don't know. Some twenty-something. I swear, I don't know names! I swear!"

"Hmm. Ok. I'll look into it. But until I'm sure that Kruzhev isn't behind it, I'm going to send him a warning. He'd know better not to take me on. Especially with my latest acquisition..."

"NO. PLEASE..."

Aaaaaand that's my cue. I love jumping off buildings. I love it more than most people who try it. Bugger on the hips though. And they've also noticed me.

"Have you had an accident at work that wasn't your fault?"

"What the hell?"

"Ok. Here's how this is going to work. You're going to let the kid go, we're going to have a little chat about what's going on in Southampton and we're going to sort this out without any blood spilled. How does that sound to people?"

You know, the big boss doesn't look too impressed. And I'm less enamoured with his friend who just smashed a vodka bottle over my head. Doesn't hurt or anything but it does leave me wondering where he was hiding that bottle as he didn't have pockets?

"Now, was that wholly necessary?"

"...No?"

"No. It wasn't was it".

"No".

"No. And, now, I'm going to have to kick your ass, fella. Sorry".

The poor bloke didn't stand a chance. There's only so much one can do against superior acrobatics and a gunshot in the middle of the skull. Mind you, big boss was impressed. He was even clapping. No honour with these people. Mind you, Kruzhev's guy looked terrified.

"What are you waiting for? Hanukkah? Scram!"

I swear kids these days are getting dumber.

"Most impressed with your skills. You evidently know your way around a man".

Pfft. Lol. He does realise what he's just said, right?

"I bet you say that to all the girls".

"You must be the 'Leviathan' I've heard so much about".

"Correct".

"Shame. I was expecting someone...taller".

"Well, to be honest, you're kind of a let down too. I was expecting you to look more...Stalin-esque? I don't know. What do you think, comrade? How about we call this off and go collectivize the agricultural sector?"

"You talk too much".

"It's a nervous thing".

"You're nervous? Of me? But I am unarmed!"

"No. I'm not nervous myself. I'm nervous for you".

"And why is that?"

"Because you're unarmed. Now, if you want, I can take this situation much more literally and disarm you further..."

"I'll pass".

"Wise choice".

"What do you want, Leviathan?"

"Well, to be honest, I would murder a steak and ale pie. I fucking love steak and ale pies. I used to get them from this shop on Holloway Road, N7, but sadly it closed down".

"Shame. I used to own a restaurant on Holloway Road that sold pies".

"I know. That's why I've been trying to find you". 

"...Because I closed down your favourite pie shop?"

"Damn...fucking...right..."

"...You're a weird guy, has anyone told you that?"

Most of the time to be completely honest.

"So. how do you want to do this? Would you like me to cap you in the face or I can show a pole up your arse and put you over a fire to spit-roast. Preference?"

"You dead".

"That wasn't an option..."

"It is now..."

Then he pulled out a gun. This is getting tedious now and I just want some pie. Is that too much to ask?

"Awwwww! That's adorable! Where'd you get him from?"

"If you must know, I got it in Nicaragua..."

...That word...that's a swear word to me...

"Hmmm. Yeah. Crime's common down that way. I keep meaning to visit. Worth visiting?"

"Oh, yes. You'd like it. Shame you won't get to go..."

"You know you don't scare me, right? I've faced a lot worse people than you".

"There's no one worse than me. I'm Dmitry Volstovov. I'm the worst there is".

"There's a guy I hate around Trillingham that would disagree. You seen him? Guy in purple and black, runs really fast? Has a massive God complex?"

"Funny you should mention someone who's fast..."

Then, in a flash, someone else appeared. It wasn't that Trillingham git though. Or that other weird fast guy who's half robotic? But this guy ran fast too.

"Really? A speedster? I fucking hate speedsters!"

"Now, Mr Leviathan, if you'll excuse me. I have to go and find a certain 'twenty-something' in Southampton who's messing up my operation. And I swear to God when I get my hands on her, she'll beg for death..."

"You do realise not many people do that right?"

Ok. So Volstovov's gone...now I'm stuck with this guy. He doesn't say much. That doesn't matter. I'll do the talking for both of us.

"So...you come here often?"

Tough crowd.

"Got a name?"

SERIOUSLY tough crowd. We're now doing that weird opposite circular dance though so that's kind of cool I guess.

"Well, there's Speedfreak...and there's SpeedDemon...how about I just call you...SpeedGit?"

No objections, your honour.

"SpeedGit it is. How you doing, SpeedGit?"

Oh! He is fast! Interesting place to aim for though...now he's just waiting there...this is weird...

"Probably should've said...those are out of bounds until you buy me a drink or two..."

This guy has NO concept of boundaries.

"Ok, look, I'm going to give you fair warning. I mentioned to boss man just now that I REALLY hate speedsters. And remember that Speedfreak I mentioned earlier? Well, I REALLY HATE HIM. And I've wanted to skewer him and chop him up for years. So, if we carry on down this route, I will project my anger onto you and, trust me, that won't be fun for either of us. Actually, that's only half true. I'll love it. You won't though. Because, you know, you'll be dead. Who knows! Maybe that dead teenage chick will find you a good place in the Veil?"

Nothing. I've had enough.

"You know what, fuck this..."

Out comes my one sword.

"You like that? It's a samurai sword! And the writing on the blade roughly translates to 'if you can see this message, you're too damn close to me sword!'"

Swish goes the blade. I miss, obviously, he's a speedster. Ok. Now I just need to imagine he's that bastard, Speedfreak. I'm sure I can do that...Ooh...it worked.

"Ha! Now I have you you bastard!"

Swipe, miss. Swipe, miss, Swipe, miss. OH COME ON. 

"AT LEAST MAKE THIS FAIR FOR ME! I'M JUST A POOR BOY FROM A POOR FAMILY, SPARE ME MY LIFE FROM THIS MONSTROSITY"

Swiper, miss. Swipe, miss. Swipe, miss. This is getting tedious now. Ok. I'm just going to put on my headphones and get in the mood. What works for this? 'Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye?' 'Girls ON Film by Duran Duran?', NO! This is good. 'Unstoppable by Lianne La Havas'. Perfect. Now. Let's do this shit.

My acrobatic skills are on fleek. My sword skills are pretty good too. My gun skills are a lot better but he's a speedster. He'll shoot me in the leg with my own bullet. Speedfreak did that once, the bastard. All because I went after the ginger Welsh girl! He must learn to share. Ha! I'm starting to win! WAIT...There's a pattern developing here...he goes to the same point every 5 seconds...if I time it right...Oh my God...I can see if the leg thing really works!

5...4...3...2...1...SWIPE. OH YES! HE FLEW INTO THE WALL! I wish I had my camera. ITV would've paid 250 quid for that clip. Oh that was stunning. Actually, that's selfie material...hold on...

****

Ok. Now I'm in a dilemma. Do I go to Southampton and find that 'twenty-something' before Volstovov does? Do I stay here and let her deal with it or do I just take out Volstovov's entire organisation here. Hmmm. Well, now that I'm home I'll sleep on it. The ceiling might hold some answers...

...Oh...yeah. I forgot her picture was there...She'd know what to do. She always did... Still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And that says a lot. I know a woman who's the daughter of the most beautiful goddess in Greek mythology...Still. Nothing compares to her.

It feels good without my mask. I can be myself now. That's the problem with having two different personalities. It can get a little crowded. When the mask is on, I'm the Leviathan. Without the mask on, I'm James Monroe. Just an ordinary guy that no-one really cares about. No-one ever really did except her...Ruth Worcester. The most beautiful woman I've ever had the privilege to lay my eyes on.

I don't know why I'm saying this all to myself. I know all this. Oh well, I suppose it's good to remind myself of who I really am from time to time.

I promise I'll find him, Ruth...the guy that took you away from me...and I swear I will make him pay. Even if it means I have to go to Nicaragua to do it...Until then...to less exotic climbs. I wonder if Southampton has any beach-side swimming pools...does Southampton even have a beach? Bet it's got a nudist colony...