The Star Chamber: Chapter Two
Title: The Star Chamber.
Author: Asase
Rating: PG 13(just to be safe)Warning: An extremely small reference to the last episode of season one.
Genre: Action, friendship, fluff, romance
Characters: Rocket, the Team, Static
Summary: A meeting of old friends and enemies.
Word Count: 1,579
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, expanded DC universe or Milestone universe.
The Star Chamber
Chapter Two
Paris Island
January 22, 1:30 EDT
Although her new teammates were at her back Rocket felt more secure with Virgil, Static, at her side. They first met in middle school. Raquel was able to transfer to Virgil’s school, a slightly better school than the one in Paris Island, in order to take part in advanced classes. A natural extravert, Raquel had managed to fit in with the more popular crowd. Virgil, however, was the nerdy, scrawny kid with a big brain and bigger mouth. It got him in trouble often and made him an easy target for bullies and pranksters.
They became friends after Virgil stood up for her against an older boy who didn’t understand no at the arcade. The assistance was unnecessary, Virgil was easily bowled over, and Raquel confidently sent the older boy off with his hands clutching his groin. Raquel did appreciate the effort, and offered to go on a date with Virgil in return, fully prepared to be bored out of her mind.
Virgil was a complete dope, but hilarious in his own way. He was also well read. More science fiction than contemporary literature but he dabbled in a bit of everything. For once Raquel had someone to talk to about her love of literature and dreams of becoming a writer.
It was some time after the big bang that Virgil suddenly gained an interest in his appearance. He began to work out and started to grow out his dreads. It was a welcome change, Raquel noticed and complemented him, but she didn’t connect the dots. She was far too occupied with the start of her own superhero career to recognize that it was actually her geeky friend that had, in her opinion, the cutest butt in tights.
Rocket and Static worked together on occasion, and it was in the middle of a heated battle that she finally noticed, much to her embarrassment, she had flirted with Static often. After his gloating spell had passed they settled back into a comfortable friendship, and relied on each other often for super-powered assistance.
Rocket and Static entered the warehouse warily, they half expected the meeting to become an ambush, but the reality was more unsettling. The large door was heavy and it creaked as it opened, announcing their presence. The warehouse’s inhabitants all turned to watch them, their gaze unfriendly. The meta humans, most of them bang babies, had segregated themselves. The atmosphere was tense, some of the individuals were sworn enemies and did not appreciate being in the same space.
“Heh. Who invited the Hero?” a young man with fiery red hair approached Static, “Or did you come here to try to bust us?” he raised his hand and flames erupted at his fingertips, lighting up his pale skin, “Go ahead, try it!”
Rocket clenched her fists and stood in front of Static, “Back off Hot Breath we’re here for the meeting.”
“You lettin’ the Rocket babe fight your battles now Static?” the red head asked.
Static grinned and crossed his arms over his chest, “I’m only interested in watching her beat you down Matchstick.”
A girl floated over to the group, her lower half a cloud of smoke, she was followed by a giant purple man.
“You have horrible taste in women,” she floated behind Static resting her arms across his shoulders, “How about a change of pace lightning bug?” She pursed her lips to blow him a kiss.
Static pressed his finger to her lips stopping her from blowing, the gasses she could emit were often deadly, “As much as I appreciate the offer Puff, I’m gonna have to pass.”
“You expect us to believe that two you were invited?” A male voice asked. He was no more than a figure cut out of a starless night sky. He stood amongst a small group of bang babies, clearly the leader by how they crowded around him.
“If she says they were invited then they were invited Ebon,” A head attached to an elongated neck appeared amongst the group. The head’s body walked over from the other side of the warehouse. The man’s form, now in its un-stretched state, revealed a tall, lanky, dark skinned, man in purple.
“Rubber Band Man is right,” said the large purple giant, his voice deep, “Come on Puff. We did not come here to start trouble.”
Puff pouted, she straightened from her position atop Static’s shoulders and reformed her legs. She fluffed her afro puffs delicately with her hands, “Fine,” She directed a flirtatious glance at Static,”We will just have to finish this later.” She stormed off, “Come on Onyx!”
The giant followed his impetuous friend.
A winged woman with golden feathers spoke up from the crowd of bang babies surrounding Ebon, “Come on Hot Streak, You can toast him later.”
Hot Streak doused his fire, “I’m commin’ Talon don’t ruffle your feathers,” he gave Static a final glare before returning to his group.
Rubber Band Man placed his arms around Rocket and Static’s shoulders,” Come on, let’s get you two to a friendlier corner.”
The group was small but the faces were most definitely friendlier. Two unknown women nodded to the trio as they arrived. One was a tall and strong looking blonde, the other was a bit shorter with dark hair, and eyes with tan skin. They both wore large cloaks and returned to whispering to each other after their brief greeting. A medium sized but well built man turned to them, his dark eyes filled with laughter.
“Hello Rocket,” he smiled, his teeth bright against his golden skin.
“Mr. Kim!” Rocket flew over to his side, “You were invited as well?” Rocket asked.
“I have been receiving a lot of invitations to join teams lately,” he winked at her, “If only I were as popular with women.”
Rocket grinned, “Have you made up your mind about that magic team thing yet?”
“It is a major responsibility, but I am definitely interested. However, seeing as I have options now, I might as well check this out too,” he jerked his thumb to wards the rest of he warehouse.
“Where are my manners!” Rocket exclaimed, “Mr. Kim this is Static. Static this is Mr. Kim.”
Static and the older man shook hands.
“Mr. Kim works with nanotechnology,” Rocket added.
Static’s eyes lit up, he pelted the man with questions and a deep scientific conversation began.
“You know you will never get him to shut it once he starts up with that science junk right,” Rubber Band Man lamented.
Rocket sighed, “Yeah…I don’t know what I was thinking,”
“So everyone finally made it,” A booming voice announced from above. Holocaust walked down a flight of stairs. Tall and powerfully built, his muscles rippled under his dark skin. He swiped a large hand through his long dreads.
“We’re here Holocaust. Now how ‘bouts you tell us why you dragged us out to this dump?” the leader of the Blood Syndicate spoke. His group, his family, crowed behind him backing him up.
“Ease up Wise Son. You know I wouldn’t waste your time.”
“Is this another one of your big ideas?”
“You know I never think small.”
“Yeah,” Wise Son scoffed and adjusted his ball cap, “and your big ideas often lead to big trouble.”
“Don’t sweat me boy. I’m not here to start trouble, only a new age.”
“And you need us to do that?” a female member of the Bloods asked.
“No, Flashback, I don’t need you. I want you,” He spread his arms wide. “all of you at my side when the new era begins.”
The room became quiet.
“You all have been invited here because of your potential. Potential that will never be fully realized so long we play by the current world’s rules.”
”You’re loosing me big man,” Wise interjected, “This world’s rules? No matter how big you get you will always be nothin’ but a small time hustler. You don’t have the power to change the world.”
“I didn’t have the power,” he clenched his fist and raised his hand. A large brass ring was on his finger a, a star etched on its surface. “Now I do.”
The two unknown women shifted behind Rocket and Static, their expressions were dark and full of fear.
“This is, was, the ring of a being who calls him self Dharma,” Holocaust continued, “A being who has the power to alter reality.”
“And you will return it to him!” the shorter women commanded. She removed her cloak to reveal a suit of armor, metal wings were attached to her back. The second woman followed suit. The blond wore a black and red bodysuit. They approached the center of the room.
“Iron Butterfly and Donner. I figured Dharma would send his ho to get his swag back,” he gestured to the armored woman. Iron Butterfly’s eyes narrowed at him. “I wasn’t counting on you to show up Donner. You changin’ partners?”
The blonde crossed her arms. “Blitzen’s whereabouts are not your concern.”
“No distractions Don,” Iron Butterfly commanded. She then returned her attention to Holocaust, “When you were invited to the Shadowspire it wasn’t for this purpose.”
“That’s your mistake right there lady,” Wise Son reentered the conversation, “You shouldn’t have invited him anywhere.”
“The man speaks the truth,” Holocaust snapped his fingers. Ebon and his group surrounded the two women. “Now, we can do this easy or hard. Your choice.”
***
Notes
I did alter the timeline of when/how Rocket and Static first met for my fic. If I remember correctly they didn't know each other until after they became hero's and they never went to the same school.
Chapter One