|
|
Wonder Girl walked down the hallway of Teen Titans headquarters and knocked on the door to Superboy's room. She walked in when he called out. "Hey, Connor," she said as she started in and stopped. Superboy was nowhere to be seen. "Connor?" she asked. Just then a burst of energy shot out from the closet, sending dirty clothes flying in all directions. Wonder Girl dodged a pair of underwear but still got nailed with a dirty T-shirt in the face.
"Hey, Cassie," Superboy said. "What's up?"
"I've just got that CD I borrowed..." she said as she flicked a sock off her shoulder. "What's that?" she asked, pointing to a gizmo he held in his hand.
"This?" he asked. "Just a little memento from a bozo I used to have to stop about once a week." He looked again and saw the grin on Cassie's face. "What?" he asked.
"You really don't remember?" she asked. "Well, let me tell you a story..."
Then
"Now, remember, Cassie," Helena Sandsmark said as she retrieved the last bag off the conveyor belt. "I'm going to be really busy and I don't need you getting into trouble."
Cassie popped a bubble and started working on a bigger one. "But, Mom," she said. "I can't believe this! I finally get to come to Hawaii, and I've got to stay in the room the whole time? I want to go to the beach!"
Helena sighed quietly and silently counted to ten. "Cassie," she said, feeling much calmer, "You knew this was going to be a business trip when I found out I was coming. I'm just here to get some details worked out for our Native Hawaiian exhibit that they're loaning us." Helena paused as her daughter popped a bubble almost bigger than her head. "I'll tell you what," she said. "There's a mall just down the street from our hotel. If you can keep out of trouble, I don't mind you going while I meet with the museum staff."
"And the beach?" Cassie asked hopefully.
Helena sighed; knowing she'd already lost this one. "We'll see," she said as she handed her last bag to the cabbie and climbed inside.
Two hours later, Cassie was walking in the mall. She smiled as a couple of cute guys walked by. "I love this place," she thought. Just then she heard a commotion up ahead and she hurried along, wanting to see what was going on.
In front of the record store, a man with long red hair and a couple of robotic attachments on his vest was backing away from the guards. "You can't be serious!" he yelled.
"Afraid so," the guard replied, holding his pistol on the man. "Drop the cash."
The man rubbed his forehead wearily. "Does this happen to the Joker? Does this happen to the Injustice League? Why does this only happen to me? In fact, the only thing that could make today worse would be-"
Cassie ducked back as the skylight over shattered and a boy about her age in red and blue with a black jacket streaked in. "What's going on?" he asked. Then he spotted the red-haired man and a wide smile came across his face. "I don't believe it!" he yelled. "Sidecar's back!"
"Sidearm! Sidearm! The name is Sidearm, you little punk!" Sidearm yelled as a cannon unfolded from his vest and started firing. Superboy ducked and the blast took a chunk out of the local Kay Bee Toys.
"Man!" Superboy yelled. "That is so rude! I was just getting ready to try and get the ultra-super limited glow-in-the-dark Super hologram Batman figure in the Wonder Woman costume! That's all I need to finish my set! Now I guess I've just got to take you down!"
"Oh, yeah?" Sidearm asked. "Let me... cut you a break!" Sidearm laughed as a blade sliced upward and totally missed Superboy.
"Now, you see, Sideswipe? The reason you suck as a villain is because you can't make witty comebacks! Still, I do have to give you two points for the Ginzu action. Kinda fresh."
Sidearm's face turned red as he got even madder. "You little punk! The awesome powers of my tech-vest will destroy you!"
Superboy stopped laughing and leaned over like he was really interested. "By the way, I thought King Shark aced you a while back*. How'd you get out of that?"
(*Superboy #14 - db)
Sidearm smiled. "King Shark was no match for the earth-shattering power of... Sidecar!" His face turned even redder as he realized what he'd said. "Sidearm! Sidearm! Now you've even got me doing it, you little brat! Time to die!" Sidearm opened fire with the cannon again.
With a grin, Superboy picked up a steel pole from the remains of the Kay Bee sign. "Why don't you take a break, Sideburn, and check what I can do with my... Everybody say it with me... Tactile telekinesis!" As he finished, Superboy swung the pole downward and severed the cannon.
"Okay, this has gone on far too long!" Sidearm yelled. "I don't even care about the money anymore! Instead, I'll just take a pretty hostage and head home!" Sidearm grabbed Cassie out of the crowd and pulled her against him, the blade against her throat. "I'd suggest you let me go, or we'll see how my `Ginzu action' will affect her!"
"All right," Superboy said. Sidearm grinned and started walking away. Superboy quickly flew in behind him and touched his tech-vest. "PSYCHE!" Superboy yelled as the tech-vest shorted out and Sidearm fell to the ground.
Superboy landed and helped Cassie to her feet as mall security started handcuffing Sidearm. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said, brushing her hair back. Suddenly she saw her watch. "Oh, no!" she yelled. "I'm supposed to be meeting my mom at the museum right now! She's gonna kill me!"
Superboy looked up from where he was stuffing a piece of Sidearm's cannon into his jacket pocket. "No prob," Superboy said, smiling. "I'm heading that way if you could use a lift."
A moment later, the two of them were airborne. "So you're just visiting?" he asked.
"Yeah. My mom's down here for business."
"Too bad," Superboy said. "I'd love to take you out for a burger."
Cassie shrugged. "That'd be great. Can I have a raincheck?"
"Sure." Superboy came in for a landing and Cassie gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks," she said.
"Anytime," he replied. Then he looked over and saw his girlfriend, Tana Moon, finishing up an interview with Helena Sandsmark. "Hi, Tana?" he said timidly.
"Kid," Tana said coldly. "I guess you've got some explaining to do." Superboy smiled and shrugged.
Across the room, Helena just shook her head as Cassie came running up. "What were- No. I don't even want to know. Let's just go back to the hotel." Helena grabbed Cassie's hand and pulled her toward a waiting cab as Cassie took the chance to wave goodbye to Superboy.
Now
"Wow," Superboy said. "That was you?"
"Yeah," Cassie replied.
"Why didn't you ever bring it up before?"
Cassie shrugged. "I don't know. Just wanted to start off fresh with you. But you know, I think you still owe me that burger."
"Why not?" Connor asked as he pulled a cap onto his head. "Let's go." The two walked out, leaving Sidearm's gizmo lying in the floor.
The End...
Previous Issue | Next Issue