Post by Zero on Feb 15, 2016 2:37:07 GMT -4
A Valentine's Day short story:
Shimmering stars fill the night sky. A rainbow of colors fill the streets on this Valentine's night. All sorts of festivities fill Tremorton for lovers young and old, and gatherings for those lonely souls who just might meet someone to make them complete.
A good distraction for a hiest.
The front fascade of the bank blows up. Out strolls one tall bot dressed in a white suit, with a bag of money hanging over his shoulder. He doesn't get far as XJ-0 lands in front of him.
"I guess that's one thing to do on a lonely night, but that won't be an issue where you're going for this.", says Zero giving the bot a good look up and down. "A pompadour. Really?"
The bot drops the bag and struts in Zero's direction. "Don't hate 'fella."
Zero takes a defensive posture. "Don't try it pompadour."
"The name's Disco Fever, cat! And I'm gonna dance circles 'round you."
Disco fixes his shade. Zero rolls his eyes and moves in to grab him. Disco side steps the grab. He snaps his heals together with a spin and shoves Zero in the chest with one hand.
Zero stumbles back, as Disco wags his finger at him. A little stunned, Zero dashes at Disco, who just spins around missing the lunge. He give Zero a slap in the back of the head. Zero immediatey turns around throwing a left hook.
Disco leans backwards far, dodging the punch. Disco then spins one more time raising his fast and connecting with Zero's chin hard. Zero is thrown, landing on his back.
Disco picks up the bag of money and begins to moonwalk away from Zero. Zero leaps up. "You are NOT getting away."
As Zero dashes at him again, Disco raises his finger to the air. A large energy ball like a disco ball forms and explodes, blinding Zero for a moment. As soon as Zero can see again, Disco Fever is gone.
Skyway Patrol arrives minutes later. Zero gives them a statement as they go over the local security footage, having themsleves a luagh. Embarrassed, Zero turns to leave and makes eye contact with Jessie Winkler.
"Oh, hey...", Zero starts.
"Zeerooooooo! You were suppose to meet me at the square!", snaps Jessie, stomping her foot.
"I know, sorry.", replies Zero looking down as the men keep laughing. "I got a bit... distracted."
She looks at the scene, and the bruise on Zero's chin.
"Oh you.", she says giving him a hug. "What happened?"
They walk to the square holding hands as Zero explains. Jessie can't help but giggle. Zero pouts. She pulls him to where the couple are dancing.
"You need to unwind, sweety." Jessie says, putting his hand on her waist. "Come on, I'll lead."
Zero can't dance, but Jessie is well practiced. It puts him at ease. She can feel his arms relaxing from his usual tense state. She rests her head on his chest for the slow dance.
Later in the night, Jessie is talking to her sister, Jane. She catches a glance at Zero talking to the still single young men, who seem to be having difficulty opening up to thier interests.
Jane notices. "How many years have you two been together now?"
Jessie looks to her, then down to the engagament ring on her finger. "Wow. 3 years."
"Not counting the time he was kinda unalive?"
Jessie smiles as she twirls the ring around her finger. "You know, at that time I didn't think I could live without him."
She looks up to Jane. "I never stopped loving him, but I also learned not to define my entire life by it. I can be my own person. Zero's love just fills my life more."
Jane looks over to Zero. "But he can't, or won't, and it nearly got him killed again."
Jessie frowns. "He doesn't have his father to guide him anymore, and he has ALWAYS been dependant on our friends for his growth. He needs it. It is who he is."
She then smiles as Zero gets some of the young men to smile. "He's helped us grow too. Even when we were apart after what Balaam did, he kept fighting for good. Even if it meant losing his life again. I wish he wouldn't try to throw it away so easily. I want to be there for him no matter what, to give him my love, and help him live the life he's rightfully earned."
Suddenly, a disco ball appears over the square. It fires off lasers in all directions. Jessie and Jane immediately changed to thier robonized forms. They, Zero, and any other hero present scramble to get civilians out of harm's way.
Disco Fever takes advantage of the confusion and begins to bag the money boxes from the booths. Jessie gets him into view and goes for a hit. He grabs her before she can make contact.
"Nuh uh uh, babe.", he mutters, throwing her aside.
She lands on her feet and realizes her ring is gone. She sees Disco takes a hard look at it in his hand.
"GIVE THAT BACK!!!"
He looks at her with a big grin. "Retro taste is expensive, honey. You can see why just 'giving it back' doesn't benefit me."
A powerful beam blasts in front of Disco's face, just missing. Zero stands across from him.
"That was a warning shot.", Zero growls. "The next one won't miss."
"Oh I see you need another dance lesson."
Jessie attempts to sneak up on Disco, but Disco is too quick and grabs her hands. Zero's eyes light up, readying another shot.
"Careful," warns Disco, "you wouldn't want to hit her."
Disco pulls, pushes, spins, and dips Jessie in a forced dance. Zero can't get a clear shot. Disco Fever tuants Jessie.
"This would a lot easier if you wouldn't resist. Disco is all about love."
Jessie glares at him. "You look at love through a broken mirror. The love that disco presented was supported by freedom, fighting for what you believe in, and caring about others before yourself. You're a mockery of the whole genre!"
"You use a lot of words to say what means little to me."
"Enough for your focus to be on just me."
Disco drops her and hurries to turn back to Zero, but is too late. Zero grabs his arm. Disco can't get free from Zero's super strength grip. Zero picks the engagement ring from Disco's hand.
"Another thing about love," says Zero, "is that anyone can find it in all kinds of ways. This ring represents a dedication of love that should never be broken. Selfish people like you treat is as a fad or life stage that can be brushed away heartlessly."
Zero gives the ring back to Jessie. "Through all adversity, I will always love you."
"Ugh, you're making me sick.", snaps Disco Fever.
Jessie kicks him between the legs, and Zero follows up with a powerful uppercut, knocking off Disco's pompadour wig.
Skyway arrests Disco Fever. As they get ready to leave, Disco sadly feels his baldness. Zero shruggs and approaches him.
"Hey, man. It's not a bad look."
Disco smiles and snaps his fingers. "Still got it, baby!"
He hums an old tune to himself as he is taken away.
Jessie takes Zero's hand. "I will always love you too."
They kiss under the light of the disco ball.
THE END