Chapter II: The Winning Team

WHAM!

Lance slammed into Lewis Sanchez with a tackle that would've torn entire homes right out of their foundation. However, the titanic, scantily clad hyena just took the blow with a grunt and a few steps back in retreat. Madman, wearing nothing but an enormous set of black and white, striped boxers that hugged his enormous things and bulge, then seized Lance's shoulders and lifted the smaller super off the ground before tipping backwards and -

WHAM!

... slamming the four-armed wolf headfirst into the solid metal ground.

"Bastard!" roared Lance. The fledgling super rolled onto his belly and immediately jumping to his feet as if had not just been hit with a suplex move. He leapt into the air, clasping both sets of arms and bringing it crashing down onto the hyena. Madman rolled to the side, yanking his enormous bed from the ground and swinging it like baseball club. Lance crossed his arms in front of his face, taking the full blow without so much as budging. Splinters and pieces of foam flew in all directions.

Madman snarled answered only by Lance's threatening growl.

The two -

Boom!

Froze.

Between them stood Caleb, Funny Bone once more wrapped around his shoulders. Two spikes of white bone were jutting out of the ground and levelled dangerous against the two supers' necks.

"Cool it! Both of you!" the younger wolf shouted. Beside him, two ethereal feral hyenas had also appeared, growling their warning at the two.

"What is this guy doing in the Facility?" snapped Lance.

"Who are you to even ask, Puppy?" Madman answered, crossing his massive arms threateningly. "Last I heard, you abandoned your kid brother and joined the fucking Elemental Alliance. You stopped talking to him for a whole week."

Lance's eyes snapped to Caleb. "You told him about that?"

"Everyone in the Facility knows," snorted the hyena. "Your kid brother likes to whine."

"No," Caleb growled back, the bone spikes retreating back into the ground. "Mary just likes to blab. Stop antagonising him, Madman."

"Feh. Whatever," he said with a scoff before he jerked his chin towards Funny Bone. "Need it recharged?"

Caleb nodded before he peeled off the cape and armour, the feral hyenas vanishing with the motion. "If you wouldn't mind," he said as he handed the weapon to the former villain.

"Mind?" Madman said with a smirk before he let out his trademark hyena laugh, making Lance flinch. "You know how it turns me on that I get to pour my seed all over the very same armour you wear."

Lance's tail fluffed out and he practically ploughed past Caleb. "You what!?"

Sighing, Caleb took his brother's enormous paw and guided him out of the large living quarters that had been constructed especially for Madman. "Look, Funny Bone is my only consistent weapon right now and it recharges pretty slowly. When I need it recharged quickly, we get Madman to donate some of his genetic material which the weapon eagerly consumes and uses to fix itself."

Lance threw a glance back into the hyena's room which was populated by a large couch, equally large TV and a cacophony of gym equipment. It was effectively a large studio apartment. Just before the metal doors closed he saw Madman position himself in front of the TV before he flicked on what appeared to be some male gay porn. "So you wear stuff the smelly hyena cums on and can turn into a hyena whenever you wear it..." He eyes scanned Caleb warily. "Is that... safe...?"

"Arcturus said -"

His brother's eyes flashed. "Arcturus again. You've been talking up this guy a lot and I've barely met him. Are you sure we can even trust him?"

"Bren trusts him," answered Caleb, as they passed through another set of metal doors as they left the corridor. "That's good enough for me. Besides, Arcturus is the one that helped me get over being a hyena again."

Lance's eyes suddenly filled with worry. "What do you mean...?"

Caleb rubbed the back of his neck, purposefully avoiding his brother's gaze. "After I changed that first time by Gnoll's paws, I got the rush of being a super. I had strength, speed, regeneration and all the perks you have now. But it came at the cost of my sanity. I was sex-crazed and I seriously_wanted to fuck you or anything that moved. When I changed with _Funny Bone... I practically curled up in the corner, rocking back and forth and desperately trying to keep my cock from exploding in my pants."

They navigated their way back to the atrium in silence. It was only after Lance shifted back to his wolf shape and dismissed his Alliance clothing did either of them speak again.

"It takes guts to dive headlong back into such a traumatic experience like that, Cale. You're the better wolf for it. Can't say I like the idea of keeping that nutjob around or the fact that you wear junk that he taints but..."

"Madman has really mellowed out," Caleb answered with a soft smile. "I like to think it's because he's becoming a good guy but I'm pretty sure it's because Mary can get into his head and he's scared shitless of Arcturus."

They both made their way to the exit and jumped onto Ballistic with Lance riding right behind Caleb, his huge arms wrapped around his brother's waist. As they peeled away from the car park, Caleb noticed that it was well past eight o'clock. No doubt his parents were worried about them. Using the wireless communicator in his helmet, he linked up to his phone and called home.

"Hello?" answered Lillian Hale. "Hale residence."

"Hey mom, it's me."

"Caleb! Where are you? We're worried sick."

"Sorry," he answered glancing over his shoulder briefly at Lance. "Lance and I were just catching up and lost track of time. Did you guys already eat?"

"Good to hear you're safe. Sorry we ate ahead. There's leftovers for you though."

Caleb smirked at that last remark. Being a family of Hale wolves, 'leftovers' generally translated to 'scraps'. If there was any sizable meal left after the Hales had been through dinner, it would be a miracle.

"That's okay, mom. Lance and I are just going to grab something out. We'll be home soon."

"Okay. Take care you two. Love you both."

It was funny. Any other time his mother would have demanded that they return home immediately. Then again, that was during a time when one of the errant sons wasn't a bona fide superhero. Perhaps there was some perks to having a superhero for a brother.

After a few miles he brought both of them back to Terry's Diner, a 24 hour family diner designed around extremely old fashioned family values that came about some time in the 1970s. No booths were available as it was peak hour for families coming out of movies from the nearby mall or teenagers lounging about a Thursday night. Two seats at the counter were available though and that was where they both ordered a significant meal for both of them.

"So a lot has really happened while I was away, huh?" Lance said, sipping his cola. "Must've been hard..."

"I missed you," Caleb answered, staring at his lemon lime and bitters pensively. "Was everything on your side... okay?"

"It was..." Lance puffed out his cheeks and let out his breath slowly. "Cale, it's more than anyone could've ever imagined." He lowered his voice. "I mean, interdimensional travel, time travel and all this other shit I never even heard about as just an ordinary guy. Seriously, I got to travel back a millennium where furs didn't exist except on the internet and they had this bizarre cartoon show where everyone seems to be suffering from hepatitis."

"Really? Everyone is dying?"

"That's just it! They're not!" Lance laughed. "They're just yellow!"

"Yellow humans...? Isn't that... I dunno... racist or something?"

"Beats the hell out of me. The only reason I looked it up is because it was apparently created by the same person who created another cartoon that's meant to be a look into thirty-first century life from a twenty-first century perspective." Lance sipped his cola and shrugged. "Boy did they get it wrong. Apparently, they had this soda that came from the ass of a giant slug."

Caleb reeled back in horror. He stuck out his tongue and shook his head. "The twenty-first century was disgusting!"

"Tell me about it. Though porn has remained pretty much the same."

"It says a lot that even after a thousand years, pornography is one of the few things that remains consistent."

"That and good old American apple pie," Lance said, licking his lips. "Would you believe the cafeteria at the Tower does not make apple pies? They say that it shows favouritism towards America."

"Those Nazis!"

Lance grinned and rubbed his paws together as their meals arrived. After having just gone through an adrenaline-pumping battle, both wolves were starved. All conversation died as Caleb tore through his full-sized chicken schnitzel with the side of fries and the tempura prawns with rice. Beside him, Lance ripped into two full-sized steaks with sides of mash. The funny thing was, they ate lightly compared to what the rest of the diner was eating.

Once their mains were completed, both wolves ordered an apple pie - a _whole_apple pie which they gladly shared with one another. And ice cream. Vanilla ice cream was something Lance could not pass up when it came to apple pie.

Only when he was starting to slow in his consumption of calories did Caleb speak. "So what're you going to do for your 'cover'?"

"Huh?" Lance grunted. He swallowed his mouthful then wiped his muzzle with the back of his arm. "Oh, right. Well, I'm going back to college, of course. Got a lot of school work to catch up on. Plus the Alliance has me on patrol every Wednesday and Saturday evenings. That means Dad and I still get to go to your games."

Caleb grinned at that thought. "Awesome. The team really pulled together since you were gone. Coach thinks we can make the playoffs. We lost the first game but we've been winning all the others."

"You lost?"

"Yeah. Duty called."

"Ah." Lance bobbed his head from side to side. "You know, something I learned while I was being trained is that if I'm going to pursue my life undercover, I should really invest in my future. I don't want to be like Shockstorm or Siren who have nothing but being a super. I want to have a life outside of that."

His brother made a slicing motion through the air. "That's why I'm going to change my course next semester and take up teaching."

Caleb's eyes brightened and he broke into a grin. "That's awesome! I think you'd make a great teacher!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Lance said, his voice lowering slightly. "It means another three years of being in college but I was thinking by then, you'd be out of high school and we could at least spend one year in the same dorm before I got a place of my own and we move in together."

Caleb's brow furrowed and he angled his head to the side a little. "Where're you going with this Lance?"

His other brother shrugged slightly. "Well... I love you, Cale. And I was just thinking that once you're out of college, you'd like to... I dunno, move in with me. Unless you can think of a reason why not?"

Caleb's jaw dropped open, hanging on its hinges. His brain had gone completely blank save for the powerful urge to immediately dial Mary's number and scream at her that Lance had practically asked him to move in with him. Somehow, he resisted that tendency and said, "Yeah! That sounds great! Except..."

Lance's face fell.

"Actually, nope. Can't think of anything," Caleb finished, grinning so mechanically he was pretty darn sure that he had gotten lockjaw.

"Awesome!" Lance slapped the table. "You head out. I'll settle up."

Caleb seized Lance's paw. He was both horrified and equally worried that the contact felt so alien. "I'll get this one. You just got back. See you out by Ballistic."

"Thanks bro." Lance leaned down and pecked Caleb's cheek before heading out, tail wagging.

Now that he was somewhat alone, Caleb practically dove for his phone and texted Mary. He wasn't sure how refined Lance's super hearing was and didn't want to risk his brother learning he was absolutely freaking out.

'Lance just asked me to move in with him!' he texted and sent.

Not sure had gotten the severity of the issue through, he sent another texting just containing, '!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

It didn't take long for Mary to respond.

'I can't sense you. Where are you?'

'Terry's Diner. Just had dinner with him.'

'What did he say exactly? Ever since he got superhero training, he's got mental defences like your dad. I'm finding it hard to get a read on him.'

Caleb swore silently to himself. He had forgotten about the mental training that effectively nullified Mary's powers; training that most if not all supers possessed. That must have been why she hadn't mentioned anything to him while they were with Lance. Apparently, Lars didn't have very good mental defences.

'He said that after high school, once I go to college, we can bunk together for one year since he wants to change his course. Then, after he graduates, we move in together!'

'Is that a problem? Isn't that a good thing that he's making plans for the future with you two together?'

Caleb straightened and frowned a little. How was this a problem? Wouldn't it be nice to have a secure future? He would always have his family and Lance was family. Why would it be problematic if he moved in with his brother during college?

Without really thinking, he typed, 'Maybe because I don't want to stay here for college?'

It took a long while for Mary to respond and all she said was, 'Meet me by the soup cans.'

Caleb sighed as he settled the bill and headed out to Ballistic where Lance was waiting. His brother looked devilishly handsome in the night and he felt his heart flutter... but at the same time, his stomach twisted into knots. Still with a rather mechanical smile, he jumped onto Ballistic and drove them both home.

At nine thirty at night, everyone was already asleep. Not surprising how Lillian Hale had prepared a venerable feast for the return of the two heroes. They both ascended the steps to the second floor, Lance gently reminding Caleb to wear his slippers. After agreeing that tonight was not the best night to pick up where they had left off the night Lance awakened his powers, Caleb retreated to his room.

Across the lawn, Mary waited by her window, the lights to her room off. Caleb shut off his own lights and opened his window. He caught her offered soup can.

"So what's this about not going to college here?" Mary asked.

"I dunno..." he muttered, rubbing his arm absently. "What if I want to go to college in New York... or maybe go to Harvard or something like that? Hell, I don't even know what I want to do."

Even from across the lawn, he saw Mary narrow her gaze. "This is about what Martha Connors said, isn't it? About the possibility that your future and happiness might lie outside of the country?"

"Oh no," he growled. "I am not going to get all whiny about what can and cannot be. She was right on one thing though, the future isn't set in stone so I'm not going to waste my time chasing a future that was vaguely hinted."

"Right. You should know all about fate and destiny after playing that dumb videogame."

"It's a global phenomenon!" he snapped back. Caleb's mood then began to decline as he sighed and slumped against the windowsill. "Mary... What do _you_want to do when you graduate?"

"That's easy! I'm going to be the hot kick-ass receptionist for Ben's dad. You know, the ever-present, unassuming, bespectacled beauty who seems like she doesn't know what her boss is really doing and then when the heroes come to bring down her boss' activities, she reveals her true powers, her amazing martial abilities and her Outsider powers!" Mary said with a proud grin.

He gave her the most 'are you serious' stare he could muster. "You don't wear glasses."

"Exactly! It'll be the perfect cover! Plus, do you have any idea how hot I'd be if I took off my glasses, let my hair down and proceeded to dish out the whoop-ass?" She laughed softly. "Honestly Cale, we're high school freshmen. The year is just about three months young and you're already worried about what you're going to do for college. I mean, we're still doing all the basic classes."

"I know, I know but suddenly it's on the horizon, you know? Before you know it, we'll be juniors then seniors and suddenly we'll be graduating. What if the college course I want to pick isn't in the same college that Lance is going to? What if it isn't even in this country."

"Cale, you did a project on this not long ago. There was an educational reform that standardised the curriculum across the globe and every college offers the same courses."

"But not necessarily to the same level!"

She giggled and leaned against her windowsill, her eyes glittering even in the darkness. "I never expected you to be the kind of person to seek out _specialised_colleges, Cale." She was silent a long moment and lowered the soup can for a long moment. When she lifted it again, she said, "What is this really about?"

"You can read my thoughts. You know."

"Yes I can but you need to hear it for yourself. What you think and feel is different from what you tell yourself."

Caleb sighed and slumped forward, arms dangling over the edge of his window. "I don't know... I guess I feel a little... suffocated. Lance has been the centre of my life for the past month or so and then when he comes back, I suddenly realise just what that means. Where he goes, I'm compelled to follow. When he said he wants us to spend time in college together and move in together... it's like he's nailing me down to this island."

"That's a good pup." Mary giggled slightly. "Look, before you start breaking out the wedding invitations or changing your online status to 'recently broken up', why don't you first test the waters? It's only been a day since Lance got back. Spend some time with him. Also, start trying out for clubs and extracurricular activities at school."

"I'm doing football!"

"Do you see that as a viable career?"

"Better than assistant-slash-assassin for a werewolf supervillain."

"No it isn't and you know it."

*****

Caleb woke to his alarm clock blaring in his ears. He growled angrily at it and yanked it out of its socket. With a snarl, he flung it across the room and buried his face back into his pillows. When he didn't hear a crash or a bang, his ears perked and he sat up.

"Whoa!"

"Morning," Lance said, holding the alarm clock in his paws and sitting backwards against Caleb's desk chair.

"How long have you been sitting there!?"

"About thirty minutes. I wanted to watch you sleep for a bit."

"Oh-kay..." Caleb rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Is there a special occasion?"

"The superpower test Dad had scheduled for today."

He froze but then calmed almost immediately. Mary had said that Bren was going to fix the test so that he remained as negative.

"Oh right... Right..."

"Listen Cale," Lance said, rising from his seat and setting down the clock. "I know Mary or Bren will probably sabotage the test so you come up as negative but... I'd like you to talk them out of it. I want you to come out to Dad that you're Weapons Master."

Caleb bolted upright, ears perfectly perked. "Wait... what!?"

Lance held up his paws. "Hear me out. The Alliance knows about the Gene Stealers now and they know about the Weapons Master. After the hyena incident, the impression on you guys isn't that very good since Dad keeps spitting out his propaganda. How do you think he'll react if and when you and he end up on the battlefield together and you change back into your hyena form?"

He had run that scenario over and over in his head multiple times already since Arcturus had discovered the correlation and he had changed. Regardless, if he changed while someone was nearby with a camera or a phone it wouldn't be long until the Alliance or the media pounced. The most likely outcome would be that they would start claiming that Weapons Master was using 'dark powers' or had been 'corrupted' and couldn't be trusted and his reputation would fall even further.

In truth, he had hoped to keep riding the wave of anonymity for as long as possible. He didn't care what the world saw Weapons Master as just as long as he could do the right thing.

Of course, he didn't really consider the thought of revealing his identity to his father.

It was like coming out of the closet all over again...

"He'd probably kick my ass to the curb..." he muttered.

"Right," Lance answered. "So, let's take this opportunity to tell him! We can use the excuse that you didn't know he was Feral Steel until when I transformed and never got the chance to tell him because he rushed me out the door. Now, on the day of the test, just tell him before we go who you are, tell him your reasons and -"

A soft beeping echoed from Lance and the wolf looked startled. The bigger brother reached down his shorts and pulled out his phone, swiping it to receive the call and setting it on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Feral Fang," came an all-business, calm, masculine tone. "You are needed at the Tower. There seems to have been a Gene Stealer attack at the old Sewerage Treatment Plant last night that the Outsiders dealt with and only now informed us of."

Lance's ears folded back in fear. "Um... alright, I'll be there. Will my Dad...?"

"He is aware and should be taking you here."

The caller hung up and Lance looked up in horror at Caleb. "Crap..."

"You don't think they know you were involved, do they?" Caleb asked.

Lance shook his head slightly. "God, I hope not... I think this means the test might be cancelled. I'll check with Dad. Just give Mary and Bren a call and cancel whatever they have in store, okay?"

Without even waiting for a confirmation, Lance was leaving Caleb's room, his footfalls oddly silent. Before, Caleb could always detect when one of the twins were approaching. They were so big that the floorboards generally creaked beneath their massive feet. It must have been a super thing.

Caleb reached for his phone but paused when he heard his father intercept Lance just at the top of the stairs. What they were talking about, he couldn't hear but a moment later, David Hale poked his head into Caleb's room.

"Hey bud, sorry. We'll have to postpone the super test until after football practice today. Alliance stuff. Those rogue Outsiders went nuts at a museum on the south side."

Strangely, the grin on Caleb's face was genuine. "No probs, Dad."

David Hale grinned back. "See you later, Cale!"

Caleb's thumb hovered over his phone but he was sure Mary already knew of his conflict. Lance brought up some very valid points and the longer he maintained the lie, the more it will hurt his father if and when he told him of his identity. He didn't feel like there was really any reason for him to maintain the lie.

Was there?

Deciding against talking to Mary, he got dressed for school and scarfed down his breakfast with his mother. Abby and Leon were strangely absent, their stack of pancakes cooling on the breakfast table. He stole one pancake from Leon's stack as he headed out and took Ballistic all the way back to West California High School. Along the way, he kept mulling over any valid reason for maintaining a lie that would potentially tear their family apart.

He didn't get far into the school before he was ambushed by Ben, Lars and Mary, forming a rather intimidating wall in front of him.

"We're here to convince you to not tell your Dad about the Outsiders," Mary said.

He winced and rolled his eyes. "Should've seen this coming." Flicking up his watch, he said, "Okay, you've got a minute each. I get a minute of rebuttal for each of you. Ready? Go."

Ben stepped forward, speaking in hushed tones. "The Alliance knows that the Outsiders work with the criminal organisation, the Alpha Pack. If you disclose the identity of the Outsiders, you are disclosing the Alpha Pack and their trust. You're going to make an enemy of the Pack not to mention threaten friendships that already exist."

He shook his head, glaring down at his friend. "I don't think the Pack will be so petty as to break an alliance between the Outsiders and themselves over this. Besides, I can always just say I don't know your identities beyond werewolves. That lie I can live with."

"Really?" Ben asked, his eyes widening in awe. "You'd lie to your dad about us? Awww... You really are loyal Caleb! As a werewolf I bet you - Yeow!" Ben was suddenly interrupted as Mary pinched his ear and pulled him back.

It was Lars' turn next. "Cale, you know I've never been happier or more comfortable with my powers than I am now with the Outsiders. The Alliance is a bunch of stuck-up douchebags who have a superiority complex and just like having the monopoly on supers in West Cali. If you tell them about the Outsiders, they're going to shut us down and we'll be sending a message to all the kids with powers out there to not even try doing the right thing if they aren't a full super."

Caleb's eyes flicked to Mary. "Mary, stop writing Lars' speeches for him."

"Hey!" the Doberman exclaimed. "You think I can't write my own arguments?"

He lifted an eyebrow at him. "Did you?"

To his credit, Lars did hold his ground for ten seconds before ducking his head and sliding back.

"I'm the one that's going to step out of the shadows," Caleb replied. "No one else. You guys can keep being Outsiders. Like with the Alpha Pack, I can just say that I don't know your identities. The FBI keeps us all anonymous to one another or something. I just don't want this to drive a wedge between my Dad and me. I love my Dad! He's the best Dad anyone could have. He saved my life when I was just born. It's the least I could do to tell him who I am."

His eyes settled on Mary, bracing himself for what he knew would be the toughest argument he'd have to face. Knowing that she could read his mind, he started reciting Stars and Stripes Forever in Latin, blocking her out. That only caused her to smile and it unnerved him all the more.

Mary theatrically cleared her throat and even went so far as to pick up a breath mint before speaking. She coughed once.

"You love the secret."

Caleb opened his muzzle to counter.

... then froze.

He shut it again and furrowed his brow... Then he took a breath, lifting a finger as if about to say something. Nothing came out but a faint, gurgling sound like a cat had been run over on the road and it was letting out a desperate plea for help. Lars and Ben stared between himself and Mary before leaning close to Caleb, eager for his response.

...

"Damnit, Mary!"

Mary just leaned back smugly and stepped aside as he stormed past her, absolutely fuming. He hated that she was right and practically tore his locker door off its hinges as he stuffed his bag inside and began rifling through the contents of his locker, not really doing anything.

"You like the secret?"

His eyes flashed as he glared at Ben who had caught up with him. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I always thought you liked to keep things simple and be as honest as possible but you like this secret?"

Caleb banged his forehead against the frame of his locker. "I know, I know. But you've never heard me whine and bitch about being an Outsider. If someone needs help out there, I'll complain about how it's interfering with something going on if something is going on but if there isn't, I'm out the door. I like helping people. If I tell my Dad... he might just ground me for life, forbid me from ever using my powers and I'll be stuck in my room watching as the world turns into hyper-sexed animals... I can't do that..."

"So you'd maintain a secret just so you can continue to help people..." Ben rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes cast out into the distance. "Even if it'd risk the fallout and subsequent world-ending explosion of your Dad finding out?"

"I don't know!" he howled, banging a fist against his locker. It stung like hell. "Fuck... It's either betray Lance and my Dad but keep fighting for what's right or tell them and never fight again."

"Are you sure your Dad won't be as understanding as he was before?" Ben asked. "I mean, he was pretty cool with you and Lance doing it. Not to mention you coming out as gay."

Caleb sighed, ears folded back and tail dragging on the floor. "I don't know... Maybe. Just like when Lance was coming back, it's the _not knowing_that's killing me."

"Too bad we don't have another videogame to take your mind off things."

He grunted in agreement, carrying the thoughts of the superhero test at the end of the day and Lance's proposal for a future to his classes. Hours passed with the two equally big storm clouds looming over his head. At one point, they started to merge and he started to suspect that Lance's proposal to move in together was his attempt to cushion the blow of potentially never being able to fight the Gene Stealers and throwing aside his Outsider responsibilities.

So what if he couldn't turn anything into a weapon anymore? At least he'd have steaming hot sex with his loving, superhero of an adoptive bigger brother, right?

The hours kept passing by with Caleb still lost in his thoughts, his body responding off of instinct for every action until he found himself at the lunch table surrounded by his friends.

"Uh-oh... He's frozen up again," Alex said from across the table as he waved his hand in front of Caleb to try and get a reaction. "He should be a deer, not a wolf."

"In his defence, it's pretty big," said Lars with a shrug. "His dad is going to get him tested for superpowers after school today. It's either he confesses to being Weapons Master beforehand or he lets Bren sabotage the testing machine." Lars lifted one paw. "On top of the whole identity thing, there is also the fact that he could betray Lance's trust if he lies. Plus, if he lies, Lance will know and he knows our secret too. So..."

Caleb whimpered. He hadn't even considered that yet.

Strangely, the soft clinking of Mary setting down her fork brought him out of his paralysis. He turned to find that she was sliding a flyer to the centre of the table.

"Les Miserables?" he asked.

"One other issue that has been plaguing our dear, dear wolf," Mary said, waggling her finger, "is the fact that he has no future."

"Hey!"

"Beyond football. His grades are fairly high but time is rapidly ticking away to when he has to pick his path in life as he is under the impression that he has to pick one now and live with the consequences or he'll waste time, money and sanity."

Caleb frowned at her but let her continue.

"Therefore," Mary continued, "barring the fact that we cannot help him with a choice that he alone has to make, I propose we drag his fluffy ass to the auditorium right now and have him try out for the school musical."

Lars sat up and shook his head, waving his paws. "Oh no. Oh hell no. We are not going to push the high school jock into a musical. That's been done. Multiple times."

"But it works, doesn't it?" Alex asked, munching on a burrito. "Somehow, every week the jocks mingle with nerds, delinquents, average Joes and musically talented and resolve their life problems through song in time for some big musical competition or display that brings the story to a heart-warming ending. Isn't that what we want here?"

The Doberman slammed his fist into the table. "Hell no! I've read the articles on this! Whenever this craze hits public ears, there is always a generation of kids all over the world that are singing show tunes in the streets! Then the spin-offs of the original show start, followed by would-be singers from Canada that have barely hit puberty with legions of psychopathic fans! Those were a dark times for Earth!"

Caleb picked up the flyer, his eyes settling on a role. "It might be fun..."

All eyes flicked towards him though Mary's were half-closed and expectant.

Lars gripped his shoulders, spinning him around and shaking him lightly. "Please bud, don't do it! Don't go over to the dark side!"

"What have you got against musical theatre?" Ben said. "Or is it just that thick jock head of yours being unable to comprehend something _remotely_cultured."

"Shut it!" Lars said as he shot Ben an angry glare before he looked back at Caleb. "The theatre is no place for a stud like you, Cale. Pick up hockey, basketball or maybe even go on the virtual sports circuit! Anything but theatre!" he begged as he gripped onto his shoulders tightly.

Caleb held up the flyer and pointed at the very small opening at the bottom left of the page. "I'm not trying out for a musical role. I want to help with the set and props."

Lars blinked and immediately let go of him. "Oh... you mean like painting the scenery, making the props and setting up the stage?"

"Yeah."

Everyone one the table - except Mary, of course - let out an understanding 'Oh'.

"You've always been good at art," commented Alex.

"You've got a great creative mind," added Ben.

"You need to draw a few cocks, though."

There was a sudden silence as everyone at the table gave Lars a sour look.

"What? You're gay and you've never drawn a cock before despite the fact you really like drawing homoerotic art."

Caleb's tail fluffed out. "I do not draw homoerotic art!"

"Oh yeah?" Lars replied, reaching into his bag.

He held out a custom made birthday card. On the front, it said 'Caleb Hale says: Keep things simple.' It showed Caleb dressed in a simple white shirt and shorts. When Lars opened it, it displayed a very naked Caleb tossing his clothes aside. However, his genitals were mysterious missing. The words 'Naked is simple' were emblazoned on the top followed by 'Happy Birthday Lars.'

"You're so self-conscious about drawing dicks that you even gave _yourself_the Ken Doll," Lars said.

Caleb felt his cheeks starting to burn in embarrassment as both Ben and Alex took the personally made birthday card he had given Lars for his last birthday and began giggling. They made comments on how very photorealistic the drawing was, purposefully avoiding the fact that Caleb was nude whilst mentioning how excellent the production value was.

Mary became his saviour.

"Hey Lars. Why are you carrying a birthday card of Caleb nude around with you?"

All laughter died down and even Caleb forgot his embarrassment. Slowly, they all turned to a very flustered Lars. Caleb folded one ear down while keeping the other erect. He half-smiled half-frowned, giving him his trademark confuzzled look at the Doberman.

Lightning fast, Lars snatched the birthday card from Alex and swiped the flyer. "Let's go audition for the school musical!"

*****

Caleb was fairly organised with his art portfolio and it didn't take long at all to snatch it from the art studio to bring it to the auditorium. When he entered, those already present began whispering to themselves. The star receiver of the football team comes to audition for the school musical? It was certainly top news. When Lars entered, though... well, quarterback was a more coveted position than receiver.

Several people removed themselves from where they were waiting and eagerly bounded over to Lars, asking him if he was there to audition. Glad for the distraction, Caleb wended his way through the crowd went backstage. A strict looking white rabbit with small spectacles on her nose was overseeing the construction of ancient France.

"Um... Excuse me," he said. "I'm here to lend a paw with the stage management?"

The rabbit gave him a stern glance and upturned her nose. "Feh... Another one with muscles and no artistic merit."

Was that how everyone saw him? All muscle and with little else? That shot down his future prospects a little further. "Actually, I've got my portfolio here -"

"I'm not interested, child," she said, waving a paw at him absently. "Besides, this isn't an audition. You want to help. Good. Why don't you go lend a paw to Ashton. He's like you." She pointed to a tiger who was painting a wall slate grey.

"Um... Okay..."

He strode over to tiger and cleared his throat. The feline turned, for a moment confused and then beamed brightly, green eyes twinkling.

"Hey there, mate, how can I help you?"

Caleb's eyes widened and his heart did somersaults. His brain shutdown for a moment and all he could say was, "Holy crap, you're British!"

Stunned and a little taken aback, the tiger let out a very dignified, polite chuckle with his sexy, baritone edged with refinement. "Well yes, I suppose I am. Would you care for a spot of tea?" The tiger turned away and leaned down, showing off his incredible, firm rump. When he straightened, Caleb could have drawn a map of the mountains and valleys across the very lean and strong back that showed through hi tight, white shirt. The tiger turned to him, a drink canister in his paws. "It's organic."

"N - No thanks," Caleb stammered, holding out his paw. "Hey, I'm Caleb Hale."

"Of course you are," chuckled the tiger. "Everyone knows you, Master Hale." He took Caleb's paw in a very strong grip. "My name is Ashton, Ashton Smithson. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Uh-huh..." Caleb could barely keep himself standing though he was sure if he fell over, his 'third leg' would be able to maintain him.

"Come to help with the stage management, then?" asked Ashton, letting go of his paw. "Unfortunately, Miss. Jenkins won't allow 'dumb jocks' such as ourselves to do anything more than lift heavy things around and paint within the lines. But I like to paint just a little outside the lines every now and again. I'm a rebel like that."

"I bet you are," Caleb murmured.

"Um, Caleb, can I call you Caleb?"

"Yeah?"

"You're still holding my paw."

Caleb glanced down, noticing he was still gripping Ashton's paw. He immediately let go like he had been holding a hot stove. "Ah! Sorry I was just... uh... erm... admiring your stripes!" What began as a quick excuse actually turned into curiosity. There was something odd about the tiger's stripes. "Uh... If you don't mind me asking...?"

"Oh!" Ashton let out his very refined laugh that send Caleb's stomach turning. "They're actually tattoos. I wasn't born with stripes."

"You weren't?"

"Rare genetic defect. Comes from tigers breeding with lions, ligers breeding back with tigers and so forth. Recessive gene. I get a tiger's build but not the stripes. Rather fuzzy in some places too. I got them tattooed on instead."

Caleb inclined his head, finally regaining his mental faculties as he regarded the tiger's artificial stripes. Unlike normal stripes, they were not solid black lines. When seen from afar, they would certainly seem so but when seen up close, they were actually masterfully crafted to be made entirely out of words. Full sentences even.

"What do they say?"

"Heh," Ashton chuckled softly, twisting his arm around, examining the lines. "It's actually Romeo's monologue when he beckons for Juliet to meet him. You know, from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet."

"Erm..."

Suddenly, Ashton spun away from him, sweeping his arms wide and falling to one knee. Still with the paintbrush in his paws, he splattered Caleb and the wall with grey paint. In a gentle, passionate but clear voice, Ashton proclaimed, "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." Ashton lifting a paw slowly. "Arise, fair sun and kill the envious moon. Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she." He stood, clenching a fist and snarling theatrically. "Be not her maid, since she is envious! Her vestal livery is but sick and green and none but fools do wear it! Cast if off! It is my lady, O, it is my love!"

Ashton dropped his paintbrush and took two steps forward, looking up to some imaginary castle window. He dropped his voice to a soft, mournful whisper. "O, that she knew she were... She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?"_Then he lifted his voice again, a smile slowly crawling on his features. _"Her eye discourses; I will answer it."_Again, he stepped forward hopefully but then froze... and retreated a single step. _"I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes. To twinkle in their sphere till they return."

The tiger ducked his head, shaking it theatrically while gripping his temples like a lover conflicted. "What if her eyes her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven. Would through the airy region stream so bright." He lifted his gaze again, holding a clenched fist against his chest. "That birds would sing and think it were not night. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!" He mimed the action, pressing a paw against his cheek. "O, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!"

Applause suddenly exploded around them and Caleb was a little shocked that a large crowd had gathered. Caleb awkwardly joined in. When Ashton's eyes locked with his, he gave the biggest smile he could muster, pretending he understood a word of what Ashton had just uttered.

"Alright, alright," shouted the rabbit. "That's enough. Thank you, Mr. Smithson. Now clean up all the paint you splattered and get back to work."

Ashton stuck out his tongue playfully, smiling and returning to the wall he was painting. "Sorry, I get kind of carried away. _Romeo and Juliet_is one of my favourite plays of all time." His eyes flickered to Caleb. "What's yours?"

"Oh... um... erm... The Lion King?" Caleb offered meekly.

"Oh really? Did you get to see it on Broadway?"

"Nah. They came over here and I saw it at the Sunrise Theatre."

When he was two. It was the only play he had ever seen in his life. He had read some others for English during his schooling but Shakespeare plays were considered 'ancient English' in the thirty-first century and with a global curriculum, his plays were no longer made to be mandatory for all to read up on. Caleb knew what they were especially since a scandal revealed that Shakespeare never actually wrote his plays but the rogue time travelling superhero, Time Lapse, took copies of the play and gave it to him from the future to create an infinite causality loop; Time Lapse gave Shakespeare the plays, Shakespeare published them so that Time Lapse could give it to him from the future. Time Lapse was also an equine which probably explained Shakespeare's fascination with anthropomorphic creatures.

"That's pretty stellar. I missed it when I hit New York a few years back."

Caleb's eyebrows rose. "You've been to New York?"

Ashton began fixing the splatters of paint he had thrown onto the wall. "Yup. I was born in Australia to British parents while they were on holiday and lived my childhood in Britain. Moved here ten years ago and have been hopping from one place to another because my dad is a very opportunistic person."

"Huh?"

The tiger's bright grin made Caleb's knees week. "He's an actor. Nothing big time, I assure you, but big enough that theatre companies want him all across the world."

Caleb briefly wondered why he had never heard of the travelling, smoking hot, charmingly handsome British tiger before then he realised he really didn't have much of a world beyond being an Outsider and football. That was somewhat depressing.

"So, I take it you're hoping to join the production crew of this year's rendition of Les Miserables?"

Caleb started and nodded. "Oh, yeah! Yeah, I'm fairly good at art and I was thinking I'd lend a paw."

The tiger noticed the large black folder Caleb was clutching and hiked his chin towards it. "Is that your portfolio?"

"Oh yeah. Just a few doodles I do for art class."

"Mind if I take a gander?"

"I'd be honoured." Caleb handed his portfolio to Ashton. The tiger's eyes went wide as he flicked through the pages.

"Wow... This is extremely well done and fantastically detailed. Who did you have model for you?"

Caleb blushed deeply and had to turn away. Somewhere on stage, auditions had begun and he tried to focus on how terrible some of the people were. "Actually, I just sort of plucked them all from my imagination. I mean, if you've seen any four-armed wolves around, that'd be a first!" He laughed nervously at his latter drawings which predominantly consisted of imaginary poses of Lance based on what few glimpses he had gotten from his brother.

"I'll say. You have a magnificent imagination, Caleb Hale, not to mention a keen eye for detail." Ashton handed the portfolio back to the wolf. "Do you have any major works coming up?"

"Major works?" he asked, giving Ashton his con-fuzzled look.

"You know, large pieces that you want to show off? My mother is the art director for the 'Top Art' exhibit that travels around the country. They get pieces of art from all high schools across the country and show them off. Most of the focus is on graduating students but there are small exhibits for freshmen and juniors and other artists from all over the country. We've got some pretty major backers behind it."

Did Ashton think his art was good enough to be on a national exhibit?

"Oh... No, not really. Besides, I don't think I'm good enough to put something up on canvas. Everything I do is just with pencil and sketching. I'm sort of a traditional media sort of guy too. Can't do much digital art."

"Pity. You could make a killing." A strange glimmer appeared in Ashton's eyes. "Say, I can score us tickets to the exhibit if you want some inspiration. Maybe seeing what others can do in other forms of media might just be the push you need to extend your boundaries beyond just sketching on paper."

Art... it was an avenue he had never really considered before. He just drew and doodled when he had free time. Art classes were always fun for him as he was given freedom to do just put his thoughts onto the paper without having to worry about what anyone else thought. Admittedly, it had to be good but it was still liberating when he actually finished a sketch and got approving nods for it. There were people much better than him that had mastered digital media or even sculpture but he had always been content with his sketches.

Maybe it was time to build upon that...

"Sure. That sounds like fun. When is it?"

"In about a month," Ashton answered, folding his arms with a grin. "Just before the opening of our musical."

Both of them suddenly perked their ears as a proud, strong and uplifting voice exploded out from the stage. Caleb had never heard the song before but the voice that came with the trumpeting music had the mesmerising effect of causing him to gravitate towards the front of the stage. He couldn't see the singer as a stunned crowd had gathered to block him. Even his seven foot-height was barred as there were slightly taller furs that were in the production crew. Along with Ashton, they worked their way down the stage and to the front seats.

His jaw dropped.

"Who am I?" Lars McCloud sang, arms wide and without a microphone. "Jean...Valjean!"

The crowd exploded into applause and the music director, a portly boar, sprang to his feet and gave Lars a standing ovation. Alongside him, others did the same. Caleb couldn't help but join in the applause. Lars grinned sheepishly and gave an awkward stage bow before hurrying off. Mary stood next to the stage and as Lars passed her, he snarled at her.

Caleb narrowed his gaze at her, mentally asking her what she had planned. The empath caught his gaze and gave him a taunting 'wouldn't you like to know?' smirk before chasing after Lars.

"Who would have thought..." Ashton said, a smile on his face and thoughtfully touching his lower lip with a finger. "The star quarterback of the football team has the best male voice in the school." His green eyes flicked towards Caleb. "And the star receiver is one hell of an artist. This school certainly has its surprises."

Thinking about the presence of the Outsiders, werewolves, superheroes and recent attacks of Gene Stealers, Caleb said, "You have no idea."

*****

"What is the problem?" Mary laughed softly. "You have the part."

"The problem," Lars growled, spinning around to face her. "Is that I just made a total ass of myself! I'm the fucking quarterback not some pussy belting ancient lyrics on stage!"

Mary crossed her arms at him. "Some people find a man with a beautiful voice attractive, you know. Caleb was watching. Your performance actually broke the conversation he was having with the hot British stagehand. He applauded just as hard as everyone else."

Lars blinked and - despite his anger at Mary - found a goofy grin crossing his muzzle. "H - He did?" He shook his head angrily. "No, no! You tricked me into this! You dragged my ass down here, had me swarmed by all those people, called me chicken in front of them all and then showed me how Caleb was totally falling head over heels for that tiger! You... you... You're a manipulative bitch!"

"And you love it," she laughed. "Besides, what makes you think that I planned all this? It's not like I know everyone here. I just preyed on what I was given." Then, gently, she touched his arm and said, "Look, I just wanted you to know that it's not too late for you to sweep Caleb off his feet. You just need to apply yourself."

He yanked her arm from him, snarling and placing a paw against the exit to the auditorium. "Why are you even trying to help me? Caleb is with Lance..."

"Maybe so but you're my friend." Her eyes drilled right into him. "I know it's killing you not knowing what Caleb's response will be. If you just asked, if you just tried, even if you were rejected, I know that'll be easier on you."

He growled at her and shook his head. "So you think blissfully not knowing is worse than being rejected."

"Yes because not knowing means you'll have the heartache of hope in your heart." She winced as Ben took his turn to the stage; every note he belted sounded like he was strangling a cat. "Do you remember the old story of Pandora and the box?"

"The one where the woman foolishly opened the box containing all the world's evils and when she shut it, only hope was left? Yeah, why?"

"Why do you think 'hope' was in the box along with the other evils?" she said gently. "It's because hope is the greatest evil in the world. Hope offers you an opportunity that isn't. It keeps people fighting even if there is nothing to fight for, driving them to be something or be someone that they cannot be even if it costs them everything. They'll tear themselves apart trying to fulfil that hope no matter what.

"I'm not saying don't hope but you're just going to suffer the more you hold on."

Lars winced and glanced away, watching as Caleb and that tiger came bounding up the steps towards them. Ben was kicked off the stage and Alex made his own attempt at auditioning, treating it like a stand-up act instead of an actual audition. He got a few laughs for his jokes and applause but little chance at actually making the musical. As the wolf approached, Lars saw how his bright smile was back, that smile that just lit up the room and would steal Lars' breath whenever it was aimed straight at him.

"You're saying I don't have a chance but to ask anyway."

"I'm saying you don't have a chance but you should try to do everything you can to improve those chances," Mary responded, her smile filled with only concern. "I don't want you miserable, Lars. I don't want _anyone_in pain."

"Why?" he asked, shaking his head, unable to understand why she would invest so much in his happiness. He got an inkling that she liked him _that_way but dismissed it almost immediately.

"Because it's the right thing to do," Mary responded firmly. "That's why the Outsiders fight. Supers get endorsements, movie deals, fame and fortune. Outsiders get ostracised by supers and non-supers alike. But we still keep going; fighting for what is right. The fringe benefits are great but when it comes down to it..."

"You do it because it's right..." Lars murmured softly. Mary smiled gently and nodded at him. He returned the smile shakily. "Thanks Mary." He flicked at ear towards the stage. "Hey, you aren't going to audition?"

"Are you kidding?" she laughed brightly. "I've got the body but my acting is atrocious! I'm too much of a gossip."

"And that's why we love you, you crazy psycho!"

Mary turned to leave but Lars stopped her as Caleb and the tiger approached. Caleb was only a few steps away so if they just left, that would be rude. The last thing Lars wanted to do was to be rude to Caleb.

"Hey guys," Caleb said, grinning broadly. His blue eyes were shining at Lars. "Lars man... That was amazing! I don't know why you were so hesitant about auditioning! That director will be an idiot if he doesn't toss you the lead role!"

Lars blushed, rubbing his arm absently. "It's really just not my thing, you know... But I thought I'd give it a shot. Who's your friend?"

"Oh! Right! This is Ashton Smithson. He's from the UK!"

Of course he was. Caleb had a thing for people with foreign accents. Admittedly, Ashton did have a rather lean build and his upper body was quite built.

"You do any sports, Ash?" Lars asked.

"Ice Hockey in the winter," answered the tiger in very refined, articulated tones. "Then lacrosse in the summer. It keeps me nice and fit." The feline turned to Mary and smiled. "Mary, I'm glad you roped your friends into auditioning after all. I'm sure with our star here, the chemistry between you two on stage as Jean Valjean and Cossette will simply be dazzling."

Lars frowned and slowly turned to Mary, eyes like lasers. "Wait... you're already part of the cast?"

"Did I fail to mention that?" Mary asked, avoiding his gaze but with a shameless smile on her face. "Silly me."

*****

Once the final bell for the day rang, Caleb got out of his seat and pushed his way through the crowd to his locker; an easy enough task considering his three hundred pound, muscular frame. He had honestly thought that by the time the bell had rung, he would be panicking but strangely, he was calm. His decision had been made.

He placed his tablet securely into his locker before heading off to the football field. Dad and Lance were already on the bleachers, waiting for Coach Davison to dismiss the team and to take Caleb to the testing facility. He saw another pack there which no doubt belonged to Leon. He waved at them and they both waved back, David Hale throwing his head back and sending out the Hale Family Howl. Caleb replied in kind.

Though he was still the star receiver, the team had pulled together after the past few games to no longer just solely rely on him. He worked with his backup, a built fox, to ensure that even in his absence, the team could maintain a lead. The fox wasn't as fast as him nor were his reflexes as sharp but he was pretty decent. Realistically speaking, Caleb was above the average high school footballer in terms of performance as he had received combat training from the FBI. Everyone just thought he was really talented.

Just another lie he needed to maintain no matter how small.

An hour and a half later, he was sore and bruised from practice but feeling energised and pumped. The rest of the team was excited for the game on Friday. They were on a two-win streak and they were aiming to make it a hat-trick. Caleb was confident they would be able to achieve that goal with or without him as he foresaw an upcoming absence regardless of what happened this evening.

A thick arm suddenly wrapped around his shoulder and a familiar weight fell on his shoulders.

Lars made a loud sigh. "Maaaaan!" exclaimed the Doberman loudly. "The Riders are going down Friday!" He punched Caleb's pec lightly. "That is if you don't flake, eh, Halestorm?"

"Shut up, fucker," growled Caleb playfully, switching into jock mode automatically. "I ain't the only one that quits in the middle of the game!" He pushed Lars away roughly but all in good fun. "What's the matter, McCloud, those hot, buff guys get your rocks going so much you gotta duck out to whack off a quickie!"

The gathered team just gave 'ooohs' but just went back to their changing. After practice or a game, their testosterone sometimes just got to their heads and someone had to start a mock conflict.

"My record of pussy is better than yours, Hale!" Lars taunted. "When was the last time you had a steady girlfriend?"

"Shit man," said Caleb, flexing his exposed biceps. "Girls just can't touch this! Same like those guys on the field! But you get tackled more than anyone on the team! You just love all those guys on top of you!"

It occurred to him that he wasn't even out as gay to the school yet. Homosexuality was an accepted norm in the thirty-first century with the same civil rights as anyone else. Heterosexuality was just an instinct of his.

"And they just keep coming back for more!" laughed Lars, effectively bringing the bout to a close. He slung another arm around Caleb's shoulders, the two of them laughing softly. Then, in a soft whisper, he said, "Are you going to be okay for the test?"

"Yeah," he responded in kind. "I'll be good."

Lars patted Caleb's exposed chest, his eyes filled with worry. "Good luck man."

Once he was changed and showered, Caleb headed out of the field to where his father was waiting for him in a big, black car. The licence plate was not one he recognised and he guessed that for the secrecy of all their identities, he had to rent out a van. Caleb jumped in and was surprised to find Abby amongst his brothers.

"Ready for this kids?" David Hale asked, starting the van.

"Do I really have to go, Dad?" Abigail Hale asked, examining her claws. "I don't have any superpowers. If I did, you'd be the first to know."

"Maybe you should get Caleb to fuck you," snickered Leon. "You might awaken them." Before Lance could smack him, Leon nudged Caleb playfully, the smaller of the twins smiling oddly pleasantly.

"If you think I'd put my cock anywhere near your disease-ridden ass," Caleb warned, "you've got another thing coming."

"What!?" exclaimed his older brother. "Why you little -"

Lance seized his brother's paw, holding it easily. "Leon, dude, we talked about this. Be nice to Caleb."

Leon rolled his eyes and slouched back in his seat. "Yeah, yeah. He's your boyfriend."

Abby stuck out her tongue in disgust. "Still sounds weird to me. I still can't believe my brothers are dating each other even if one _is_adopted." She shrugged. "Then again, supers can do whatever they want."

"That's not true, Abigail," David said. "We're still restricted to the rules of law and order."

"What about the Outsiders?" she countered. "Are they?"

Their father's reply was hot and quick like he had been preparing it all his life. "The Outsiders are rogues and vigilantes that think just because they have powers, they can be out there doing things only professionals should be doing."

"I don't know, Dad," Leon said softly. "I think they're doing _some_good. I mean they saved Cale's life, right?"

Caleb flung around to face his older brother, surprised that such a sentiment had come from him.

"And that Weapons Master is kind of hot," Abigail said, smiling softly to herself. "There is something about a man in a mysterious hood that is just so... alluring."

At almost the exact same time, both Caleb and Lance burst out laughing. Leon snickered as he was sandwiched between the two and probably just found the laughter infectious. Abby stared daggers at them.

"Abigail," their father said gravely, "the Outsiders are not to be admired. Leon, I owe the Outsiders for saving your brother, granted, but that doesn't make what they're doing right. Besides, Abby, what happened to Arthur?"

Abby sighed softly while she went back to examining her claws. "I don't know. He's dragging his feet. I don't feel like our relationship is going anywhere. I feel like I'm going to dump him soon."

Caleb immediately exchanged glances with Lance and then they both stared at their father's reflection through the rear view mirror. With his left hand - that Abby couldn't see from the passenger side, David Hale held up his phone and wiggled it a little. Caleb got the message and quickly composed a text to Arthur, Abby's otter boyfriend. Curious, Leon watched as Lance provided a distraction.

"You guys will love the Elemental Tower," Lance said loudly. "It's huge! Oh and common protocol, since we're out to you guys as supers, in case of an emergency, you've got reserved spots in the Tower for disasters and stuff."

"We do?" Abby asked. "Dad, why didn't you tell us this before?"

Caleb finished his text, telling Arthur that Abby was seriously considering dumping him since he was 'dragging his feet'. Little did she know, that Arthur had already bought a ring and was planning to propose. He had even asked David for permission to marry his daughter. He hit send and Leon had to bite his own paw to keep himself from blabbing.

"Because it wasn't necessary, princess," answered David, eyeing Caleb through the rear view mirror. Caleb gave him a thumbs up and he relaxed. "If an emergency hit, I would've taken you and then revealed myself. Otherwise, there was no need to put you in needless danger."

"So we're in more danger now? Oh that's just great! I blame you, Lance!"

Lance flinched. "What did I do!?"

After a while they finally passed through the iron wrought gates to the massive tower that loomed high above the West California skyline.

The Elemental Tower was the base of the Elemental Alliance and sat at the centre of West California Island. It was an enormous, jet-black tower that sat at the centre of a vast nature preserve. Access was free to the public to the lower levels which served as a museum and educational facility for the youth of West Cali. The upper and basement levels were naturally restricted for use by the supers.

High above them, Caleb could see dozens of VTOLs and transports entering the towers hangers.

"Dad, is the Alliance expecting a lot of visitors?"

"The Gene Stealer threat is worrying, son," David Hale answered. "You saw what you..." He coughed. "What they made those people into... They were borderline supers, wild and nearly uncontrollable. Foreign diplomats are coming in left right and centre demanding to know if the US or even Earth is manufacturing supers. The media wants to know as well so we're a little busy with PR."

Yikes... It made him sort of glad that the Outsiders had the entire US government backing them. Superhero groups did operate within the bounds of their respective governments but in some cases, they were treated as different entities - like a private corporation of sorts. He realised that his father was under a lot of pressure now and wished there was some way he could ease it.

They drove into the parking lot and were met by Tower security, men and women dressed in black body armour that guided them to the rear of the facility, straight into the testing chambers. The chambers themselves were a simple, white room with a large full-body scanner at the centre. An all-white console and its operators stood nearby. For the purposes of the group scan, there were seats for the Hales. Caleb was surprised when he was met by two Dobermans dressed in spandex suits that were very hard to miss.

Shockstorm nodded towards David. "Steel." Then he nodded towards Lance. "Fang." Without smiling, he turned to the rest of the Hales. "And the Hales. Welcome. You will proceed one by one into the testing chamber and we will run our scans. Please note that this scan is more comprehensive than your average government scans so it will take five minutes instead of the normal thirty seconds. Please remain as still as possible during that time."

The tall Doberman dressed in bright yellow and white spandex with a lightning bolt motif turned and strode towards the consoles with the other Doberman - the even colder Siren - just began tapping away at the keys.

David Hale, practically bouncing on his toes, jumped in front of his family. "Okay, who's first?"

"Let's get this over with," sighed Abby and strode towards the scanner. She stood in device, arms folded and waited. The machine started up almost immediately, thin red rays of light dancing between the edges of the metal, box-like frame. It slowly worked its way down Abby's body, scanning her cells, her brainwaves and every inch of her body for any trance of something... supernatural.

"Please stop tapping your foot," Siren said in a dull tone.

Abby sighed and dropped her arms.

Once the scan was done...

"Negative," Shockstorm claimed.

"That's okay," David Hale said. "Come here, princess."

To Caleb, it actually looked like his father was a little relieved Abby was given the clean bill of no-superpowers. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a superpowered Abby running around. It seemed he, Lance and Leon were sharing the same thought and the three brothers shuddered in unison.

"Me next," Lance said, striding forward. He puffed out his chest and looked as macho as possible as the scan began.

"You should tell him now," Lance whispered.

Caleb glanced at his slightly taller brother. "I don't think that's smart..."

"It'll be easier than if they find out with the scanner..."

David Hale was suddenly there. "Tell me what?" his eyes were shining hopefully.

Caleb had come prepared. "That I'm joining the school musical... Just as a stage hand and to help with creating the props." He blushed and looked away. "I was... erm... I was sort of thinking that football is nice as a future and all but... it's not really me. I'd like to keep going with it but I'd like to see where I go with my art first."

His father's features softened. "Son, I'll be proud of you whatever path in life you take be it super, football player or artist."

Caleb painfully noted his father didn't mention 'Outsider'.

A couple of minutes later the scanner had finished and let out a confirming beep.

"Negative," announced Shockstorm. Leon deflated, looking like he had just been punched in the stomach.

"That's okay, Leon. They might still be dormant," said David. "Cale, you're up." His tail was wagging, seeming like he was sure Caleb had powers.

Lance looked worried as Caleb stepped into the scanner and let the machine do its thing. It was only halfway down his body when the machine let out a loud beeping noise. Lance froze, Abby looked up from her phone and Leon looked about ready to cry. David Hale grinned broadly.

"We found something," Siren exclaimed. Her eyes narrowed. "Let us finish the scan first."

The machine continued. David Hale looked like a little kid at Christmas just _waiting_for Santa to give him his present. When the scan completed...

"Negative," Shockstorm announced.

"What!?" David shouted. "What was that beep then?"

"A mutation," answered Siren calmly. There was the faintest, smug smirk on her face. "His DNA shows signs of the hyena strain that we've observed in the others that were infected and subsequently cured. It does not affect any of his inherent abilities nor does it grant him any powers whatsoever." Then, with the cruellest of tones, she added, "His children might be lucky, however, but we will have to see."

Caleb balled his fists. Every ounce of him just wanted to charge over to her and deck her at that moment. Though it was very subtle, he could detect the faintest implication that his kids would turn out horribly mutated because of the modification to his genes. Part of him wanted to just tell them there and then that he was Weapons Master and to prove them wrong. He had actually gripped the scanner's frame but pulled himself back at the last minute.

"I... I see," David replied, sounding so heartbroken. "Well then, kids. Maybe next time. Let's -"

The room was suddenly bathed in red light and alarms blared. Shockstorm and Siren immediately spun to the console.

"An attack!" announced Shockstorm. "Gene Stealer by definition! Steel, get your unpowered kids out of here!"

Caleb growled softly but said nothing as his father quickly ushered him back outside and into the van alongside Abby and Leon.

"Kids, drive back home. Be safe. Lance, let's go!"

Caleb locked gazes with Lance. He expected anger but what he got was confusion... as if asking why he would betray not only their father... but him as well. Caleb was unable to hold that gaze and just jumped into the van, letting Leon drive. Leon shot down the main road, following the traffic. Somewhere off to the northeast, there was an explosion.

"God, I wonder what's happening this time," Abby said, sounding genuinely worried. "Will they be safe...?"

Good old Abby... Shallow and pretentious on the surface but really, she cared about her family.

Suddenly, the van veered away from the main road and bolted to the north.

"Leon! What the hell!?" Caleb cried.

"I want to see what's going on," growled his brother.

Was this a manifestation of jealousy or just pure hero worship? Either way, Leon was putting them all in danger!

"For fuck's sake! This is a Gene Stealer attack! We could get killed! Or worse!"

Leon's eyes flashed at him and he looked like he was about to protest. Then something unexpected happened. The brother that had been the source of his torment for years... actually balked. He hit the brakes, bringing the van to a screeching halt. Cars behind them veered away in time but honked angrily.

"Cale... when you turned into... into that thing... I... I felt so helpless. I know I give you shit all the time but it's because you're my baby brother... I've_dreamt_ of being a super all my life, fantasised about saving your scrawny ass and holding it over your head over and over again. But when it actually happened and I couldn't do anything..."

Leon growled and slammed his fists against the steering wheel. "I want to protect our family more than anything. I want to protect them from what happened. It's killing me that Dad and Lance are out there fighting for us and I can't do shit about it!"

Stunned at the confession, Caleb couldn't say anything. His brother Leon, bane of his existence, wanted to protect the family. Maybe his foul attitude was just part of a cover to hide his worry and fantasies? Perhaps he had hoped that when he became a super, he could be a pain-in-the-ass as his average guy alter ego.

"You know what you can do?" Abby said, poking her head between them. "Get us home. You're just throwing us into danger, Leon!"

Leon sighed and ducked his head. "You're right... I'm... I'm sorry..."

Somewhat dejected, Leon drove them back away from the explosions and back to the suburbs. It worried Caleb that the explosions continued well after they had left. As he jumped out of the van in his family's drive way, a giant plume of smoke had already started to blanket the sky. The conflict should have been resolved. The Alliance was involved... right?

'Waiting for You' played in his ears and he let Abby and Leon rush into the house before he answered it.

"I heard. Gene Stealers. I'm on my way."

"No! Don't!" Bren shouted. "It's not a Gene Stealer. It's like a Gene Stealer but isn't. Lars, Ben and Mary are already here. Your father and brother are here too. I don't want to risk exposing you."

He held the phone out at arm's length. "Wait... Really?"

"Yes, really. Just stay put. I'm already recalling the Outsiders. This is superhero business. The bastard, Dead Man, is actually a super and out of our jurisdiction."

Wait... was he showing that the Outsiders were retreating?

That wasn't good.

"Bren -"

But it was too late. Bren had hung up.

Panicking, he tried calling again but it sounded like Bren was busy. He hurried back into the house where the entire family was gathered around the TV. A full, three-dimensional image of the battle was being shown in front of them. It looked like the conflict had indeed resolved itself. Shockstorm, Siren, Feral Steel and Feral Fang were pushing a green-faced man dressed in ragged clothing into a special anti-super van. All around them where was appeared to be desiccated corpses.

"That's right, Tom," said the reporter as the image panned across the damage. "This supervillain claiming to be 'Dead Man' had the ability to raise the dead and control them. Disturbingly enough, those who die within his power's influence automatically return as 'zombies'. Thankfully we have reports that casualties are minimum as most of the corpses are actually from the local graveyard."

That was why Shockstorm thought it had been a Gene Stealer. Caleb let out a long sigh along with the rest of his family.

"Today, we have also seen the debut of the new member of the Elemental Alliance and son of Feral Steel, Feral Fang."

Lance was shown in all his glory, towering over reporters as they all clamoured to get a statement from him. David Hale stood beside him, grinning proudly and telling them all how proud he was of his son. When asked who the mother was, David just said a very special woman and winked at the camera.

"Back to you, Tom."

The image switched back to the news room showing the two newscasters.

"Thank you, Trisha. Now then, Diane, I believe we have -"

The image suddenly cut back to the scene. "We have breaking news that a fight has started amongst the members of the Alliance and the Outsiders!"

Caleb froze, his eyes wide. The image showed Lars squaring off against Feral Steel with Mary and Ben trying to pull him away.

"It seems that Flare Blue is saying something to Feral Steel..."

"Fuck you, man!" shouted Lars, pointing accusingly at Feral Steel. "You barge in on our territory, on our bad guys but when we give you this asshole because he's under your jurisdiction, you call us cowards!?"

David Hale smirked and crossed his arms. "A true hero doesn't pick the easy fights. They just do what is right."

"Easy fights!? We're dealing with crazy nutjobs that transform people into sex-crazed beasts! You call that easy!?"

Lillian Hale winced. "Don't rise to the bait, honey... please... don't..."

Sadly, Feral Steel couldn't hear her. "To fully-fledged supers, it is a piece of cake. We can regenerate, are faster, stronger and smarter_. It is best to leave this to the professionals, kid. You might get someone hurt."_

Lars suddenly straightened just as Shockstorm and Siren arrived to flank Feral Steel. "So you think the only thing separating an Outsider from a super is the baseline powers, huh?"

"I believe that is the very definition, yes," answered Siren coldly.

"Fine. Then chew on this."

Caleb's eyes widened in horror. Mentally, he was screaming, 'No Lars, don't!'

Lars reached down his fireman's coat and pulled out his Alliance pendant, making everyone in the Alliance freeze. It was coloured red, indicating that recording devices were aimed at him. Lars didn't care and slammed his paw against the device. There was a burst of green light followed by flickering, red flames that consumed the Doberman.

Lars McCloud's identity remained safe.

But Firebrand's didn't.

Caleb felt like the entire world let out a collective gasp. Firebrand a member of the Elemental Alliance for months, known son of renowned Alliance members Shockstorm and Siren, popular powerhouse amongst the kids for his youth stood amongst the Outsiders with red flames exploding from his paws.

"That's right, motherfuckers!" Lars shouted. "_I'm _Flare Blue! Firebrand, a full-fledged superwillingly joined the Outsiders!"

******

It was rare that Shark Tamer was surprised but even the revelation that a full-fledged super stood amongst the Outsiders caused him to sit up in his chair and snort out his wine from his nostrils. He gawked in awe at the enormous, holographic screen and lowered his wine glass. The shocked expressions on the Alliance members, the stunned silence from the nearby media reporters and the stances of the remaining Outsiders including Blood Wolf... It was all so priceless!

He took a screenshot of the moment and hit the record button. This was all too precious!

Of course that did not last. The Ass hijacked his feed a moment later, dominating his screen with a big, cartoony version of a donkey's rear.

He didn't care. Not really.

He began typing across his console.

"Do you think I did not already know?"

He froze, a grin crossing his conical features to show his massive, sharp teeth. "Master Chimera... I had no idea. I was simply thrilled and surprised! We have a super amongst the Outsiders! This means-"

"It was part of the plan from the very beginning," answered the shadowy Chimera. "Why do you think I have been pushing for integration and infection of supers on our serums? How is that going by the way?"

There, the scientist of the Gene Stealer lost his smile. "Slowly, unfortunately. We still currently have no way of infecting a super with a Generation infection or an Original serum. Their regenerative abilities merely eat away at the infection. Outsiders remain viable targets to the Original serum, however."

"Of course. Take your time. The media frenzy following Firebrand's revelation and the subsequent boost in Outsider approval will provide us with the perfect distraction. The Alliance and the Outsiders will be busy butting heads and we will be able to continue our plans." Chimera was silent for a moment. "How is Gnoll's attempt to infiltrate and takeover Ambiance?"

"Successful," answered Shark Tamer with a big grin. "The CEO and the board are under his power."

"Good. Tell him to keep up the good work and not to move until given the signal. What of our latest recruit?"

Shark Tamer grinned and rapidly tapped his screen. An image appeared on his monitor, replacing the Ass.

"He is ready and has been deployed. We shall be seeing results soon."