Skyscrapers rise from the dry ground of Phoenix, Arizona. Far from the center of the capitol city, a bridge passes over the dried up Salt River leading to nowhere of interest. Underneath the bridge, however, the Murder Machine is parked in the shade. Vee's metal hand knocks hard against a graffiti covered wall. In her other hand she balances a stack of drums. Lajon stands by her with two guitars strapped on his back and holding Amy's keytar.
After seven seconds of silence Vee knocks once more, this time much harder. Her stack of drums nearly topples over, but she regains her balance and sighs in relief. A crease in the graffiti covered wall opens up, revealing Amy on the other side of the secret entrance. "Sorry. It's hard to hear you knock when Chester's screaming into the mic." "What's new?" asks Vee before stepping inside the rectangular hall, Lajon following.
Knight Vision's old base had changed. Band posters covered much of the concrete walls. Old furniture was uncovered and arranged in view of the giant computer monitor like a home theater. The previously cluttered raised area now featured tiny bedrooms separated by cubicle walls. Between the furniture and Knight Vision's wall of villain trophies, Chester played his electric guitar and screamed indiscernible lyrics in his mic stand. Annoyed, Vee dropped her tower of drums next to the speakers and unplugged her loud friend's mic cable. "We get it. The mic works." "Party pooper," said Chester with a frown. "I'm not a party pooper," she said, pointing to the floor, "Cutie is." Squatting on the concrete floor, the chunky Boston Terrier left her smelly mark.
Lajon finishes placing the last instrument on its stand and turns to Vee. "Are you still thinking about becoming a superhero?" "Uh, I never said that," says Vee. Amy plays a few notes on her pink keytar before saying, "You put on a mask last night and said you were going to get the guy who kidnapped your mom. That sounds like a super hero origin story to me." The uncertain girl steps over to the crates of Knight Vision gear and pulls out the mask. "I mean, sure I'll wear the mask to keep my identity safe, but I'm not mom..." She became annoyed. "...And I'm definitely not dad."
Over at the computer panel, Lajon pushes a comically large button to start the machine. Leaning back in the rolling chair, he asks, "So how are you gonna prepare to fight Death Metal? Or even find him?" The sound of light feedback draws everyone's attention to Chester, who plugged back in his mic. With a quick twirl and point he shouts, "You fight crime! That's how!" Amy peeks over his shoulder with a raised finger and says, "Safely."
With one hand, Vee pulls out her mother's old uniform from a very dusty crate. Glancing at it, then at her father's old mask in her other hand, she says, "I guess you're right. I just don't think I'm cut out for it...I'm only half titanian." Each of the teens glance at each other with hints of uncertainty. Seeing this, Lajon spins around in his chair and pulls a lever on the PC station. "How 'bout this? I get this dinosaur running and see if I can't help you out on missions?" Vee drags the uniform down the stairs as she makes her way to the giant screen and asks, "You can get that working?...Nerd." "I did win fastest typer in school," says Lajon.
Amy hugs her girl friend from behind and says, "And I'll always be here for emotional support!" Vee smiles, then raises a brow at Chester. "What're you gonna do?" The blonde haired teen relaxes on an old sofa, kicks his feet up on the table, and equips a notebook and pencil. "I'm gonna brainstorm some catchphrases for ya! I already got one! 'Time to steel the show!'" Crickets chirp. "No way in hell," says the annoyed Vee. "Ooh! 'The road to hell is paved in steel!'" Blood boiling, the girl stomps her metal foot on the couch next to him. "How 'bout kick you with my steel toe!" "Eh, not catchy enough," Chester says, "Oh, wait. That was a threat." Amy politely shimmies between the two on the couch and says, "Umm, are you going to put on the costume?" "Eh, why not?"
Behind the wall of souvenirs and closed bathroom door, several grunts and thuds are heard by all. "Ugh! Come on!" The door creaks open, and Vee peeks her head out from behind it. "Um, Amy, a little help?" Amy happily runs over and shuts herself inside with Vee. On the couch, Lajon and Chester trade glances with each other and the bathroom door. A muffled argument from the girls can be heard. "Pull that side up! I got this side!" "I, oof, am." "Don't tear it!" "There. Now suck in." "I am, girl!" "Um, put the belt on over it?"
At last Amy opens the door and leaves the bathroom first. All eyes now focus on Vee, as she takes her first step in her mother's old black and blue uniform. Holes appear in the short sleeve top in various places but seem intended. Vee remembered her mother showing off her steel skin through them; also remembered her looking lean and in great shape. Vee on the other hand was far from a perfect fit. The tight blue shorts don't quite meet in the middle, so her father's old belt covers it and her bit of muffin top. It was a true miracle she got in it at all. "How did mom ever fit into this?
Vee cringed at her reflection in the wall mirror. After spinning around a few times to see different angles, the unconfident girl turns to her friends. "I don't know, guys. How do I look?" Lajon, Amy and Chester take turns answering. "Sick!" "Graceful!" "Phat!..." The spiky haired teen's life flashed before his eyes. "With a P H!" A swift, metal kick to the face sends Chester flipping over the couch and onto the floor. The pain is slightly lessened by Cutie licking his face. "Ow..."
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