by theory9 and snake_headed_son
"I didn't get into evil to have a boss... but if I gotta find Eurostar to get a shot at I-Man, I'm all for it."
Theory 9 flew over the remains of Thunder City.
"This is where Eurostar is supposed to be," he said in a diabolical villain voice.
He looked down and saw Eurostar and the Snake-Headed Son, veering toward a collection of demolished buildings.
Eurostar: "Who are you?!"
"Handle's Theory 9. Listen, my boss wants to talk to you."
Eurostar: "What if I don't want to?"
Theory 9 thought, Hmmm... Hadn't thought of that. This guy looks pretty tough, and he's got backup. He wondered if they would battle.
Eurostar: "Theory 9, I know a better place to talk a little. Come with me!"
Eurostar walked away from the mess, followed by Theory 9, watched closely by the son, who sat on the shoulders of his dad.
At the limit of the part of the city destroyed by the retcon bomb, the three heroes and villain stopped in front of a nice art deco building: the Geek 2000 Club. A statue of a canine figure stood on the garden.
Theory 9: "A very impressive statue. Very good art."
Eurostar: "It's not a statue. My son use to play with him, but when he developed his power has to stop."
Theory 9: "It was too dangerous?"
Eurostar: "No, there was no more pet. Anyway, come inside."
After an hour, Eurostar sat in front of Theory 9 in the restaurant of the club. There were no other people; all Thunder City residents had run away after the bomb, although the club was scarcely frequented these days.
On the table were Troffie della nonna, Caprese, Brasato al Barolo, TiramisĂą, and a good bottle of Malvasia dei Colli Piacentini.
Theory 9: "Wow, this is paradise!"
Eurostar: "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Theory 9 began to enjoy the fine food, almost forgetting why they came there in the first place. "My, uh, boss... that is, this guy I work with wants to talk to you."
Eurostar: "Who?"
Theory 9: "His name's Hate Assbury."
Eurostar: "What does this... Hate Assbury want?"
Theory 9: "I'm not too sure, but I think he wants your help in bringing down the MBL."
Eurostar: "What do you want?"
Theory 9: "Whadda ya mean?"
Eurostar: "You don't seem like the lackey type to me. What's in all of this for you?"
Theory 9: "Revenge... against my arch-nemesis, Indestructible Man. Well... will you come with me or not?"
Eurostar: "I can understand you, T9. I-man is such an obnoxious guy. I had a dream where he is the one responsible for all the retconning taking place this day. But I can't justify all the mass murder you have perpetrated."
Theory 9: "Yes, but Hate Assbury owns the retcon bomb device. Everything could be retconned again."
Eurostar: "But do you hate the MBL?"
Theory 9: "No, not really. I just want revenge on I-man."
Eurostar: "If you want a square duel with him, it's fine by me. But you must leave that cadre of assassins. Other way, I must combat you now. The choice is yours to do. Here the malefic influence of Hate Assbury can't reach you. I can't ask you to turn good, but I want you to focus your hate. What is it you want, really?"
Theory 9: "I'll join you -- with the understanding that I get to take on I-Man when the time is right."
Eurostar: "Of course. You'll also have to ditch all that armor."
Theory 9: "What? I like this armor, though."
Eurostar: "But Hate Assbury may have planted a listening device or bomb in it. C'mon... it's for the best."
Theory 9 reluctantly removed the armor. "But he'll come looking for me... and what are we going to do next?"
Eurostar smiled. "We'll finish eating, of course. After that, I have plans..."