Halloween Contest fiction: Rainbow Legacy Halloween Special

And the winners is, Powerbottoms entry. Thanks for entering the contest, here is their story:

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(Original Story prompt by Dan Peyton)

  The elevator doors slid open and Director Nova stepped out into BADGE HQ. He hated that two mile ride down, but this was the most secure location on Earth. The headquarters of the most advanced base on the planet were surprisingly vacant, but this was normal. Most of the work conducted here was done by robots along with the most sophisticated AI system in the world.

After a short walk down the corridor, Nova came into a large room filled with computer consoles and a massive set of screens. Two robots worked at the consoles as the only crew today.

“Let’s check in on the teams.” He stated. “Call up the world maps, I want to see where these leagues are?”

“Understood Director.” The computer answered and the screens filled with maps of the world. Each map had the location of the various teams of superheroes that worked for BADGE. They organized themselves into leagues so they could fight crime locally as well as more easily respond to a call for international emergencies.

“Unit 10915, contact the leagues around the Detroit area. I want to know why the crime rate there has doubled this week.” The robot at the computer stopped moving and nothing happened, “10915 respond.” Nova approached the rigid robot.

Before he could find out what was wrong both robots stood up and started dancing around, their bodies acting like puppets on strings.

“What the hell is going on?” Nova struck a fighting stance.

Just then the computer monitors buzzed and the lights flickered. The screens began to run through map after map, and then it all became fuzz. The two dancing robots flung themselves at Nova. He was pummeled to the ground, pinned down. He shoved on them, unhurt but furious. “GET OFF OF ME!”

One turned it’s head all the way around and then cackled at him. In a high, cracking voice it screeched, “Having fun yet?” and then laughed.

Nova finally shoved them off of him and backed away, “Okay, that’s creepy.”

A green energy streamed out of the robots and formed a sinister looking Jack-o-lantern in the air. It laughed in that same horrible voice and then flew around the room, passing in and out of the computers like they weren’t there. When it went through something, the already crazy machine went even more haywire. Computers exploded, the lights shut down, and the fuzz on the main screens became the only light in the room.

Nova pulled out a communicator and pressed a switch, “Nova to...” suddenly that Jack-o-lantern flew right into his body and he felt it filling him. He lost control of his left arm, his head twitched erratically, and his mind was slowly fading as if he were falling asleep. It didn’t take much to realize this creature was taking over his body. He managed to hold that communicator up, “To...any...heroes who can hear...me. BADGE has been compromised….help...”

(original story by Powerbottom)

PB came out of the closet, and entered BADGE HQ. taking a moment to orient himself as he had just “switched” places with his Twin.

They had recently discovered that the rings worked into their costumes allowed them to “speak” over any distance (Twin chat) even into other realities; It also allowed them to perceive and experience what the other twin did (Double up); and finally it allowed them to trade places with each other.

Which was convenient, PB thought. His ability to travel instantly between gay bars was great if you needed to travel to major metropolitan areas, but his brothers ability to travel between closets was more versatile, everywhere has a closet. Since this was an emergency he let Underwatch “drive.”

Making sure that his brother had returned safely and that they were Doubled Up, he proceeded deeper into the facility.

He activated the sight, the sense used by some magic users to perceive the non-mundane. He noticed a green haze seemed to permeate the facility.

:Definitely a power then.: He commented to Underwatch.

:Yup. Does “reality” Feel stretched thin to you?: was the reply :I think this Event is playing out in an untold amount of different ways:

PB snorted and thought :Wouldn’t surprise me. Director Nova’s distress call was open not private, and yet we seem to be the only agents on site. Whatever we’re facing has enough juice to create enough alternates to face the responders one on one.:

:Oh, I’ve more than enough power to do that.: A voice interrupted, :You two aren’t nearly as sneaky and clever as you think:

:And you’d better hurry and guess the magic word. You’re running out of time, and oxygen.:

The closet door behind them vanished leaving only the door in front of them. It was of course impervious to brute force, magic, and lock picks.

:Any chance the magic word is Klpzyxm?:

:NO, and that’s rather insulting, I’m so much more than a “fifth Dimensional imp.”:

A third of the air in the room vanished.

:How is he doing that Underwatch, our costumes have life support?:

:Heck if I know, but I’m having problems breathing too.:

:That’s inconvenient. Is it “Open Sesame?”:

:Not likely. Only enough air for one more guess kids.:

It was then that PB noticed the doorbell, of all things, next to the door. “FFS” he thought to himself as he and Leon both “spoke” at the same time. :Trick or Treat:

:Good Guess, I choose trick:

The air returned and the door opened.

PB entered the command center.

Director Nova sat in his command chair surrounded by the green glow. To PB’s sight a Jack O'Lantern appeared over the directors head. :What do I call you?: he asked as he slipped his hand into his belt pouch to retrieve the test kit. While verbalising the word “Christo…”

:My dear boy, call me whatever you like, and don’t waste our time, I’m not a Demon, Shifter, Fae, or a Tulpa.:

“Okay, Gourdy Mc Pumkinface, what are you then? My worst nightmare?” PB asked.

:Oh, good one, if not an original one. I did promise you a trick, however:

Music started playing. Anyone who survived the ‘90’s could tell you the name of the song.

:OMG He’s Mask-ing us to the Macarena: PB whined.

At the same time Underwatch whinged :He’s Beetle Juice-ing us to the Macarena.:

PB had a thought. :Cartoon or live action?:

:Oh. Definitely Tooney. Good call Brother mine. Go nuts:

Gourdy made a gesture and mimed pulling a zipper in the air. A hole unzipped and Underwatch fell out. “If You're going to ignore me and talk to each other you can both play.”

Gourdy, spun around in a quick change tornado and became a drag version of himself and began lip syncing…

When I dance they call me Macarena

And the boys they say que soy buena

They all want me

They can't have me

So they all come and dance beside me

Move with me

Chant with me

And if you're good, I'll take you home with me

The song continued and brothers danced along. Unlike Mask, Unlike Beetlejuice the twins choose to dance, thus keeping their free will.

PB had intuited that Gourdy was overlapping “reality” and the astral plane. The twins had been trained to think of the astral plane as a “cartoon universe” and were able to create havoc of their own towards their host.

Thus instead of doing the song’s eponymous dance into a bubbling vat labeled “acme acid” PB pulled an anvil out of his pocket, dropping it into the acid at the last minute sending the acid splashing skyward.

Underwatch pulled a fan out of his pocket and sent the stream towards Gourdy.

Move with me

Chant with me

And if you're good, I'll take you home with me

Gourdy pulled a paintbrush out of thin air and created a hole beneath his feet, which he vanished into.

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría Macarena

Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría why cosa buena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena

Hey Macarena

PB Grabbed a conveniently placed trampoline and put it where he and his brother were dancing.

Whilst Underwatch applied wall paper paste to a wall that was coincidentally being redecorated.

But don't you worry about my boyfriend

He's a boy who's name is Victorino

I don't want him

Couldn't stand him

Gourdy fell from above, as he fell PB swung a baseball bat that had been carelessly left out and sent Gourdy flying into the paste.

Now come on, what was I supposed to do?

He was out of town and his two friends were so fine

Before Gourdy could escape Underwatch slid a candy bar into each of Gordy’s hands, Full-size national brand candy not the fun size crap.

PB arrived at Underwatch’s side and they both said “Gee,ain't I a stinker” grabbed Gourdy’s face and gave him a cartoon kiss ala Bugsminster Bunny.

The Music stopped.

Gourdy Turned bright red, and laughed. “Well played. As you’ve given me a treat and are exempt from further tricks, I shall take my leave until next year.”

The Twins joined in the laughter. “Thank you. Until then Lord Mc Pumpkinface.”

The green glow faded, everything returned to normal. The Twins ran for the closet before they had to explain things. “Every Holiday”, PB Groused.

“I know.” Underwatch agreed. “I can’t wait for Thanksgiving, Even if it does get an anthropomorphic personification all you need to fight a giant turkey is a giant axe and 50 pounds of stuffing.”

“I hope those aren’t famous last words Bro.”