Moral Boosters?

[Gaia]

(Was looking through some old stuff on one of my drives when I came across this. Enjoy :) )

Jeremy and Belle had lived across the street from each other for most of their lives. They each knew the other was a mutant so there were not any problems with keeping secrets from each other. Just the rest of the world at large. This is their story.

Going through his grandfather's trunk in the attic one day Jeremy found a bunch of WWII artifacts. He asked his grandmother about them and was told his late grandfather had helped the heroes from Paragon during the war.

One of the items Jeremy found was a belt. Attached was a note saying
Use this belt well grandson. It came in handy in its time and hopefully soon it will be used again. Love ya Kid. Grandpa He looked at the belt it was made of a leather like material and had some pouches attached to store items. Jeremy tried it on and it seemed to be just his size. There was a small knob on the buckle and he turned it.

With a soft hum he was suddenly surrounded by what could only be described as a force field. He turned the knob again and it faded out. Cool! I will have to show this to Belle. She will be impressed. He rummaged around in the old trunk some more. Found the batteries for the belt. There was also an old costume in there.

It had a red and white shirt, some red boots, and gloves. The matching pants were blue with gold stars. There was also some sort of blue helmet and a red mask. This is so cool! Grandma said Grandpa had only helped the heroes. Not that he was one of them. Maybe I can talk Belle into helping me carry on the tradition. Paragon City could sure use the moral boost.

Just then his Grandmother called up to him "Jerome" he cringed, he hated being called by his full name "your friend Belle is here to see you."

Quickly trying on the outfit. Which also fit like it was made just for him. He went downstairs. There was Belle waiting and playing the new X-Box he had just bought a few days before. She seemed to be really into the game. He cleared his throat "Ahem".
Belle looked up from her game. Then at what Jeremy was wearing. "Dude, where did you get that get-up? It is so last century." she grinned and started laughing.

"Actually if you must know it was my grandfather's. So show some respect for the tights, okay."

That stopped her. "So, you're sayin' your grandpop was some kind of superhero?"

Jeremy nodded and held out a picture to Belle. It showed several men and women in costumes similar to what Jeremy had on. In the background was a bunch of burned out buildings. The group was smiling and in the middle was a man that somewhat resembled Jeremy.

One of the women caught Belle's attention. "She looks kind of like your grandma."

"You know, you're right.."said Jeremy looking closer at the picture. "Grandma could you come in here a moment."

[Gaia]

"Certainly Jerome. I will be right there." said his grandmother coming out of the kitchen. She walked into the den and let out an audible gasp.

Jeremy turned to look at her. "Something wrong?" he asked.

"No. Nothing. You look just like him. Just after he joined The First Hero Brigade." she kept staring at Jeremy in his grandfather's old costume.

Taking the picture from Belle, Jeremy walked over to his grandmother. "So if that is grandpop." he said pointing. "Is this you?"

"Yes. It is." she said.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this? Did my mom know before she passed away?" asked Jeremy.

Belle sat there listening intently to the conversation. "Do you have any more pictures?" she asked.

"Yes your mother knew about it. That is why when you did your world history reports she could tell you exactly about every country. We moved around alot working for the government during the war and for a while after. Aftwards we returned here and retired. Your grandfather started a small toy shop as a hobby and I settled down to raise your mother." She turned to leave. "I'll be right back. I have some items Belle may be interested in."
Jeremy's grandmother left the room.

Belle took another look at the photo Jeremy had in his hand. "Did she write anything on the back of that? Like a date or who all those heroes are?" she asked.

Jeremy carefully opened the back of the frame. Written on the back was: Members of the First Hero Brigade--Miss Glory, The American Eagle, Captain TnT, Miss Firecracker, UK Commando, The French Swordsman, American Kid, Liberty Bell, Drunken Scotsman, Mystrious Celt, and Lumber Jack.

"Naturally The Statesman did not show up for the photo. He was too busy." said Jeremy's grandmother.

"You knew Statesman?" they asked together.

"Not really. Just happened to work along side him every once in awhile." she said.

Belle noticed grandma had a suit bag drapped over her arm and was carrying a two small boxes. She set them on the coffee table. "This is my old costume. It just may fit you. Why don't you try it on."

"You have got to be kidding me, right?" asked Belle.

"I'm not." Grandma Jones said. "If Jerome is thinking of taking up 'the traditon' as he called it he will need a partner. Someone to look after him. That someone is you young lady. Now go try on the outfit."

[Gaia]

"Yes, ma'am." said Belle picking up the large zippered suit bag and heading for the bathroom.

"Grandma how did you know I had thought of taking up grandpop's old hero persona?" asked Jeremy.

His grandmother smiled and said "Where do you think you received some of your abilities from?"

"My parents didn't have any." said Jeremy.

"No they didn't. But your mother carried the gene for it."

Belle came back into the room wearing the outfit. It had a blue cape, red and white top with a star in the middle, blue skirt, blue boots, blue domino mask, and red gloves. It fit her perfectly.

"Now for some finishing touches." she opened a small box and took out a gold ring with an odd colored crystal. "This was my 'Ring of Truth'. It emits a light frequency that causes people to become hypnotized. In the wrong hands it can be very dangerous. So don't lose it."

"I promise that I will not lose it." said Belle slipping the ring on her left middle finger.

"Now this other item. May look somewhat familiar to both of you. A recent bunch of science fiction movies have similar weapons in them." She opened the other box and pulled out a cylindrical object. Pushing a button the side it ignited with a phzzt! "This was refered to as 'The Sword of Justice'"she said. "Before I let either of you even touch it I will need to line up a trainer for you."

"A trainer? There are people who train heroes for a living?" asked Jeremy.

"Yes. So before either of you are allowed out on the street you need to be able to work together and be safe."

"Now if you two will excuse me my apple pie is about to burn in the oven." She walked out of the room.

"Oh, great she's going to hire a babysitter for us." said Belle rolling her eyes. "I have an idea. Why don't we start working out together before the so called trainer arrives."

"I would say that would be a great idea. Except you broke the weights and the treadmill your folks gave you for Christmas." said Jeremy. "Not to mention melting the dart board with several firey balls of energy.

"So, I go a little zealus in my work out. The weight machine should easily have been able to hold half a ton. And how was I to know the tread mill wasn't built for that kind of speed." Belle said. "I didn't like darts anyway, too boring. I wanted to spruce up the game a little."

The smell of a fresh apple pie drifted into the room. Followed by footsteps. "I made a few phone calls and called in a couple of favors. Your trainer should be here in a couple of days." said Grandma Jones.

[Gaia]

Belle and Jeremy were hanging around over at Belle's home, in the rec-room. Being the weekend her parents were out at the coast visiting relatives. Belle had elected not to go with them and stayed home.

Jeremy was playing darts with the new dartboard Belle's dad had bought. Telekineticly throwing the darts at the board. "I wonder who your grandma got us for a trainer." said Belle

"I don't know but she did seem a little disappointed in who was being sent. Muttered something about 'Why couldn't they have sent someone like UK Commando instead of HIM'. She caught me listening in and closed the door. Then it sounded like a one sided argument over the phone."

"Interesting." said Belle.

Just then the phone rang. Belle answered it. "Hello? . . .Sure . . .I will . . .Okay, will do and thank you."

Jeremy looked at her. "Who was that?"

"Your grandma. She said we were to go over to your house because the trainer should be there anytime. I need to go upstairs and get changed. She also wanted me to bring over some of the weights I hadn't broken."Belle zipped upstairs and was back in exercise clothes before Jeremy could say anything to her.

"Super speed has its advantages doesn't it." he asked.

"Yeah, but it makes me really hungry if I use too much. Do I look fat in these clothes?"

"Nope. You're not fat at all." he said.

"Thank you. Okay. Let's go get those weights I think Dad put them out in the garage."said Belle

"Oh great 'The Danger Garage' where you don't know what will topple down on you next."said Jeremy

"You know I'm still sorry about the bowling ball hitting you last time." she said. "But Dad did clean it so my trashed weights could be stored in there."

They opened the door to the garage and started looking for the boxes with the weights. Belle was right the place had been cleaned up since Jeremy saw it last. He went and dug through a bunch of large boxes. "I think I found them."

"Great!" said Belle coming over to where Jeremy was. She picked the box up easily while Jeremy struggled with the second box and finally got under it to lift it.

Belle walked over to the garage door opener and pressed the button. Then they both walked down the driveway. "I am so glad*grunt*that I only live across the*wheeze*street. Would hate to see what would happen if I lived further *pant* down the block." said Jeremy.

Rolling her eyes Belle asked "Why do you do that to yourself? Why don't you use your tk and make it easier."

"Because this helps *grunt* build up my strength." said Jeremy

"So does using your tk."

"Yeah, but this is a little less *wheeze* conspicuous." he said.

"True you do have a point." said Belle who was easily carrying a large box full of metal.

They finally made it over to the wrap around porch of Jeremy's house and set the boxes down. Then rested a moment on the steps. That's when they noticed a figure coming up the road.

The man was wearing a short jacket, combat boots, some sort of mesh shirt under the jacket, a military beret on his head. He had a military bearing, piercing green eyes and a well trimmed red beard. But the most odd thing about him was he was wearing a full war kilt with a sporin. The man pulled out a bottle from the duffle bag on his shoulder and took a large swig. All the while singing some bawdy song.
He was singing the following:

For to see Mad Tom of Bedlam
Ten thousand miles I traveled
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes
To save her shoes from gravel.

Still I sing bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live by the air
And they want no drink nor money.

I went down to Satan's kitchen
To break my fast one morning
And there I got souls piping hot
All on the spit a-turning.

Still I sing bonny boys, bonny mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonny
For they all go bare and they live by the air
And they want no drink nor money.

He stopped and surveyed the two teens looking at him. Then smiled. "Ah see she twas right on. Ye two are quite green around the ears. Well I best be gettin' me self settled then we'll have a bit of a chat." He held out his hand to Jeremy who shook it. Then Belle. "I use to have the moniker of de Drunken Scotsman back in the day but you kin call me Sarge if ye wish."

[Gaia]

"Why the Drunken Scotsman?" asked Jeremy.

"Well tis me fightin' style. I learned me style in the far off eastern lands of China."

"That is way cool! So you're going to teach it to us?"

"Aye that and more." he said smiling at Belle.

(to be continued)