It was a normal day in Dawn City. The citizens were going on with their day. It seemed villainy was taking a break today, much to the pleasure of Dawn's City's teenage superheroes. Today, the group of friends where in the secret hide out, just hanging out. Of course by secret hide out, it was actually the basement of Patrick Ward. They were all gathered around a poker table paying a game with week old Halloween candy on the line.
"I'll see your Reese's Cup and raise you one Milky Way." Justin Macy said.
"I fold," Nick Barkly, Wesley McKnight, and Marek Simpson all said at the same time, putting their cards down. Justin looked over at his two remaining friends, raising an eyebrow at them.
"I'll see your Milky Way, and raise you a Twix," Mitchel Rineman said, smirking. The two turned to Patrick, who had an impassive look on his face. Wordlessly, he matched his friends bets and smirked.
"I'll raise you guys, two Snickers."
"I'm out." the other two boys chorused. Patrick grinned, taking his prize before stuffing a lollipop into his mouth as if it were his triumph cigar.
"That's six in a row guys. Another few hands and I'll end up getting cavities." he joked. Justin threw an M&M at his head.
"It's not our fault your dad's a professional poker player and you just 'happen' to get his genes."
Patrick shrugged. He was just weird like that. Well, weirder if you count the fact that he could shoot energy blasts from his hands and chest.
"Whatever Superman," Patrick teased,knowing how Justin hated being called that. The others laughed, taking the cards he dealt them. "Remember, no superpowers. Good clean fun guys."
"Too bad you guys can't keep your costumes cleaned," a bitter female voice said from the top of the stairs. Walking down the steps with a laundry basket in hand was a young girl in a blue blouse and jeans. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail and she adjusted her black rimmed glasses.
"Hey Kelly," the boys greeted without looking up. Kelly Ward just stared at her brother and his friends. She was the only other person among them, besides Justin's own super powered brother, who knew that they were superheroes. Sure, she had her own gifts. Unfortunately, those involved making the watches that let the boys change into their costumes and, of course, fixing and repairing the damaged spandex after their "adventures". She sighed and placed the laundry of fresh clean costumes.
"Hey Kelly," Nick started, "I don't want to sound mean, but did you-"
"Make you a new costume like you asked. Yes Nick I did. Same goes for you Mitchel so don't ask."
Mitchel shut his mouth and returned to the poker game, betting in two Starbursts. Kelly pulled the various costumes out and laid them out on the ironing board. "Patrick, Pixie me." she called. Her brother grabbed a grape flavored pixie stick and tossed it to his sister, who barely caught it.
"Can you guys try not to damage these too much next time." Kelly pleaded. "It took be an hour to sew some of them back together. Especially yours Justin."
"It's not my fault the bad guys have weird fetishes." he said, grimacing at one really bad memory from an previous encounter of the deranged french clown, Jester Lord. "I will never be able to look at streamers the same way again."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, costumes are all done. I've got to go meet up with Carly at the city square so don't forget to store your costumes in your watches. Especially you Wesley." she teased. Wesley turned beat red as everyone laughed at the memory of their friend pressing his transformation watch and appearing in only his briefs. At least it caught the villains attention.
Kelly left the basement and went out the house, ignoring the butler's advice to get someone to drive her. Kelly took after her mother. An independent girl who would rather strip in front of everyone at the mall than get their limo driver to take them to simple places. Besides, what could possibly go wrong from walking down the street to the park?
An explosion from the building across the street tossed her off her feet and Kelly looked up in time to see the laughing villain emerge. Why couldn't anyone walk down the street without something blowing up?
Meanwhile, back at the basement, the emergency lights blared to life and the boys turned to it before racing to grab their costumes. It was hero time.