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**Meta-Star City - Q.C. Planet

QCP: BJ-02 Learning the Team Spirit By Darrel James Vanwinkle (Writing as Ratseye) 09/04/2008

Chapter 01**

"Brawk! Stinky Toon Coming! Brawk!" exclaimed Teriaki in a very loud voice and with a smirky grin.

Valeria looked at Teriaki and said, "Mom? We're about to have visitors again! The parrot said so!"

Martha walked into the room and said, "We told you before, Teriaki. Toons don't stink. Please stop saying that they do."

Teriaki simply grinned slyly.

Joey, Samuel, and Lance had gone into Central Meta-Star City with Abyssios to check out Hero High that the heroic cat kept mentioning. When they got there, one of the first things they found out was that the school was actually more of a college than a high school. Secondly, it wasn't just for aspiring Superheroes, either... aspiring Super Villains could also attend this school to learn right along side the heroes in the same classes.

Samuel was the first to make a comment. "Are you sure this is the hero school, Abyssios? I see a group of three goon like people over there at the corner of the building and they are dressed like your standard villains."

Abyssios glanced over in that direction. "Oh, one of them is a teacher. The other two are students. And yes, both heroes and villains can attend classes here."

Lance then asked, "You never did say what the benefits of graduating from this school were. Or were you going to trick Joey into joining first, then tell him the bad news afterward?"

Abyssios turned to look directly at Lance. "Bad news? What makes you think there is an ulterior motive for attending classes here?"

Lance pointed toward the parking lot at Lex Luthor who was chatting with Doctor Doom. "Oh, let's just say it's a hunch."

Joey wasn't very impressed. "Need I say it, Abyssios? This is boring. Now if you three want to go on inside and look over the place, be my guests... but I have seen enough." He then mimicked the president. "Vetoed!" Then he shook his head and turned around, saying, "I'll be with Thunderfire if you need me." And he walked off in the direction of the parked horses.

Abyssios sighed, clearly having his heart sink. "Joey was the main one I wanted to impress today, guys. Why did you make those snide remarks like that?"

Samuel replied, "A school where the people you're going to someday arrest and lock away... attend the same classes with you so they can learn to be criminals? Get with the program, Abyssios! The Williams are born and bred law enforcement people. We are NOT going to attend a school that caters to criminals being equals to the heroes. I knew Meta-Star City was strange, but I thought at least the school had some order to it."

Lance added, "And you evaded my question about the benefits of graduating this school. Sounds like you are too embarrassed to say. Or too afraid to say."

Abyssios said, "It isn't my place to explain the college to you guys. Union policy prohibits it."

Samuel remarked, "Sounds to me like Joey wouldn't want to attend here if your union prevents you from talking about it."

End of Chapter 01

Chapter 02

Joey sat in the saddle on Thunderfire's back, as he saw Lex Luthor approaching him. "What do you want, Luthor?" he almost growled, though he was trying hard not to.

Lex replied calmly, "I overheard the conversation in front of the college, Joseph. And yes, I know full well who you are. I teach a class here at the college. Its the only reason I come here. Let me explain one thing to you, then I'll leave you alone. Deal?"

Joey sighed. "Sure. Its your quarter."

Lex leaned back against the car that was behind him and said, "No one will force you to attend the College, Joey, just as no one will force you to join the Hero/Villain Union. Now that we have that subject out of the way, may I ask why you were interested in learning about superhero lifestyles?"

Joey replied, "Because I recently became one and I don't know how to properly use all of my powers. Abyssios thought I would benefit from taking the hero classes, but when I saw that they allowed villains and criminals to attend the same school, I immediately vetoed the whole idea. I'll just make do out on the horse farm and practice on the back side of the farm where no one can get hurt."

Lex hummed, then handed Joey a business card. "I don't normally make this offer to heroes, Joey, but I commend you on wanting to self-school yourself. But if you get in over your head and you need some quick advice, call me. If you will excuse me now, I have a class to go teach. It was a pleasure to meet you." And he headed off toward the college building.

Joey looked at the business card, then pocketed it in his wallet. "He didn't seem so bad. And he said he respected me for my wanting to train myself. But what did he mean by getting in over my head?"

"He was just giving you a friendly warning," said the Oriental female voice to his left and behind him.

Joey turned and looked at the Japanese looking female with black hair, fair skin, and green eyes. She was dressed as a gymnast, though he could tell she was more than she appeared. "You look like a gymnast, but you hold yourself like a samurai warrior. I would hazard a guess and say that you are actually a Shaolin Priestess. How close am I?"

The lovely young lady smiled with a slight bow. "You have a good trained eye. My name is Ororo Storm. I was on my way to the club to meet up with my friends, Barbra Lang and Kirk Price, and we are members of a team called The Protectors. Teams have to be registered at city hall. And no, we do not attend Hero High, as they call the college here. But we are still non-Union superheroes. Let me explain what you should really know about the college and the union. If you ever plan on having your own superhero cartoon TV show, you will first need to take the college classes and pass them, AND, join the Hero/Villain Union. But if you have no such plans as that, then the college and union are not required."

"You can call me Joey, though my full name is Joseph Williams."

Ororo smiled. "I do need to get going now. But if you ever need some regular hero folk to hang out with... come on over to the Half-Pike Roller Club in Jaded Shadow. The owner allows our team to have our headquarters in his upper chambers. If you get stopped at the door, just mention that you're a friend to Ororo Storm. Good day, Joey." She turned to leave, saying, "I think you're very cute." She winked and strode off down the sidewalk.

Joey, of course, was blushing profusely at being called 'cute'.

End of Chapter 02

Chapter 03

Back at the horse farm, Joey told Samuel, Valeria, their parents, and Lance what all he had learned from the trip to town. "So you see... according to Ororo, I don't have to go to this college at all nor join their dumb union unless I plan on having my own cartoon show on TV. And when I told Lex Luthor that I planned on training myself, he implied that I was doing the right thing, though he did give me his business card... if I got in over my head and needed advice."

Samuel said, "For a cartoon show... I guess I can see why Abyssios thought the college was so great then. I still don't like the idea of heroes and villains schooling together, but if it IS for a TV show, then I guess I can accept that."

Overcat was sitting on the sofa in the next room, clearing listening to their talk, but mainly having a staring contest with the family's parrot.

Johnathan hummed. "I am sure Abyssios meant well by taking you there, Joey, but you aren't going to be in your own TV show, so I don't see a reason to have you attend the school. As for this union thing... I was told by the Meta-Star City Police Department that because I wasn't with the union, I couldn't work for them. I about threatened their Head of Precinct with having my son show up and flash fry him on the spot. But instead, I just left."

Martha said, "You mean they won't let you do police work without your being in their stupid union? What kind of barbaric society have we moved into?"

"I spoke to the best lawyer on Q.C. Planet about it this afternoon," said Johnathan. "His name is Rock Coyote. He told me that the union has been rather lax lately and if I really wanted to do police work that I should contact Lord Albert and appeal directly to him."

"Brawk! I win! Brawk! You blinked!"

The whole family shouted, "Teriaki! Shut up!"

Joey said, "I need to head out to my training area on the back side, dad, and get my stuff started. I have a long list to go through and work with."

Samuel and Lance both said, "I'll come with you."

Johnathan stopped them both in their tracks. "Not this time, you two... Samuel, you skipped out on your chores this morning. You know the drill. No hanging out with your brother until you do those chores. Valeria can go, if she wants. She did her chores this morning."

Valeria grinned. "I guess girls are better than boys, eh Sammy?"

Samuel growled, "You better shut up or I'll tell Overcat what your middle name is so he can laugh his ass off."

Valeria grinned again. "I think I'll stay here and gloat over Sammy."

At that moment, Anne and Gustav came in from outside. "Its okay, Joseph. We'll go out there with you and Overcat."

Joey giggled. "Glad to see you two again. Let's get going before Samuel and Valeria get at each other's throats."

End of Chapter 03

Chapter 04

At the Half-Pike Roller Club in Jaded Shadow, a girl with long dark hair and dark brown eyes said, "You're late, Ororo. We about started without you."

Ororo came in and sat down. "I apologize, Barbra. I met a new boy today."

The boy with golden brown hair and grey eyes who was bringing the refreshments in to the meeting room said, "I assume you thought he was cute, too?"

Ororo smiled. "Yes. And I told him so. And he blushed, where as Kirk never did when I said he was cute."

Barbra hummed. "I suppose you told him about the Protectors, didn't you?"

Ororo nodded her head gently. "Yes, I did. We need more members, you know. I thought he looked potential sitting there in the saddle on that horse."

Kirk snapped his fingers. "I'll bet it was one of the Williams boys from that family just moved to Meta-Star City from the Real World. They are friends of Overcat."

Barbra smiled. "I have to agree, then... those Williams boys are very cute. I wonder what the super powered boy is like?"

Ororo said, "His name is Joseph Williams, but he said I could call him Joey."

Kirk giggled. "He better hope Kangaroo King doesn't hear him calling himself that nickname or someone will end up pouched."

Barbra said, "If Robert King hadn't left the team to go play bodyguard for Lola Bosom Bunny, we wouldn't be hard up for a new team member. I mean, that rabbit was probably our most powerful team member."

Ororo sat back in her chair and said, "You know... if we want this new boy on our team, we can't pressure him into joining or he'll develop a strong dislike for the lot of us. We almost lost Robert that way. We were too desperate and Robert said as much. Stacey even said we were too eager to go after new people. That's the reason she didn't join us. She told us to tone it down or our team would be finished before it started."

Kirk said, "I remember that, guys. There were at least nine others we could have had on this team had we not gone overboard and blown it. If we want Joey on the team, we're going to have to let him come to us."

Barbra quietly pondered something. "You know, guys... that may be a while. I actually want to go meet this boy. See for myself what his power level is like. I mean, he hasn't registered himself as a hero or a villain, as yet, so we don't know what his ranking is. And I would like to find out that part."

Kirk quickly said to Ororo, "Look out... Barbra has that look on her face. Are we going to have to subdue her again?" He was grinning with his trademark wink.

Ororo grinned back. "If we want Joey Williams on the team, she better behave herself."

Barbra snarled at the couple. "I don't have a boyfriend and you two are going steady and are founding members. I need a man."

End of Chapter 04

Chapter 05

Joey, Overcat, Anne, and Gustav arrived at the training place on the back side of the horse farm. Anne had brought up a topic of discussion for the trip out to the training site. "...so you see, apparently Meta-Star City has this Power Ranking thing that heroes and villains like to challenge each other over just to see how powerful each other are."

Overcat smiled. "Oh yes. The C.A.S.I.E. Ranks. That stands for Charisma, Agility, Strength, Intelligence, and Endurance. I get the feeling that Joey's Rankings are going to be really high. Maybe higher than my own, even."

Joey said, "But you have more experience, Abyssios. Like you said last night... I'm just raw."

Gustav then said, "Joey, if anything, I think you and Overcat have a lot you can teach each other. He knows how to be a superhero, true enough. But you are born and bred law enforcement. This self-training of your powers is necessary for you to do alone, yes. What I found out is that in the college, they are not responsible for teaching you how to use your powers. That is probably why Lex Luthor commended you on your decision to train yourself. But to know all the other stuff, you would have to attend the college classes. I know you don't plan on having your own cartoon show, but what about if Overcat wanted you to guest star in one of his episodes? You have to admit, Joey... that would be a dream come true for you. Working with your favorite hero on his own TV show. I have fantasies like that." He then blushed with a smile.

Joey smiled as he looked at Overcat. "Abyssios might invite me to a taping someday... but he wouldn't want me on his show. He's my hero. I wouldn't want to steal his thunder."

Anne grinned. "In a way, you already have, Joseph. Your powers are a copy of Overcat's powers, except... they've been enhanced a thousandfold, thanks to that rotten Minos del Malign."

Overcat chuckled. "Enough nostalgia, Joey. You better suit up so we can get this training session started. Anne, Gustav? I would suggest that you both get behind the blast screen I have set up for you. Better to be safe than sorry."

The two non-powered humans stepped behind the blast screen, as instructed.

Joey's eyes sparked as he focused on causing his metamorphosis. There came a flash of light that overtook his body causing the transformation. When the flash of light subsided, a muscular male humanoid mouse stood there, wearing a costume and armor in the fashion of the stars and bars of the American flag. Close ups of the costume and mouse parts then occurred in rapid succession, before Supermouse smiled and the frontal view swept back... showing him in his full glory. He then said, "I am Supermouse, champion of justice." He then posed and grinned, showing all of his sharp teeth.

Overcat backed away when he saw the mouse's smile. "Um, please don't do that, Supermouse. Its scary."

Supermouse quickly closed his muzzle. "Sorry... Samuel didn't like it either."

Overcat nodded his head. "Right. Lets focus on teaching you the basics that you don't already know. I saw you fly and use your strength already. You do those good. And your regeneration ability is in top form. So we will focus on your visions and your breath this afternoon. As you know, I use heat vision and frosty breath in my TV show, but those are just the icing on the cake, Supermouse. But we'll start with those."

Supermouse nodded his head, too. "Okay, so how do I use my visions and breaths, Overcat?" He honestly wasn't sure how to use these powers, but then again, this was a training session.

End of Chapter 05

Chapter 06

Just beyond the perimeter of the training area, Barbra quietly arrived to get a good look at the superhero competition. Wow... Ororo wasn't kidding. He looks more powerful than Overcat. And all those hunky muscles and everything. And- It was at that point that Barbra noticed another watcher over to her left, but this watcher looked more like a familiar villain than a curious Meta-Star City student hero. And she recognized the creep immediately.

It was none other than Minos Del Malign and his evil pet mutant rat, Virus. And Minos was aiming his newest weapon directly at Overcat.

Barbra wracked her brain for the hero/villain union schedule. Minos Del Malign and Virus aren't supposed to be on duty for another hour and a half. Is he attempting to break the rules again? Well, I know how to put a crimp in his plans without tipping him off that he's been detected.

Overcat was in the middle of explaining the process for using the super visions to Supermouse, when suddenly, a one-inch rip in mid air opened almost point-blank next to Overcat's ear and Barbra's whispering voice was heard. "Don't look around too suddenly, Overcat, but Minos del Malign and Virus are up on the southwest ridge aiming something at you and your friends."

And of course, in a casual turn to apparently look at the reporters, he used his super vision to look to the southwest ridge and sure enough, he saw Minos with a new weapon aimed directly at them.

Overcat calmly said, "Do you remember the last time you were on the verge of forgetting your manners while in super mode, Supermouse?"

And instantly, the anger seemed to return as he focused almost directly at Minos' exact location. "I. Warned. Him. To. Stay. Away. From. Me." came the very definitive growl, as he immediate started directly toward Minos' location.

And Minos suddenly had Supermouse directly in front of him... and he saw that the mouse's eyes were glowing blood red. So red that you couldn't even see the pupils anymore. "Now Supermouse... technically, I'm not even on your property..."

And in the next instant, there came a horrendous flash of light and another explosion, which sent Minos and Virus flying and flailing in one direction and Supermouse falling in the other direction.

And the entire southwest ridge was completely gone!

Barbra had just barely gotten herself out of harm's way when the blast occurred. What in the world just happened?

Overcat, Anne, and Gustav were quickly rushing to where Supermouse lay on the ground. Anne said, "Joey? Are you okay?"

Supermouse moaned, his paws over his stinging eyes. "My eyes! It hurts!"

Overcat lightly touched Supermouse's wet face and jerked back his fingers! "OW! His face is covered in turpentine! My fingers hurt like Hell! I think I better go check on Minos! Ow! Ow! Ow!" And he headed off to find his arch enemy.

Gustav, being the quick thinking young photographer, had a canteen of water with him and he quickly began to wash and flush the turpentine out of Supermouse's eyes. "Thank goodness for my first aid training."

End of Chapter 06

Chapter 07

"Brawk! Toons Stink! Brawk!" exclaimed Teriaki in a very loud voice and with a smirky grin.

Once again, Joey's bed was being occupied by an injured occupant. Joey, in his Supermouse guise, had bandages over his eyes as he lay there in bed. Downstairs, the others were all gathered discussing what had happened.

Barbra and her friends had joined the others, while Overcat told Mr. Williams what had happened. And with Anne and Gustav backing up his story, and a representative from the Hero/Villain Union present to listen in on this meeting, Minos Del Malign was going to be in a LOT of trouble this time.

The Union Representative remarked, "That parrot is evil."

All of the real world humans in the household all shouted, "Teriaki! Shut up!"

Overcat grinned. "I get to deal with that parrot every time I come over here." Then he got serious. "Anyway, what are we going to do about Minos Del Malign? I can't fault Virus for Minos' actions, but Minos continuously breaks the rules by harassing not only myself, but the Williams family during his off hours. And he IS a member of the Union."

The Union Representative replied, "This latest offense was the last straw. His Villain license is being revoked and his Union membership is being placed on one year suspension. And if he acts up against you beyond this point... then he will be sent to the Rotunda Realms' Maximum Security Toon Prison for the next forty years. Please be reminded that his Union suspension will prevent him from being on your cartoon show for a year, so you and your producers will have to come up with some other plans for a while."

Ororo said, "When we examined Minos' newest weapon, we discovered that it had been filled with Turpentine. And we feel that when Supermouse confronted Minos on the ridge, he sprayed Supermouse in the eyes with the turpentine, and the shock of the pain caused Supermouse to lose control of his heat vision and the entire ridge was destroyed. And that also accounts for why Minos was so horribly burned this time. Even without his license, he will be in the Insanitarium for at least sixty days, recovering from what he caused Supermouse to accidentally do to him."

At that moment, Lex Luthor walked into the house. "Hello. Where can I find Joseph at? He called me on the telephone a few moments ago."

Martha said, "Follow me, Mr. Luthor, I'll show you where his room is." And she led him upstairs.

Inside Joey's room, Lex sat in a chair as he looked at Supermouse who was laying on top of his bed with gauze bandages over his eyes. "I came, Joseph. How do you feel?"

Joey sighed. "I know now what you meant by getting in over my head. My eyes are still stinging like crazy. The family doctor said that I just needed to let my eyes rest and mend for a few days. But I can't just lay here and do nothing, Mr. Luthor. I need advice. What can I do?"

Lex said, "First let me say that I commended you on wanting to train yourself. However, with Minos Del Malign constantly showing up to target Overcat, there was no actual way you could train alone. Therefore, I am suggesting you sign up at the hero and villain school. According to the legal records, you still aren't registered as either a hero or a villain. And your C.A.S.I.E. ratings are still virtually unknown. If you agree to sign up, I'll personally head up your training sessions."

End of Chapter 07

Chapter 08

It was about a week later when Joey felt up to health enough to be out and about under his own power. He was taking a walk down at the piers in Metro-Gotham, a suburb of Meta-Star City. The day had been mainly quiet with a light sea breeze. He could see toon workers, both human and animal, doing dock jobs up and down the piers.

It was while he was walking by a crane where a large muscle-bound rabbit dude was helping the crane operator bird to direct the large metal crates from a nearby cargo ship, he suddenly heard a very loud SNAP! In the next instant, like slow motion, he heard the crane operator shout, "LOOK OUT, KING!" And as the rabbit pivoted his head to look up at the falling crates, Joey immediately went into action.

Joey's eyes sparked as he focused on causing his metamorphosis. There came a flash of light that overtook his body causing the transformation. When the flash of light subsided, a muscular male humanoid mouse stood there, wearing a costume and armor in the fashion of the stars and bars of the American flag. Close ups of the costume and mouse parts then occurred in rapid succession, before Supermouse grinned, showing all of his sharp teeth and the frontal view swept back... showing him in his full glory.

In the next instant, Supermouse was directly above the stunned rabbit dude where he caught both crates, one in each hand. And was holding them there in mid air. He then slowly brought the crates down and gently set them on the docks.

The crane ran up and stood beside the rabbit, making sure his partner was okay, as Supermouse slowly turned around to face the two and quietly looked at the stunned stud rabbit.

The rabbit slowly regained his voice. "...thank you. Thank you. You saved my life. Who are you?"

Supermouse smiled the gentle smile, remembering what effect the sharp teeth grin had on folks. "I am Supermouse, champion of justice. You are lucky I was in the area when that happened. Are you okay?"

The crane said, "So you are not recruiting for anyone?"

Supermouse shook his head. "Why would I be doing that? I was just out for a walk to clear my head and get my thoughts sorted out. Why did you think I was a recruiter?"

The rabbit stud smiled. "I'm Robert King. This is Barren Wingstavf. We thought you were a recruiter to come find the two of us for a hero team. You see, I'm Mountain Spirit and he's Weather Crane. We're students at the Maverick Institute of Technology, or MIT for short."

Supermouse then powered down again. "Joseph Williams, but my friends call me Joey." He then shook hands with them. "And while I am not a recruiter, I have had the offer recently from a seemingly over-eager bunch calling themselves The Protectors. Problem is, they come across as being too desperate. If someone other than them were leading that bunch, I might have said yes to their offer. But right now, their very actions speak the word 'trap'."

Robert sighed. "They tried to get you. I was on their team for a short while, but its like you just said: they are too eager and a bit overbearing. And I agree, if someone else was leading them, I might have stayed a member. In fact, if they toned it down and was led by someone else, they might have had at least ten other team members."

Barren added, "When they asked me to join, they really went overboard in trying to make me say yes. But I declined."

End of Chapter 08

Chapter 09

Joey smiled. "I think my telling them that I would think about it was the right move then. I haven't seen nor heard from any of them since. That was a week ago." He then paused as his super memory picked out a part of the information he was just told. "Say, could you tell me about this Maverick school you mentioned? I have never heard of it. Overcat and the others keep trying to get me enrolled at Hero High."

Robert said, "First thing you need to know is this, Joey... even if you agreed to attend Hero High, you would never be able to get enrolled there. And here is why: you are not a cartoon or anime character. You are a real world human with real powers. The charter at Hero High specifically says that the students there must be cartoon or anime characters. You are neither."

Barren then said, "But you could enroll at MIT because its a strictly 'for-heroes-only' school. It is not union supported, so a lot of the biggies don't even like mentioning the place. It is based here in Metro-Gotham and is supported by the U.E.C., the Unstoppable Exploration Company, and by Bat Hound himself. MIT does allow dorm housing, but you are not required to live there. The dorms are for heroes who can't live in their own homes now or have nowhere else to go."

Joey hummed. "Robert... Barren... if I started my own team, _if_ that is... would you two honor me with your support?"

Robert smiled and hugged Joey. "Are you kidding me? You saved my life. If you want to found a team, let me know. I'll be there. Though my Fridays and Saturdays are booked with Lola Bosom Bunny."

Barren smiled as well. "As Robert said, if you do this, call me. I'm in on any day except Sunday morning. Brother Wingstavf tends to his flock on that day. May the lord protect us all." He winked with a grin.

Joey said, "I would grin in return, except I am told that my sharp teeth are very unsettling on people's nerves. But you guys have given me some things and possible prospects to think about. Where is the Maverick School located?"

After he received more information on the school and exchanged his phone number with his two new friends, he bid them goodbye and headed back up the docks toward the main road. But he hadn't gotten too far when he was suddenly grabbed from a side alley and yanked inside. As he was pinned to one wall, he saw two U.S. Government agents in black suits and dark shades, both holding guns. One had his badge out displaying his F.B.I. license.

"Took a while to locate you, Joseph Williams, but now that we have, you are coming back to Washington D.C. with us."

And in the next instant, the agents hit the ground, both unconscious. Standing there in front of Joseph was a very beautiful woman cartoon character who, like Supermouse, also dressed in the stars and stripes theme. "I will handle these idiot thugs, Joey. Before you ask... I'm Caroline Smythe, the American Agent. I'm another friend of Overcat's." She then handed Joey a small device. "That's a communicator. If you ever need my assistance for any reason, push that button. I'll be there instantly."

Joey accepted the communicator then thanked her and ran out of the alleyway and took off for home. It seemed that everyone wanted him for some reason or another. It was getting old fast.

When Joey entered the house, he called out, "Mom? Can I mutate Teriaki and use her as my sidekick?"

Martha peered out of the kitchen at her son. "NO! Whatever were you thinking, Joseph?"

Joey replied, "I've had a really long day. I'll talk about it when dad gets home from where ever he went today."

End of Chapter 09

Chapter 10

That night around the dinner table, Joseph was explaining what he had found out earlier in the day. "It turns out there is another hero school that isn't union supported, and the big name heroes don't even talk about it. It is called the Maverick Institute of Technology. I met two people who attend classes there and they told me that this school only caters to heroes _and_ they help train you in your super powers."

Martha paused from eating and commented, "It sounds like you finally found out some good information, Joseph. But you said there was bad news too. What is it?"

Joey continued. "As I was leaving the docks, I had an encounter with two real world F.B.I. agents and they tried to capture me. In fact, if American Agent, Caroline Smythe, hadn't come along, they would have caused me a lot of problems."

Johnathan hummed. "So they tracked us down. I am just glad your hero friends are protecting you, Joseph. And I am glad you learned about this school. I think you should enroll there. It can't hurt. Who is in charge at the school?"

Joey smiled. "Panthagoyle's son, Dalis, has the most say-so at the school. Him and Bat Hound."

Lance suddenly spoke up. "Panthagoyle of the New World Mutants had a son? Awesome! I used to watch the NWM show every Saturday morning! 'Leading the Flashy Team! New World Mutants! The Boys, They are a Dream! New World Mutants! Mutants! They can really fly! Mutants! They are out of sight! Mutants! They are gonna save the day!'" He was grinning as he sung the song.

Valeria giggled. "Lance is showing his age again."

Samuel rolled his eyes. "I preferred watching the My Little Ponies: Boys Ranch series, myself. It actually taught real world horse riding and equine caretaking information. Plus, Champion Pony was just so gosh darn _HAWT_ looking." He was blushing as he admitted that out loud.

Valeria turned to Lance. "The NWM studios are just inside the Meta-Star City limits. I'm surprised you didn't go check them out already."

Lance replied sheepishly, "I, er, was, I mean... didn't want... to go by myself."

"Brawk! Chicken Lance! Brawk!" exclaimed Teriaki loudly.

Everyone laughed out loud as Lance was the one blushing now.

Joey grinned, as he turned to look at their father. "What was your good news, dad?"

Johnathan smiled. "I spoke to Lord Albert today finally and he got me a commissioner job with the police department in Forest River. It is the town where the Live-Action cartoon stars live and work at. They needed a commissioner and I agreed to fill in the position. I wanted to be closer to home, but right now, I'll work where ever I can just to be in the field again."

Valeria said, "What are we going to do about these F.B.I. people, dad? They will surely try to get at Joey again eventually. I mean, they are being a royal pain in his ass."

Johnathan replied, "I can't fault them for doing their job. So we need to fault whoever gave them these orders."

End of Chapter 10

Chapter 11

A few days later at the city hall in Meta-Star City, the three members of the Protectors had been called in by the mayor, Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman. "Look, you three. When you first put your team together originally, you told me that you had at least eight potential joiners waiting for you guys to get your team name registered. Last year, we reviewed your case file and found that you only had three members; not the eleven you originally said you would have. I told you at the time that you would have one year to bring your membership up to four members or your registration would be revoked."

Ororo was quick to point her finger at Barbra. "It is mainly her fault that all of our other members chose not to stay with us. She was too eager, too impatient, and too desperate and that scared the other members away."

Barbra immediately piped up. "Oh sure! When the going gets tough, lay blame on a non-founding team member! Fine, lay blame on me; I will just tell the mayor about your secrets that I have knowledge of now!"

Ororo growled, "Don't you dare, you prissy little bitch!"

As the girls fought with words and insults, Kirk leaned in close to Diana and whispered, "Neither of them want to take the blame alone, but in my opinion... we all failed. We probably weren't ready to have our own team. But please, don't take the Protectors away from us. I care about the team name. I am the one who coined the name originally. Please, Ms. Prince."

Diana chose not to whisper her reply. "There are two things you three need to know. Your team registration expires tomorrow. And... someone else was asking about using the team name of the Protectors, but when they heard you people were in charge of it, they said they would simply have to think of something else if the registration wasn't dropped by tomorrow. Therefore, and based on this juvenile little CAT FIGHT I am seeing in front of my desk, I want you three to step out of my office and then one at a time, come in and tell me why I should allow your team to stay registered. Kirk, you will be first, but I need you to leave the room beforehand."

The three Protectors left the office and waited briefly.

Inside the office, Diana glanced over at the open window and nodded to the people waiting outside on her fire escape, having them come inside and stand together as a group behind her.

Kirk was the first the return. The moment he was in the room with the door closed, he slowly lifted his head to look at the mayor and he got the shock of his life.

Standing behind the mayor were _ Supermouse (Joseph Williams), Mountain Spirit (Robert King), Weather Crane (Barren Wingstavf), American Agent (Caroline Smythe), Cat Queen (Stacey Morita), Crusader Rabbit (Theodore Kelly), and Ghost Stormer (Evelyn Bishops.)_ Aside from Supermouse, the others were all people who had opted to not join the Protectors. Yet with the newest hero... here they were.

Supermouse smiled. "I am wanting to claim the team name, Kirk. If I do this, do you want to join us as Sky Commander?"

Kirk was elated and smiling. This was the utmost dream come true. The Protectors were going to live. "I'm in."

Supermouse added, "If you join the team, you have to enroll at MIT as well. Are you still in? If so, then suit up and join the line up with the rest of us. Otherwise, I would suggest you leave by way of the fire escape and don't ever think about the Protectors again. What will it be?"

End of Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Ororo was the next former team member to enter the office. Like Kirk before her, she was looking at the floor when she entered. "I'm sorry, your honor. We shouldn't have acted like that in front of you. Please give us another chance to..." And that's when she had lifted her head and her voice trickled off into nothingness. _ Sky Commander (Kirk Price)_ was standing in the line up behind the mayor. "Supermouse? What the... Cat Queen? You're here too? But..."

Again the offer and conditions were laid out for Ororo. Join or leave. It was quite simple. Supermouse was leading the team. And he was somehow able to convince the others to all join him.

Ororo smiled, as she summoned her Shaolin Priestess fighting costume. "I'll throw in my lot with you, Supermouse. You are doing something right if you got these guys to agree to support you." And then she joined the line up next to Kirk.

And now it was Barbra's turn. She knew she was last and she was very nervous. The others had not emerged from the office. And that worried her a lot. She could always peep in to see what was happening, but she was too scared to do that even. Eventually, she swallowed quietly and began to enter the office. She was scared and she didn't want Ororo and Kirk to lose the team because of her. The moment she cleared the door, she was saying, "Your honor, I'll gladly drop out if you promise to give Kirk and Ororo a chance to rescue the team and..." And that is when she stopped at the legendary line up before her.

And again the offer and conditions were laid out for Barbra. Join or leave. It was quite simple.

Barbra laughed. Then she blushed. "You guys got to hear me being all humble and stuff. Just don't tell my mom you heard and saw me acting that way. MIT though..." She sighed. "...I'm sorry, I can't. I'll help the team covertly on the side, but I can't join if that's the condition. I'll see you around." And she quickly vanished through a quickly closing reality hole in mid air.

Supermouse glanced sideways toward _ Shaolin Priestess (Ororo Storm.)_ "Have we seen the last of her?"

Shaolin Priestess and Cat Queen both replied as one, "No way in Hell!" Then they both giggled.

Crusader Rabbit shook paws with Supermouse. "When Mountain Spirit told Ghost Stormer and I that you planned on leading the New Protectors, we decided to give you a fair chance and join you. But didn't you say you wanted ten team members?"

Supermouse smiled. "Don't worry, my caped rabbit friend. I have someone else in mind. For now, we should get this paperwork filled out, signed, notarized, and then... its off to MIT to enroll. And remember, guys: don't quit your day jobs." He winked with a sly grin, which unfortunately showed off his sharp teeth.

After the paperwork was filled out, Mountain Spirit and Weather Crane led their friends and Supermouse off for the Maverick School where they would all be joining the classes there.

Once registration at MIT had ended, the team gathered for a photo shoot in front of the Meta-Star City TV station where Anne and Gustave were awaiting them for an important interview. With the formation of the New Protectors, an interview was the thing that would make their team official in the record books. The group smiled, saying, "Cheese!" as the flash went off, and then everyone sat down in the studio for the interview.

It would be sometime later after the photo was developed that Joey, Kirk, and Ororo would spot _ Ninja (Barbra Lang)_ in her gear standing with the others as if she was a team member. They would, of course, just laugh it off.

**End of Chapter 12 End of Episode Two: Learning The Team Spirit

Stay tuned for Episode Three: The Black Sheep**