". . .so all of that happened because of you? The zombies, Vengeance, all because of what you are?" Tayden and Grimm sat out side the factory on a makeshift patio (every convenience was makeshift here.) Tayden asking the question though he already knew the answer. Sensing Grimm's need to talk, the angel didn't let on.
"Yeah, inadvertently. When I killed the being who became Vengeance, I was trying to defend a friend, granted I didn't get to know Naecken very well, but Sam was a different story. When I thought Knell had disfigured Sam in the Castle of Crossed Destinies, my rage, my power interacted with the Castle's energies somehow, and I unleashed those things that killed that town. I was accusing Priest of just being a murderer earlier, and I'm no damn better."
"We all make mistakes, Grimm. Your actions, you did what you thought was right at the time. You were acting out of concern for your friends. I've seen much worse things done for much worse motives." Tayden's eyes began to peer off into the distance briefly. He shook himself out of his reverie. "Besides, Vengeance is gonna be one of us now. You've had a hand in creating a new hero. That's a good thing, right?"
"Yeah, maybe you're right, Tayden. Hey, there goes Phil. Is he talking to himself?"
"Who can say, Grimm?" Tayden smiled. **********************
Meanwhile. . .in the kitchen. . .of justice. . .
"Maybe you could be "Major Distaster?" The Luchadore asked.
"Taken." Johnny Bates replied.
"How about "Captain Dingleberry?"
"Too much dignity."
"What about "The Flaming Hairball?"
"It has "flaming" in it."
"What in the world are you two doing?" Dr. Huerta said, walking into the kitchen, his over large feet slapping the floor.
"Well," Johnny replied, "You know how everyone on the team has codenames? Like you're "Monkey Boy," Blackwulf is "Lassie," Mikey is "The Luchadore,". . .
"Dirk is "The Bastard." Luchadore continued.
"Yeah, and Phil is "The Dumbass." Johnny continued.
"Wait, wait, wait," Dr. Huerta interrupted. Who told you that Dirk is "The Bastard," and that Phil is "The Dumbass?"
"Well, that's what they're always calling each other in the hallways." Johnny offered.
Right at that moment, Phil Smith walked into the kitchen. "Man, I'm starving. How are you guys liking the place?" He said.
The Luchadore looked up, smiled genuinely and waved, saying, "Hi, Dumbass!"
Phil Smith stopped in his tracks. He set his lower jaw firmly and looked over at the masked man. The Luchadore's mask suddenly shifted around completely backwards. "Hey, turn the lights back on!" The Luchadore himself then shot up out of his chair and crashed into the ceiling. He hung there, suspended by his neck.
"This really is not the time for that." Phil muttered, walking out of the room.
"Guys? Guys??" The Luchadore asked, still hanging from the ceiling. "Was there an earthquake?"
