"Do not be afraid. I will not hurt you unless you force me to," 'Mechanon' said.
"Awright, 'Gale, what gives?" Muskateer still held his sword pointed at the metallic robot. His computer work had definitely contained numerous entries on the sadistic and deadly megalomaniac. It seemed quite odd that over his silver body and golden cabling, he was wearing a waiter's cummerbund and carried a white cloth draped over one arm.
"That's not the real Mechanon, Muskateer," Nightingale answered calmly. "This is Peacekeeper. Mechanon keeps spare bodies around in case his is destroyed. Peacekeeper is one such copy. However, he was found and reprogrammed to be the exact opposite of Mechanon. He's part of the security staff now."
"I see." Muskateer sheathed his sword, while some of the other patrons chuckled at his faux pas. For some reason, he thought that having anything of Mechanon's around was a bad idea. Didn't the first one start out as a guardian for the Champions and end up an organic-hating loony?
"The next phase of your testing is ready, Muskateer," Peacekeeper began. "And yours as well, Firestar. I am here to escort you to Training Town," he said, motioning for them to follow him.
"You two go along and I'll meet up with you later", Nightingale added. "I've got another appointment with Dr. Marin this afternoon."
"After you, Musky," Firestar said, a little pensively.
"Age before beauty, huh?", Muskateer said. Seated at another table was a motley group of villains, who were loudly deriding Muskateer's reaction to Peacekeeper. Bulldozer was being particularly obnoxious. Taking a slight detour, Muskateer walked towards the table.
"You got a big mouth, doncha Baldy?", Muskateer taunted.
"Ya ain't even worth gettin' up fer, squirt," Bulldozer said. "Mighty 'Venger, what a joke. I could mop up the whole lot a' ya, on a bad day!", Bulldozer said loudly, drawing attention from some of the assembled crowd.
"At least you've got the 'bull' part of your name right," Muskateer said, as he walked behind the large villain. With a quick move, he pulled his sword and sliced one of the legs from the chair that Bulldozer sat upon. Bulldozer crashed to the floor, unceremoniously.
"That does it, ya wimp!", Bulldozer shouted as he got to his feet, looking for a fight. Muskateer turned to face him, but Peacekeeper stepped between them quickly.
"Sirs, you will refrain from violence on these premises," the Mechanon copy stated simply in a non-threatening tone. However, no one was the least bit willing to challenge him. Mechanon usually fought whole super teams to a standstill on his own.
"Hey!", Oculon chimed in, "The guy in the cape started it."
"Yeah, sure thing," Bulldozer said to Peacekeeper. "One a' these days, squirt, I'll be lookin' fer ya." The burly villain pointed a finger at Muskateer as he walked away. "Then I'll pulverize ya, punk!"
"In the meantime, find yourself some real dialog, Bovine-dozer," Muskateer taunted back. Noticing that everyone was now watching, Muskateer sheathed his sword again and continued to follow Peacekeeper to the training site.
"In the future, you must refrain from such displays of violence, or you will be permanently barred from the island," Peacekeeper said to the sword-swinging Avenger. "The rules are clear on such engagements."
"How are you supposed to handle dunder-heads like Bulldozer then?", Muskateer asked. "Sometimes, you can only take so much."
"This is neutral ground. There are training facilities for engaging in mock combat, but it is not to be used for real engagements."
"I don't want to marry the creep, just knock his lights out, PK."
"This place looks like it's going to take a little getting used to," Firestar said. Under his mask, Muskateer frowned momentarily. He was silent the rest of the way to the Training Area.
Arriving at Sanctuary's Training Town, the two Avengers saw a number of supers battling it out amongst a downtown street scene. The area was specially constructed to be tough enough to withstand repeated battles and training episodes. The supers in question were members of the Young Champions program located here on the island. Tigress, Archangel, Turbo, Starbolt, and Sapphire were going through a mock combat, under the watchful gaze of the team's mentor, Gladiator.
"The Young Champions are just about done with their testing. In a moment, you will each get a series of exercises," the robot explained in its dull, mechanical voice.
"Wanna tell me what jumping jacks are gonna tell you about our powers?", Muskateer said, sarcastically. He was still stewing over the run-in with Bulldozer.
"We can complete our drill at a later time, Peacekeeper," Gladiator said, walking up to the trio. "We have exceeded our allotted time here anyway." Turning to Muskateer, he said, "You may go first. You will engage in a series of mock battles with my students to test the range of your powers. Doctor Brinton will be fitting you both with sensors to gather the necessary data."
"Enjoy your testing," Peacekeeper said with a slight bow. The powerful robot then turned and walked off towards the hotel.
Once Muskateer was completely wired up, the testing began. Pulling his sword from its sheath, the Avenger was ready for anything. Almost.
"Awright, let's see if the mighty Avenger can beat up a ten year old!", the Tigress taunted from the side lines as the battle was about to begin.
"Hey! What gives?!" Muskateer dropped the point of his blade and waved his hands. "I ain't fighting no kid."
The first of the Young Champions to go was Turbo. The youngest member of the program possessed the powers of super speed. "What'sthematter,bigguy? Chicken?", Turbo asked. He started making clucking noises. To Muskateer's confusion, his opponent didn't look like a child. He had to be at least in his twenties, but he certainly acted like an adolescent.
"Turbo's body ages twice as fast as a normal human's," Gladiator explained. "He has the body of a twenty year old and the mentality of a ten year old. Nonetheless, Turbo should give you an adequate challenge."
Muskateer shook his head in dismay. This place was weird and getting stranger by the moment. "Whatever. Let's do it then." He raised his blade again and waved at Turbo to come to him.
"Charge!", Turbo yelled as he rushed at Muskateer. In a blur, he was around Muskateer, circling him and trying to strike. He was unsuccessful in hitting the Avenger, but Muskateer was just as unsuccessful in returning the favor.
"Reminds me of an annoying gnat," Muskateer said, as Turbo suddenly rushed away from him. Turbo disappeared from sight for a moment. "Not much of a test, Glad man."
While Muskateer complained, Turbo rushed out from hiding and past his opponent. The suction from his jet stream pulled Muskateer off his feet and slammed him into a nearby building.
"A wise man never underestimates his opponent," Gladiator said simply.
"Spare me the zen crap, Mr. Green Jeans," Muskateer shot back. He was about to get a little more serious now. Rising to one knee, he aimed his sword at the fast-moving speedster and fired an energy beam. The speedster had made the mistake of stopping to watch his handy work. The electric arc hit Turbo square in the chest and knocked him off his feet.
As Muskateer rushed forward, Gladiator stepped in. "Hold, Muskateer. You have triumphed in this particular test. No need to risk injury, on either party."
"Suit yourself," Muskateer said. He didn't completely understand how two quick passes constituted a test, but they were making the rules.
"Nofair!", Turbo protested. "Iwoulda'won!"
"Prepare for your next challenge," Gladiator instructed. He moved off the field, taking the whining, hyperactive Turbo with him.
Muskateer quickly looked around and then ducked as a flashing blade sliced the air over his head. "Let's see just how good you are with that sword," Archangel challenged. The two exchanged quick strikes and parries, with no serious attacks. Archangel hovered in the air as he fought.
"Now this is more my kinda fight, Wings." After a few more feints, Muskateer landed a blow with the flat of his blade against the side of Archangel's head. The winged hero went flying nearly 35 feet through the air. "That good enough for ya?"
Surprisingly, Archangel was still coherent after the blow, though it did hurt him. He regained his feet and took to the air again. "Well, I'm impressed, but we're not through yet."
"If you say so...," Muskateer taunted back. He fired a different beam from his sword, but it sailed harmlessly under the soaring hero. Archangel dove in and struck Muskateer with a kick to the head.
"Watch the dental work, Wings," Muskateer said, as he reached up and touched his blade to Archangel's body. Touching a stud on the hilt, he discharged an electric shock from the blade and into the surprised winged hero. Archangel dropped to the street, unconscious. "Now, we're through."
Muskateer had the feeling that he was being watched from a different direction, but before he had the chance to determine the source, he was being attacked again. This time, an orange and black form hurtled in from a nearby rooftop.
"Heads up, swordsman," the Tigress said, as she leaped past the surprised hero. She grabbed his hat and cartwheeled some distance away. Putting it on, she turned back to Muskateer and posed. "I think it looks even better on me than it does on you. Except purple really isn't my color."
"Hey! Give me that back," Muskateer said, trying not to feel silly.
"You really should go with white, Musky. It would look better on me."
"Sorry my fashion choices don't meet with your approval," Muskateer responded. "What do you think of my sword?" Muskateer fired another taser beam from his sword. Tigress wasn't about to stand still for the attack, and easily leapt away from the attack.
"I've seen you do that before," Tigress said. "You don't think I'm just gonna stand still for it?"
"I was hoping, Kitty Cat." Muskateer rushed forward, trying to close the gap with the faster opponent. "Ah well, we'll just have to do this the hard way."
"Sounds like fun ta me," Tigress said, as she leapt again. Muskateer tried to block, but she was too fast. A right hand jab hit Muskateer in the stomach, knocking him off his feet.
"Nice punch, Kitty," Muskateer said, standing up again. It looked impressive, but didn't actually do much damage to the Avenger. "But I still want my hat back."
"Come and get it," the Tigress teased, waving it at him. Muskateer moved forward and tried to get his hands on the feline heroine, but she was far too evasive.
"Stand still a sec and I will!", Muskateer shouted, dismayed at not being able to lay a finger on his nimble opponent. She was not having the same difficulty and flipped the hero over her shoulder.
"You didn't say please," Tigress said in a singsong voice. Muskateer regained his feet again and picked up his sword. This time, he kept a little distance and tried spreading the taser beam from his sword.
The Tigress sensed the attack and tried to dodge, but the wider area that the taser filled caught her in its effects.
"That was not nice!", Tigress complained. "My turn again!" She was back on the offensive again. Tigress flipped in mid-air and launched herself at her opponent with a wild windmill kick. Muskateer was barely able to dodge himself. She followed up with a leg whip strike, but Muskateer leapt over her sweeping leg.
"Nyaa, nyaa, missed me, missed me!", Muskateer taunted back again. Going for broke, Muskateer struck with his sword and used the same electrical attack he used against Archangel. The electrified blade made contact with the elusive Tigress and she was not only stunned by the discharge, but knocked completely unconscious. He caught her body before it hit the ground. "Unfortunately, you're not in any shape to have to kiss me." Turning to Gladiator, he said, "Guess I put out the cat, huh?" He could hear Firestar's groan from over thirty feet away.
Gladiator concealed his satisfaction behind his usual stoic features. He barked an order at his flaming student. "Starbolt! Stop fraternizing with the young lady and get in there!" Starbolt was accustomed to hearing Gladiator bark orders. He didn't like following them, but decided some time ago it was easier than fighting him. Most of the time anyway.
Starbolt looked at Muskateer for a second and then back at Firestar, who he had been chatting with during the earlier combats. He would rather continue flirting with her, but Gladiator wouldn't stop his nagging anyway. "This'll take just a few seconds, hot stuff. Be right back." Starbolt rocketed into the air, leaving a flaming trail in his wake and fired a bolt of fire directly at the Avenger.
Muskateer sidestepped the clumsy, but impressive pyrotechnic display. Setting Tigress down some feet away, he reclaimed his cavalier hat and replaced it on his head. "That's better." He faced Starbolt and fired a beam from his sword in retaliation. Starbolt looped over the attack, closing the gap.
"Bad idea trying to trading shots with me, swordsman," Starbolt said, while launching another fiery missile. Muskateer tried to deflect the projectile with his blade, but it found its mark, knocking him off his feet once again.
"You guys are pretty good at knocking people down. Then you all fall unconscious. Let's see if you're any different, match stick!", Muskateer taunted. He fired again, this time connecting. The beam drained Starbolt slightly, but he was not impressed.
"Not me, Avenger. I'm one of the first stringers!" Circling around, Starbolt fired again. Again, Muskateer was hit by the blast, but was barely singed due to his protective armor.
"Not with an attack like that," Muskateer responded. Trying a different tactic, Muskateer unfurled his swinging line and lassoed the flying hero, much like he had done with Dark Seraph earlier this week. Starbolt tried to burn his way out of the steel reinforced line, as the fire around his body grew in intensity.
"Is this some kinda joke?" Starbolt questioned. Muskateer tried to pull his flaming form to the ground, but Starbolt's energy kept him safely aloft.
"Only on you, Flame-face." Touching his sword to the cable, Muskateer again fired an electrical discharge, this time into the line. The current shocked both of the combatants, as the line touched them both. Neither was knocked out yet, but they were both groggy.
"Nice move, but not enough, swordsman." Starbolt fired again and with his hand still holding the tether, Muskateer was unable to deflect the attack with his free hand. He was knocked to the ground, unconscious.
A few moments later, Muskateer experienced the telltale whiff of smelling salts. He shook his head to clear it and saw Gladiator standing over him, with his hand extended. "Well fought," the veteran hero said.
Accepting the hand up, Muskateer then regained his dropped sword and resheathed it. "You've got some tough cookies in your team, Gladiator."
"They certainly have a great deal of potential. As do you," Gladiator offered.
"Thanks," Muskateer said, walking off the combat field.
"Hey," Tigress said, walking up beside him, "that's about as big a compliment as Sarge ever gives. Not bad. So what's it like being an Avenger anyway?" The two chatted for a moment, but she was up right away in Firestar's testing. Muskateer found a convenient wall and leaned tiredly against it, slowly pulling off all the sensors and wires that had measured his abilities and powers during the struggles.
"Not bad," Muskateer said to himself as he watched Firestar and Tigress spar. He was somewhat pleased with his results, having just fought four different people, but felt he should have won that last fight. He needed to work on deflecting incoming missiles with his blade. "But I've still got a ways to go, from the looks of it."
"Oh, I don't know. You looked pretty good out there to me, Musky." Muskateer turned at the sudden voice. He was too tired to have noticed someone approach. It was the magenta-haired beauty he had seen not long ago at lunch.
"Thanks. I take it you're the one I felt watching me during the fights?" He looked her over for a moment and decided she was even more attractive than he first thought. She still wore nothing more than the black one-piece swimsuit, which flattered her curvy figure, and the simple domino mask.
Catching his eye, she smiled seductively at Muskateer. "Guilty as charged. I happen to like what I see too." She moved closer to him, leaning on the building next to him, her hip grazing lightly against his thigh. "Your teammate there isn't bad herself", the mystery woman said, watching the action some distance away. Muskateer tried to place some identity on her, but was drawing a complete blank.
"Yeah, Firestar's pretty tough in her own way. I know I wouldn't want to get her mad at me," Muskateer said.
"I would imagine that the Avengers have pretty high standards and expectations for their members."
"Not quite what you might imagine," Muskateer said, thinking about the unusual reasons behind the recruiting of himself and Firestar both. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, though. I'm afraid I don't even know your name."
"That's not to be unexpected," the mystery woman stated. "I tend to do a lot of covert work. Mostly freelance. Undercover jobs. That sort of thing. You can call me Glitter."
"I'm having a hard time believing that you could go unnoticed for long in a get up like that," Muskateer said as he saw Gladiator finally stop the battle between Tigress and Firestar. Neither had managed a clear victory, from what he could tell. Archangel would be battling his teammate next.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Musky," Glitter said. She turned to face him directly, moving close. She ran her hand over his shoulder and down his arm as she spoke. "Like most girls, I'm a sucker for muscles. But I really like a guy who has the whole package, you know, looks, brains, a successful career." She paused for a moment. "That was a pretty slick move you made against Starbolt. I'm surprised he was able to actually beat you."
"I guess I just wasn't having one of my best days, Glitter."
"Maybe I can make it better for you?" Glitter let the question hang there in the air for a moment. "How's dinner on the beach with a beautiful woman sound? Then I was thinking we could take a long stroll as the sun sets. What do you think, Musky?"
"I think that sounds like just the thing to me," Muskateer answered. "I never could refuse a beautiful lady."
"I like the sound of that," she said with a coy smile. Glitter wrapped her arms around Muskateer's neck. "I need to go get things ready, but here's something to remember me by until then." With one hand she lifted his mask up over his nose. Glitter then delivered a long, lingering kiss. She then replaced his mask, smoothing it out with her fingers.
"I have the feeling that will do the trick."
"Meet me at the northwest point of the island at seven." She winked at him over her shoulder as she walked away. "Oh, and Musky, please try to wear something a little less. No, make that a lot less. Toodles."
Maybe this place was turning out to be alright after all, Muskateer thought to himself as he watched Glitter stroll away. He turned back to watch Firestar's progress after she had left from sight. Firestar was just finishing off Archangel. Turbo was up next.
Muskateer watched absentmindedly as she managed to drive off the hyperactive youngster. The final test was a pitched battle between Firestar and Starbolt. Even though his mind was occupied with thinking of his recent encounter with Glitter, it was hard to ignore the incredible pyrotechnic displays that accompanied the fire-wielding duo's sparring.
Starbolt was faster and his energy was stronger, but Firestar's defenses were stronger. In the end, Starbolt managed to drop her from the sky. Muskateer was snapped out of his reverie as he realized she was going to crash into the ground. Starbolt was too busy making flaming loops through the sky to notice. Before he could take more than a few steps, however, Archangel had neatly plucked her from the air and soared over to where Gladiator and the other Young Champions were standing.
"Looks like I get to be her guardian angel today," Archangel said with a corny grin on his face.
"Sheesh," Tigress said, shaking her head, "Sarge, is there a class for Angel to learn new dialog?", she asked sarcastically.
"Well, excuuuuse me," he answered back.
Gladiator revived Firestar as Muskateer walked up to the assembled group. "I think that is more than enough data for Doctor Brinton and his staff to work with for now," Gladiator said to the pair of Avengers. "You two are free to experience the remainder of Sanctuary at your own leisure. You are all dismissed as well, Champions." In the blink of an eye, all the Young Champions, except for Sapphire, were gone, gleefully enjoying their extra time off.
Firestar changed back into her bikini in a flash as the two Avengers headed back towards the hotel, accompanied by Gladiator and Sapphire.
"You handled yourself pretty well, kiddo," Muskateer said, putting his arm around her shoulder. "I think you shoulda used your 'nova effect' on Tigress there, but otherwise you looked good out there."
"Thanks, Musky. You didn't do too bad yourself."
"Coulda been better. I think I may have to work on my sword blocks a little more though."
"The danger room below the Training Town can be reserved and set up for just that very task, should you wish," Gladiator explained. "In fact, Sapphire here can get you the keys."
"You know, I think I could get behind that," Muskateer answered.
"Not me!", Firestar offered. "I wanna find some beach and just vegetate for awhile. Sure you won't join me, Musky?"
"I'll catch up with you in a little bit, 'Star. Let's go do it, Blue."
Sometime later, Sapphire and Muskateer were now putting the finishing touches on his Danger Room session. "Your skill with your weapon is admirable, but I find it puzzling as to why you devote so much time and effort to its use," Sapphire said, as she shut down the training exercise.
"Thanks, Big Blue," Muskateer answered. He felt much better after the session. By the end, he was able to succeed in blocking three simultaneous attacks on himself, in addition to one on a stand-in dummy next to him. "I guess the sword-fighting is just my thing, you know. Everyone needs a gimmick."
"What is a gimmick?", Sapphire asked innocently. "Is that some sort of creature?"
Muskateer let out a quick laugh. "No, Saph, a gimmick is like something you're known for. In the past, the musketeers were swordsmen and swashbucklers. It's what they were known for. It was their gimmick, in some sense of the word."
"So, if I understand you correctly," Sapphire began, "then my skin color is a gimmick?"
"Yeah, I guess you can say that," Muskateer answered uneasily. "Ever think of doing promos for IBM or maybe Tidy Bowl?" Sapphire clearly had no idea what the Avenger was talking about.
"I do not understand what this 'promo' is you speak of," Sapphire said slowly. "Is it a form of combat?"
"To a degree," Muskateer said. "The advertising biz is pretty cutthroat."
"It sounds like something I would enjoy," Sapphire said enthusiastically.
"You could definitely make your mark on the tube, Saph," Muskateer said. "So is everyone big and blue where you come from?"
"Yes," she said simply. Muskateer regarded her for a moment and then just shook his head.
"Not much of a conversationalist, huh?", he said finally.
"Is that a bad thing?", Sapphire asked. She had yet to master much of the English language.
Muskateer let out a sigh. "It's not really a good thing or a bad thing, Blue. Just makin' an observation."
"There are times were I think that you Earthlings deliberately make your language difficult to understand," Sapphire remarked.
"I don't know if it's deliberate. It just kinda happens that way," Muskateer answered as they exited the Danger Room. "Of course, English is particularly difficult, since we borrow so many words from other languages. But it is fun to play with."
"At least humans like to do battle," Sapphire said, "That I can understand."
"Yeah, you look like a real brawler, Big Blue," Muskateer offered. "One of these days, we'll have to go a couple rounds."
"I am the undisputed Champion of the Great Arena of Malva," Sapphire stated proudly. "I came to your Earth to battle the previous champion. I believe you know him as Firewing."
"Wow, you must be a heavy hitter, Saph," Muskateer remarked. "I may need a new gimmick for you."
"Why would you want to change the color of your skin for a battle?", Sapphire asked, confusedly. Muskateer was about to try and answer, when he saw Nightingale up ahead. She waved to them and approached.
"You seem to be in a good mood this afternoon, 'Gale," Muskateer observed. The normally pensive heroine was almost bubbly.
"It works!", Nightingale said excitedly. "The Psychnocaine process really works!"
"O-kay," Muskateer said, going from one confusing conversation to another. "What's it do, anyway?"
"I can't understand you," Nightingale answered. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"I see, so it turns you into Sapphire?", Muskateer said, sarcastically. "No offense, Blue."
"She does not resemble me," Sapphire said, yet another confused look on her face. Just then, a beeper signal went off on her communicator. "Excuse me, I am being summoned." With a mighty bound, Sapphire leapt out of sight.
"No sweat, Saph," Muskateer said. "At least I'm down to one unintelligible nutcase here now. What gives, 'Gale? This isn't like you at all." Nightingale moved closer and rolled up Muskateer's mask. "Whoa there, I mean I like you and all, but..."
"There that's better," Nightingale said, stepping back. "Speak slowly and enunciate, if you please."
"O-kay," Muskateer said, with a strange look on his face. He had no idea if this was some sort of weird Sanctuary initiation or something. "I'll say it again: What... gives...?"
"I couldn't understand you, since you had your mouth covered," Nightingale explained. Finally, he had some idea what she was talking about.
"So this Psycho-caine stuff must inhibit your normal telepathy then?", Muskateer reasoned. Nightingale must need to read his lips now.
"Exactly. It is an experimental drug that Dr. Marin and I have been developing. In essence, it numbs the portion of the brain that generates telepathic communication."
"I guess that means mine is numb all the time then. Anyway, it sounds like something that could come in real handy for you," Muskateer said.
"Hopefully. I might actually go out to dinner when we get back to New York," Nightingale said excitedly. It wasn't the sort of thing that most people would make such a big deal over, but for Nightingale, it was a major event.
"Good for you, 'Gale," Muskateer responded. "Have you told Cassie yet?"
"Not yet," Nightingale answered. "I was going to try and find her next." With a cheerful smile and a short wave, Nightingale walked off.
Sometime later that evening, Muskateer and the mysterious Glitter were walking hand in hand down the beach. Over the water the sun was slowly setting, sending a wash of orange, pink and purple through the sky. The warm water swirled around the pair in soothing waves and a light breeze stirred the air. Muskateer had finally dressed down into swimming trunks.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?", Glitter asked, turning to Muskateer.
"Yeah," he answered, putting his arms around her waist, "and the sunset's not bad either."
"You know, Musky," Glitter answered, a coy smile on her face, "a girl could get used to having you around."
"Even if I did something like this?" Suddenly, Muskateer lifted the startled Glitter into the air and flung her out over the water. She splashed into the surf as the waves washed over her completely.
Glitter surfaced, wiping the water from her face. "Why you...!!" She leapt at him and they splashed together into the water. They surfaced again, arm in arm. "That was dirty, Muskateer. Now you owe me for that."
"I owe you, huh? Do you have something in particular in mind?", Muskateer asked, as he gazed into her emerald eyes.
"Oh, I know exactly what I want," she whispered back. "And I usually get what I want."
"I have the feeling you do at that," Muskateer said. "Care to let me in on the secret?"
"Well,.... I'm afraid I can't tell you," Glitter answered teasingly. "But I can show you." She pressed close and met his mouth with hers, lightly at first, then developing into a long lingering embrace. After the passionate kiss had subsided, they both stared silently into each others' eyes for a moment.
"Muskateer?! Is that you, Musky?" A voice called out from the distance. Glitter smiled and looked away.
"You appear to be in great demand this evening," Glitter said, as Muskateer watched Firestar fly in and land on the shore.
"Hi, 'Star, how's it going?", Muskateer asked hesitantly.
"Not as well as you've been from the looks of it," Firestar teased. Muskateer almost blushed with embarrassment. It felt like getting caught by your sister.
"Uh, yeah," he said, fumbling for the right words. "This is Glitter. Glitter, Firestar." Glitter seemed a little irritated now by the sudden interruption.
"Isn't it past her bedtime?", Glitter said icily.
Firestar was a little embarrassed by the situation herself. "We're, uh, getting ready to return to New York, Musky. Nightingale wanted me to, um, see if you were ready to, uh, go back with us?"
Muskateer considered for a moment, as Glitter waited impatiently for his response. "So, what's it gonna be? The Big Apple or little ol' me?", she asked.
"Well, I guess New York will still be there in the morning," Muskateer said finally, after weighing his choices. "I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow, 'Star, okay?"
"Um, yeah, sure," Firestar said. "Bye." With that she flew off back the way she had come. Muskateer hoped he wouldn't end up regretting his decision. Glitter's marvelous smile helped him forget his worries for the moment.
"Sorry for the interruption, beautiful. So what do you feel like doing now? Maybe check out the nightclub?"
"Sounds good to me, Musky," Glitter responded. "And after that, who knows?", she said with a wink.
