Black Lightning and Static #1 (of 5)

“Please, just take the cash. I have kids!” A man screamed from a nearby alley.

“I gotta go Ollie, talk to you later.” Jeff said in a hurried manner and flipped his phone closed. As he silently crept up towards the alley, he heard a click. Poking his head around the corner, he saw that a man had just pulled the hammer of a pistol back and was pointing it at a frightened man.

“No more powers. This is really stupid but...” Jeff began sprinting towards the criminal. Surprised, the crook quickly pointed the gun at him. With mere feet between them, Jeff noticed the man's index finger pulling the trigger.

BANG!

Jeff stood there with his hands in front of his face. As he lowered his arms and looked around, he saw both the criminal and the victim staring at him in shock. As Jeff slowly shifted his gaze to the ground, he saw the bullet lying in front of him.

“How the hell did you--?” The criminal began to speak only to be interrupted by Jeff knocking the weapon out of his hand. He followed that up with a left hook, then grabbed the thief's coat and proceeded to throw him to the ground. As he walked towards the barely conscious man, the man threw up his arms swiftly.

“Aright, aright, take it man.” He said holding the other man's wallet, who was still in awe of Jeff's survival of the point blank shot. Jeff took the wallet and the crook jerked his hand back on contact.

“Ow!” Jeff met his reaction with a confused look. “Damn static electricity man.”


***********************


A few hours later across town Robert sat in the waiting room of the massive building.

“Mr. Alva will see you now, sir.” The secretary said in a nasally voice. Robert stood and proceeded to push open the doors. Inside, he saw a chair facing the wall of windows that ominously watched over the entire city.

“Just like a Bond villain, how fitting.” He muttered walking closer to the desk.

“It all looks so insignificant from here, doesn't it, Mr. Hawkins?” Edwin Alva spoke from behind the desk.

“I'm sorry?”

“Humanity. From here, all I see is technology, industry…”

“I knew this was a bad idea.” As Robert began to stand back up, the chair spun around and Alva gestured for him to halt.

“Please, sit, I was merely making an observation. Small talk.”

Robert cautiously sat back down.

“So I see that you have finally considered my offer. I knew it would only be a matter of time before you realized that helping the poor doesn't accomplish anything.”

“I came here because my family needs the money. No other reasons Alva.” Robert replied with contempt in his voice.

“I doubt I'll ever understand your reasoning Robert. You graduated at the top of your class, on track to becoming one of the leading scientists in the nation, and what do you do? You open a piss-ant clinic for bums and crack whores.”

“Those people you talk about are the same who suffer because of your constant renovation of their homes, pushing them out to these terrible neighborhoods when you have more than enough resources to help them.”

“I noticed that your wife works at a volunteer center as well. What are you trying to prove Robert? Humanity is all about survival of the fittest, not …”

Robert was quick to interrupt him again. “Look, we could argue this all day, but I reluctantly came here about a job. So what is it you want me to do, help support your disgusting excuse for a mayoral campaign?”

“For you? No. I have a project that actually utilizes your scientific abilities. Our doctor working on it right now is developing a chemical that actually changes the genetic structure of DNA. We could create metahumans. They could work to progress technology, fight in wars...the possibilities are endless!”

“Other than my scientific achievements, how does this relate to me?”

“I have heard from various anonymous sources that years ago you worked with some notable vigilantes developing weaponry and materials for them. One of the names that caught my attention was The Black Lightning.”

“Yeah, a long time ago. I worked with the guy, helped create a suit that worked with his powers”

“Oh I think you did more than that. You created the chemical that gave Black Lightning his powers.”

“It was a stupid thing to do, it could have killed him.”

“That is why you will be given a team to work with.”

“I can't do this, how do I know this will be used for good?”

“I can't reveal my benefactor, but I can promise good pay. Think of your family, Robert.”

Robert lowered his head. As much as he hated to think, he needed this job. Before he could respond, both of their cell phones rang.

“I need to get this. Why don't you take your call out in the lobby, leave your answer with my secretary.” Alva directed Robert out the door as they answered the calls.

“This is Alva, I've been waiting on your call Emer...Oh that's right you go by that other name now. Well whatever the case is, my benefactor wants to see a successful test by next week. I'm bringing in someone else on the project...yes I know how you like working alone, but he is as qualified as you are, though I will need you to keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't stick his nose where it doesn't belong.”


***********************


Meanwhile, Robert exited the room and flipped open his phone.

“Hi Jeff...whoa, whoa slow down, one thing at a time...I received a call, Virgil should be getting released as early as Thursday if all goes well...I told you that your powers were still in your system, we ran the test last week, the chemical is just dormant in your bloodstream, something is preventing it from...I'm sorry, your running for what?”

Thursday...

I got shot, what's next? I put my neck on the line for these guys everyday, and....I guess it's just par for the course. No one ever understands why I hang around these guys, my parents especially. Mr. Pierce once told me I was better than them. Whatever happened to “every man is created equal”? You don't grow up in the same struggle as someone else and just abandon them. These aren't just 'some guys' I hang with. They're family. Just because they make mistakes doesn't mean anyone has the right to tell them that they can't succeed in life.

Virgil felt something in his pocket vibrating. He took out his cell phone and looked at a new text message.

“Speak of the devil.” Virgil mumbled under his breath.

'Yo, sorry bout getting you shot V, come outside we got a surprise'

Virgil exited the room and made his way to the front desk.

“I'm not going to see you in here again, am I?” The nurse behind the counter said.

“I don't know Nurse sweet thang. Maybe we can talk about that over dinner.” Virgil said in a flirtatious tone.

“Uh, I don't think that's going to happen.” She responded.

“What's wrong? You don't date patients? I'm not even a patient anymore. In fact, I've often been called impatient!”

“Sorry Virgil, you're a little young for me.”

“Yeah, you'll be saying different when I walk in here, two years from now, a handsome, 18 year old man.”

“Good-bye Virgil.”

As he walked through the automatic sliding doors, he saw his friends standing next to their car.

“Come on man, this is for the ambulance, you can't park here!” Virgil shouted.

“Oh, my bad V. Get in we got a surprise for you soldier.”

“Well, as long as it's not getting shot, I'm all for it, Chris.” Virgil said as he got into the backseat of the car. “How did that math test go, Jimmy?”

“I got a D! Can you believe it?” Jimmy responded from the passenger seat.

“I can believe that I'm gonna smack you for every hour you spent not going over what we studied.”

“I've been workin’ on my rhymes though V, I've been writing and getting these beats.”

“You can get a beatdown if you doesn't pull a C next time. You think math doesn't come into play even for a rapper? How are you gonna know if dudes working for you are shortchanging you. How are you gonna pay your bills and do your taxes. Come on son, think.”

“Man, lay off Virgil. Why you always ridin' him like that. You know he's not smart like you.” Chris responded as they drove off.

“Maybe if you didn't treat him like an idiot he wouldn't think he was an idiot instead of accepting that he is and not trying to be anything better! You do the same to yourself, I know you're better than gang banging and committing crimes and--”

Chris slammed on the brakes and turned around to face Virgil.

“This is life. I live. Not everyone has parents like yours who help you get educated and learn right. And the crime? I do what I do to get mine, the law doesn't care about us in the streets, so why should I care about the law? How bout stop stickin' your nose in our business telling us how to live like you, maybe we don't want to be like you. Damn, try not thinkin' about yourself for a second man.”

“I just got shot for you guys! You wanna talk about selfish?”

Chris turned back around and continued driving. A few minutes went by with no one saying anything.

“So where we going?” Virgil said to break the silence.

“We're here.” Another person in the car replied as the car stopped at outside of a chemical disposal plant. Everyone got out of the vehicle and Virgil noticed more people arriving.

“Oh no. This isn't some gang initiation is it? I told you, I don't want anything to do with that stuff.”

“You already made that clear. This isn't about you joining a gang. It's about revenge for what happened to you. Here..” Chris pulled out a pistol and handed it to Virgil. “Take this.” Virgil knocked it out of his hands.

“Are you stupid? So much bad has happened in our lives because of guns. My mom was paralyzed by one. I was shot by one. Our best friend, Tony was killed by one! Or did you forget that?”

“Don't talk to me like I forgot! Everyday I think about him, that's what keeps me fighting. Hotsreak and the Heat have pushed me past my limit, we're settling this once and for all. Besides, he's been bothering you for a long time, it's time you stand up for yourself. You can't let your enemies think you're soft.”

“Just because I don't fight doesn't mean I'm a punk.” Before Virgil could finish his sentence, about 50 yards away, the Heat began to approach. Chris quickly pulled out a pistol and began firing. Soon after, both sides began running at each other, dozens of guns blazing. Virgil ran and took cover behind the building. His hands shaking, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed '911'.

“Hello, there's a gang war down at the Alva chemical disposal plant...yeah, it's huge, The Bangers and the Heat...my name is--” A hand grabbed the phone and smashed it against the wall of the building.

“Virgil Hawkins. How's the arm doing buddy?” Beside him stood Francis Stone a.k.a. ‘Hotstreak’. The punk that shot him.

“Hotstreak. And to answer your question, it's doin’ alright, nice try though.” Virgil said with a nervous smile.

“Well, I guess I'll have to try harder this time!” Hotstreak punched him in his bandaged arm and Virgil fell to the ground in pain.


***********************


Not far away, Chris and The Bangers took cover behind large crates.

“Those bastards got Big Wilson, reload and get ready to—hey, where's Virgil? And where's Hotstreak?” Chris yelled out. When his response was met with shrugs, he ran back to where they had parked their car. “Damn it!”

“Yo Chris! Without Killah Chris, what are we gonna do Spinner?” Jimmy said frantically.

“Settle down man, he said Hotstreak was gone too. That evens it out. It's time to blow they heads off!” Spinner screamed.


***********************


On the other side, the Heat members took cover as well.

“What's wrong with you Shiv? I haven't seen you shoot one bullet!” A girl shouted at one of the members.

“I'm scared Puff! Why'd I have to come here?” Shiv replied.

“I knew we shouldn't have brought a Shiv to a gun fight.” Puff added, blowing her purple hair away from her face. “Who murked Big Wil?”

“I swear it's like time slows down when I aim this thing. Brrrat! Lick a shot right in the fo'head, now my foe's dead son! Ya murdered fool. I'm merciless! HaHA!” A member with a red bandana called Split boosted, playfully aiming his gun.

“Nicely done Split. Keep that up.”


***********************


“Let's see how my aim is when I'm not moving.” Hotstreak said as he pushed Virgil up to the wall and shoved his gun in his face.

“You've always been a coward, Francis. Go ahead and do it.” Virgil lifted his chin in the air.

“He's right. You've never been anyone, so you takin' out on a innocent bystander like Virgil.” Chris walked around the corner with his gun fixed on Hotstreak. Just then, bright lights shined on the two gangs as well as Virgil, Hotstreak, and Chris.

“This is the SCPD! Put your weapons down and get on the ground!” An officer yelled out from a helicopter high up. The police chopper was shortly followed by a news helicopter.

“How--?” Chris said, shocked by the arrival.

“Your pal Virgil is a snitch! Still don't want me to shoot him?”

“Virgil? How could you...forget about that, shoot the cops and get the hell out of here!” Chris and Hotstreak began firing at the helicopter.

“Open fire!” The officer shouted and the men in the helicopter began firing. The gang members scattered until they hit a fence accompanied by metal containers and fired at the police. As the officers fired back, they all quickly took cover behind the containers. As bullets punctured the containers, a purple gas began to creep out of them.

“I don't like the look of these things. Yo Split, what's that say?” Shiv asked.

“Can't you read man? It says hazardous mater...i...al.....” Split replied as the gas surrounded the gang members.

“There's some chemical leak, get the hell out of here!” The officers screamed. The helicopter pulled away as the gas began to spread.

“Quit running! Get back here and fight!” Hotstreak yelled out and fired at the helicopters.

“Stop!” Virgil yelled out. As a bullet hit the side of a container, a spark flew out and connected with the gas. A mushroom cloud of gas encompassed everything in a one-mile radius and Virgil blacked out.

Jefferson pulled his car up to the area wearing his Black Lightning uniform. He saw the police officers returning to the scene after letting the gas dissipate. All of them were pointing their guns at a mysterious glowing young man.

“Put down your...uh, weapons...and we won't shoot.” An officer nervously yelled out on a megaphone.
The teen let out an enormous burst of energy. The police were knocked to their feet, Jefferson felt an intense but familiar feeling jolt his body and thoughts began racing through his mind:


Clear! Shock to my system. A crisis is coming. No. A crisis is already here. Identity crisis. Mid-life crisis. Life is an infinite crisis. My life is a mess. At what point did everything just explode on me? Big Bang. Who am I?

Can barely think straight, too much static. No wait, deja vu, I've been here before. Take control. This is just like the first time I gained powers. That burst of energy jump-started something in me. I feel the electricity in my body. Is this power a curse? Is it black lightning? No. Still confused from the power boost. Open your eyes and look. No. I'm not ready to look yet. It's too dark, not enough light in my life. Too much black, not enough lightning. What? Am I not proud of my blackness, afraid of the dark streets I grew up on so I try to lighten my own life and turn my back on them? What am I?

I don't know. Jefferson Pierce. Mr. Pierce, English teacher. Mayor Pierce. Black Lightning. A failure. A success. A confused man still growing up. This is grown man talk, but I'm approaching this like a kid. Impulsively jumping into a mayoral race because I think it's a quick fix. I don't need shock impulses, I need to be a shock absorber. Look at the long term. Where will I be in 5 years? 10? Will I be alive then as Black Lightning? Will I be satisfied then as Mayor? Will I still be Jefferson Pierce? Who is Jefferson Pierce? He's a man who's had his eyes closed for way too long. Open your damn eyes. See the light. Go towards the light. This isn't death, this is rebirth. Don't repeat mistakes. Don't rerun from problems. Don't have relapses in judgment. Don't let the darkness blind. Open. Your. Eyes.


Jefferson opened his eyes to see the police pointing their weapons at the mysterious teenager whose glow had ceased.

“He's attacking! Open fire!” The officers yelled.

“Oh God. Virgil.” Jeff spoke under his breath as he watched dozens of officers open fire.

Big Bang!



To be continued…