Chapter Text
Lonnie Machin looked at the material on his bed with a mix of excitement and fear. The big night has finally arrived! Lonnie took the mask and put it on his face to see the effect. The golden mask imitating those of the theatre had a little something of uncanny about it which pleased him. A jumpsuit with the insignia of anarchy on his chest, cape, dark red wide-brimmed hat, combat boots, gloves, voice box to disguise his voice and prosthetics for his members intended to hide the most important:
Lonnie was 14 years old. And could have easily passed for 12 thanks to stupid puberty for taking its sweet time. Small, thin, blond hair, vivid green eyes, pale skin and if his voice had begun to change, he was not exactly a baritone yet. We've seen more intimidating, let's say. Not like that will stop him. He had worked too hard for that. He has been hacking since he was 11 years old and creating toys for almost as long. Tonight, however, would be his first time on the field.
And that is why he had also chosen a weapon. The goal was not to use it but to be able to use it. He had chosen a stick. He might as well use his Balintawas classes to his advantage (thanks mom for that). Hard but retreatable, modified with an electric sting and a small hidden blade. His laptop and computer equipment were also prepared. Speaking of which...
Lonnie put on the hood, the mask and the hat before activating the voice box while sitting in front of the screen. The mercenary he had hired was now before him.
-Good morning, Bronze Tiger.
-Good morning Money Spider...
-You can call me by name instead of my alias," says Lonnie. -It's Anarky.
-Very well, Anarky, said the mercenary ready to play the game of another Gotham costume freak as long as he was paid.
-You have received my instructions for tonight and your advance? continued Lonnie.
-Yes, my men and I will be ready for the gala.
-Perfect. Don't forget, no murder or molestation but I tolerate the use of force and if you want to steal some jewels, don't be shy.
-All right. See you tonight.
-Good bye.
Perfect timing because 2 minutes later.
-Lonnie! Hurry up, you're going to be late!
-I'll be right there, Mom, just a minute," said Lonnie as he quickly put his gear away and picked up his school bag.
He went down to the kitchen to find his parents. His father drinking his coffee and his mother cooking.
-Mom, I had made my lunch...
-And you're going to give half of it to the first homeless you feel bad for," said his mother. -No wonder it takes you so long to grow up.
-Not his brain at least. Already college, says his father. -Who knows? Maybe my son will be my colleague soon.
-No, it could be embarrassing if you're your boss's father," Lonnie's mother retorted.
-To answer your question, I'm still considering my options," says Lonnie. -And why do you say I'll be late? I still have...
-The Joker threw a bomb in the subway.
-Not again," sighed Lonnie.
-Unfortunately, yes," said Lonnie's mother, handing him the bag of food.
Lonnie took it and put it in his backpack before passing the door and saying:
-Have a nice day mom and dad!
*******
Lonnie hurried to the usual alley where Leg stay. Lonnie had befriended the old man while handing out food to the homeless and found himself having fascinating conversations with him. Leg had initially refused Lonnie's charity with the defense that he didn't want to take the bread out of the child's mouth but Lonnie had told him that his company was worth it.
And thank God, he had decided to make a turn. He heard the screams. Lonnie ran over to see three idiots beating the poor disabled man. Time to test his new toy!
-Hey bastards! Come and pick on someone your own size!" shouted Lonnie, pulling his staff out of his bag.
One of the vandals laughs as he looks Lonnie up and down.
-Get out of the way kid!
Lonnie responded by stepping forward and swinging his staff with all his might into the face of the first assailant. A surprisingly satisfying crack was heard as Lonnie breaks his nose followed by higher pitches as several of his teeth fall to the floor. The man makes a sound that reminds Lonnie of a distressed pig. The second one threw himself at him but Lonnie hit him with his staff in the stomach and released the electricity. He also screamed and Lonnie took the opportunity to hit him a second time and throw him against his accomplice on the floor.The last one tried his luck and Lonnie tried to hit him with his staff but the man caught it. Lonnie sent a dose of electricity but nothing happened.
-Nice try," said the vandal, showing his gloves.
Lonnie smiled at him and pressed one of the buttons on his staff. The blade came out, going through his gloves, cutting his hands badly and grazing his face.
-AAAAHHH!!!
-You can leave or I can cut you more pieces, your choice.
The man and his accomplices fled without question and once they were out of his sight, Lonnie rushed to Leg.
-Leg! Are you okay?
-I've...coughed...known better.
Lonnie looked around for the rolling board that Leg used to move around. He eventually found it between two garbage cans, with a wheel missing.
-Damn," Lonnie groaned.
-Let it be, I'll manage...
-Leg, you have no legs, you are bleeding, maybe a bone or two broken, the nights are cold...
-Well, I'm an adult, you're a kid and you're going to be late for school.
-I'm disappointed, your arguments are usually better," says Lonnie. -Look, we'll just do what we did last time with Biggie.
-You found me some clothes to wear last time. Do you think they'll let me pass in rags and smelling like garbage can number 5? And there's a limit to how many baby trust fund credit card you can use!
-For amounts under $200 made by people who don't remember what they did in the last three days, you'd be surprised! I'll just rent the room and put you through the back door. A piece of cake! Lonnie said as he placed the old man on his board as best he could.
******
Dick was going to be late again. It wasn't his fault. Bruce could afford to make up for his lost nights, him!
Still half asleep, he was taken out of his reverie by a horn blow.
-Get the hell out of the way!" yelled a motorist.
-I'm doing my best, jackass! shouted a young blond boy pulling a handicapped and bloody man on a board in poor condition.
He finally managed to reach the sidewalk with the wounded man. Dick parked his motorcycle on the curb and went to meet them.
-Hey ... Alonzo! Is that right? From philosophy class?
-Lonnie. Nobody calls me Alonzo except my grandmother, Dick.
-A bit harsh," remarked Leg.
-My name is Richard," says Dick.
-Ah! My mistake...
Leg coughed and blood dripped from his chin.
-Sorry Dick but we are in a hurry, Lonnie said, looking worriedly at Leg.
-He needs to see a doctor.
-Do I look like a guy who can afford it?" asked Leg.
-Look, I'll take care of it," says Lonnie.
-With what?" asked Dick.
-I have some money saved up.
If having money on the side means stealing from idiots like your foster father and be able to make swallow a lot of bullshit to people by playing the rich white brat.
-Look, I know someone who can help," Dick insisted. -Dr. Thompkins is a friend of ours, I can call her and ask someone to bring him to her clinic. She does consultations for people without means and if it will please us to help if ...uh...your name?
-Leg.
-Leg?
-That's his initials: Leo Elvis Gram," Lonnie explained.
Dick looked at the man with the missing legs and wondered if there was a curse in Gotham that caused your name to ironically influence your life.
-Just let me find a phone booth to call.
-I don't want to make you late or cause you any trouble," Lonnie tried weakly.
Lonnie beware of anyone associated with Wayne industry. A lot of strange transition and project that seemed more related to surveillance or military rather than their usual businesses. Also a computer protection that he was unable to break. He wasn't so full of himself that he thought he was the best in the business, but he was definitely in the top 100. And Wayne Industry had someone who was just as good if not better than him. What kind of dirty little secret were they hiding? But on the other hand, Leg really needed care and it was better than a hotel and having a doctor who was there professionally, not because Lonnie threatened to send his wife compromising pictures (only if it's true, he wouldn't blackmail someone who had nothing to be ashamed of).
-It's my pleasure," Dick said.
*****
A fancy car had arrived and a guy who Lonnie figured was Bruce Wayne's valet (yuck) had come to pick up Leg. He was polite to the homeless man to Lonnie's pleasant surprise. A shame that this guy was reduced to being a nanny for a rich idiot.
-I took the liberty of warning the university that you and your friend, Master Dick, would be late.
-Thank you Alfred.
-Thank ," says Lonnie.
As the car started and pulled away, Lonnie started to move but was stopped by Dick.
-Do you want a ride?
-...Why not?
*****
They would have to wait until break to get back to class, but at least they wouldn't get in trouble. If Lonnie was honest, he had to admit that Dick was quite nice. Maybe he was adopted by rich idiot (probably to help his image) but he had good value.
-It's pretty cool of you to help the homeless," said Dick.
-I could return the compliment," says Lonnie.
-I try to help where I can. If everyone did the same thing, the world would be a better place, right?
-Yes, but it is a rare species and the concept of what is good is controlled by the powerful and rich.
-You are cynical.
-Not so much. Otherwise, I wouldn't try to help it rather than let it burn, now would I?
-Do you want to work in the community?
-Yes, Lonnie says with a smile.
Dick didn't know why, but a chill ran through him. Something about the teenager made him uncomfortable. His tone was gentle, his expression calm, nothing aggressive in his body language and yet...
Something terrifying seemed to emanate from his person.
-And you?" asked Lonnie, pulling Dick out of his thoughts. -What do you want to do? Take over the family tradition?
-Are you talking about Wayne Instrutrie? I'm probably gonna manage some of it, yes. But I'm not sure about the rest. Before I knew but now...I hesitate a lot let's say.
It was so much easier when his future was the circus.
-Do you even have an idea of where you're going?" asked Lonnie.
-To help the city in some way like you, I would say.
-You can never have too much help in there," says Lonnie amused.
*****
Dick was nice, Lonnie thought as he gathered his things in the dead of night. This was the reason for his decision to leave 5% of their assets to these rich fools. Because the few like Dick deserve a chance. It was more than enough to live comfortably.
Lonnie smiled as he walked out the window to the gala.