In For A Penny

Tabi looked down at her right hand and glanced back up at the woman standing before her. She wondered what 'safe' was supposed to mean?

"In for a penny in for a pound," she whispered as she whipped her hand back. It quickly started to glow as she swung it forward hurling a glowing little ball at the new hero. 1 after the other after the other she tossed the spheres as they exploded against their target!

Kara had tried to catch the 1st & as it blew up in her hand she was surprised as the world slowed down & she could see the fragments...........the smoke..........it hurt but not nearly as much as she thought it should have. She saw the balls flying at her at started to swat them aside but each explosion hurt a little bit more as she stepped back once. Then twice. Then her left knee suddenly felt weak but not in the good way! One more ball hit & her knee collapsed down on Rex whom Kara was still standing over. She felt his chest rise against her leg & thought, "He's still breathing!"

Bending forward the woman now known as Reygina did her best to shield Rex. As powerful as she felt she still felt tiny next to the large muscular man at her feet. Feeling at her sides she grabbed the corners of the cape she now wore and pulled the cape up & forward hoping it would offer greater protection.

Bending her head to her chest she closed her eyes & almost fought back tears..............she was not scared but was starting to feel desperate under the relentless assault!!!!

*BAAAAMMMMMMFFFF!*

A sound that Reygina felt more than heard came from behind her..........like a giant balloon popping in reverse some how. She smelled sulfur.

Opening her eyes & peering under her cape she saw 2 strange feet, sort of like monkeys' paws but with fewer toes.

"Rex!!!!!!" a voice called, "Rex!!!!!!! I need your help! This guy with big eyes is..............Rex? Oh my god, Rex!!!!!!!"

The new arrival rushed to check on Rex.

"He's still alive," said Reygina, struggling against Tabi's onslaught.

The man behind her now realized the danger & ducked behind Reygina, "And you are?"

Reygina could scarcely think about the question when suddenly she had an idea! Looking up she saw a ball coming at her. Reaching out she tried to very carefully grab it out of the air instead of stopping it. Grasping it gingerly she drew it back slowing it down & handing it to the strange man behind her.

"Teleport behind her!" she yelled.

"................genius!" the pink lips on his face curled in to a smirk!

*BAAAAMMMMMMFFFF!*

*BAAAAMMMMMMFFFF!*

"Here 'fraulein'............catch!!!!!" a 3 fingered hand appeared behind Tabi & tossed the ball at the back of her head.

*BAAAAMMMMMMFFFF!*

"............wha............." *BOOOOOM!* Tabi's words were cut short as she fell to the ground unconscious!!!!

*BAAAAMMMMMMFFFF!*

The man reappeared between Tabi & Reygina.

Reygina stumbled around him to check on the fallen Tabi, "Is she okay?"

Feeling for a pulse Reygina felt a beat & gasped a sigh of relief.

"Nice plan," said the man, "but your name was.............?"

"Reygina," she said as she stood & turned, ".............I.................I................guess...........I'm not sure how I know that..............."

"Voice in your head? That happens more than you may think! I'm............."

"Nocturne!" Reygina interrupted, "I know! It's an honor to meet you!"

Reygina blushed a little.

"Well, 'Ray'," said Nocturne, "Welcome to the team! Since Rex looks a little worn out, I think the 2 of us to help the rest of the Champions! Think you are up to it?"

"The rest?" Kara was taken aback, "Are they in trouble?"

"All under attack. I used our link with that voice you heard to teleport to get Rex." replied Nocturne. "They seem to be trying to divide & conquer so I thought I could try to mess up their plans. It seems to have worked!"

Reygina had to agree, "It did!"

"Alright," Nocturne moved forward & gently touched Reygina's arm, "pardon my reach but I'm going to teleport us to Hawkstar..............he is closest!"

"............hawkstar..........?" Reygina said sheepishly & visually blushed as the 2 vanished in a puff of smoke!

*BAAAAMMMMMMFFFF!*

Reygina Comes!

The Champions of Hope had become the heroes that the world needed....................defenders of the defenceless & protectors of the unfortunate!

Rex was seen as their leader....................the greatest hero that the world had ever known! Arriving one morning to appear on 'Good Morning America', @christopher-rex sico was to be the spokes person for the heroes of the world. Anxious but confident as he landed outside the studio, he was met by the show's producer, Kara Sorensen.

'Welcome, Rex!' Kara waved and rushed toward her hero.

Kara had been a producer for the show for the past 6 months. Working night & day, she had managed to find a path to the Champions. She desperately worked to meet any of the Champions, & finally convinced them to grant her television program the 1st official interview with a real live super hero!

This would make her career! & as she grabbed the hand of the greatest super hero who had ever lived Kara was over joyed.................if not a little bit disappointed that hawkstar had not been sent. The thought made her blush slightly.

Distracted by her own thoughts kara had no idea at the events that were about to transpire..............a tremendous explosion rang out as Rex was thrown back! A woman in purple & yellow fell from the heavens!

'Sorry, Rex!' cried the woman! 'The Next Wave is making their move!'

Poised over the hero, glowing balls appeared in the woman's hands, 'Not that we want to stop you but H.A.T.E. says beating you will raise our profile more than we could hope from any other promotion!..................Monica, it's Tabi! Rex is down!'

An electronic voice responded, 'I have Blue Beacon, & the rest of the team has taken the rest of the Champions!'

Lying on the ground, Kara recoiled in fear....................how could this be happening she thought?

Suddenly in her mind she heard a voice, 'Kara Sorensen...............you are capable of great strength...............great enough to save your heroes! You are needed & must be chosen now!'

Kara felt a strange energy & a clawing at her chest.................reaching down she ripped open her top to reveal a costume similar to that of her hero Rex!

Rising to her feet Kara yelled, 'It's okay! Reygina is here!'

The woman Kara knew only as Tabi turned toward her, 'Can I help you?'

'Yes.............', Reygina replied, ' you can back away!'

Unleashing beams of heat from her eyes, Reygina threw Tabi back! Reygina stepped forward & stood protectively over Rex!

Struggling to her feet, Tabi placed her hand to her ear, 'Monica! I have a problem! There is a woman here with all of Rex's powers!'

The electronic voice replied, 'Engage if it is a safe!'