Chapter 14: Dyna Girl

 

A month later, Lori found herself sitting across from Kris, who immediately glared at her suspiciously. “What are you doing here?” Kris demanded, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. The weight of Lori's gaze revealed the painful truth before she even spoke: “Tim is dead.” The news hit Kris like a punch to the gut; her complexion drained, and a storm of fury brewed in her eyes. “When I get out, I will kill you,” she spat, venom lacing her words.

Lori was speechless but understood. “I’m truly sorry, Kris, I really am,” she replied, her voice trembling with regret.

 “I’m not going to forgive you, ever!” Kris screamed, her frustration echoing off the walls as she slammed the phone down with a force that startled the guards. They swiftly intervened, escorting her back to her cell while she hurled curses in Lori's direction.

 Lori stood alone, brushing away a tear before walking away, the weight of guilt pressing down on her chest. She sighed, realizing that she had never taken a life until now, and was left to confront the haunting aftermath of an accident that would forever alter her path. As days turned into weeks and then years, Tim's memory remained etched in her mind, a stark reminder of life's fragility and the impact of a fleeting moment.

When Kris was finally released, she attempted to fulfill her promise but was thwarted by Lady Lightning and Electra Woman, leading her back into jail.

In 1976, a young woman began her journey with Newsmaker magazine. Lori glanced at the new employee as the editor introduced her, “This is Judy Sterling.” A look of recognition crossed Lori's face, her eyes widening in surprise.

“I remember you,” she said, her broad smile conveying a sense of warmth and familiarity. Judy, brimming with enthusiasm, replied, “Yes! You gave me your card and told me I could submit my resume whenever I was ready to join the team.”

 Lori, intrigued, responded, “Alright, let’s see what you can do.” They quickly delved into a story about a group of thieves targeting banks, and Judy demonstrated her capabilities impressively. As the weeks progressed, Lori found herself growing fond of the idea of having Judy as a sidekick. She even invited her to join a martial arts class, where she eagerly shared her knowledge of various techniques. Judy, not only intelligent but also a quick learner, thrived in this new environment, showcasing her physical fitness and adaptability.

 One evening, Lori turned to her Uncle Frank and said, “I’m going to invite Judy over for dinner.”

Frank, intrigued, replied, “Sure, why not?” Then, with a hint of curiosity, he asked, “Are you thinking about a sidekick?” Lori nodded in agreement, and Frank felt a sense of satisfaction at the prospect. Lori found herself in need of both a sidekick and a friend, as Geraldine had decided to retire her superhero persona and Manuel had met a man who he really loved, and he wanted to create a new life with. This led to the official dissolution of their group, though they still gathered occasionally at the Diner when time allowed. During dinner, the evening unfolded seamlessly. Feeling at ease, Lori shared her secret of being Electra Woman, but Judy took it as a lighthearted joke.

“Oh stop,” Judy laughed lightly and took a sip of her wine, clearly enjoying the moment. With Frank's nod of approval, Lori led her to the Electra Base. Judy's eyes widened in disbelief as she exclaimed, "Oh my god, no way!" Lori introduced her to the Electra Car and asked if she wanted to take a ride. "Awesome, yes!" Judy replied, her excitement palpable as she realized Lori was Electra Woman. As the car soared into the sky, Judy's face lit up with wonder.

 "Wow, this is so cool," she marveled, the full moon casting a magical glow over the landscape as they headed toward the beach.

"This is so groovy," she said, her enthusiasm infectious. Lori asked if the flying made her feel queasy, to which Judy chuckled, "No way, this is groovy!" Her eyes sparkled with delight as they flew back home, savoring every exhilarating moment.

Lori looked at Judy with a playful smirk. “Should I call you Lori or Electra Woman?” Judy asked.

“You can just call me Lori,” came the reply as Lori settled onto the couch, while Frank stood nearby, cradling a cup of coffee. Curiosity piqued, and Judy asked, “Why did you show me all of this?” Lori exchanged a glance with Frank before responding, “I was hoping you’d consider being my sidekick. You have the talent and intelligence for it. I can teach you how to fight and how to use our gadgets.” Judy took a seat in the chair opposite Lori, and after a brief silence, her face brightened as she exclaimed, “Yes! I’m so excited you asked; I would love to be your sidekick. It’s going to be amazing!” Lori shared a satisfied smile with Frank before adding, “You’ll need a costume,” Frank said, suggesting they head to the Electra Base. He had been working on a cool device that could whip up a costume in no time. It is called the Electra Replicator. Pointing to a gadget that resembled a microwave, he encouraged Lori to press the button. As she did, a neatly folded costume materialized inside. Lori opened the door and pulled it out, free of any rips or blood stains unlike her previous one. 

Judy, eager to join in, asked “Can I try?” Frank looked at Lori, who nodded encouragingly. “What’s your sidekick’s name?” he asked. After a moment of thought, Judy snapped her fingers and suggested, “Dyna Girl.” Lori’s face lit up in agreement, and Frank quickly entered a code into the replicator, producing another costume.

“Fantastic,” Lori exclaimed, while Judy added, “Groovy.” With excitement, they decided to head upstairs, where Judy emerged from the bathroom in her new outfit, marveling at how awesome it looked. Frank took a sip from his cup, smiling at their enthusiasm, before mentioning he had something important to discuss with them.  “What is it, Frank?” Lori asked, curious.

“The villains are getting smarter and creating new higher tech gadgets, so I will continue developing for you gadgets that will keep you one step ahead of the game.” Lori nodded.

The following day, Frank received a report about a figure known as the Sorcerer, who had been stirring up trouble.

 "So, Dyna Girl, ready to check this out?"

 "Sure thing, Electra Woman," Judy replied, her excitement evident.

As time went by, Lori wrestled with the idea of revealing the heavy secret she carried regarding Tim's death. That evening, while enjoying dinner at a local restaurant, Lori started to tell Judy. "Hey, Judy, there's something I need to share," Lori began, hesitating. "I never mentioned that..."

"I know," Judy interjected gently, placing her hand over Lori's in a reassuring gesture.

Judy shared with Lori what Frank had confided in her about Tim, emphasizing how Lori had carried the weight of guilt for so long. "Lori, you need to let that go; it wasn’t your fault. Sometimes life throws curveballs, and we just have to accept it," she reassured her friend. "You’re a genuinely good person, and anyone who knows you can see that." Lori smiled, feeling a sense of relief washing over her as she nodded in agreement.

 "Alright, let’s head home and get ready. We have a city to protect," she replied, her spirits lifted. Judy's face lit up with a grin at the thought of their mission.

 "And I just want to say how grateful I am that you and Frank let me stay with you," she added, feeling a warmth in their friendship. Lori gave her friend a hug and climbed into her blue Chevrolet Camaro. The Electra Car is reserved for their superhero adventures. As they sped off, leaving behind the worries of the day, they knew they were in this together, fighting crime side by side. "Friends forever," Judy remarked, glancing over at Lori, who nodded in agreement, their bond stronger than ever.

(As we reach the conclusion of "Electra Woman & Dyna Girl: Savages," it's important to reflect on the journeys of our beloved characters. While I chose not to include an epilogue, as their fates are well-known to fans, I can share that, much like Lady Lightning, Electra Woman eventually decided to retire her superhero persona and embrace a new chapter in life through marriage. Dyna Girl followed suit, finding her own happiness in a similar way. 

However, life took a bittersweet turn when Frank, a significant figure in their lives, passed away a few years later, leaving a poignant mark on their story. This ending encapsulates the blend of triumph and tragedy that often accompanies the lives of heroes, reminding us that even those who wear capes must eventually face the realities of life.)

Six Years Later

Lori and Judy, known to the world as Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, faced numerous villains during their superhero days, but as time passed, both women yearned for a different kind of life. Judy cherished her bond with Lori, feeling as close as sisters, and those years spent together were the highlight of her life. However, she felt it was time to embrace a new chapter. In December 1982, Judy met Craig Bloom, a charming man who owned a small furniture business, and they quickly fell in love. While Lori grappled with the idea of losing her best friend, she understood that this change was inevitable. 

Judy comforted her, promising that she would always make time to visit, aware that Lori's greatest fear was loneliness. Despite having her uncle Frank around, it wasn’t the same as having a close female friend to confide in. Judy was like a ray of sunshine, bringing joy and energy into Lori's life. When Judy married, Lori's tears were not of joy for her friend, but rather a reflection of her own sadness, though she skillfully hid her true emotions. 

Over the years, Judy welcomed three children into her family, naming one of her daughters after Lori, a gesture that spoke volumes about their enduring friendship. True to her word, Judy frequently visited Lori, who took on the role of godmother to Judy’s kids, ensuring that their bond remained strong despite the changes life had brought.

At the age of 40, Lori's life took an unexpected turn when she crossed paths with Marcia Lane, a captivating woman five years her junior. Marcia ignited a spark within Lori that she had either buried deep down or simply overlooked for years. With her light brown hair, enchanting green eyes, and a smile that could light up any room, Marcia quickly became the object of Lori's affections. Although it took some time for Lori to muster the courage to express her feelings, the moment she finally did, she was met with warmth rather than rejection. 

Marcia's response was a gentle smile accompanied by the words, "I feel the same," which solidified an unspoken bond between them. From that instant, when Marcia took Lori's hand, it was clear that Lori had discovered her soulmate, someone she could envision sharing her life with. Excited to share this new chapter, Lori confided in her close friend Judy, who was like a sister to her. Judy's reaction was one of pure joy, celebrating Lori's newfound love. Even Lori's uncle embraced her choices, offering his support and best wishes for their future together. As the years went by, Lori and Marcia took a significant step in their journey by adopting a child, officially becoming a family and further solidifying their deep connection.

(This ends the tale of Electra Woman and Dyna Girl I hope you enjoyed this fanfiction and please give it a rate/review.)

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Chapter 13: Retribution

 

Tim arrived at Lori's uncle's house before she did, but he quickly realized the property was secured with high-tech detectors and cameras, a testament to Frank's knack for staying ahead in technology. Faced with this advanced security, Tim opted not to wait for Lori. Unbeknownst to him, she had already entered the property using the Electra car through a hidden cave entrance on the other side of the hill. “I will kill you, Electra Woman,” he promised himself as he drove away. 

Kris finds herself locked up with no chance of bail, and despite her skills in fighting and survival, the years until her parole seem to stretch endlessly. She often thinks about her brother, hoping he’s doing okay. Meanwhile, weeks have gone by without any sign of Tim, but Lori stays vigilant, especially while out on crime-fighting missions. One day, a group of high school seniors visited Newsmaker Magazine for a career day. Marla greeted them as their guide, “Welcome to the Newsmaker magazine, I’ll be your guide today and if you have any questions, just ask,” Marla said as she introduced herself. Lori arrived late after oversleeping, missing the chance to show the teens around. As she walked in, her boss confronted her with her tardiness, “What happened,” he said looking at his watch. “I had some personal issues to deal with,” Lori responded.

"Personal issues are set aside the moment you step through those doors," her boss said. Lori nodded and smiled. 

She made her way to her cubicle as Marla led the group of students down the aisle, talking about the core principles of the Newsmaker magazine and the duties that accompany the role of a journalist.

"This is Lori, a top-notch reporter who earned an award for being the youngest journalist to cover more than 100 projects in her debut year," Marla said with pride, clapping her hands to inspire the students to join in. One student responded, "Awesome! I hope that once I complete my college courses and earn my journalism degree, you can share some tips with me."

Lori was captivated by the girl's broad smile and infectious enthusiasm. She responded with a smile and a nod of her own. "What’s your name?" she asked.

"I’m Judy Sterling, and I plan to pursue a career in journalism," the girl responded, her beaming smile and bright eyes bringing joy to Lori as she observed such passion.

"Well, feel free to come by and submit your resume whenever you’re prepared," Lori replied with a grin. Judy acknowledged her with a nod. Just as the students were exiting, Lori called out to Judy as she was about to board the bus.

"Here, this is my business card. Whenever you're ready to join this company, feel free to give me a call."  

"Sounds good, I will," she replied as she got on the bus with the other children. Lori stepped back inside, and it felt like time was dragging and by the end of the day, she made her way home. She created a chart that highlighted where Tim had been seen, but she just can't pinpoint where he's currently staying. She's convinced he has moved from the last spot where he and Kris were living. "What are you up to?" Frank asked Lori while she stared at the chart intently. She sighed. "I’m trying to work out where he could have gone." 

"He might have changed his name again, possibly by getting a new ID, which we suspect he got illegally." Lori paused for a moment, then snapped her fingers in realization, saying, “Of course.”  She quickly dialed Geraldine, asking her to meet her at the diner.

She headed to the Diner in her Electra Car, which her uncle had equipped with a special device that allows it to soar high above the ground, out of sight from anyone below. 

Traveling at night made this stealthy flight even easier, ensuring she could reach her destination without drawing attention. She entered the room and joined the others at the booth. “Geraldine, who’s the go-to person for changing someone’s ID?” After a brief pause, Geraldine snapped her fingers. “Marco! He’s the guy everyone in private circles knows for creating new identities. He’s even taken on special requests from vigilantes, not only criminals.”

Maybe we should pay him a visit,” Lori proposed. Manuel, known as the Hammer, nodded in agreement. While Lori and Geraldine soared through the sky in the Electra Car, Manuel cruised the street below on his sleek black motorcycle. He donned his superhero costume and a helmet.

Feeling a bit dizzy, Geraldine asked, “Do you always travel like this?” 

Lori laughed and said, “No, my uncle installed a new device that allows it to fly, so I decided to test it out.” 

She looked over and noticed that Geraldine appeared to be anxious. As she lowered the vehicle and settled in behind Manuel, she switched on the radio, and the familiar tune of "Dancing in the Moonlight" filled the car. Almost instantly, Geraldine's demeanor shifted, and she seemed to relax.

“I’m sorry for the flight thing; I should have given you a heads-up. It's fine, though. I’ve never been fond of flying, likely due to the accident that granted me my powers,” Geraldine explained. 

Lori nodded in understanding. They carefully parked their vehicles away from curious eyes. Lori mentioned that the Electra Car was equipped with a force field, ensuring its safety. Manuel maneuvered his motorcycle behind the Electra Car, removed his helmet, and secured it on the handle. He then unzipped his leather jacket and casually tossed it onto the seat of his bike. 

In a dimly lit house nestled within a rough neighborhood, the man who alters people's identities for a fee, is asleep inside. Lori and Geraldine stealthily approached the back door, while Manuel kept a watchful eye from the side fence, ready to assist if needed. Lori skillfully picked the lock on the back door and gently pushed it open. Inside, Marco lay fast asleep in his bedroom, blissfully unaware of the intruders in his home. Meanwhile, Manuel remained concealed behind the fence, waiting patiently as Lori and Geraldine stealthily approached Marco’s room. Lori slammed the door open, waking Marco, prompting him to reach for his gun. Lori used her Electra Com to levitate Marco off of his bed. He floated there in nothing but a pair of red and white checkered boxers, his wide brown eyes filled with surprise as they locked onto Lori and Geraldine. He jolted in surprise as Geraldine announced their purpose, “We’re here to ask you some questions.” He rubbed his eyes to get a clearer view of his attackers. 

Oh shit, Electra Woman and Lady Lightning," he remarked, a touch of sarcasm in his voice. As Lori lowered him from the levitation, he swiftly snatched up the pistol. In response, Lori activated the Electra beam, causing the pistol to heat up significantly, forcing him to drop it.

“Look man, I don’t know who spilled the beans on me, but I swear I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Lady Lightning leaned in with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she addressed Electra Woman, “So, what do you think? Has he been involved in any questionable activities recently?” The question hung in the air, charged with curiosity. Lori, unable to suppress a smirk of her own, rolled her eyes dramatically before responding, “Oh, I definitely think so.” 

Her tone was teasing yet confident. The moment was interrupted as he interjected, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Wait a sec, you can’t back that up without some evidence!”

 “Did you happen to give a new identity to someone named Tim Castaway?” Lori asked, crossing her arms. 

“I don’t know anyone by the name of Tim,” he feigned ignorance, insisting he didn’t know anything. As Lady Lightning made contact with his arm, a jolt of electricity coursed through him, eliciting a sharp cry of pain. “Now, can you tell us where he lives?” she pressed, but he remained tight-lipped. With a flick of her fingers, static electricity crackled ominously. Finally, under the pressure, he relented, “Okay, okay, I gave new identities to Tim and his sister, to my knowledge, they were last living in a motel in Costa Mesa. That’s all I know.”

Lori asked, “Do you by any chance have the address.” 

He gradually rose, arms lifted and made his way to what seemed to be his office, where he retrieved a file. The office was cluttered with papers and a copy machine and other devices used to create IDs. 

Lori asked, “Marco do you keep files on all your clients?” He replied, “Yeah, just in case any of them cross me.” Lori then shot a glance at Geraldine.

Lori glanced at Marco and said, “Okay let’s see them,” urging him to show the files. He pulled out his latest documents from the metal cabinet and slammed them onto the table. As Lori and Geraldine began to sift through the papers, Marco suddenly bolted out of the room wearing just his boxers. The two women exchanged looks, and Geraldine reassured Lori, saying, “Don’t worry, Manuel will stop him.”

As Marco stepped through the back door, he was immediately stopped by Manuel. Marco cursed under his breath, recognizing the familiar face, “Fucking Hammer,” he remarked. Manuel smirked, commenting, “Your days of hustling and identity theft are over.” Marco huffed as Manuel took zip-ties from his pouch and secured his wrists, forcing him to sit on the ground.

“He’s secure.” Manuel communicated with Geraldine using his wrist-com, a clever gadget designed by Frank. Unlike Electra Woman's devices, these wrist-coms are solely for communication purposes.

“Okay, we got what we came for,” Geraldine said and made their exit. 

“We’re going to put you back inside and tie you up in your office and call the police,” Lori explained. 

“Come on man,” Marco protested but Manuel took him inside and tied him up securely on the chair. 

“I like your boxers,” Manuel remarked with a hint of sarcasm. 

“Fuck you Hammer,” Marco cursed. Manuel grabbed masking tape from one of the drawers in the desk and covered Marco’s mouth.

 “There now that’s better,” Manuel laughed and made his way out; meeting up Lori and Lady Lightning, he asked what they were going to do. 

“Don’t worry about it, I have a car phone in the Electra Car, and I’ll tip off the authorities.”

Lori called the authorities, “They’re on their way.”

 “Okay, so now that you have the file, what are you going to do?” Manuel asked. 

“I’m going to turn it into the authorities tomorrow.” They heard sirens at a distance. 

Manuel put on his jacket and helmet. “I’ll see you around Electra Woman,” he said with a smile and a nod.  “And you?” Lori asked Geraldine. 

Geraldine smiled and set her arms akimbo, “I’m going to scout around and see if there is any crime happening. Be careful Electra Woman,” she gave her a knowing nod and hopped onto Manuel’s bike, and they rode off. Lori could hear the sirens approaching so she set the Electra Car into flight. Below she can see the police cars parking in the property. As she flew home, she then landed the car and made her way around the hill toward the manmade cave. Once inside, she set the steel doors shut and got into the elevator going up. When she reached the main floor of the home, the lights were off. She figured that her uncle was asleep, and he turned them off. But then she heard something outside. She went to the window then suddenly a shot rang out; the bullet pierced the window and barely missed Lori. The bullet nicked her shoulder. She was still wearing her costume and had her Electra Com on her wrist. She heard her uncle move around upstairs, then he ran down. “What happened?” Frank said, rubbing his sleepy eyes.  “I thought security was up?” Lori said, bleeding from her shoulder. She winced. 

“Let me see that,” Frank said. One more shot rang out, one bullet striking her uncle on the arm. 

“Frank!” Lori shouted. He lay on the floor in pain. Lori's heart raced as she caught sight of the intruders. Two men, both of medium build and somewhat muscular, were clad in sleek, form-fitting black bodysuits that hugged their frames. Their faces were obscured by masks, adding an air of menace to their presence. Each man sported holsters strapped around their waists, hinting at the weapons they might be carrying. Lori's instincts kicked in, and she couldn't shake the feeling that one of them was Tim; her gut feeling was spot on. The other man, she surmised, was likely someone Tim had enlisted to assist him in whatever they were plotting. She remembered that just moments before she stepped into the house from the Electra Base, the security system had gone dark, and she couldn't help but suspect that Tim's accomplice had played a role in disabling the power somehow. As they approached the house with an unsettling confidence, Lori felt a chill run down her spine, realizing the gravity of the situation unfolding before her.

“Uncle, you must go down to the Electra Base, figure out what happened.” He nodded and went into the library, opening the secret door leading to the stairs down to the Electra Base, since the elevator wasn’t working. 

As the men approached, the taller one who is Tim’s accomplice, swung a bat. He smashed one of the Livingroom windows, shattering into a million pieces. Lori jumped with a start. She stood her ground as the man finished breaking the window, he came in through it, clearing the broken glass. He swung the bat around smashing things randomly. His action was to intimidate her. She took a stance and the power cells within the Electra Com still worked, she aimed it at the man with the bat and struck him with the Electra Beam, knocking him down. Out of nowhere, a pair of shuriken whizzed through the air, striking her with precision—one embedded itself in her arm while the other lodged into her hip. A sharp cry escaped her lips as she instinctively yanked the metal stars from her flesh, the pain radiating through her body like a jolt of electricity. Gritting her teeth, she muttered, “Damn it!” Frustration sounded under her breath. The suddenness of the attack left her heart racing, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she quickly assessed her surroundings, readying herself for whatever might come next.

Tim glanced at his partner and realized he was out cold. With a sigh, he approached the unconscious figure and gave him a gentle nudge. “Useless,” he muttered under his breath, frustration creeping into his voice. His attention then shifted to Lori, who had suddenly leaped to her feet, adrenaline coursing through her veins as her heart raced in response to the chaos around them. Meanwhile, at the Electra Base, Frank was hard at work, focused intently on establishing a connection to the security system and getting the lights up and running, determined to regain control of the situation. The tension in the air was palpable as he sneered, “You’re gonna die, Electra Woman,” before launching himself at her with a ferocity that left no room for mercy. The two clashed in a brutal fight, each strike landing with a bone-jarring impact, escalating the violence with every exchange. Electra Woman felt the sting from the wounds the shuriken created; blood trickling down her arms, but she refused to back down. In a desperate move, he seized her hair, yanking her toward the front door and out to the lawn, but she quickly twisted her body, using her momentum to throw him off balance and send him crashing to the ground. With her heart racing, she reached for the Electra Com, hoping to unleash the freezing beam that could turn the tide of battle in her favor.

However, as she activated the device, a surge of panic washed over her—something had gone wrong, and she was left vulnerable at the worst possible moment.

“No, damn it,” she mused. 

“What’s wrong Electra Woman. Can’t use that toy, huh?” Tim teased with a sarcastic tone; a sinister smile crossed his face. Electra Woman felt a surge of hope as she noticed the lights flicker on in the house, illuminating the dark surrounding, which meant that the power was coming back. Just as Tim approached her for another round of their karate duel, she instinctively struck the Electra Com with a powerful punch. 

In an instant, the Electra Beam activated, enveloping Tim in a dazzling light that sent him spiraling backward before crashing to the ground. Assuming he was out cold like his partner, she dashed inside, where she found her uncle busy securing zip ties around the unconscious man's wrists and legs. The sight of him still sprawled on the floor confirmed her initial assumption, but as she glanced back outside, a nagging feeling crept in—Tim remained motionless on the ground, and something about the scene felt off, stirring a sense of unease within her.

Lori's gaze was fixed on Tim's lifeless body as she stepped closer, her heart racing. She swallowed hard, releasing a heavy sigh, and pressed her fingers against his neck, searching for a pulse that wasn’t there. Just then, Frank emerged to see what was going on. When Lori met his eyes, the weight of the moment hit her. “He’s dead.”

 “How?” Frank asked, bewildered.

 “I don’t know,” she managed, brushing away a tear. Frank’s voice faltered as he reminded her that it wasn’t her fault.

 “I know,” she replied softly.

He glanced at Lori and said, “I need to call the authorities for an ambulance.” Lori quickly stood up, pressing him to inform them that a vigilante had intervened to stop the thieves, but he hadn’t caught a glimpse of who it was. Frank nodded in agreement, and as a heavy silence enveloped them, Lori asked, “What happened to the power?”

 He explained, “It seems a new, somewhat advanced device was used to temporarily knock out the power.” He held up the gadget for her to see.

 “These new villains are definitely getting creative with their tools,” he continued, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts. “Hand me the Electra Com; I’ll investigate what went wrong. It’s likely that when you hit the Electra Com, it caused a sudden surge that rebooted the power, leading to an overflow of energy that hit hard.”

Lori nodded, understanding the implications of his words. “Let’s go inside and look at your wounds,” Frank suggested. Lori got cleaned up and the wounds caused by the shuriken's were bandaged up. The authorities came and they believed Frank’s story. 

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Chapter 12: Minus One Gemini Twin

 

On Wednesday, Lori met up with her newfound friends. Their shared interest in being vigilantes creates a strong bond between them. As Lori, Hammer and Lady Lightning chatted, a mysterious woman dressed in a sleek black bodysuit, black flat heeled boots and a mask, walked in. Her blonde hair is tied back into a ponytail. Lady Lightning waved her over. 

“Lori this is Celindra, aka Lady Panther,” Geraldine introduced them. Lori shook her hand and Celindra sat next to her. After some small talk, Lori asked, “I hope you don’t mind me asking but,” she paused, choosing her words carefully, “Do you know who attacked you?”

Celindra hesitated before responding. “Yes.”

“How did it happen,” Lori’s curiosity piqued. 

“I was 22 and I went with friends to a party in Garden Grove. I had no idea that I would meet a man who changed my life forever.” She took a sip from her drink. 

“What I tell you all now must remain secret,” she insisted. 

“While at the party, everyone was drinking, my friends and some classmates from college were there. I hesitated but caved in and started drinking too. Like all parties, it started to get a little wild, I was drunk, and I couldn’t drive. I know that taking a lift from strangers is wrong, but he was a friend of one of my classmates, but he wasn’t enrolled at the college.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what year did it happen?” Lori wasn’t sure if she should ask that question, but she wanted to know if she was the first one Tim assaulted. Celindra nodded, took a sip from her drink and said, “It was November 1971.”

Lori softly gasped, “I was raped in January 1972.” 

“If you have any information as to his whereabouts, let us know,” Hammer said. He was irritated that a vile disgusting man has not been apprehended yet. “Maybe but I’ve tailed him and lost him but found him again. He dyed his hair a frost blonde, and let it grow a bit and that girl who seems to be hanging out with him, she’s blonde.”

Lori gasped and said, “That would be Kris.” 

“So, what do you think?” Geraldine (Lady Lightning) asked Lori. 

“At the moment, I will take all the information into consideration.”

“Girl, don’t worry, you’ll catch him,” Manuel (Hammer) said with confidence. They finished their meal and left. After Lori got home, she spoke with her uncle. 

“Is there a way we can track Tim?” She asked him as she sipped on her hot coco. 

“Well, I have been working on something I call the Electra Tracker. It’s a quarter size device that can attach itself like a magnet on anything metal. But the range detection is still limited. I would like to test it, so maybe tomorrow I will place it somewhere on your car and we’ll see.” 

After they called it a night, Lori lay awake for a while wondering where Tim and Kris are.  

Meanwhile, Tim invited his sister to go with him to a Soul Food Diner in Los Angeles. Soul food is their favorite. “Come on Kris, it’ll be fun.”

Kris grimaced and smiled, “Okay.” They got dressed and headed out. Kris sported her denim bell-bottom jeans, a snug Dittos blouse with colorful stripes, and wooden Clog shoes. 

Tim rocked his flared denim jeans and a brown, multicolored hippie-style shirt, which he left partly unbuttoned and untucked, on his feet are brown leather Wallabee shoes. His hair has grown a bit, gently resting at the nape of his neck. Kris is sporting a gold 16-inch necklace that she picked up with the cash from the heist they pulled off a few weeks back. They left the car in a parking garage located two blocks from the diner. Tim had bought a pre-owned vehicle just a few days prior, paying in cash exclusively at a used car dealer. The mustang, that belonged to his mother, which he often drove before, is currently stored away and out of sight. He can't take it out now, due to the risk of being tracked down by the authorities. They walked into the Diner and a black woman approached them. 

“Tim, my boy, how have you been?” Her almond shaped coffee-colored eyes smiled warmly. Her hair styled in a short Bob haircut with bangs, framed her face delicately and at the age of 45, she clearly looks ten years younger, she’s a beautiful woman who owns the Diner along with her husband, Fred. Her beautiful purple and white floral printed dress drapes perfectly on her slender graceful figure. Mary Mae embraced Tim and Kris. Kris is meeting her for the first time. Tim enthusiastically announced, "Hey Mary Mae, we’re here for some authentic soul food," while introducing his sister. Mary Mae had a long-standing friendship with their mom, but after her marriage to a man who harbored racist views, their connection had to be kept secret. Despite the husband's disapproval, Tim’s mom would sneak away to visit Mary Mae and even buy takeout from her, never revealing the source of the food to her husband. Tim often accompanied his mom on these visits when he was a child, while Kris was just two years old and was with a babysitter. After enjoying a delicious meal and catching up with Mary Mae, Tim took Kris to a nightclub that featured soul music, eager to share the vibrant culture with her. They had a good time before returning to their temporary hotel room, which featured two twin beds and was quite boring and basic. Although they preferred to buy a house, the risk of being discovered kept them from doing so. "Tim, I’m really tired of bouncing from one hotel to another. We should consider leaving California and starting fresh somewhere else," she said. Tim sighed, his expression pained, "I get it, kid, but for now, this is how it has to be." 

A couple of days later, Celindra reached out to Lori with some news. "I know where the Gemini Twins are staying." Relieved, Lori agreed to meet her. After work, she made her way to the Night Diner, a popular spot for vigilantes. As Celindra waved her over, Lori walked to the booth, and Celindra initiated the small talk. "How was work?”

"Same old, same old," Lori replied, then asked, "Do you have a job?" 

"I’m a waitress at a Norms restaurant. But at night, I take on the role of a vigilante," she said with a grin, and Lori nodded in acknowledgment. 

"Yeah, I do something similar, but my day job is at a magazine." 

"A magazine? Is it focused on fashion?" 

"Not really, it covers a bit of everything," Lori answered.

"Are you positive that the Gemini Twins are Tim and his sister?" Lori asked.

"I have my hunches, but I can't say for sure.""Well, I've got some details about Tim though," Celindra mentioned. Lori was eager to hear what Celindra would reveal.

"When I'm not out there fighting crime, I've been keeping tabs on Tim. The last time he was spotted, he was at a little Diner in Los Angeles with his sister. It was one of those soulf food restaurants."

"Can you explain how you know this? What methods are you using to track him?" Lori's interest was definitely sparked.

"I have an inside guy," Celindra said, pausing before adding, "Well, it’s my sidekick." Her cheeks turned a little red. 

"You have a sidekick?" 

Celindra nodded, "Yeah, but he’s more like a part-time sidekick." 

"Oh really? How does that work?" 

"It’s a long story, but we’ve been friends since high school. He was there at the party when I left with Tim." 

"I still can’t wrap my head around why you went with him?" Lori asked.

"Honestly, I wasn’t really paying attention, and I was drunk, so you know what they say, foolish is as foolish does." 

Lori shook her head and replied, "No, you weren't foolish, Tim has an issue and we're going to sort it out." She then asked with curiosity, "What’s your sidekick’s name?"

"Don’t laugh but," she hesitated and then said, "It’s Raven."

Lori laughed, "I never considered getting a sidekick, but it has crossed my mind." Lori would love to get a sidekick, but she doesn’t want to put him or her in danger. 

"Well, you should, you never know when you might need some help."

Later in the evening, Lori thought it would be a good idea to head out and check out the crime scene in the big city. She hopped into the Electra car and cruised around the streets, steering clear of the cops. The night felt a bit off, like something was about to go down. After catching a couple of thieves, she made sure to drop them off close to the police station.

Her uncle set up a device that would link potential robberies happening. It operates by detecting a signal when a silent alarm goes off. While she was on her way home, a red light blinked on the dashboard.

 "Whoa, it seems like a robbery is happening. Somewhere in LA." Someone activated the silent alarm in their office to notify the authorities. Lori used the car phone to call Frank.

"Uncle Frank, can you track down where the signal is coming from?"

"Yes." He sent her the location, and she sped off to the shop.She drove to the spot, which was in downtown LA, home to pricey stores. She parked the Electra Car in an alley and activated the alarm system.

"If anyone attempts to steal the car, they'll get an electric shock that will knock them out," she mused. Before she headed out, she fastened her utility belt that had the experimental Electra Net. The alley was filled with trash cans and worn-out wooden crates. On the sides of the buildings were doors that led to various businesses.

As she headed towards the sidewalk, a pair of teens perched on metal boxes noticed her passing by. One of them said, "Hey man, check it out, it’s one of those vigilantes. She’s hot."

"Aren't you boys supposed to be at home? Should I give your parents a call?" She paused for a moment, then looked at them directly. "Did any of you see something strange?"

The blonde boy replied, "Yeah, a guy and a girl dressed completely in black broke into the side entrance of the jewelry store."

"Where?"

"Over there," he said, pointing to a door that was slightly ajar.

"Hey boys, don’t even think about touching my car," she said firmly. The three boys walked away, feeling the tension in the air. Lori carefully opened the door and saw that the lock was broken. 

"I wonder who could have done this," she pondered. Her uncle attempted to reach her via the Electra-com, but she chose to ignore it. 

As Lori made her way inside, she heard muffled cries. She lifted her arm, ready to press the button to unleash the Electra beam. She did not want to use it, for fear she’d kill the person who would attack her, but she had to be ready for anything. She spotted a man tied up to a chair in his office. 

“Oh my god, what happened,” she whispered as she cut the rope that tied him to the chair. His mouth had masking tape on it, a reminder of when Tim tapped her mouth while he assaulted her. She removed it.  “They’re in there,” he whispered, shifting his eyes toward the door that leads to the front of the main room of the shop. Lori gave him a nod.  “Listen, run out and go to the nearest phone booth, call the authorities,” she urged as she untied him. He nodded and left. She approached the thieves vigilantly as they busted the glass that concealed the expensive jewelry. 

“What do you think sis, you like this necklace?”  Lori’s mouth dropped and she let out a soft gasp, “It sounds like Tim. It can’t be them.”

As she navigates towards them, she readies the Electra Net. She probably won’t be able to net both but if her aim is right, she’ll get Tim. 

“Come on, let’s go,” he said.

“I should check and see if that man is still tied up,” the woman said. Lori quickly made her way to the back office. She waited for her to show up.  Kris entered and her jaw dropped. 

"Tim," she shouted, but Lori swiftly deployed the Electra Net, wrapping Kris in its grasp. She fought to escape, but the harder she struggled, the tighter the net became. "Stop it, it will only get tighter," Lori advised her.

"Oh, so I see you’re here as Electra Woman," she paused. "I warned you to stay away from us. What on earth are you doing in LA anyway? I thought you preferred to stay in your hometown."

Lori felt completely let down by Kris and didn't reply. She contacted her uncle through the Electra Com, she said that she caught one of the thieves, and it was Kris.

"Tim!" Kris yelled. Lori positioned herself as Tim rushed in.

"What are you doing here, Electra Woman!" he exclaimed, anger shadowed his face.

"Forget about what she's doing here, just help me get out of this thing," Kris shouted at him.

Tim’s eyes narrowed, then he lunged at Lori. They fought, both equally matched. However, Tim held a slight edge over Lori and landed several swift blows that caught her off guard. She considered using the Electra Beam, but it was still in the experimental phase, similar to the Electra Net. Kris continued to fight against the net, but with each struggle, it only grew tighter. 

"Please, Kris, stay still; every movement will make it worse," Lori urged, observing the frustration etched on Kris's face and her desperate breaths. "You're going to suffocate her! Let my sister go right now!" Tim yelled as they blocked each other’s fists. Tim threw a few high kicks, Lori blocked them.

Going through was unsure how to loosen it, so she pleaded with Kris to stay still, and Kris ceased his struggles. "Run, Tim, forget about me, just run," she urged. In the background, sirens wailed. 

"Damn it," Tim shot a furious look at Lori. 

"This isn’t over, bitch," a chilling expression crossed his face as he cast a glance at Lori.

He dashed out through the back door. Lori glanced down at Kris. 

"I’m sorry," she said, giving her a disappointed look. 

Lori contacted her uncle via the Electra Com. 

"Is there any way I can ease the net a little?" 

"You actually used it?" 

"Yes, but I'm concerned it might keep tightening."

"It likely has already molded to her body by now," he said. Lori examined the net.

"You make a good point, but how will the police manage to extract her when they get here?"

"Inside your pouch, there is a unique finger blade that will slice through it effortlessly. Keep it out of her reach and place it where they can find it but make sure to leave a note for them.”  Lori discovered a notepad on the desk and informed the authorities about the finger blade and its usage.

"Signed, Electra Woman," she whispered.

"You can't treat me like this, damn it!" Kris yelled as Lori cast one final look back at her before leaving the building. She felt bad that she had to apprehend Kris, but it had to be done. She jumped into her car, which sped off in an instant before the police could show up. Tim was headed to Lori's house. He is aware that it would be her next destination. Tears flowed down his face as memories of his sister flooded his mind. A wave of intense anger rose up inside him. He brushed away his tears and braced himself for the upcoming confrontation with Electra Woman.

Chapter 13: Retribution

Chapter 14: Dyna Girl

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