Crimson Kryptonite

(Hunter works out in his mind what is important – Supplement to Down and Dirty. Song “Kryptonite” courtesy of 3 Doors Down. Much thanks to Nik for proofreading and letting me borrow Hunter's mind. Point of note: Red kryptonite has random effects on Superman. So how does crimson kryptonite work? ;) )

******

It was going to be a bad day. Hunter knew it. He felt it in the very marrow of his bones. It had been a bad week… It was not going to get any better anytime soon. He kept asking why things were not going his way. He kept asking himself why he was not able to fix what was going wrong. It had started at the track.

They had competed before, but what made this time different? Stretching out on his bed, Hunter blared the radio and closed his eyes… a heavy beat pounded into his head. The lyrics pushed into his brain as he tried to clear his mind.

“I took a walk around the world to
Ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
In the sands of time
I watched the world float to the dark
Side of the moon
I feel there is nothing I can do, yeah”

Grrr! This isn’t helping. Hunter grabbed the radio and slammed the off switch… He usually liked 3 Doors Down. Why wasn’t anything working?!?

Blake was his brother. He had raced with him since forever. He had taught him how to ride. He had taught him everything he knew. He had raised him, pretty much. His thoughts drifted into crimson.

I watched the world float to the
Dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be something
To do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll my friend at the end

Hunter grabbed the silent radio again, sitting bolt upright. He yanked the cord out of the wall. He hauled back and hurled the radio against the wall.

If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
There holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with
My superhuman might
Kryptonite

Blake had crossed over. He had cut him off. He had played dirty. He had cheated him. This kid… this so called brother… the one he had taught everything he knew… about moto… about life… had cheated him out of victory. Did he teach him how to cheat? Hadn’t he taught him not to cheat?

You call me strong, you call me weak,
But still your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times I
Never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head, if
Not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put you back
On solid ground

Great… now he had lyrics stuck in his head… Nothing pissed Hunter off more… except betrayal.
And what about those others? Had they backed him? Dustin knows riding just as well. Shane knows to play fair. Tori wasn’t seeming to back Blake either… some kind of girlfriend she’s turning out to be… After all they had both done to save them… after all of those friendy gestures the Winds had made them, he and Blake, after they saw the truth in the Cave. Yeah, the Winds had saved them from the truth, but how many times had Hunter and Blake saved the Winds from Lothor’s evil plans. Blake didn’t have to save Tori on the beach.

And what about Cam? Isn’t he usually the one to reason out and call an end to the fights. Why hasn’t Cam put in his two cents? Where’s his loyalty?

Blake and he should just…

If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
There holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with
My superhuman might
Kryptonite

Maybe Blake… Maybe Blake was right… Maybe… And was it really worth it to argue about this race? Was it really going to matter? The race was over. Blake was still his brother.

If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
There holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with
My superhuman might
Kryptonite
Yeah

And as for the others… Hunter knew… he wouldn’t want to get between himself and Blake when they are fighting… perhaps those Winds are smarter than he gave them credit. Hunter smirked. It’s dangerous to stand inside a lightning storm… unless you’re a Bradley.

Author's note: SPECIAL THANKS!!!
Technojoy - Jason Chan
Even more special thanks goes to Wyndstorm for the picture I borrowed from her very cool site.