Welcome to the Show (SwapBoys AU)
(Whew finally! I’m so excited to start telling some stuff in actual order! This is the second part of Casting Call, which takes place after A Nice Alternative! This is the first official time all the boys learn about Magnificent! And we see just how powerful Dr. J’s hypnosis can be- and why Mag has his eyes set on him for JJ’s nine months.) Masterpost | SwapBoys Tag
Jameson laughed into his tea, looking at his friends lounging in the small cluster of plush chairs around them, tucked neatly into the corner of the small cafe. “so when should I start charging for these outings with you two?”
“Huh??” Chase and Jackie spit at the same time.
“I am your therapist after all? Is this not a house call in a sense?” The Doctor chirped cheekily over the brim of his mug.
Jackie punched him in the shoulder. “Oh come off it! You know this ain’t what that is! This is- manly bonding time!”
“Yeah!” Chase echoes. Then he sat back in his chair, crossing his arms with a slightly pouted lips, “Besides- if you said my therapy stuff out here- I’d die of embarrassment.”
Dr.J chuckled, “Well, never you worry about that, Chase. It’s my oath to not share the information I get from sessions to anyone. So all your secrets will stay safe with me.”
Chase raised an eyebrow at Jameson then smirked, chuckling as he took a sip of his coffee. “Well… thanks Doc.” He looked down to his bugling backpack beside him- thinking of the secrets inside. Kinda the reason he went to the doctor in the first place, in a sense.
Jackie laughs and leaned back, sipping on a cold coffee slushie. “That is a relief- I don’t think the public would wanna see me instantly fall asleep every time we hang out.”
“Well if they give it enough time-“ Chase starts to tease. Jackie throws a packet of sugar at him.
Jamie chuckles, giving Jackie a look, “Don’t act like it's so simple, Jackie. I swear sometimes you’re harder to get into trance and down to sleep than Penny.”
Jackie shrugs, “what can I say? She takes after her old man!”
The three laugh at that.
After a minute or two of comfortable silence as the group enjoys their drinks, Jackie finally looks back at Jameson with a small head tilt.
“You know what I’ve been wondering? I know you do it every session with me… but do you ever do like- not hypnotism? In your sessions.”
Jameson hums and sets down his tea, “An excellent question. I am trained in a couple areas of therapy- hypnotism being my main. But, that doesn’t work for every client. Or else I wouldn’t get much business! Hypnotism in its true natural sense doesn’t work on everybody. And some problems need more talking things out then suggestions.”
Chase responds after a long sip, “yeah- me and the doc’s seshs haven’t used hypnosis for a couple months now.”
“Huh- interesting!” Jackie muses, “and weird to think about since you pull that watch out for me every time I’m in your office, Jay.”
The good doctor chuckles and goes to tap the vlogger’s forehead, “Your brain needs strong suggestions to help you sleep. It just doesn’t listen as well as it should.”
“That’s insomnia for you~!” Jackie sings, lifting his drink into the air like he’s about to burst into song in a musical. Chase and Jameson giggle.
Thinking about their sessions gets Chase contemplative, and he looks out the window towards the bustling street. It’s a beautiful day today- the sun is bright and the air is crisp and cool.
“...I wonder if Henrik and Alt got our messages…” Chase mumbles. Jackie pulls out his phone to check-
“Mmm Henrik’s was read- but no response. Nothing from Alt either.” He leans back in his seat, rocking its leg against the ground. “I wouldn’t take it too hard on the kid though- he seems like the type that needs time.”
Chase makes a face and leans more against the table. “Yeah I know… but. It feels weird to leave him. We know he lives so badly and- lives in that weird apartment. I just… wanna at least make sure he gets something to eat… at the very least.”
“That’s very kind of you, Chase.” Jameson responds gently.
“Aw you’re such a hero, bro! ”Jackie teases, winking at his clever joke.
The other boy blushes, “oh shush up- I just wanna help… I bet it’s been a long time since someone cared about him. And if the world won’t care about him- then… somebody’s got to right?”
Jackie’s face softens, “oh… he reminds you of...him. Doesn’t he?”
Chase looks away, a hint of pain in his eyes that he tries to hide.
Then the wall to their hangout bursts open, green electricity sparking from the hole. Two figures stand in the dust as people start to run and scream- their eyes glowing bright toxic green. It’s Alt and Henrik, whose eyes lock immediately on the crowd of 3 friends.
“N-no way-“ Jackie stammers, starting to back up. Jameson hurries back too as Chase gapes at the sight.
“Well well well!” Alt sings as he strides into the cafe, sending arches of energy after people lingering too long. “It seems we missed the memo!” His eyes were wild, smile manic. It was a completely different Alt then the one they met the other day.
He goes to grab Chase by the front of his shirt, laughing.
“And who is this?? Another fuckin’ char-“
But then, his eyes flicker- taking in his freckled face, pale eyes and brown hair. This… wasn’t the hero- yet… he seemed familiar to Alt somehow… but he couldn’t conjure up the memory. …It didn’t matter- he had to focus on his targets.
But, Alt freezing gives Jackie just enough time to rush at Alt and give him a kick to his arm- making the glitch cry out and drop Chase.
“Chase, get out of here!” The father cries to him, and Alt’s eyes flicker more, gripping at his head some.
“...c-Chase…?” He whispers, looking confused. Chase stares at this, not knowing what to do. Jackie yanks him up by his arm then pushes him towards the exit. “Go, you idiot!” He gives the hero a pointed look and this seems to snap Chase out of his self induced trance. He nods then grabs his bag and sprints out the door.
Henrik tries to rush after him but Jameson steps in front of him, giving him a hard stare.
The motion snaps Alt back to reality and he sees the tail end of Chase’s retreat before he turns to Jackie and giggles. He crouches down into a sloppy fighting stance, head tilted to the side like a cat’s.
“That’s the company you keep?” He taunts, “I know a sad piece of shit when I see one- are all your friends charity cases, Jackie?”
Jackie glares at Alt and bares his teeth, clenching his hands into fists. “Shut up- you realize you’re insulting yourself right?”
Alt giggles, shrugging. “Oh of course- I know I’m nothing but a freak thief!” His gaze gets hard, voice dropping to a serious tone. “You didn’t want to befriend me. You wanted to pity me- because leaving a sad weakling like me alone would weigh too heavy on your conscience.”
The vlogger choked slightly, his face turning red. Maybe- that was true at the beginning but… “No Alt that’s not true-! We-“
“It doesn't matter now though!” Alt interrupts, madness slipping into his voice as his shoulders roll with glitches and green electricity. “My master reminded me of my place~! And he’s asked me and Schneep… to put you in yours-!” And with that, Alt lunges to attack, Henrik following soon after.
Jackie quickly intercepts the glitch’s attack, blocking it and using the boy’s momentum to throw him back. Alt glitches back to his feet and bares his teeth at Jackie.
Raising his fists, Jackie tries to call out, “C’mon Alt! You don’t have to do this! We wanted to help you!”
The glitch’s eyes flare up with green power, “Help! All I am to you is another box to check off! Another soul you ‘helped’ so you feel less shitty about yourself!” He snarls as he sends a power charged punch to Jackie’s stomach. The blow feels like it caves in Jackie’s midsection, stealing the breath from his lungs as he rolls onto the floor. He tries to catch his breath, but all that comes out is a ragged cough. Alt looms over him and then strikes his foot against Jackie’s head, pinning him to the floor.
His grin is sadistic. “Now who needs the help?”
Henrik’s fighting is stiff and to the point. Like he’s a boxing action figure. It’s easy to track his moves. Jameson dodges quite easily- him and his brother used to take boxing lessons after all. Yet, the kindly doctor doesn’t want to strike his friend. He’s looking for an opening- something he can use to trip him up. Jamie recognizes the glazed look in his eye- he’s in a trance. He might be able to snap him out of it with a good jolt, a shock. Schneep’s movements have him moving back quickly- soon he might run out of room before he’s cornered.
A whoosh of strong wind blows through the destroyed cafe- as a bright blur rushes through the space. Suddenly, Alt is thrown off Jackie and driven into the wall. Bro Fantastic has the glitch by his jacket, dangling him just barely off the floor against the stone. The hero’s eyes are filled with silver blue light as he growls, “Hands off of my friend.”
Alt coughs, spitting up a bit of blood before grinning at Bro with bloody teeth. He laughs almost manically, throwing back his head- then driving it into the hero’s. Bro cries out and lets Alt go, blinking stars out of his eyes. The glitch drops to the floor like an agile cat before he pounces on the hero, tackling him. The air around him is buzzing with electricity as Alt looks down at Bro with hungry eyes.
“Finally! Now the real fight can begin!”
The entrance of the superhero was just the distraction Jameson needed. Henrik’s head whips to see the hero, and while his head is turned the doctor swipes the actor’s feet from under him. Henrik hits the floor with a loud crack. The green in his eyes sputters as he gasps, feeling a shock go through him. He pants, blinking around dazedly, his ears ringing so loudly it’s hard to think.
Jameson is over him in a second, checking to make sure he’s okay.
“Henrik?” He tries to sign to the actor. Henrik is slow to answer but eventually he croaks out, recognizing the doctor’s face. “D-Dr. Jackson..?”
Then, the gentleman suddenly seizes up- the green power trying to light up in his eyes again. He yells in pain and tries to curl up into a ball, grabbing at his head. Jameson starts to panic- he has no idea what this is… but he has to try to help his friend calm down. He quickly pulls out his pocket watch and picks up the gentleman under his arms, dragging him away from the other fighting and into clear lighting. He had to make sure his friend could read his lips.
“J-Jamie-” Henrik whimpers, pain etched into his face. “H-Help I’m-!” The doctor makes a shushing motion and dangles his pocketwatch in front of his face, letting the clock swing back and forth in front of his eyes. He takes one of Schneep’s hands and starts a slow even rhythm against his palm, in time with the swinging of the watch.
The doctor talks in slow soft tones, despite the actor not being able to hear him fully. Henrik whines trying to take the doctor’s hand in comfort, pulling on him like he wants to tell him something.
“Juwel- there’s- a voice-!” He blurts out in urgency, “He.. is telling me- t-to hurt you-” Thick tears gather in Henrik’s eyes and his lip wobbles. “I… I don’t want to!”
Jameson’s heart breaks at the sight. A voice… huh? Okay… he can work with that-
He squeezes Henrik’s hand tightly before starting the rhythm again, “Henrik, I need you to look at the watch, alright? Just- imagine we’re in my office. In my office there’s no voice- there’s no violence. Only, you and me and… relaxing…” He taps twice along Henrik’s hand and almost instantly Henrik starts to breathe easier, focus coming back to the watch, to the doctor.
Dr. J smiles encouragingly, “Good- now, let’s get rid of that voice, shall we?”
Bro yells as he hurls the glitch over his head and across the cafe. Alt skips like a stone on a lake before he rolls and coughs, trying to get back on his feet.
“Go easy on him, dude!” Jackie yells harshly at the hero.
Bro bares his teeth, his eyes fixated on the target. “Tell that to him first!”
Alt unsteadily gets to his feet and sways back and forth like he might fall over. Then, he’s laughing again as he charges at Jackie and Bro. A split second before he’s at them- he glitches, teleporting to kick Jackie in the face. The father is down, blood gushing from his nose. Bro jumps and tries to help him, when he feels the electric spark in the air and smell of tinged metal. He just manages to see the flash of green before he’s catching the next blow from Alt with his hands. The glitch looks surprised, then Bro whips him away like he weighs nothing.
Once he has a second to breathe, the hero bends over slightly, trying to catch his breath. His eyes leave trails of silver blue light in their wake, an overabundance of power glowing in his veins. He still has fight left in him- but Alt was giving him a run for his money. He can’t seem to shake him off! And Chase doesn’t want to harm him more than necessary. He is a hero after all.
“Awwww is the wittle hero getting twired?” Alt slurs out cockily, getting up again and holding his stomach. His face is littered in scratches, his shirt and pants torn in places. His bandana is loose, showing off his neck- a faint but noticeable scar marring the skin. But- now Chase can see it- there’s claw marks on his chin and face- even blood in his hair from what look like scratches or deep wounds. Neither him nor Jackie held weapons… this must be the work of whoever Alt was running away from.
“You are too-” Bro calls out, putting a hero-like projection into his voice. Alt tries to laugh but Bro steps closer, “Don’t try to laugh it off Alt! You don’t want to do this… we’re your friends.”
Alt seems to stop for a moment, blue flickering weakly in his eyes. But then, he snarls, baring his canines like a feral cat. “No you’re not! You’re pathetic weaklings my master wants eliminated- that’s the only way I can become strong!” He laughs again and starts to approach, “After all? Who else can claim to have felled the great ‘Bro Fantastic’?!”
Bro’s eyes are pleading, “Alt- you’re already strong. You have nothing to prove to us- just the way you live, the way you fight… it shows everyone your strength!”
“Lies!” The glitch growls, electricity buzzing in his hands. “Magnificent knows me better than you! How could you know anything about me?!” Alt yells in anger and throws a ball of electricity Bro’s way.
But, this time, instead of dodging, Bro stands tall- still. He lets the green lightning hit him, making him stumble a couple steps and clutch a table to stay upright. Alt freezes, another blow ready but-
Bro looks him in the eyes and grits out through his teeth, “I’m not gonna fight you anymore... “
The glitch stares at the hero, unsure of what to do- then, his eyes darken and he hurls another shot at Bro. The hero grinds his feet against the wooden floor to stand upright from the blow, but he doesn’t move to attack.
Alt starts to yell in anger, preparing another blast, but then he feels a sharp tug on his arm, pulling him back.
“Alt!” The glitch turns to see who is stopping him and his eyes widen as he sees- “S-Schneep?”
The gentleman’s eyes are clear and blue and he tugs on Alt through tears. “Please- you do not need to do this! You must not let Magnificent take over your head!”
The glitch is speechless, blue flickering again in his eyes. Schneep takes this opportunity to tug on him more, trying to pull him away. “Come! Come! The doctor- the doctor fixed me-! He can fix you too!”
Yanking his arm out of Henrik’s grip, Alt stumbles back and grips at his head. He meets Henrik’s eyes and growls, “You’re disobeying our orders!” He snaps at the gentleman, arcs of light dancing on his arms. Henrik backs up and holds up his hands.
“Please Alt-” He tries to plead, “You are being used! We both were! That Verrückter does not care for us!”
“Shut up!” The glitch screams, electricity sparking bigger, bouncing off the walls and zipping dangerously in the air around him. Henrik stumbles back, fear in his eyes.
“What do any of you know about me?! What do any of you know about strength? Power?” He hisses through his teeth. “Magnificent said he’ll teach me- he’ll make sure I never get fucked over by this world again! So what the hell do you know?!” He bellows, his voice catching at the end, sounding hoarse and raw.
The room is near silent, the only sound the sharp zing of Alt’s overflowing electricity.
Finally, a voice speaks up- “... I know you are scared-” Henrik breathes. Alt shoots him an enraged look.
Then another voice joins, “I know you think you’re all alone.” Bro calls out as strongly as he can, “But you don’t have to be- we can be there for you!”
“And we want to be!” Jackie wheezes from where he’s kneeling on the ground, holding his jacket over his nose. “That phone thing- our numbers! that wasn’t just cuz! We want to get to know you- be your friend!”
“...Help you-” The final voice joins the fray, Jameson stepping up next to Henrik. His eyes are kind and it makes Alt take a step back, his power dying down slightly. The doctor outstretches a hand, “Please Alt- let us help you.”
Alt looks at Jameson’s hand in disbelief. He seems to hesitate, studying the hand with a slight tremor in his body. Green and Purple are fighting in his eyes. He takes a shaky step back, his head shaking. “N-No- No! I don’t need help! I’m strong- i.. I’m supposed to be-” His voice breaks at the end.
Jameson takes one more step, “Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do… is admit you need help.”
Hesitation, fear- the emotions flicker on Alt’s face as he stares at the offering. His head- his voice… they are screaming at him to fight, to throw his enemies to the ground, to enjoy the taste of the powers Magnificent has in store for him.
But… deep down? Alt is scared. Of what he’s doing- what Magnificent wants to do to him. He’s starting to think a bit more clearly.
He looks to the only one who can understand him now, flickering green eyes searching for reassurance. “He… he helped you?” He asks Schneep.
The actor nods and steps up. “Yes, he did. And I am more than sure he can help you too.”
Alt looks back to the outstretched hand then finally takes it, pulling Jameson a bit closer. “Please…” He whispers, just like he did to Jackie and Bro the day before, “Please- help me!”
Jameson and Henrik smile softly at him, and both of them lead him to the couch in the corner. The glitch twitches from his overabused power- and the voice in his head that has him quivering, wanting to curl up into a ball. Henrik leads him gently to sit and then takes his hand, covering it with his other.
“Do not worry, my friend,” He catches his eye and smiles cheerily, despite the circumstances. “You do not need to do this alone.”
Alt’s eyes water at that- it makes his chest ache in a way he’s not familiar with… but it’s not a bad feeling. He winces as more lights fight in his eyes and then he looks to Jameson, nodding his head to the doctor to begin.
Jameson smiles and holds a hand out to Alt again, “Alt? Do you trust me?”
The glitch hesitates before nodding and going to reach for his hand.
But, the doctor surprises him, going to grab his wrist and yank gently but firmly on it, as he presses a hand against Alt’s head. He commands in a soft voice, “Then, sleep.”
Alt’s head immediately lulls and he starts to fall towards the doctor, immediately induced into trance. Jameson gently pushes him to rest against the couch, Henrik helping as well.
Dr. J calmly encourages Alt, giving his wrist a gentle squeeze. “Very good Alt- now just relax… no one here is going to hurt you. I need you to breathe- feel the tension leave your body with every exhale…”
Alt slumps more against the couch- and Jameson lets him go. “That’s it- just let yourself drift. This is going to help you…” He watches Alt twitch in front of him, obviously fighting with something in his head. “I know there’s a voice inside that's making it hard to hear me… something you’re afraid of-”
Alt stiffens slightly and mumbles out breathlessly, “‘M… not afraid-”
Jameson shushes Alt slightly, with another soft exhale of “Breathe… Breathe with me Alt-” The two work together to get his breathing back down to a slow controlled manner before the doctor continues. “It’s okay to be scared. The voice is overwhelming your mind and controlling your actions- but you alone know the power of your own mind… your thoughts- and the power of your true self. You can become louder than the voice, Alt. You can beat it back-”
He tries to shake his head, gripping Henrik’s hand harder as he pants, sweat dripping down his face. “I… I can’t- not… strong- e-enough…”
“You are stronger than you know.” Jameson encourages in hushed affirmation. “And so is your mind. It’s convinced you that you are weak. But you don’t want to believe that, right? Your strength is different than his… your strength comes from accepting the truth. It comes from battling your fears- it comes from the kindness etched deep into your soul. Find it Alt- find that strength in your mind and grab it! Use it to fight back the dark!”
The glitch’s head tosses back and forth, his teeth bared in a pained grimace. Alt’s eyes open with a strangled gasp as they fill with green and purple light- but now blue light is fighting against it- more powerful than it has before. Henrik holds Alt tight as the glitch grunts, trying to struggle against the darkness- the oppressing force of magic trying to pin him down.
Finally, in a harsh cry, Alt’s back arches as the blue finally wins over the corruption. Henrik and Jameson jump back in fear. They watch with bated breath as Alt slumps down, the light dying from his eyes. Alt blinks dazedly, trying to look up at the two men in front of him when he suddenly sways and starts to collapse. Henrik yelps in surprise and rushes to catch him. He lays him back down on the couch and with a small smile, pushes back the glitch’s sweaty hair. “Good job, Alt…”
From behind them the sound of very crisp clapping can be heard. Bro looks up from where he was helping with Jackie’s bloody nose and he stands up quickly. He thrusts an arm out to try to protect the rest of the boys.
From the wreckage of the cafe’s facade- a sharply dressed figure emerges. His eyes glow with the same power that held Henrik and Alt before- a green gray cat mask covering half of his face. A tattered cape bellows behind him- seemingly buzzing with static. At the sight of the figure, Henrik whimpers and tries to curl up with the passed out Alt- trying to protect himself and the glitch.
Bro Fantastic glares at the smug looking figure, his eyes burning with blue silver fire once again.
“Well Well-” The man says, looking around at the damage. “You all defeated my puppets!” He studies the half destroyed cafe and makes a face. “Oh dear- this is not the place for a dramatic conversation… why don’t I add a bit of ambiance?” He snaps- and green magic zips around to change all the lights to blue that still remain in the cafe.
The boys all look at the lights in confusion- all except Jackie. He looks at the lights with a chill going down his spine. Why… Did that gesture… that phrase- seem so familiar?
“What the hell are you playing at?” Bro snaps, “Who the hell are you?”
The man blinks slightly, then throws his head back laughing. Suddenly, he teleports so he’s in front of Bro- towering over him slightly.
“This?! This is the hero who ‘freed’ my cub?” He laughs before grabbing Bro’s chin- making the hero squirm. “This- is the great Bro Fantastic?!” With a whip of his hand and a burst of magic, the man throws Bro into the wall.
He dusts himself off as Bro hits the floor, before throwing out his cape in a dramatic manner, like he was performing on stage.
“Mm- I thought my puppets would have done a better job of singing my name,” He sighs, before casting a glance at his audience and taking a big sweeping bow. “My name- is Magnificent.”
“Really?” Bro wheezes as he gets up, “What kind of name is that?”
Magnificent raises an eyebrow at the hero, “Says the man named, ‘Bro Fantastic’?” Bro’s face flushes red as he bristles with anger.
The magician brushes the hero off without a second thought and in a blink, appears over to where Jameson is. He grabs the doctor by the arm and yanks him up, jostling the gentleman’s glasses askew. Magnificent studies the therapist with a critical eye- then gets in his face with his own, tilting it back and forth like a curious cat.
“So you… are the one who broke them-” He muses. Being this close- something strikes Jameson about the man- something he can’t quite put his finger on. But- it also feels like...does he know this man?
Jameson trembles slightly in his grip, trying to pull away. But, Magnificent tilts his head up with a clawed finger, baring sharp teeth. “Just a regular doctor- who dares to call himself a ‘hypnotist’...” He purrs, going to dig nails into Jamie’s neck. “How amusing~”
The doctor tries to yell- push his way out of the magician’s grasp- he’s strong! Magnificent’s eyes glow with cold yet dangerous power as he starts to squeeze Jameson’s neck. “But, I can’t let you continue to break my toys, good doctor-”
Bang! Something solid and sharp cracks against the back of Magnificent's head, making him drop Jamie and fall back. He snaps furious black pitted eyes up and sees Henrik now standing over him, a chair grasped in his hands. The gentleman’s hands tremble but yet he stares at his former master with pure hatred. Magnificent bares his teeth, starting to get up.
“You ungrateful little whelp-!”
The chair’s legs are thrust in front of Mag’s eyes as Henrik threatens to hit him again. “You-! You stay away! We will not be your playthings anymore!”
The dark magician fumes at this, eyes flaring with green and purple power as he rises to his feet. Henrik readies a strike again, refusing to back down.
Then, another body stands in front of Henrik, blue eyes matching the fire of the magician’s. Bro Fantastic and Magnificent stare each other down, the air feeling electric from the force of power both of them are keeping at bay.
Finally- the stalemate seems to snap as Mag turns his head to chuckle. He eyes the rest of the boys before bowing slightly and taking a step back. His image fizzles and buzzes with static, his eyes stark green against the texture.
“Well gentlemen” He chuckles, “I do so look forward to your next performance~”
With another mad cackle- the villain fizzles out of sight- and the lights of the cafe flicker back to normal.
Now, it seems that everyone can breathe…
Bro and Henrik go to help Jackie and Jamie. While they assess their injuries- a quiet groan is heard from the couch as Alt’s eyelids slowly flutter open. He knits his eyebrows at the ceiling in confusion.
“..this- is not my apartment…” He slurs. The other boys look at each other- then can’t help but laugh. Alt jerks up at the sound, eyes wide, then his face pales at the sight of the others.
“I’m afraid not,” Jameson chuckles. Alt looks from face to face, trying to remember how he got here. When it all comes rushing back- it hits him like a train, leaving him winded.
Jackie kneels down next to him. “It all coming back to you?”
Alt grips his head and grunts out a “yeah.” He takes a second, then he turns slightly misty eyes to the others.
“I… I’m so sorry-” He chokes out, rubbing at his face. He doesn’t even know what else to say.. He grabs his bandanna and holds it tightly, trying to find some comfort as he pulls it up to hide in.
The others exchange a look of worry before Bro speaks up. “That guy… Magnificent.” Alt seems to shudder. “... is that who you’re trying to run away from?”
A shaky nod.
The others wait patiently before the glitch speaks up again, gripping his arms tightly. “He… he tricked me into working for him- cuz I stole his fucking cat. But it’s not… just working for him. He.. he hurts me- controls me. He plays these magic mind games with me until i… I don’t even know who I am anymore-”
There’s a quiet pause as the others take the information in. “Henrik?” Dr. J asks, turning so the gentleman can see. “What is your situation with Magnificent?” He had a knowing look in his eyes, more like he was prompting Henrik to speak up. The deaf actor exchanged a look with the doctor before nodding.
Henrik grabs at one of his arms, his shoulders shaking. “It… is not good. He- makes my head all- a...empty inside it.” He gestures to his head, making a motion similar to the sign for crazy. “Then- he fills it with only things he wants. I have to follow- He gives no choice…” He suddenly steps back from the others, holding himself tighter as he whispers. “He… took me from my time-”
“Your time?” Jackie repeats with a raised eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Schneep meekly looks up to address his friends. “...Please do not think of me different- but.. I am- from long time ago… from 1933.”
Everyone’s eyebrows shoot up. Well- except Dr. J who only nodded.
“What?!” Bro exclaims, grasping at his hair. “But- that’s… that would make you-” He starts mumbling to himself, going to count some things out on his fingers. “Like- over a 100 years old!”
The actor blushes, rubbing the back of his neck. “I am… not actually- He- uh.. Lift me from my time- then put me here…” He perks up a bit, trying to find some way to smile. “It is not all bad! This time has so many wonderful things! Work for me…colored hair! New friends to make! Maybe even ways to fix mein hearing!” But, then his facade falls. “But.. Magnificent taints me… he- makes me only a puppet…” The teal haired man hugs himself, looking ashamed.
Jackie, Bro and Jameson look at the two boys, watching as they both wallow in their despair. Jameson has enough of it though and gently grabs Henrik’s arm and puts him next to Alt. He stares down the men and huffs through his mustache. “Now- let’s stop all this negative talk right here.” He rubs the bridge of his nose. “I can’t pretend I understand all this. Especially the ‘magic’ bits. But, it seems very clear to me that what Magnificent did to you..It’s not your fault.”
“But-” Alt tries to argue, “I… I agreed to work for him!”
The doctor puts up a hand to stop the pickpocket. “That still doesn’t make you at fault. From what I gathered in this short amount of time… he’s a twisted power hungry bastard who likes to use his ‘hypnosis’ against anyone he can get his claws on. You two unfortunately got caught in his net.”
“But-” Henrik pipes up, “What can we do? He has… spells and tricks to make us obey him! We’re.. Trapped-”
Bro steps up next to Jameson and claps a hand on his shoulder, grinning down at the two. “No you’re not. Cuz we’re going to help you!”
“... you are?” Alt squints at the hero skeptically. Suddenly a hand comes up and rustles his hair and Alt tries to bat him off- seeing a grinning Jackie go to join Bro and Dr. J.
“Well- we already agreed to help you get away from that guy-” The father adds, “Now- we just gotta add Henny to the mix. No big!”
Alt stares at the floor, tears threatening to build up again. “... even after all of this… you still wanna help me?” He shuts his eyes, feeling a tremor run through him. He’s so tired- he feels so broken. “...why?”
There’s a pause, before a warm hand cups his knees, forcing Alt to look up and see Dr. J smiling kindly at him. “Because Alt,” he said quietly, “Today proves more than ever- that you are way more than you appear. You- are good… and kind. And this madman took advantage of that.” The doctor’s eyes sparked almost mischievously. “But- we can flip the script.”
The glitch’s eyebrows narrowed. “...how?”
Jameson laughs and holds out his pocket watch. “That phony may think he knows true hypnosis- but his is nothing but artificial. I can teach you both the power of your own minds.” He smirks, and Alt blinks at him. He’s.. skeptical.
“Fighting mind control- with hypnosis? That seems a bit backwards,” He muses. The kind doctor chuckles but shakes his head. “It may sound foolish- but i believe there is no force greater than human will. You two were proof of that today. I provided guidance- but it was you who broke through in the end.”
Henrik beams at this- but Alt finds himself looking away. Feeling doubt weigh heavily in his stomach.
Bro comes to pat Alt on the back lightly. “No matter what happens though,” He grins, “We’re gonna be right by your side.” He nudges Alt with a wink. “After all, what are friends for? “
And just like that- the stone weighing him down is lifted and Alt feels his chest fill with warmth. He smiles slightly, meeting everyone’s eyes.
“Yeah… thanks guys.”
As Alt gets to his feet, watching Bro and Jackie gather Henny up and try to give him a well-meaning noogie- he feels something pressed into his hand. He lifts it up to see… a business card?
“For my office,” Jameson explains with a smile, coming to stand by his side. “I am more than willing to teach you some of the things I know after hours. Free of charge.”
Alt’s cheeks flush and he shakes his head, “Doc- I.. I can’t do that to you- I…”
Dr. J stops him, “It’s no trouble at all, really Alt. After meeting that guy? I want to take him down as much as you do.”
Alt raises an eyebrow with a chuckle, “Didn’t peg you for the fighting type, Doc.”
He shrugs, “There’s many ways to fight.” He taps his temple with a knowing smile. “Not just physically.” Alt can’t help but smile back at that.
Seems a new stage is being set.