Chapter Text
They hear about the Girl being taken before the Fabulous Four even arrive at Dr. Death Defying’s radio station. Show Pony brings the dreadful news, lacking eir usual grin as ey tells Cherri Cola and Dr. Death Defying what went on. Motorbaby was captured by Better Living Industries and the Fabulous Four were injured in the clap.
Dr. Death Defying and Cherri Cola look at each other and know this is the beginning of the end.
Cherri is sitting in the corner of the room, trying not to think about what will happen now, when the Four walk in the door.
The first thing out of Party Poison’s mouth is “They took Motorbaby.”
“I know,” D says. Cherri admires his calm as Poison clenches their fists.
“We’re getting her back.”
“I know.”
There’s no point in trying to talk the fabulous killjoys out of this. All of them know that the Four will walk into Battery City to get the Girl back, and all of them know the Four won’t walk back out of Battery City.
“How can we help?” Dr. Death Defying asks.
“We need info. Where she is. How to get there. Weaknesses in Batt City. Anythin’ you can find.”
D nods, and the next several hours are spent planning. Cherri watches from this corner, unwilling to help his friends plan a mission that will kill them. He knows they’ll go with or without his help, and he knows that he should give them the best chance of success, but he can’t bring himself to help send them to their deaths.
Eventually, Jet Star makes their way over to him as the rest fight over what entrance would be the best to use, settling on the seat next to him.
Cherri watches them bite their lip, looking much less sure than usual. “Hey, Cherri, I hate to ask this, but-“
He knows what they’re going to say before they do. “I don’t fight.”
Jet’s face is pleading. “Please, Cola, I-“ he twists his hands together. “I was the best shot of the four, but now…”
Cherri knows what comes after that too as Jet fiddles with their eye patch. “But now you’re missing depth perception.”
“Exactly. Now I can’t shoot even half as well as I used to, and we’re about to go on the most dangerous mission of our lives. Dr. D says you’re the best shot in the desert, and-“ They look away. “If I can’t help my crew with my own skill, I’m getting help for them whatever way I can.”
Cherri is silent for a moment longer, thinking the other’s words over. On one hand, the four are young, far too young to die. If they die and it’s his fault, he won’t be able to live with himself. On the other, he can already feel the memories rising up to choke him, and he doesn’t know if he can bring himself to fight again.
Jet’s shoulders slump, and, ultimately, that’s what tips the scales.
If there’s one thing in the world that Cherri Cola hates more than having to fight, it’s hurting the people he loves.
So as Jet stands, slow and sad, and makes to go to the rest of their crew, Cherri reaches out and snatches his wrist. “Jet, wait.”
The fragile hope on their face breaks his heart. “I’ll do it.”
“Really?” Their voice mirrors their face, the faintest bit of hope creeping through the fragile tone.
“Yes. I’ll go with you to Battery City.”
It doesn’t matter that it’s been years upon years since he last saw Battery City, it doesn’t matter that he wishes he never has to use a ray gun again, it doesn’t matter that he can already feel the blood coating his hands again. The safety of his friends--of his family--will always come first.
Jet breathes a sigh of relief, and Cherri is once again violently reminded of how young he is. How young they all are. They’re all teenagers, hardly older than he was the first time a ray gun was shoved into his hands.
That thought fills him with greater certainty that he made the right choice as Jet leads him over to the rest of the group, who are still furiously debating.
“Guys.”
Everyone continues to argue.
“Guys,” they say again, sounding very tired. “Cola is coming with us.”
“Cola?” Kobra Kid snorts incredulously. “Really?”
It takes all of Cherri’s effort not to flinch. “I’m a better shot than any of you. You’ll need that in Battery City.” He doesn’t want to sound arrogant, but he is one of the best. Always has been. He used to resent that, given how much shit it got him into, but if his prowess with a ray gun can save his friends, it will be worth every bit of it.
Thankfully, Kobra backs down at that, and Fun Ghoul doesn’t say anything about it.
Party Poison looks him over, strangely searching despite having known Cherri for years. Cherri tries not to wince, but it still hurts as Poison says “You better be able to shoot as good as you promise.”
“I can.”
“He can,” Dr. Death Defying puts in, and Cherri is grateful for the backup even if he can feel D’s intense gaze on him.
Finally, Poison nods as if to say ‘welcome to the team’. Jet Star quickly fills him in on the plan, and eventually the fabulous four are being shooed off with a firm “You need to sleep, or you’ll be no use,” From Dr. Death Defying.
Speaking of D, the second the teenagers leave, he turns to Cherri. “You’re going with them?” It would be a neutral question if the worry and disapproval in his voice weren’t so clear.
“I’m going with them.”
“You’re not going to come back,” the other DJ warns. “If you go, you may well die.”
“If I don’t, all of them will die.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do! I can’t let them die if it’s in my power to save them.”
“And what about your own life? What about you?”
“I-“ Cherri suddenly understands exactly why Dr. Death Defying is trying to keep him from going. “D, it’s not the Analog Wars anymore. I’m not the person I was then. I might be going into a dangerous situation, but I’m not throwing myself headfirst at the danger anymore.”
“I know. But I also know that you don’t care about your life half as much as the rest of us do.”
He hesitates for a moment because it’s true, the people he cares about come first. But- “It’s different. I have friends now.”
“You had me, even back then,” D points out dryly.
“I have family now,” Cherri corrects himself. “I’m not going to go around leaving you or Newise or Show Pony, not if I can help it.”
“I’m still going to worry.”
“I know. But…I’m not going to die. And even if I did, it’s not worth letting four teenagers die just to save my life.”
Dr. Death Defying visibly winces. “Your life is worth more than you think, Cherri.”
“But it’s not worth theirs.”
The other sighs, but doesn’t try to argue. “Just be careful, and come home safe.”
“I will,” Cherri says.
They both know that’s a promise he can’t keep.