Vigilante

Chapter 1


The boy stepped out into the intersection, no destination in mind beyond the next step. He concerned himself instead with the events unfolding around him. If there was one thing he loved most about Jump City, it was the nightlife. The arrival of dusk seemed to calm the normally bustling city, easing it into a smoother rhythm. Traffic flowed by at a calmer pace, devoid of the blaring horns and shouts that accompanied the afternoon traffic jams. Instead of a hurried, pressing crowd, the sidewalks were occupied by smaller groups and individuals, moving at their own leisurely paces. A far cry from its daily state, the city and its residents seemed at peace.

The relaxed atmosphere ended as an explosion boomed out in the distance. The boy's gaze shot up in time to see a second blast engulf a traffic light three blocks ahead. The sound of maniacal laughter only confirmed his suspicions. One of Jump's criminals was hard at work.

The citizens around him reacted with surprise and dismay, but not panic. Enduring constant super villain attacks had taught the city's residents that leaving the scene unnoticed was infinitely preferable to fleeing in a screaming mob. Doing so would only distract the villains from their goal and most likely incite their wrath. The deep rumble of an engine began to build as the explosions and cackles drew closer, and the few pedestrians began stepping into alleyways and pressing themselves closer to the buildings, attempting to stay out of sight until the criminal had passed or the Titans arrived. They were unaware of the danger this approaching villain presented. He had no desire to take over the city with an army of robots, or to rob banks using a magic wand. His only goal was causing pain and destruction.

The engine's pitch grew to a throaty roar as a black and red motorcycle skidded around the corner. Giving a triumphant yell, Johnny Rancid gunned the throttle and sped down the street. Hefting a grenade launcher, he began firing wildly at the buildings on either side. Screaming in newfound terror, the bystanders fled in every direction, desperately trying to avoid Rancid's erratic shots. The boy was thrown to the ground as a concussion boomed overhead, and he was blinded as a cloud of dust and rubble crashed down around him. Another explosion to his left sent him rolling into the side of a car, knocking the wind out of his lungs.

He struggled for breath as dust burned his throat. His ears were ringing from the blasts, but he thought he could make out sobbing amongst the continued explosions. Shaking the dust from his blond hair, he struggled to his feet. The street around him was in ruins. Vehicles lay in twisted, burning wrecks, flames spreading as the fuel began to ignite. Rubble littered the sidewalks, blown from the sides of buildings that now sported gaping, jagged holes. The remaining people were huddled behind whatever cover they could find, praying to be overlooked by the madman now making another pass. Johnny cruised to a stop in the road and surveyed his handiwork. His eyes stopped, and his sadistic grin faded into a thoughtful frown. The boy turned his head and felt his heart almost stop.

A man was kneeling with his arms around a small girl, his face streaked with tears. The girl's skin was ashen grey, eyes beginning to glaze as her breathing slowed. Her body was covered in scratches and cuts from flying shrapnel, but the gaping hole in her side showed where the blast had struck. Pieces of bone poked out from the burned tissue, starkly white against the blood dripping from them. Shards of metal glinted around the hole, and a stream of blood was pooling around the man's knees. The child let out a final, weak exhalation, and the man's sobs returned.

Rancid holstered his launcher and gave a half-hearted shrug. "Tough break pal, but you should've known better than to bring your kid out when Johnny's around." Giving a brief wave, he sped off into the night.

The boy felt tears prick his eyes as he watched the man hold his daughter's corpse. He wanted to do something, he had to do something. The wail of sirens split the night, and he knew that the Titans wouldn't be far behind. If they caught Rancid, he knew what would happen: An arrest, a jail sentence, an escape, and then more suffering. He made his decision. He took a single, uncertain step, then another, and then stumbled into an alley and out of sight.


Well, here's the first chapter of my initial attempt at fanfiction. Never tried anything other than original works, so hopefully I don't shame the source material. I welcome any and all reviews. Like it, hate it, or have advice to improve it? Let me know. If you feel you have to flame, try to express it as constructively as possible.

Many thanks,

Cro