Okay this is my first fic for awhile, it starts off slowly but should soon pick up.
It was a cold November day in California. The usual warmth had long ago been replaced with the unusually cold weather. On several occasions it had threatened to snow on the citizens of Jump City but so far it had failed to materialise. The meteorologists had forecasted the cold would continue and would probably worsen as it got closer to the end of the year. The inhabitants of the fair city had at first welcomed the change from the monotonous warm sunny days which drenched the western coast of America, but soon found themselves welcoming any form of sunshine which would dare break the usually grey clouds high above. They had prayed for it to snow during the bleak period, offering them some fun and games to enjoy this weather, but it seemed to them they were out of luck. Maybe being too close to the coast was this time a burden instead of a blessing.
Many people across the city were starting to feel the pinch of this cold weather. Many houses were experiencing larger fuel bills than expected in a vain effort to keep out the freezing weather on their doorstep. Shopkeepers were finding their customers were reluctant to leave the warmth of their houses to walk around the various businesses which desperately needed a change of fortune. Bars and restaurants were recording an all time low in profits, with many recording losses. The economic sector of Jump City was taking a serious blow from the cold weather and many people predicted greater losses on the months to come. Most shops were willing to tough it out to the mad December rush which signalled the arrival of Christmas, others were not so optimistic.
Across the bay stood a large tower on top of a small island. The windows were dark except for one looking out towards the city. This tower was home to the Teen Titans. They had been sworn in to protect the citizens of Jump City at all cost, however the cold weather and sharp decline in the local economy was out of their control. They too were starting to feel the pinch of this barren time. They had found it increasingly difficult to fight crime in this torrid cold weather.
Perhaps feeling the worst off was Starfire. For a being that needed the sun to help her fight and maintain her high spirits, to be under the constant cloudy weather was starting to take its toll. She was still jovial and took her duties seriously, but even she couldn't shake off the desperation for warm weather.
Beast Boy had similar problems though they were not as obvious as Starfire's. His keen animal instincts and traits were sensitive to even the smallest change in his natural surroundings. The extreme cold had taken its toll but he was still the same Beast Boy.
Robin hadn't been as effected as the previous two Titans, living in Gotham meant he was used to the cold winters. However, after slowly acclimatised to the Californian sunshine the winter was worse than he had imagined. However the disheartening weather had not effected his duties one iota, he still remained as vigilant as ever.
Cyborg wasn't too fussed about the weather, he enjoyed the cold sometimes. The continuous sunshine of Jump City often meant he hoped for the occasional change, but this sudden downturn was maybe a little too extreme for him.
Raven wasn't fussed at all about the weather. Often she was thinking about far more pressing matters than the cold bitter weather outside the safety of her room. She had, however, noticed the change in
her friends once this wave had overtaken Jump City and the surrounding areas. Even thought the changes were small and barely noticeable she had still found them slightly disconcerting. It had once crossed her mind that this could be some kind spell, but no mage on Earth was powerful enough and she would have detected the aura surrounding the weather change. Her answer was to tough it out within the confines of her room until the tower had returned to some kind of normality, even though the very idea was absurd in itself.
Robin was alone in the common room of the tower, eagerly awaiting the news to come onto the television. He wasn't usually this desperate to watch the news, but recent events had gripped the entire city.
"So David, what do you predict for the immediate future for Jump City?" the anchorman asked his colleague.
"Well...if the trend continues like this then households will feel the squeeze even more. It was reported today that the oil and gas prices had risen slightly due to increased demand" the economic correspondence answered.
"So many people are tightening their belts, money-wise?" asked the anchorman.
"That's right John, we are seeing a sharp decline in the spending power of citizens in Jump City. This in turn has taken a drastic toll on the small businesses across the city" David answered.
"How are the businesses faring?" John questioned him.
"Not too well I'm afraid. Even after these couple of months the economic sector has taken a real battering. Hopefully with the imminent arrival of Christmas it can pick up, but harsh times are ahead for the moment" he replied.
"How can the citizens of Jump City help combat this sudden downturn?"
"I advise them to cut down on unnecessary spending, keep buying the essential foods and clothing, and try to build up funds for the rising fuel prices which may sharply incline" the grim correspondent told him.
"Well thank you David, now let's talk with Sandra, our weather girl. How is it looking?" he asked as he turned to his female co-worker. The pretty brunette was stood in front of a large map of the immediate area of Jump City.
"Not too good I'm afraid, it looks it like the cold front is not going anywhere for the time being..." she answered.
Robin had heard enough already. He picked up the remote and flicked the television off and stood up. Sighing to himself he got up off the couch and excited the room, thinking to himself that a bit of training may be good at the moment. Its going to be a long winter, he thought.
Across the city in an under ground room, a lone man was watching the same broadcast the dark. His orange and black mask flickered from the light of the television before him.
"...and as you can see this cold front will be with us for quite some time. If you do manage to go out this week do wrap up warmly and keep safe"
The man turned the television off. The cold weather had taken its toll on everyone, but not him. In the darkness of his room he had only one thought.
This is perfect.
A boring first chapter but I am trying to build up a big storyline here. Sorry about focussing on the economy and weather but it is integral to my story. It's not as boring as you are probably thinking.