The air was filled with panic and the shouts of terrified people as they all ran down the street to get away from the terror rampaging in area. Not that New Rome's citizens were strangers to the chaos of such monsters, or the rampant destruction they caused. The monster in case happens the be some giant machine. The roar of police sirens offers a false promise of retribution as the monster tears through the city like it was made paper. Everyone knows that the police aren't equipped to put down such a threat. They knew however that there was one chance to put an end to this, but the question that remained was. . . . . Where was he?

The machine's pincers tore through bricks and steel leveling entire blocks like knocking down dominos. It's servos let loose steam and arched electrical voltage as it's shoulder mounted weapons let loose bolts of electricity and missiles. Then it's as if time stood still for a moment as blue energy split the air and punched into the right shoulder mounted weapon setting of a chain of explosions. The titan stumbled and turned to face it's new threat. It's servo's and gears whirling to compensate for the sudden lack of the shoulder mounted weapon.

"now that's no way to go about doing things." came a casual voice. Dark red eyes turn and lock onto a figure floating in mid air like a dark star in broad day light. The fire that wreathed him and set off the electric blue light of his eyes. The silver emblem on his chest coupled with the matching wrist bands and grieves gave him an air of menace.

"I'll give you one chance to shut down and give up." He says calmly rolling his neck and cracking his knuckles. A mechanical laugh sputters from the inside of the titan's chest as the air was filled with steam and the hiss of servo's and locking mechanisms release.

"So good of you to finally arrive, Shadow. With a final hiss the chest of it opened to reveal a withered form of flesh and augmentation. The titan's pincers spin and clang menacing. With a smile the man occupying the cockpit steeples his fingers and smiles with teeth like a bear trap.

"I was just taking my invention for a test run, and just so happened to happen upon this nice little area." His voice was a raspy whisper augmented by the titan's broadcast system. The remaining weapons system began to glow as it charged up. Shadow's eyes crackled with energy waiting for his chance to strike.

"However, I can't very well test my new toy out unless you were here now could I?" The ark of electric energy whipped towards Shadow spitting and hissing as it touch the air like some glowing serpent. Shadow Bent back avoiding the strike like he had all the time in the world. His eyes flashed as he unleashed his eye-beams and struck the base of the last shoulder mounted weapon. Without hesitation the machine's arm swung up and it's pincer was launched at Shadow. It latched on to him and squeezed tight locking him in it's embrace before being dragged back to it's original place.

"You my good hero, are a pest and a threat that I will not allow to hinder my schemes." Shadow wrenched his hands inside of the claws clamp like grasp and pulled with all his strength. The steel bent and gave against his grip but the claw refused to open.

"it knows no pain, Shadow." The villain said as Shadow continued to try and pry his way out of it's grasp. His muscles bunched and strained under his black body suite.

"It will all be over soon and I will take control of New Rome and enslave it's populace for my own gain!" With a cackle the Head of the titan turned down and it's eyes began to glow before unleashing a steady pulse of energy. Shadow cried out in pain and rage as he was engulfed.

"Now, my reign can begin." He said with a sick smile of satisfaction as he killed the beam. Shadow slumped forward his eyes dark as night and lifeless.

"Now, where was I?" The villain said with a smirk releasing Shadow as if tossing away a broken toy. He took two massive strides toward the tallest building within reach before the titan's right arm was severed. The massive appendage fell to the rubble below and lay lifeless, and bleeding fluids.

"What?!" Turning back in shock and rage the Machine man's fury quickly turned to fear at what he saw.

"I can't allow you to hurt anymore people. Not while I still stand ready to defend this city." Shadow said darkly black fire engulfed his from and danced as if caught in a breeze.

"Today your madness will stop!" Shadow roared as he launched himself at the titan. The dark flames trailing in his wake. His fist became a black comet as he struck the titans head with all his strength, and then again sending the remains up and over the city's roof tops. Shadow dug his fingers into the titan's shoulder and separated it's remaining arm.

"Next time you think to test my patience," He said standing over the broken cockpit and the man inside "I suggest you do so somewhere else." With that Shadow launched skyward and was gone in the blink of an eye.