Hidden Hospitality

by LexiThePwnage

Prolouge: First Meet

She awoke in a dusty room with a massive headache. Her stomach felt as if it had been kicked, she felt nautious. It was dark, cold. The floor was hard and cruel. She could hear footsteps from a far. She got on her hands and knees looked up at the sound, hoping it was someone coming to help. She yelped like a lapdog at what she was truly witnessing.

"Y-You aren't real..." She stuttered nervously and fearful. "Oh I'm real Lexi, all to real." The tall, muscular, masked figure knelt down to her as he gently grabbed her chin to look up at his own eyes. "You know my darling, you are... quite adorable when you're confused." Immediately Lexi retreated away from Slade into a corner. She was trembling at the nervewrecking man walking nearer and nearer to her. "You can't hide from me my pet, but it will be all the more fun for me to find you if you choose to do so." "How did you get me here!" She demanded fiercely. He just chuckled evily under his half orange half black mask. "You really don't know do you?" He asked manipulatively. Lexi just stared forward with a mixture of fear and hate.

Her feet patted against the wet ground heavily as she paced through the falling raindrops overhead. She knew wandering around at this hour was foolish in a city like Jump, especially if you didn't know the place like you're own home. She didn't care though, she needed time away from her old life, and Jump City seemed like an exciting place to do it.

She stopped near entrance to an alleyway and peered through, making sure to avoid any homeless fellows that may be lurking around. She made certain it was safe and darted in to get out of the rain. She knelt down and sat up against the brick wall beside her. She sighed heavily, this hadn't exactly been what she expected by coming here. Still, she enjoyed the sites, and near everywhere you could get a fair view of Titan's Tower.

With a snap of her fingers, a miniscule flame appeared on the tip of her thumb as a lightsource. Her soaked clothes were uncomfortable and cold, her drenched hair was annoying and made her irritable. She wasn't in a very good mood, to say the least. Her own family refused to house her, her birth family that is. That was the reason she came anyway, her adoptive family was awful. Drunks, beaters, and low-lifes. She was hoping her real family would act a little more considerate towards her, but no. They cared just as little for her as anyone else did. Tears swelled her eyes as she longed for someone to hold her, reassure her that everything would be alright, to tell her they loved her... Anyone would do, just as long as they were caring and careful, (just incase.) then they would fit the bill.

She rose up as the sky became brighter and the rain let up a bit. She stared at the coming sunrise in aw, it was fasinating how in such a big city, you could still enjoy a beauty such as this. It almost made her smile, cheer up somewhat, like it was telling her today was a new-

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain piercing her neck and then...

Blackness...

"B-but... no one was there! How did you-" "Cloaking device my dear, not that difficult to master. Especially when you make use of it about every other day..." He replied smartly, smirking under his shiny mask. She became so frusterated it was insane. Since Slade had never been captured, everyone except the Titans believed he was only a myth. That the Terra girl was just a mad teen bent on destruction, but to see him in the flesh was... overwhelming. "Why do you want me..." This was the first statement she had managed to say clearly all this time. "I've been watching you for some time now Lexi, 5 months to be exact, and it doesn't take a geniuse to tell you are unhappy with yourself."

"And why would you care?" She demanded.

He chuckled his signature laugh once again. "I think I could... offer you my services, so to speak." He just stared blankly at her as eyes practically darted away. "I-... I don't understand." He walked closer to her. "It's simple, you could join me, I know for a fact your powers are quite unique. Unoriginal, but unique," She wasn't sure whether to blush or feel insulted at the statement. "And I think I can help you control them."

She couldn't believe her ears. All this was happening so fast it made her head spin. "But... you're a villain! Why would I-" "You've tried being a hero Lexi, and you failed miserably. The only other sensible option for a young girl such as yourself is to try to be bad. I assure you, it can be fun. Boost your confidence even. Healthy." He had a point. She had considered being a criminal before, but only vaguely and discarded the idea soon after. "I-I don't-..." She stuttered nervously. No one had ever acted so... so interested in her before. It was flattering, charming even. "I-..." "Shh..." He shushed as he pressed his gloved index finger gently against her lips. "Think about it. We'll meet again soon enough." With that, he bid her adieu and ran from the room into the darkness. In the left corner of her all to confused eye, a door opened, letting the blaring sunlight peer inside. Her eyes squinted as she stood up hesitantly, and quickly made her exit.