My name is Lexi Cross. Some call me a hero, while others call me a villain. Whatever you decide to call me, just know I have done everything in my power to protect innocent people from the clutches of evil. Most times I succeed, other times it completely backfires on me.
My life isn't pretty, but I like it. There are some very special people who make me who I am today. Without them, you'd probably see me in jail or in Arkham Asylum. That's where the 'villain' comes from. I've done some pretty bad things in my past, but you don't need to know what.
This is my story. My world. Do you dare to step in?
It all started one stormy May day, a week and a couple of days after my birthday. I was walking home from the library. Of course, there was nothing good to read, since I read all of the good book there. Really, the checkout lady knows me by name.
Since it was getting late, and I didn't want to walk to highways in the dark, I decided to cut through the alley I knew would take me remotely close to my house. I knew I shouldn't have gone that way because of all the crime in Gotham, but I seriously needed to get home.
I turned into the alley and heard a shout. I hadn't been introduced to the crime-fighting world yet, so I was terrified. I hid behind the dumpster that was between us, and observed the whole scene:
There was a flash of black, and a large thud as a body hit the cement floor.
"Heh, that's all you got? I thought you were supposed to be the Dark Knight," A gruff voice said.
"I am the Dark Knight," another voice replied, and there was another flash as the person got up.
At that moment I realized that the person was Batman, and he was doing his job.
Only he was losing.
"Oh Mr. Bat, are you searching for your bird?" The voice taunted.
The two people moved into the light, and I gasped. Batman had cuts all over his body, and he was breathing heavily. His opponent was a giant. He towered over Batman and had extremely large muscles. Those muscles flexed and he landed a punch on Batman's face, and he went down. Hard.
"No," Batman coughed as the large man lifted up his foot, which had large spikes drive into the bottom.
I bit my lip. I couldn't let Gotham's greatest hero die and not have done anything about it, yet if I did do something and he came after me… well, let's just say I'd look like Swiss cheese.
So I raised up my hand and the water pipes shifted beneath me. Water started rising around my feet and traveled toward the large man. With a swift movement, the water rose up taller and taller until it gathered into a giant wave. The wave cast a shadow on the large man, making him look up.
"What the-" But he didn't have time to finish his sentence. I sent the wave toward him with as much force as I could muster. The large man was driven off his feet, so I froze the water around him into a large dome so he couldn't move.
Once the large man was taken care of, I ran to Batman, even though the water soaked through my shoes. Batman had his eyes closed and he was barely breathing.
I got to my knees and shook him a little, "Uh, Mr. Batman?"
He opened his eyes through his cowl, blinked slowly, then focused on me, "You saved me?"
"Yeah, I think so," I said, standing up. I extended my hand to him and he grasped it. Panicking slightly when I realized Batman was too heavy for my hand alone, I moved my free hand and the ground moved at my command, pushing him upright.
Batman leaned heavily against the wall, "Thank you."
"I couldn't let you die. Your Gotham's finest hero."
"Can't take all the credit."
"That's right. Don't you have a sidekick? What's his name? Blue jay, Mockingbird,
Swal-"
"Robin."
"Oh yeah! Where's Mr. Robin?" I asked him.
He grunted, "Probably doing something he shouldn't. So, what's your name?"
"Uh, Lexi," I tucked a piece of brown hair behind my ear.
Batman smiled slightly, "Are you a superhero?"
I shifted slightly, "No, uh I mean, not until today."
"We should probably get him to jail," Batman motioned toward the large man, but then winced.
"Don't worry about it, that ice is really hard. Do you want me to call an ambulance?" I asked, after his hand flew up to his side in pain.
"No, I can take care of that myself."
"Alright then, if you don't need me anymore," I began to walk away.
"Wait a moment," I stopped, "Do you want to be a superhero?"
I frowned. Being a superhero would be such a change of pace, something entirely new. I didn't want a mentor to tell me what to do. I just healed. I just got used to being alone.
"No," I said firmly, "I don't."
"But you could do so much. You could help me," Batman explained.
"I'm sorry, Bats. I don't want to," My old attitude slipped out, and I started to walk away again.
"So, you don't want to help others? Be apart of the greater good?" He was trying to guilt me. And it was working.
I sighed. I really didn't want to be a superhero with a lot of fame. But, when Gotham's greatest hero asks you something, you just can't refuse.
"How about this," I walked back over to him, hands on my hips, "You call me when you really need me. Not just to stop robbers or people who think they are bad. Only when your life or your superhero friends' lives are in danger. Nothing else. Got it?"
He nodded, "Got it."
I dug into my bag and brought out a piece of paper and pencil. On it I wrote:
Lexi Cross: 440-456-9081
I gave him the piece of paper, then eyed him critically, "You sure you don't want me to call 911?"
"Positive," He assured me.
"Ok, if you're positive. Bye, Batman," I walked away from him for the final time, and behind me, I heard the Bat calling the police.
"Hello, may I speak to Lexi Cross?"
I sat up, my phone propped between my ear and shoulder, "Speaking. Who's this?"
"Batman."
I immediately grabbed the phone with my hand, "What's the emergency?"
"The emergency is that you don't have a costume," said Bats.
I literally felt my face change from worried to pissed, "That's not an emergency!"
"Well, if you want to fight crime, you going to have a secret identity."
"Humph. I don't want to fight crime."
"Too bad. Be outside in five minutes." Click. He hung up. I shut my phone with a snort. Surely he wouldn't come to my house in the light of day?
I opened my front door and felt my jaw unhinge. In my driveway was the Batmobile, and the side door was opened.
"You'd think I was in trouble," I commented as I slid into the passenger seat.
"Not exactly," said Batman as he put the car in gear.
"What were you thinking?! I told you to call only in emergencies, and yet you show up with the freaking Batmobile!"
"Watch your mouth. If I'm to be your mentor, you better give me respect."
I froze, "Mentor? Did you just say mentor?"
"Yes. I believe that you have some real potential. And with some training, you really could be an exceptional fighter."
"Sorry Bats, but there's two things flawed with that."
He eyed me, "And what is that?"
I glared at him, "I don't want or need a mentor. I've had my fair share of 'role models' and they all failed me. I don't want to be a crime fighter, and you can't make me be one. If there was some miracle that I did want to be your apprentice, wouldn't your Robin be jealous with my awesomeness?" I sly grin seeped onto my mouth.
"Robin would have to manage. Crime fighting is an art that you could really learn, Lexi. It brings honor and pride not to mention justice. And-"
I settled back in the seat with my arms crossed and tuned out Bats' lecture.
"Here we are," Bats said, putting the car in park.
I surveyed the area when I stepped out. It was an abandoned storage garage.
"Here? What's here besides rats?" I asked.
"There's more than meets the eye. A lesson you might want to learn," Batman paced over to the nearest door. He banged on it twice with his gloved hand, and a couple of panels flipped out on the side. Batman typed in a bunch of things, pressed his palm to a scanner.
"BATMAN: 02." A electronic voice replied, and that storage door opened into a staircase.
"What the heck," I breathed. Batman motioned me to follow him. We descended down a couple flights of stairs before coming to an large room. It was maroon colored walls with a dark brown wood flooring. A couple of plush couches littered the place.
"Batman. How are you?" A short, stout woman with straight black hair and dark eyes hidden beneath glasses peered at him.
"Hello Helga," Batman gave a small nod.
"Hey, Batman!" I turned and saw a man clad in all red with another man dressed in emerald green, both sitting on the biggest couch.
"Found yourself a new sidekick?" asked the green one.
"What's Robin going to think?" teased the red one.
"What's her name, Batman? Feather?" the red man walked over and prodded me on the arm.
"Lexi," I said, leaning away from him.
"She has a temper," remarked the green man.
"Just like you," the red one smiled.
"I keep mine in check. And you, Lexi, better be nice to these men. They might just save your life one day. Flash, Green Arrow, this is Lexi."
"Nice to meet you," I hesitantly extended my hand, greeting the two heroes. .
"Now, what brings you here?" Helga interrupted, her eyes piercing the four of us.
Batman gestured to me, "Lexi would like to take up crime-fighting. She needs a costume and a name."
Helga huffed, "And you think I could do it?"
Bats showed the first hint of a smile, "I only use the best."
Helga relaxed, "You got that right," She walked over to me, "Why, deary, you have very pretty eyes! Certainly I'll make a mask that showcase them! Now, come, come! We mustn't waste any time!" Helga grabbed my arm and led me into a separate room. All the sides were mirrors except the left one, which had a large desk that held everything from fabrics to sequins.
Helga took my height and weight, and, awkwardly, made me strip down. She took all my measurements, all the while assuring me that every superhero had to go through it.
I made a face when I pictured Batman in his underwear.
"Well, some are better than others," Helga remarked when she saw my face.
Thankfully, the measuring didn't take long, and I could put my clothes back on.
We sat opposite of each other in high backed chairs that I couldn't lean back in.
"Let's get down to business, Lexi. What are your powers?" Helga asked with a sketchbook in her lap and a pencil behind her ear.
"I can control the four basic elements, water, earth, fire, and air."
"Hmmmhmm, ok," Helga nodded, bent over the sketchbook.
"Do you want a formfitting outfit? Or something more loose?"
"Do you have something in between?" I asked.
"Dearest, I have everything!" Helga's brow furrowed. I watched as her hands flew across the page, sketching out my future costume. My awe grew as I watched her work. I love art, and being in the presence of an artist, a superhero artist, I almost bounced out of my chair with envy and happiness.
The sketching process took no more than twenty minutes. Helga then got up and shifted around in her large desk, taking things out, putting things back, and occasionally muttering to herself.
"Ok, Lexi," Helga said finally, "I have everything I need. Just sit tight and wait for about a half hour while I sew."
She left, so I walked back to Bats and his friends.
"Just because I'm getting the costume, doesn't mean I'm crime-fighting," I told Bats sourly.
"You'll rethink that," said Green Arrow.
"I think not," I flashed back.
"She has all the qualities," Flash told Batman.
"If she just could control her tongue," Batman glared at me.
"You should introduce her to Robin, I'll bet they'll get along," Green Arrow offered.
"I'll do that as soon as you introduce her to Kid Flash and Speedy," Bats retorted.
"Why are you hiding her from-" Flash was interrupted by Helga.
"If you boys are finished," She cast a critical eye on everyone, "Lexi's costume is finished," She beckoned and I followed.
I slipped the blue mask over my eyes, and surveyed myself in the mirror. My brown hair was adorned with a red headband, joined with the blue mask that showed my eyes. I was wearing a turtle neck tank top that was form fitting at the top, and became loose at the bottom. It was purple that faded into green that faded into blue that faded into red. Black leggings with a gray pouch around my right thigh, and light gray boots. White fingerless gloves covered up to my elbows.
I walked out to show the three men.
Green Arrow grinned, "Now you're looking like a true hero!"
"All of this outfit is made with a special fabric that won't be damaged while your throwing rocks or fireballs around," Helga added.
I frowned. I wouldn't be throwing any fireballs.
"She needs an identity," Batman said, peering at me through his cowl.
We stood there for at least fifteen minutes, rejecting all the ideas that were thought up.
"Why don't we call me Element?" I said, irritated with the debate. All the adults stopped bickering and stared at me.
"You want to be called Element?" Batman asked. I nodded.
"Alright, Element, take the costume off," Helga asked. I reluctantly took it off, because I felt superior in it. Not that I'd ever say that.
Helga sewed in a yellow "E" within a orange circle, and sewed the patch onto the right side of the chest.
"Ok, Lexi. Our work here is done," Batman said when I rejoined them.
"Hey, Element, it was really nice to meet you," Green Arrow said, shaking my hand.
Flash followed suit, "Yeah. See you on the street sometime! Drop by if you're ever in Central City!"
Helga gave me a fierce hug, "It was an honor making your identity, Lexi. You're always welcomed here."
I said my last goodbyes and followed Bats out of the garage; I was holding my new costume in a special package. We got into the Batmoblie and proceeded to drive away.
We got to my house when the sun was finished setting.
"Lexi, I noticed no one else is here. Do you live alone?" Batman asked.
I nodded as I inserted the key into the lock.
"Have you ever considered moving?"
"No," I said, an edge creeping in my voice, "I could never leave this house. Besides, I don't have the money nor the energy to move."
"Lexi, what happened to your family?" Batman suddenly had genuine concern in his words.
"My sister ran away when I was nine. My parents died when I was ten," I refused to elaborate.
"And you're fourteen?"
I nodded.
"That's awfully young to be living alone," He commented.
I opened the door and stepped through it, "I manage," I shut the door.
Mira, my husky, can running down the hallway.
"Hey, Mira! Missed you!" I ruffled her head, and walked upstairs to my room.
I sat crossed legged on my bed, and Mira jumped up beside me. I carefully unwrapped the package and stared at my new persona. How could I let things go this way? All I wanted was to live out my days peacefully and unnoticed. And, without my consent, I'm suddenly a superhero?
With a sigh, I shook my head. It just didn't make sense, but I didn't want to ruin something made especially for me. I walked to my closet and gingerly hung up the pieces in the back. I placed the headband, mask, and pouch in a drawer by my bed.
After all, when was I going to need them?