No one understood the pain Edward had to endure as a vampire. He was alone, an evil creature who stalked the Earth and just barely kept his monstrous instincts in check. Even his wife Bella, who was the same way, had no idea what it was like to be him. Carlisle was the only one who came close to really knowing what it was like to be like Edward but Carlisle did not have the darkness in his past like Edward did.
Today, Edward was visiting a place called Metropolis. It was a large city, larger than most except perhaps Gotham or Los Angeles, but this city was home to some supernatural sightings and most of them recently. Someone had described a man who could fly and had superhuman strength. Most people were calling this extraterrestrial but Edward knew there was nothing extraterrestrial about his kind. They existed on Earth and their evil knew no limits. Perhaps they were doing what he was and that was checking out the city.
Even as he passed regular people, he had the desire to sink his fangs into their necks and drink of their sweet smelling blood. It may have been coursing throughout their bodies but he could still smell it and it made his primitive brain go wild with temptation. The struggle within him was very real.
"Excuse me," said a deep voice behind him. Edward looked around to see a man dressed in a skintight blue and red suit standing behind him. On his chest was what looked like an S but it was not of this world. Did it stand for something?
The man's features, though human in appearance, were not your usual humanly features. His jawline was hard and square, his hair jet black and his eyes suspicious and deep blue. On top of that, he was exceptionally muscular without being overly so.
"Can I ask who you are?" asked the man.
Edward spread his hands out to show he was unarmed. This man had a lot of power within him and it was apparent but Edward had more. Vampires always had the advantage.
"My name is Edward Cullen," he said slowly. "And yours, sir?"
The man in red and blue still looked suspicious and Edward sensed that this man had a protector of the human race complex about him. Was it possible he was a vampire? It was rumored that some of the old families could fly so that would explain that if it were true and superhuman strength came with being what Edward was.
"For now, you can call me Superman," replied the man. "Now explain to me why you are here. I know when someone does not belong among the human race. Who are you and where are you from?"
Edward considered the question. Should he answer it honestly? Surely this man had his own secrets but Edward was unsure of what would happen if he told the truth. Would this person who called himself Superman believe him? He would if he were like Edward was, and that was an evil, depraved being who constantly struggled within himself. Over the years, he had learned how to read people and this man was good as far as could be seen. Was it possible that he was indeed not of this world or perhaps simply an extraordinary human?
"I am human," said Edward calmly. "What are you?"
Superman raised his eyebrows. "You are not human. I know a human when I see one because I've been around them most of life. Humans are very warm and you do not emanate warmth in the least, my friend. Stop lying to me and tell me who you are."
How could this man see through Edward's attempt to protect him so easily? These were not lies but rather protection and they usually worked. Usually, Edward misled people to prevent them from knowing the horrible truth of his nature and he had become very good at it. Superman, however, did not appreciate being lied to.
"Yo, what's the issue here?" asked a woman's voice. Edward looked around to see a tall, stocky, blonde-haired woman in a high-cut leotard alight on the ground next to him.
"I just met a new friend," said Superman. "And Karen, I really wish you wouldn't just show up here in Metropolis unannounced. It scares everyone when they see an angry blonde woman flying around beating up strangers."
Edward observed quietly as the tall woman hit Superman on the shoulder playfully, the force of it causing a small shockwave. Through his heightened vision, Edward could see thing normal humans could not such as sound and displaced air. He could see heat signatures from humans and each one had their own. It was like an aura that each individual human had. Even these two, Superman and Karen, had their own individual auras. Edward could tell that their bodies ran hotter than most humans, in fact, it was more a like a werewolf. They were not of this world and it was apparent.
"Who's the depressed freak of nature?" Karen was looking at Edward with some interest.
Superman remained where he was. "I was just trying to find that out before you rudely interrupted…"
These two were obviously family in some way or another. Edward was guessing siblings considering the way they talked to each other…
"Hey, I'm your cousin and we're the only ones left of our people so I gotta annoy you at least a little…" protested Karen.
Edward immediately saw the look of fear on Superman's face at the mention of "being the only one's left of our people" and he knew then and there that his suspicions, as crazy as they sounded, were correct.
"I am a vampire," said Edward, trying to stir the proverbial pot.
Superman and Karen looked at him with interest.
"That is something I can believe," remarked Superman. "Can you tell me why you are here in Metropolis?"
Edward smiled. "To make a base of operations for my family of course."
Frowning slightly, Superman shook his head. "Find another city. I cannot allow your kind to be here because all that you will bring is more evil to a city already heavily plagued by crime and all kinds of evil."
He had a reason to be suspicious, thought Edward. Perhaps this man was the self-designated protector of this city and his cousin Karen was as well due to the fact that they had exceptional abilities. As with anyone with abilities beyond that of an average human, they understood that power came with responsibility and self control and discipline.
"I mean you and the people of this city no harm," replied Edward. This was of course a lie because he was planning to attract the Mosleys here to this city. For two years now, the Mosleys and the Cullens had one of the biggest rivalries in the world. The Mosley's had wiped out much of the Volturi and other prominent vampire families. Needless to say, when they arrived in Metropolis, the bloodshed of the innocent would be extensive. Edward did not care. As long as Bella was safe, the loss of life to protect her was worth it.
Superman and Karen were not easily fooled. Karen tensed and Superman suddenly shifted his body weight. That meant both were prepping for a fight and Edward did not want to see what would happen should he be forced into fighting these two. Not yet.
"Why do people like this have to lie?" Karen asked turning to her cousin.
Edward bristled. He hated it when people did not speak to him directly like this. She was treating him like he was an idiot, a simpleton. It was her who was the idiot.
"I am not a liar," said Edward, his voice rising. "If you have something to say, say it to my face!"
Karen turned around, he short hair whipping around in the cool breeze. "Okay, fine. What are you going to say next? You're going to massacre this city out of love to your betrothed? Or perhaps you feel the need to taste human blood and this place has an abundance of good blood?"
"No one understands me!" roared Edward. The pain within, it was too much to bear. Not even thinking twice, he lunged at Superman and attempted to sink his teeth into the man's neck.
For some reason, he could not bite Superman. His fangs did little more than slide off his skin and leave small marks. He was then grabbed from behind and thrown a good distance. Something cracked and the sound of shattering porcelaine sounded in his ears.
"Ahhhh!" he yelled as searing hot pain raced along his arm. He looked down and saw two long marks starting at his hand and ending at his leather jacket. Karen's eyes were glowing a dangerous red.
"Get out of here!" Karen roared grabbing him by the coat. "I'm only holding back because I'm afraid of what will happen if you die and your friends find out! Never come back or else I'll break you into little pieces and then set fire to them!"
Edward raced off. He would return in the future. In the near future. This time, he would bring reinforcements. Forks was not the place he wanted to keep his wife safe. The big city would have to be that place. Once he had his way, his family would be safe. And if these two steel-skinned protectors got in his way, he would have to get rid of them somehow. As long as Bella was safe...