Beginnings

I had never been the hero type. It is hard to believe that it is worth risking your life in the cesspit known as Gotham when everyone and their mother go out of their way to prove that the city is a reflection of its people. When I discovered my powers, the ability to create and transfer heat allowing me to freeze or melt things on a whim, I had no intention of donning a mask and saving the assholes that lived here. Unfortunately the only person I was willing to call friend was far too optimistic and happened to be a fucking genius. She also happened to be a master of the guilt trip and puppy dog eyes. Naturally I was unable to put up more than token resistance.

TOG

"Alright Mel, what toys have you made me and how did you get the money to make them?" I asked my only friend over the earpiece she had given me. I knew she was across town in her own little hideaway under the orphanage we lived in with her computer. I was just glad that the costume we made was more practical than anything. It was a two tone jacket/jeans combo, almost black dark blue and dark red, with gloves and a container on the inside of each arm. It also had a hood that covered all but the mouth and eyes hiding a voice changer on my throat. It also had Thermos on the back as that was what Mel had decided I would be called.

"Internet." She said directly into my ear making me roll my eyes. "Seriously, you would not believe how easy it is to make legal money on it. I have enough that I could live comfortably and make a functioning Batmobile replica. You really should read those bank statements you get as you get half of all the royalties as my muse. Now I'm sure that you're wondering about the canisters since the voice changer and earpiece is pretty obvious."

"That and the vials in the belt you made." I said not bothering to even think about the money since I knew she would never accept it back.

"That is a part of the containers, which was a pain to make practical. The right arm contains a concoction I made for use with your powers, a flammable liquid that ignites has a low burning point and burns slowly. The left arm is for water which I plan on helping you train in refilling from the air. Use the water to help you freeze anything that isn't safe to burn. To release them through the wrist nozzle all you have to do is brush the nozzle with your fingers and clench your fist. As soon as you unclench then the liquid will stop. The belt contains refills should you need to use a lot for some reason. The belt also has some water vials to use until you can use what's in the air."

"It is horrifying how much thought you have put into this." I told her blandly since she hadn't even known about my powers for even 48 hours. "So how am I going to get about? My physical stats aren't mush more than an adult so roof hopping isn't always going to be an option."

"That's never stopped you before. There's a store robbery in progress three blocks North which you are facing." I could tell she was rolling her eyes as I ran to the edge of the roof and leapt to the next one. I didn't take long to get to the store in question where there were two goons holding the people inside hostage. I landed behind the one that came out last and forced the heat out of his gun and into his hand. I buried my fist into his diaphragm before he could alert his cohort with a scream. He seemed to notice something was wrong anyway and started to turn to us. I sprayed from my right wrist and ignited it causing him to stumble back despite it stopping before his face.

"Next time bring your own money and buy things." I said as I grabbed his wrist forcing the gun upwards before snapping it and elbowing him in the jaw harshly. I quickly destroyed the guns and zip tied them before they could recover. I let out a sigh inwardly at the relief that was able to freeze them quickly without the water.

"Well things are off to a good start. Who knows who you will meet out there. Do you think you will meet Harley Quinn?" Mel said cheerfully making me roll my eyes at the mention of her crush as I left before too many got a good look at me. There were few capes that lasted long enough to make a name and I intended to live.

"True but it is only a start." I said as I made my way onto the rooftops. "Besides, while I think I could get along with Quinn I doubt I could get along with her boyfriend." I let a smile appear on my face as I heard her mumbling her irritation.

TOG

"That…was exhausting." I said as I collapsed into a seat next to Mel who rubbed her own eyes. It was after three in the morning and I wasn't known for being adverse to sleep. "At least we have a few days off from school to get used to the new pace." I pulled the hood off of my head revealing my messy deep red hair and cognac brown eyes to the world.

"Thank Goddess for small mercies." Mel said before letting out a huge yawn. "Three robberies, two muggings, six shake downs and one kidnapping, all averted thanks to you. Not that bad for the first night."

"Yeah, well, there was that deal going down next week too. I'm a little unsure of making myself a target for Penguin. He's one of Batman's rogues for a reason." I said with a frown. One of the kidnappers had spoken of how he was already set up for his next job as muscle for a foreigner that wanted to make an arms deal with Penguin. Gotham was bad enough when it stayed to itself never mind helping other cities and countries to go to hell.

"And yet you're going to do so anyway." Mel said before handing over an arm guard that was clearly modified. "It isn't finished yet but this will help you in combat, blocking weapons with something other than your flesh, and manoeuvrability, a small but powerful grappling hook to help you in places that roof jumping just isn't possible. I hope to add something to give you some range with your powers as well but for now that isn't happening."

"I said it before but I will say it again, it really is frightening how much thought you've put into this." I said as I studied the arm guard before putting it on. It was heavy enough that it would add to my punches but not enough to really slow me down, in fact it would allow me to get faster as I wore it over time. "How exactly did you make this? I know there isn't a forge down here."

"I met someone a while ago that could get anything you wanted, or so he says, in a legal way. He's more expensive than the black market dealers but a lot more reliable. I've got him looking for a few safe houses throughout Gotham in case you get wounded and can't make it here. As to how much thought I've put into it…you only hear about the geniuses that use their brains for ill. I've always wanted to help people but knew I was never going to do so physically. Doing this gives you a purpose and allows me to put my brain to use where it will do a lot of good." I glanced up into her grey eyes and nodded knowing how much of a bad rep geniuses had because of people like The Riddler.

"Don't worry, while I won't even be hinting at having a partner, I will make sure that your things are seen as a sign of good." I said making her smile before she went over to her bed in the corner of the basement. I let out a yawn before going to my own in a small room that used to be for servants.

TOG

"Hey, have you heard about that new hero?" I heard someone say as I walked into Gotham Academy. I had been pretty busy the last few nights and learning the ropes so to speak. I had been very successful so far and was dreading the upcoming knockdown that was pretty much guaranteed to happen.

"Dude, I saw him in action last night." Another said in awe much to my surprise. "Thermos is absolutely brutal and yet a complete softy. See, some moron decided that he wanted to rob that small bank around the corner from my house and thought that taking little Rose, you know the one that sells lemonade at the weekend, hostage was a good idea…"

"Wait you mean that little blonde girl that's notorious for selling lemonade even to Villains?" I sighed knowing what he was going on about and couldn't help but be a little embarrassed about it.

"Yeah, they all have a soft spot for her due to her being cheerful and professional. Well Thermos came out of nowhere and separated them almost as quickly. He then gave the idiot such a beatdown he looked like a pretzel. Then he ignores the screaming and starts comforting Rose. It was the first time Thermos was there as GCPD arrived as she refused to let go of him until her Mother got through."

"Yeah, he does have a rep for getting out of dodge once everything is over and done with. I hope the police didn't get him in trouble."

"Nah, they gave him the speech they give to all new heroes and let him be on his way. Apparently not many keep the criminals from running meaning they rarely get to arrest them. Apparently the only other rookie that did that from the start was Batgirl."

"I didn't take you as the kind of person to listen to gossip, Kevin." A new voice said making me look up to see an amused Barbara Gordon standing there. I blinked in surprise at the fact the most popular, and probably the hottest, girl in the academy knew my name.

"I'm not usually but if you don't keep up with the capes and crooks then you're likely to be caught unaware in this shithole of a city." I said with a shrug. "So what brings you out here, Gordon? Grayson getting on your nerves today?" I raised a brow as she rolled her eyes.

"Dick isn't that bad when you get to know him. Besides, I was hoping you could let Melina know that I want to meet up to talk shop. It's a little boring here now that she tested out of the Academy." She said genuinely which surprised me. Mel seemed to make friends easily it seemed.

"I didn't even know you were friends. Explains how you know my name at least. I'll let her know." I said just as the first bell went. I was surprised when she just laughed. I wasn't liking how easily she seemed to surprise me.

"Kevin, I know you don't pay too much attention to what people say around you but you are very well known around the Academy. When Prom comes around you'll have plenty of offers, perhaps even more than Dick." I gave her an incredulous look as it was well known that Richard 'Dick' Grayson could make most of the girls in school cream themselves with a smile. "Don't say that I didn't warn you. Tell Melina that I'll be over around seven." I nodded as we went our separate ways. Today was going to be odd.