Raptor565: Ok for all of you who read my last craptacular story "Banish the Darkness" your probably wondering what the hell I'm doing writing again. Well I've taken a long while to study up and think about this story. I like this idea. But what's important to me is that you like it. Enough of my rambling without further ado I give you my second shot at a story.

Chapter 1: Dawn

Dawn…

The sun had begun its slow ascent into the morning sky, sending its first rays of warm sunlight into Jump City's numerous skyscrapers. The many reflections of the glass windows gave Jump City, when observed from a distance, an attractive rippling effect. It was the wee hours of the morning when all was silently awaiting to greet the new day. It was a truly breathtaking sight.

Unfortunately the only one observing this singularly beautiful sight was not really paying any attention to it. He was standing not far from where the Teen Titans had first encountered the geomancer Terra. The boy stood at rapt attention overlooking what appeared to be a giant monolith against the sunrise: Titans Tower. The boy scowled darkly. Any passerby might have pegged this boy for sixteen or so. He had silky black hair akin to raven feathers. His bangs fell just short of his steel grey eyes and a carelessly handsome face that looked intricately carved out of lacquered wood. The boy's stance, while tense, exuded an air of self-confidence and purpose.

This boy's name was Ryan Vanders and he was a superhero…sort of. Ryan liked to believe he was a superhero, but some part of his brain told him that he didn't have the right mentality of superhero. True he helped save people's lives but somehow he didn't always feel desire to. Ryan didn't fight crime to help people or uphold justice or any of that… he just did. Ever since acquiring his strange and unusual powers Ryan felt somewhat of an obligation to help the innocent. But some days Ryan felt that the human race really wasn't worth saving. Ryan had been to a lot of places; Bludhaven and Gotham among others. Ryan had seen some of the best the human race had to offer, he'd also seen some of the worst. Somewhere along his journey Ryan had picked up an intense cynicism that he hadn't really been able to shake.

Now he had arrived in Jump City and probably would be fighting crime within a couple hours. But Ryan's brain reminded him that if he was to fight crime here he would probably run into Jump City's famous superhero team, the Teen Titans. In all actuality Ryan possessed no desire to meet the team of Heros. But he most likely would… if that wasn't a kick in the teeth Ryan didn't know what was.

Ryan preferred to avoid other superheros. He didn't want them asking questions about his powers. If Ryan was honest with himself he knew that if he told how he got his powers any reasonable superhero would lock him up and throw away the key.

But still…

Here he was. Ready to fly himself right into danger's waiting jaws. Just as he had done a hundred times before. For the umpteenth Ryan wondered why he did this to himself. Was it the thrill? Or did he just not care about himself? Yeah it was probably that one. Still, Ryan thought as his wings sprouted, the thrill was always a useful novelty.

So? Did you like it or hate it? Either way tell me so I know where to go from here. Criticisms are welcome/appreciated.