I Am A Hero
A Fanfiction by Keystone
Disclaimer: This is my property. All the details of this story are mine and exclusively mine. However, the characters and songs involved in this story are owned by others, and to be honest, if thy were mine, I would not be writing fanfiction, but producing scripts.
Authors note: This story is for those who glorify evil, those who enjoy conflict on massive scale, and those who are entertained by countless acts of death and destruction. This is to show you just what it is you find so pleasing.
And for those of you new to my style of writing, you will find that I recommend certain songs at the beginning of some chapters. I do that because listening to the suggested song at the time I say will greatly enhance the mood of the story. It isn't required, but it really helps. And please don't send me reviews requesting songs to put in, because this is not that kind of story. So for this one, I would suggest the great "Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf.
I Am A Hero
Chapter 1: Breaking News
It was a cool winter's eve. The night sky seemed to be alive as snowflakes danced down through the air and blanketed the ground below. Cold wind blew through the glittering high rises of Jump City and embraced its few outdoors citizens in a chilly embrace. The weather had been beautiful lately. Snow fell and cancelled schools, wind came and excited the populace, and the white powder caused many a snowball fight and the building of hundreds of snow men.
On this particular night a group of five teenagers drove towards a club, anticipating a great celebration. These were not the average teenagers, however. These five youths were named Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven, and Robin. The Teen Titans. Resident super heroes of Jump City, they had saved their home countless times from as many enemies. This December day was a day of rejoice for them as their greatest foe, Slade had been finally defeated and handed over to the police.
So as a way to party for their most victorious battle yet, Beast Boy had suggested they go to a happening club he knew by the name up "Upstart". Each night the club had a program called the Upstart Start-Up which was a karaoke contest where the winner would receive a substantial prize. Each member of the team, except perhaps Raven, was busy pondering which song they had planned on singing and winning that great big prize with. Additionally, each week had a contest to determine the best of that week, then of the month, then of the entire year. As each level of competition stepped up, so did the prizes, culminating in great big bastard daddy grand prize.
Robin was busy pondering just what to do now that Slade was imprisoned, even though he would probably escape within a few weeks. Still it would leave them with a little bit of off time where they could relax and work on forming new skills. He would have some time to speak with his former boss and mentor, Bruce Wayne and learn new abilities from his alter ego, Batman.
Beast Boy kept going through the lyrics in his head for the song he knew he was going to do. He could also use the opportunity to confess his feelings for his one true love, and convince her how much he really cared for her. There was some doubt in his mind over whether she cared for him, but he figured it was just because of the whole emotional repression thing. No matter, he would show her how important she was to him.
Starfire considered the implications of the place they were going to. Anxious about singing in public, she decided she was just going to sit and watch the others go up and then perform. It would be most enjoyable to watch her friends sing the popular songs of the day, and then to see how much they sounded like her favorite songs from her home of Tamaran. Oh the laughter she would have.
To Raven, it was all just an average night. An enemy had been defeated, accolades had been given, and reporters had come. Now, as always, it was time to celebrate. And the choice of celebration was just amazing, wasn't it? A karaoke bar? Brilliant! Now, naturally, she was happy that their biggest enemy was for the moment was defeated. But to go out and act like idiots was nothing more than a chance to expose themselves and their weaknesses. But who knows. Watching her crush be a fool could be very fun.
Sitting in the drivers seat across from the brooding dark girl, Cyborg smiled as he hummed one of his favorite songs. Much to his enjoyment, the song, an old soul tune, had the ability to heavily annoy all the other teens in his car. He had been grateful that the battle against Slade was now over and they could all sit back and kick it for a while. Besides, since he had just recently turned 18, he could enjoy his new age and status in the eyes of the government. In his honest, opinion, unless they had no money to go for food afterwards, nothing could possibly go wrong.
So they got to the club, pulled in to the special VIP parking space with their status as heroes. When they got out, amid the wall of cheers, cat calls, and whistles tossed their way, they moved to the door, shaking hands and signing various, things, as they walked in.
Once they got it, the music was blaring, the people were dancing, and the mood was high. Since they didn't serve alcohol, it was an all age club. Of course it was up to the multiple bouncers, far more than there were in the average club, to keep things legal and peaceful. Best part was it was time for people to sign up to do the Start-Up. The whole team moved over and signed up, excepting Starfire. Much to everyone's surprise, even Raven signed up, to sing so real depressing song, but very spiritually powerful, she explained to skeptical looks from her team.
Well, around the time for it to start, the DJ came on and announced it for all to hear. "Aight y'all, listen up! It's time to Start it Up around here! Will the first contestant please step up to the main stage." The first person walked up, a well built guy with spiked blond hair and a legion of girls around him. He stood up, grabbed the mic and let the song spin up. The song sounded like some kind of lame country ditty, with a drawling banjo and a harmonica in the background. Then he started to sing and immediately the crowd went "Boooooooooo". His group of female fellows started to walk away, staying as far from his as possible. He made a cutting motion across his throat and the DJ cut off the song.
"Ewwww, lets try this again. It looks like, whoa! Beast Boy of the Teen Titans is up next!! Give it up y'all!!" The crowd flipped as one of their favorite heroes took the stage and the girls previously hiding from their beau surged back to the front, whistling and screaming, much to his total amazement.
I would suggest that song be played now. In fact, I command it, private!
Beast Boy stood with his head down as the snarling, unusual guitar came to a head and was allowing the crowd to wonder just what song the green Titan could be possibly be preparing to sing. Maybe it was some kind of rock tune, or even a strange techno song of some kind. Just then all that could be heard was a soft guitar and Beast Boy's shockingly professional sounding voice.
"I like to dream, yes yes,
Right between my sound machine," he pointed at Cyborg.
"On a cloud of sound I drift through the night,
Any place it goes is right" using his hands he pointed to all the girls in front of him and got right in their faces, teasing them with his looks.
"Goes far, flies near, to the stars, away from here.
"Well, you don't know what, we could find,
Why don't you come with me little girl," then he whipped around and made eyes with Raven, face to face with her. The crowd backed off and left him and her not a foot apart.
"On a Magic Carpet Ride.
Well, you don't know what, we could see,
Why don't you tell your dreams to me,
Fantasy will set you free."
He reached out with his free hand and softly closed her eyes amid the many hoots from the crowd.
"Close your eyes girl,
Look inside girl,
Let the sound take you away."
He jumped back up on stage after giving her a peck on the cheek, much to everyone's surprise and twirled in place with a grin on his face.
"Last night I held Aladdin's lamp,
And so I wished that I could stay.
Before the thing could answer me
Well someone came and took the lamp away."
He put his hand over his eyes to accent the next line.
"I looked,
Around,
A lousy candle was all I found."
Beast Boy reached down and grabbed Ravens hand and pulled her up on the main stage so he could serenade her in front of all.
"Well, you don't know what, we can find,
Why don't you come with me little girl,
On a Magic Carpet Ride.
Well, you don't know what, we can see,
Why don't you tell your dreams to me,
Fantasy will set you free."
"Close your eyes girl,
Look inside girl,
Let the sound take you away..."
As soon as the second chorus ended he began to dance with the song, allowing the whole crowd to watch him dance and be his best for the girl of his dreams. The wild organ played a wicked sound and he allowed his body to flow to the beat, dancing and having a grand old time as the whole gang danced below, watching them have fun. Until suddenly the music stopped.
"Whoa guys, hate to bust up the fun, but you have to see this," came the grave and hollow sound of the clubs enormously popular DJ. A wall of monitors across from the main stage activated and a picture came on.
It looked like a fire. But on a cruise ship. An American cruise ship. In foreign waters. A news reporter's voice came on over the footage. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we regret to bring you this grave news. A cruise liner, the S.S. Great Wave, was opened fire on by a Chinese warship today. This is the footage recorded by her sister ship outside of China's waters."
As she spoke, the ship sailed calmly alongside the behemoth cruiser. Then was suddenly rocked by the impact of the cruisers' six huge 20-inch guns. Fire swept along her bow as massive holes were blown clear through the peacetime vessel. Thunder rolled from the Chinese warship again and again for three more salvos until finally the huge leisure boat simply exploded on the water.
The clip ended and the reporter was shown back in the studio. "It is believed that over seventeen hundred American civilians were killed before the Chinese naval ship broadcast this message to the S.S. High Tide:
A Chinese voice came on the line and sent this terse, yet simple warning. "Attention American dogs! All of your craft will be destroyed on site and all your peoples will be executed on discovery in Chinese territory. You have been warned!"
The newswoman tried to appear stoic throughout the footage but the tears were evident in her eyes as was the waver in her voice. The microphone slipped out of Beast Boys hand and the thud resonated through the dead silent building.
"It is believed that over three thousand Americans were arrested and executed in China today immediately following the attack on the ship. The President has already asked Congress for permission to go to war and the vote was reached immediately and unanimously. The first troops ship out next week, and the Navy and Air Force have already mobilized. The Army and Marine Corps are asking for volunteers and the President urges all to contribute however they can.
"President Powell also made the following statement in his press address: 'Make no mistake. We are heavily outnumbered. We have the technology, but we need the men and women with the courage to use it. Now that we have declared war, if we do not achieve total victory, our weakness will be exposed and we will surely fall under the weight of all our enemies. I ask for your help. For the second time, America's civilians have felt the sharp stab of evils' sting. We must make it so they will never feel it again.'
"It is this anchor woman's opinion that any who can help, with their brains or bodies that they do so. That is all the news at this time. Once again, we have been attacked, and we have declared war on the Empire of China. Over four thousand civilians are dead. We are at war."
The monitors shut off and the DJ's voice came on over the speakers. "Um, why don't you all go home and be with your families. Now is not the time for fun. Now is time for war."
People slowly shuffled out of the club, some in tears, some with expressions of anger. That anger had to go somewhere as one guy around twenty years old punched an Asian boy in the stomach and began to insult him. "Fucking Gook! Come over here looking for work and a home and then your sneaky little rat people kill ours! You're gonna pay!" he said as he prepared to kick the young boy while the crowd watched.
Before his foot connected a steel one hit him. Cyborg stepped over the man and grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close to his face. "He didn't attack us. It looks like you attacked him. Maybe you're the enemy here?" He snarled and let the man go who just got up and stormed away mumbling something about 'that damned coon.'
He turned to see a group of citizens helping the boy, no more than fifteen, to his feet. Then the crowd dispersed, leaving the five super heroes. They walked back to the car in silence. None of them believed what had just transpired. They were witnesses to brotherly love devolving into animalistic hatred. And for the first time one of their own played peace keeper instead of super powered law enforcement.
They rode back to the Tower in silence as each pondered the implications of what it meant for the country to be at war. When they got back home each went to their room, trying to comprehend it all. It was so unreal, yet there was the ship, exploding, with seventeen hundred people burning on it.
A rustling in the kitchen brought the other Titans to the room to investigate. Being more on edge than usual, they were surprised to see Cyborg loading a small bag with food and drinks lying next to a large bag, easily the height of Beast Boy and probably twice his weight .
"Cyborg, what are you doing?" Robin asked, his voice full of sleep and his face showing his exhaustion.
"Leaving." came the steel Titans short reply.
"What?!" was the instant response from all four of the other Titans.
"I'm leaving. To enlist. I can help, I have the strength, technology, and power. And I am the only one of us old enough to join." He said without looking up, his voice suddenly grown up and full of maturity.
Stepping forward, horrified by her friends choice, Starfire pleaded with Cyborg. "Please, friend, do not go. You will surely be damaged, or even killed. I do not want my friend to die." She could not go on, the tears running down her face preventing her from speaking any more. Her knees gave way and she fell to the floor, her sobs consuming her.
"I have to Starfire. I am still human, and while other Americans without my strength or durability are willing to fight and die, I should be too. It is my responsibility as a Titan and as a citizen to do my all for my country."
"Dude, are you out of your damned mind? You're a Titan, you don't have to go spend time with the grunts. That's there job. Yours is to protect the civilians. I mean, you can't go. You just can't. Who's gonna cook and play video games and watch movies with me..." Beast Boy trailed off, unable to speak anymore and had to sit down, leaning against the wall.
"Cyborg, you cannot leave. We need you here. You are the strongest member of our team. And also the smartest, technologically wise. If you leave we will have a hole no one could fill. You helped form this team. You can't just leave it like that." Robin exclaimed. He had a hand on Starfires' shoulder and was busy trying to keep himself from falling apart.
"No. You're all wrong. People, our people, are dying and I can do something about it. I am going and not one of you can stop me." Cyborg stood his ground and by his claim of leaving. Only Raven had yet to speak.
She stared at him as if seeing him for the first time. Here was this man, so caring for his friends and so ashamed of what he had become, yet so eager to risk it all to help save all of them and everyone else. She knew the pain he felt inside of him. She knew the struggle not to kill himself he faced everyday. She knew his choice was right. She knew what to say.
"I support you Cyborg. It will be hard, but you can make a difference. I would be proud to say we were four because one was fighting for us all, even our enemies. If you go, I will be waiting for you to come back." She stuck out her hand and grabbed Cyborgs. A few lights exploded and the windows began to crack ever so slightly.
Cyborg was stunned by his dark natured team mates response and returned the grip, shaking her hand and putting the keys to the T-Car in them. "I'm leaving you all the car. I have left a list of my blueprints in my room, and have a three year supply of power cells, plus tools, spare parts, and a portable recharge unit with me. If I send a message asking for parts, just consult the files in my computer. Goodbye, for now."
He looked into Ravens eyes for a few seconds more, then he slung the large duffel over his shoulder and grabbed the smaller one in his left hand. He turned and began to walk down the hall to the elevator.
The kitchen of Titans Tower was a mess of shocked and scared bodies. Starfire cried on the floor, her tears forming a puddle under her legs. Beast Boy sat slumped against a wall, just staring ahead, not even acknowledging his best friends departure. Robin sat and struggled with the knowledge they were now a man short, and their likely best member.
Raven just closed her eyes, fought back her raging emotions, and coldly accepted that it was the right thing to do. And if any of the Titans could make a difference and save lives, it could only be Cyborg to make that noble a sacrifice. Almost his entire body was gone. Something had been stripped of him. But tonight something had taken its place. Duty.
Cyborg walked down the empty streets, past closed windows and desolate stores. He was headed to the recruiting station to sign his death warrant. Before he left, he had written his will and left it sitting on his desk, knowing the other Titans would have to sign it in case of his death. The thought stopped him in his tracks.
He could very well die in what he was about to do. It was strange to think he had fought the most maniacal super villains, with tacky costumes, goofy phrases, and silly weapons, and not have a fear in the world. But he trembled at the thought of fighting another human being. No powers, no skills, no silly lackeys. Just another man with a gun.
He finally made it to the Marine Corps Recruitment Center. In it was one officer, reading a report of what had happened. Upon seeing the half ton black man in his station, he rose and addressed him using his given name. "Cyborg, hey what are you doing here?" He casually asked, seeing the Titan save the city on many occasions.
Taking a deep breath, Cyborg answered the question.
"Victor Stone, reporting for duty."
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There's the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Or more accurately, I hope it somehow affected you. And if by any chance you are Chinese or Asian and are offended I chose that culture, please don't be. I needed a large enemy and seeing as how China has the largest military on Earth it seemed appropriate. Please give me your feedback. The next chapters' song is going to be "All Along the Watchtower", by Jimi Hendrix, in case wanted a jump on the music aspect. Like I said above, please review.
