"Man I've been walking for three days now I'm beat." A lightly tanned young man was walking through back alleys of a large city knocking over trash cans. In fact this young man was not even from this city he was just a runaway from a town called Jadding. (I don't know if this place is real) This young man just looked like any other person brown shaggy hair, height of 5'3, green pull-over hoody with the hood down, black khaki pants, all black converse sneakers, The only distinguishable trait he has are his eyes ; left eye was red and his right was green with white tented goggles over his eye's.
Quickly rounding a corner he leaned his body to the wall to support himself.
"*huff**huff* I can't take another step*huff*" after catching his breath he spoke again "Well Mat let's see where you are this time. Then find somewhere to crash for the night" Pulling off his goggles he placed his hood over his head and set off to the closest person he could find, heading to the nearest park, to see if he could find a person up at this time of night. Luck was on his side as he saw a lone figure sitting on a bench that looked around his age of 19, but something was off about this person the first thing he noticed was that she had grey skin that seemed to shine like metal under the lamp light 'that has to be paint on her skin' other things he noticed was the red hair that was just past strangers shoulders. It had a wild, disheveled look, and that the person was a woman and was wearing a strange outfit made up of a white skin tight suit that went down to mid-thigh, with an "L" on the chest, red cape, red boots and gloves, and a silver belt. 'Isn't she cold dressed like that? Oh well momma used to tell me not to judge people by the way they look'
Mat started walking closer suddenly his body felt like it was being pulled towards the woman. Pulling his hands to his face 'Oh great now my powers are acting up but this only happens when I'm around metal. Why would they be reacting like this unless…' his thoughts trailed off as looked up to the now empty stone bench suddenly he could feel the magnetic pull coming from his back and instinctively ducked and rolled away from a wild haymaker aimed at his head.
Getting to his feet Mat yelled. "Hey, what the hell was that for? Sure I was staring at you for a moment, but that doesn't mean you should try to knock my block off!" exclaimed Mat.
The mystery woman gave him a look of confusion that turned into a scowl and she stood to her maximum height of 6' even, looming over him 'Holy shit, she's huge!' the look of regret for not running away while he could only made the silver woman smile sadistically. "Well little man it's plenty of reason for me to kill you"
"Don't you think that might be going a bit too far?"
Suddenly the silver beauty charged for another attack with a flying kick that landed square in Mat's chest and launching him through a tree 30 yards away then answered "Nope." 'I don't know why but I'm enjoying this more than any of my past battles'
Getting up from the ground Mat clutched his left side 'Damn I think that kick just broke a rib our two.' "Hey, cutie, since you are so set on killing me. at least tell me your name."
The mystery woman blushed lightly at being called cute never in her unnatural life has she been called anything but weapon and/or subject L. Two years ago subject L was created in a laboratory to be a weapon. She was made to have armor like skin based on the hardest of metals and be able ignite a flame threw out her body and fly, she has natural super strength thanks to her DNA. Obviously, her creators had nefarious purposes in mind. Lacking the experience of growing up and having a true family, she never learned how people were supposed to act. Instead, she learned from the scientists. Police raided the lab. The scientists were captured, but she escaped, destroying the building in the process with several murdered witnesses. Since she has only been alive for two years, she is ignorant of right and wrong so until now she has killed anyone that has gotten too close to her as part of her programming with basic communication skills.
"I am known as Miss L" (Miss L belongs to Mystery Again)
"Miss L? What does the L stand for? Luscious"
"I'm sorry you must be this tall to flirt with me" she said while holding her hand to eye level.
'Why does she have to make fun of my height? It's pissing me off.' Slowly reaching behind his back he pulls out four metal ball bearings. Holding his hand in front of him, the bearings start to float in the air Miss L's eyes widened in surprise then they shut tight as she felt a sting on her stomach. With a flick of his wrist, Mat had sent them like bullets from a gun. All four bearings found their target in Miss L's torso.
Rubbing her stomach "What the hell was that shrimp?" Miss L growled
"Okay first of all the names not shrimp, dwarf, chibi, or any other short joke you got the names Mat. Secondly what just happened was that I used my powers on you, but now I think that was a bad idea since you should have a four holes in your stomach right now" making a fist and concentrating on nearby metal he pulled it back, all his ball bearings came back along with Miss L.
"Hey, whoa, what the hell is going on I don't want to fly yet!" exclaimed Miss L over Mat's head.
Watching Miss L float around in circles Mat said "Okay, I did not know that was gonna happen. Hey Miss L are made of metal or something."
"Yes, now put me down"
"Are you gonna kill me if I do?"
"YES!"
"Huh, then I guess you'll just hang around till you change your mind." Mat started to chuckle.
"Like hell I will!" Miss L grabs one of the bearings and flung at Mat's left foot; since she wasn't very steady when she threw it the bearing did not pierce his foot (just crushed a couple of toes)
Mat's eyes opened as wide as the moon is full "SON OF A BITCH FUCKING SHIT WHORES!" he roared with pain coursing through his foot Mat lost concentration of his hold on Miss L. 'This is the most fun I've had since escape from that accursed lab.' Miss L thought as she watched Mat roll on the ground holding his foot.
"Alright peewee this has been fun and all but it's time for you to die."
"That's such a clichéd line." Said mat in a bored monotone.
Suddenly Miss L jumped into the air and started flying upward stopping about 50 feet off the ground, and shouted "IGNITE!" her body was then engulfed in a burning inferno, then flew into a dive bomb directly towards Mat.
Mat stared in shock at the now flaming woman 'Oh crap on a cheese cracker' Mat took a step to run but the extreme pain in his foot reminded him that he won't be walking for a while. 'I'm screwed' resining to his fate Mat closed his eye awaiting the harsh pain of death but all he felt was a hand on his shoulder. Opening his eyes slowly checking to see if he was still alive looking to his left he saw a figure dressed in all black body suit with black mask, black cape, black boots black gloves and a red utility belt. 'okay was I just saved by a bat clone or am I just losing my mind here.'
Reading the confused look on Mat's face the figure responded "No, I'm not part of the bat clan. Why does everybody think that?"
"Maybe it's the all black suit dude."
Suddenly they could hear a rumbling sound behind them. Turning around they saw several trees were scorched with fire coming from them and many more knocked over or up rooted. Walking back into view they saw Miss L with a very pissed off look on her face. "I don't know how you evaded my attack but I can guarantee it won't happen again."
Quickly reaching in his utility belt the black figure pulled out a small flash grenade "Yeah, because this happened" the masked hero quickly pulled the pin and threw it directly at Miss L. Not knowing what it was she instinctually caught the grenade, pulling it closer to her face to inspect the odd object she was immediately blinded.
The mystery figure quickly threw Mat over his shoulder and ran out the park while Miss L was hunched over flailing and rubbing letting a string curses pass her lips "Woman should never use language like that." was the last thing she heard as the heroes finally made their escape.
"I swear here and now when I find those two they will die by my hands and no one else's."
In an Alley
Setting the young metal manipulator down on some random crates the vigilante asked "You alright kid?"
The adrenaline Mat had earlier had worn off and he was feeling the full impact of his broken foot, but that didn't keep him from his rebuttal "Firstly mystery dude I'm not a kid, I'm 19. Secondly yeah I should be good in about ten more minutes."
"Sorry about that. Wait your seriously 19! And what do you mean 'ten more minutes'"
"Yes I'm seriously 19 and I have a healing factor but it's really slow also thanks for saving my life. The names Mat. Who are you?" He said while extending his hand.
"Hey, no problem it's what heroes do. I'm The Black Hand, but you can call me Xavier Lloyd" he said while taking off his mask and shaking Mat's hand. (The Black Hand belongs to Extreme is a lifestyle)
"Are you a local around here? 'cause I have no idea where I am." Said Mat.
"Yeah you're in Steel City home of the once mighty Titans East but those guys are long gone." Xavier replied while throwing his arms up in a ta-da kind of motion.
"Where did they go?"
"Last I heard they joined the JLA and forgot all about this city."
"Good thing you're here then."
"Yeah it's heard protecting a city this big by yourself especially when you got people like that flaming chick"
Suddenly Xavier heard a growling sound, thinking that it might be another enemy he placed his back on and started looking around, he saw nothing then he heard it again, this time his attention was drawn right to Mat who had a slight blush on his cheeks from embarrassment "Guess I'm a little hungry"
Letting out a light chuckle Lloyd let out a light chuckle "Come on I know this cool little place that will fill you right up" Little did the two heroes know they were being watched by two shadowed figures above the alley they were in and quickly followed.
Xavier lead Mat to an old fashion road side dinner, after Xavier change into a black jacket, white t-shirt, and jeans. Mat just ordered a bacon burger and curly fries while Lloyd had a personal pizza onion rings a chicken sandwich and a beer. "I still can't believe that his place would give me beer."
Mat gave him a confused look "Why's that dude" he asked before taking a sip of his water
With a smile Lloyd said proudly but quietly enough so only Mat heard "Cause I'm only 16"
After hearing this it made Mat perform a spit take out of shock "Say what now!?"
"Yep you heard right sir Chibi" Lloyd said with a chuckle.
"But…but you're so tall." Mat slammed his head on the table "Life's so not fair."
"It's not that life isn't fair. Just blame your creator for making you so short." (Mat belongs to me the author the hero name comes later.)
"What are you talking about?" Mat asked lifting his head off the table.
"Never mind. So how's your foot doin'?"
"All healed up bro"
"Do you have any other powers besides a healing factor?"
"Yep, sure do." Mat said with a huge smile then he grabbed a fork and spoon making them fly around the tall boys head. "My powers allow me to manipulate metal and metal based objects."
"Cool." Xavier let out a loud yawn "Man I'm getting tired what about you"
"I've been tired ever since I got into town" said Mat stifling a yawn
"Com'on dude you can crash at my place for a while."
Chapter 2. Old friends New Allies
A young adult male stood outside the Steel City limits wearing jeans, long sleeve shirt, big baseball hat that hides some of his face, large round shades and a watch on his right wrist. This young man stands 6'6 atop his head, under the hat, short messy red hair could be seen. "I can only hope she doesn't find me here." He set his gaze upon the rising sun marking the begging of his journey. This young man's name is Sid hero allies Gladiator (Sid belongs to patattack)
It is now mid-day and walking around the city aimlessly was Mat and Xavier. Xavier was hitting on every attractive girl that spared him a glance "Hey Babe, they say dating is a numbers game so can I have yours" he said to a random redhead with an hour glass figure. After receiving the number Xavier and Mat walked away.
"I will never understand how you do that." Said Mat in an envious tone.
"Do what?"
"Dude that's like the eighth chick you flirted with today and that's the eighth number you got."
"It's all in how you carry yourself dude. Why don't you try flirting with some girls?"
"Because the last time I did I was nearly killed by a walking furnace."
"Hey tell you what we'll make it easy. We will head over to the library. There are plenty of mousy types of girls there that are just hoping for guy to ask them out."
"Lead the way bro."
Arriving at the library, Mat was the first to enter but not before bumping into somebody and falling on his backside. Opening his eyes to see who he crashed into, his eyes had a look of confusion and slight recognition as he looked up at the figure in front of him offering his hand to help Mat up.
Slowly Mat said a single name that came to his mind "Sid.. is that you?"
After helping Mat off the ground Sid said "Depends on who's asking."
Mat quickly removed his goggles from his eyes "Kid Sid, dude, it's me little Mat remember from the orphanage. You know the kid with the miss match eyes."
After Sid heard his old nick name everything thing from his childhood came rolling back to his memory, Sid being the big brother figure along with his best friend a short boy the same age as him (Mat), The training he went through from an old man he later found out was the god of war Ares, the sparing matches he would have with Mat, and how the orphanage was burned down by mobsters for protection money and on that day he received a two gifts from his father a set of armor with body enhancing abilities and a bronxe sword "Take these items and do what you think is right my son you are my only heir. And do not falter from the path you have chosen" was all Hephaestus (Greek god of Blacksmiths) said then vanished into thin air. The armorer and sword turned into everyday items the armorer became a watch and the sword became a walking stick.
Back in the present with Sid "Little Mat, man I haven't seen you since the orphanage burned down" he said in a soft almost shy voice.
"Sid you haven't changed a bit except for the height and the muscles but other than that you're still the shy guy I knew six years ago."
Xavier watching this quietly this entire time cleared his throat getting Mat's and Sid's attention Xavier extended his hand "Hi, names Xavier I'm Mat's friend here in Steel City." Sid took hold of Xavier's hand in a firm hand shake a bit to firm "Ouch. Nice grip dude"
"Thanks"
"Heh, still got that super strength huh?"
"Let's get to somewhere more private before I answer any and all questions."
They all walked into the library to talk they found a table in the back, that was dimly lit to sit at and Sid began to explain how he was a demigod and his armorer and sword he got from his father, and how he found the guys that burnt down the orphanage and destroyed the entire organization and his many adventures traveling the world but spent most of his time in Greece to study the history of the gods and other Greek legends. "Oh, and my crazy alien bounty hunter Ex-girlfriend is after me" he said in monotone.
"Aww man no fair I wanted to find those cock suckers and do it myself, And you have crazy alien after you. You're so lucky." said Mat in a whiney voice.
"I would have taken you but you didn't have the training that I did and she is no laughing matter to deal with."
Mat slumped in his chair "Well I'm dropping the GF topic now and the orphanage burning down was before I discovered my powers."
"What powers?"
Mat just smiled and pulled out a ball bearing form a pouch that Xavier gave him that morning after they woke up. And started to manipulate it by making it stretch out into a flat disc closing his hand into a fist the disc became a ball again and floated back into the pouch "That power."
"Amazing." was all Sid could say.
Mat turned to Xavier, who had been quiet this entire time. "Xavier you okay, you've been quiet for a while now"
"That's was the best story I ever heard, completely tops my beginning story for my heroism." Xavier uttered in total envy.
"Oh yeah, I was meaning to ask you about your story why don't you tell us and I'll tell you both mine."
"Alright, but it won't be as cool as Sid's" Xavier began his tell. "I was born in South Africa. My dad taught me martial arts to better defend myself against some animals and a few locals. I moved to America and went to a boarding school at age 13 and began testing my newly developed powers out by recklessly attacking criminals. I have the power of transparency. That's how I saved you last night Mat. I moved to live with my grandparents in another state to attend a different school and that would be here in Steel City. My grandfather was once a Vietnam War era vigilante who allowed me to don his suit and take on the moniker of The Black Hand"
"Wow, that was pretty cool" Mat said in envy.
"I agree with little Mat." The smallest hero turned to Sid and stuck his tongue out.
Xavier gave a prideful smile, looking to Mat "Alright dude your turn. I can't wait to hear it."
Mat just shrugged "After the orphanage burnt down I simply just been traveling the world like Sid but I spent a good year in japan learning about tech and stuff. Preformed couple side shows with my powers to get money, learned how to be a pick pocket with my powers strictly just to live when I couldn't get money with my side shows, stopped a bad guy here and there had to kill a few before they killed me. And that's my story."
"Those are some pretty good stories guys." said a mysterious female voice. All three jumped from their chairs.
"Who's there!?" Yelled Xavier looking freaked out by the sudden voice.
"You should really be quiet while in the library." The figure walked out of the shadows with a small black cat with yellow eyes on her shoulder and wearing khaki shorts with a blue tank top. Tank top has an eagle head printed on it, Velcro brown sneakers and two brown wristbands. Her hear was brown with golden accents, long and straight. "Whoa, guys put the weapons away." Sid had activated his sword holding it in a way where he could simply thrust for a killing blow; Mat had made a pair of knuckle dusters with a blade at the ends. While Xavier, got into fighting stance with several throwing knives. "I'm not here to fight."
Mat was the first to speak "Then why are you here?"
"Yeah and how come I could not since your presents?" asked Kid Sid, gripping his sword firmly.
"Please gentlemen lower your weapons. My name is Cary Falls and this is my pet Ebony. We are from Titans East."
"That's impossible all the Titans East members joined the JLA." Xavier said with a look of suspicion on his face.
"Yes all the ORIGINAL members did I was brought into the team before they left for the Justice League. Did you seriously think you were the only one protecting this city?"
"And we should believe you why?" asked Mat with the same look as Xavier.
Sid raised his arm up "Lower your weapons. I think we can trust her." Hearing this Mat and Xavier turned their heads toward Sid and noticed that he was wearing his magic helmet that covered his entire face and head
"Why is that and when did you put the helmet on?" asked Xavier.
"Before she started talking and because my helmet allows me to since when a person is lying."
Mat immediately relaxed back into his seat and putting his weapons back to their default form as ball bearings "Good enough for me."
"Me too." said Xavier doing the same as Mat
Sid sat back down in his seat and letting his helmet go back to where it came. "Why are you here Miss Falls?" At the title of Miss, Mat visibly cringed.
"I came here because I've been fallowing shorty mcshort shorts over there ever since his skirmish in the park with the Metal fury." Cary said nodding towards Mat.
"How come every woman that talks to me has short jokes? It's humiliating." Mat said frustrated
Xavier was the next to speak "Why where you following Mat and why didn't you save him when he was in trouble?"
"We were until we saw him use his powers and decided to watch for a while. When we saw things about to get out of hand we were going to intervene but that's when you showed up Black Hand." She said while pointing at Xavier "Then we followed you to that alley and restaurant"
"What do you mean by 'we'?" asked Sid
"What I meant by 'we' is Ebony and myself." She referred to the cat the on her shoulder
"How was a cat gonna help save my life." Mat said looking skeptical while crossing his arms.
Turning to the cat on her shoulder Cary asked "Do you mind showing them Ebony?" the cat simply nodded and pounced off his masters shoulder onto the table Mat simply stared at the cat until he blinked when he looked again the cat was gone and he could feel a slight weight on his right shoulder turning his head he came face to face with Ebony
"Waaaah!" Mat yelled as fell out his seat from the scare he got from the black cat. The other two simply stare wide eyed at the cat that jumped back on the table before Mat fell. "How the hell did it do that? And stop laughing Xavier it's not that funny." Ebony simply faced his master and meowed.
"He said we will tell you some other time. For now we have proposition for you guys."
"What that be Cary?" asked Xavier plopping his feet on the table, tilting his chair on the back legs, and putting his hands behind his head.
"How would you three like to be part of the new Titans East?" she asked with a sly smirk.
"Hold on for just one cotton pickin minute I've been in this town for two years and not once have you came and offered me this position."
"Yeah about that I've what would happen if you and I were in a room by ourselves. And I don't like where that will lead."
"Your loss" Xavier replied with a smug smirk
Well that's all I have for now I still need a few villains so I can make more chapters. Thanks everyone that has sent in there character both hero and villain. Those that I did not use doesn't mean they won't show they will in later chapters.