Central City Outskirts
July 7th, 14:03 CDT
I was standing in the middle of a worn out field. A few specks of green appeared occasionally, but for the most part it was full of bare, sandy soil. We decided somewhere outside of the city would be a better place to test out some of my more destructive aliens, after I accidentally set fire to a piece of equipment when using Heatblast.
"Alright dude," Cisco announced. "so there's nothing me or Cait can do right now except observe. We already got all the important data down yesterday. So just have at it!'
"Don't do anything too dangerous," Caitlin interjected. "and have fun!"
They were both standing behind what I could describe as a protective blast shield, and behind them was a S.T.A.R Labs mobile laboratory. Which was essentially a teched out mini-camper.
Thankfully they were far enough away, that they wouldn't be able to hear me. It was time to test out something I remembered last night. I moved my wrist adjacent to me, and looked at the watch.
"Omnitrix Voice Command: Tutorial Mode." I called out.
"Error, stated function unknown." The Omnitrix's synthesized voice stated.
Eureka! I mentally exclaimed. So the Omnitrix does have voice control! I mean I expected something of the sort, the Omnitrix has responded to Ben's questions occasionally, but I still wasn't 100% sure.
"Omnitrix Voice Command: Manual?" I asked.
"Error, stated function unknown." It stated once again.
Damn it, I thought. Nothing can ever be easy can it?
"Omnitrix Voice Command: Master Control." I said, not expecting it to work. I mean if I could recall correctly, it still needed Azmuth's voice to unlock the Master Control function.
"Denied. Prerequisites not yet completed."
It said something completely different this time, and it caused me to nearly fall back. Prerequisites? What prerequisites? I asked myself mentally.
"Omnitrix Voice Command: Master Control, what are the prerequisites?." I stated.
"Denied." It told me simply.
You stupid watch! I wanted to throttle it. Alright, so it won't even tell me what I'd need to do to unlock Master Control. Odd, and unexpected, but I really can't do anything about it at this moment. Now let's see if it'll let me transform.
"Okay? How about… Omnitrix Voice Command: Transform Swampfire?" I asked it.
In a flash of yellow light, there I stood, a foot taller than I was before. Instead of my normal fleshy body, I was made from plant-like material. My torso, legs and arms were a bright green, with yellow and orange fingers. My head was colored and shaped like a flame, and I had large thorns that resembled flames running down my arms.
Sweeeeeeet voice command does work! for the most part anyways, I concluded. I took a moment to think about it for a second until a startling realization set in. While the voice command is an immensely helpful feature, especially for changing my forms, it would also be a huge advantage if I ever found myself restrained. If somebody thinks I need to touch my watch to transform they'd try restraining my hands, but if they knew I could also use my voice well then, I'd probably end up gagged.
Alright ignoring the voice command for now, I could play- I mean test it more later in a more private setting, I tapped the Omnitrix symbol that had located itself on my lower abdomen. In a bright flash of yellow I was once again in my human form.
From what I could tell, I only had around 3 hours before we had to pack up and leave, and I had spent 5 minutes talking to my watch. Which, to be fair was productive, but something told me that I would enjoy testing out what these aliens could fully do much, much more.
The next few hours were filled with me switching between several of my aliens, and waiting for the Omnitrix to recharge between uses, and during these two hours I learned some very important information.
The Omnitrix did indeed give me the instinctual knowledge on how to actually use the Aliens, but that was it, instinctual knowledge. It was the difference between knowing how to shoot a bow effectively, and being able to shoot an apple off the head of a guy, who you were also chasing down a street at an incredible speed.
I might have been able to summon giant crystals out of the ground, or conjure up large growths of vines, but to do so effectively in combat? That would be a whole other beast in its entirety, and something I'd need to start working on soon.
Other than just Swampfire and Diamondhead, I also tested out the majority of my aliens, the exceptions being Grey Matter, Feedback, and Four Arms. Grey Matter was ignored because his abilities mainly relied on his intelligence, and Feedback for the sole fact that there was no electricity to absorb or redirect in this desolate field I was located at. And Four Arms? While probably one of my favorite aliens on the Omnitrix, he wasn't much more complicated than punching things.
If I had to describe what I felt while using Heatblast or Big Chill, it'd come down to a single word: Freedom. The guiding forces of gravity could hold me no longer, and I spent as much time in the air as I could before detransforming. Each had control of an opposing element, Fire and Ice respectively so different, yet such a similar feeling.
Echo-Echo and XLR8 were probably the simplest of them to use, to be honest. Echo-Echo could clone himself, and scream, while XLR8 was just pure and unadulterated speed.
Water Hazard? He was just fun! He was built like a tank, and he could control water. Creating different shapes with the water, and even creating ice from it was oddly therapeutic.
By the end of the day I'd learned one thing. Each alien had a distinct feel, I wouldn't go as far as to say that they were alive, but they definitely each had a unique, and distinct personality.
Sooner or later, after getting back to S.T.A.R Labs proper, and finding myself back in my temporary room, I started reflecting on my emotions, and I noticed something.
I was just… content. Content, yes that's the word I'd use to describe the feeling. It wasn't overwhelming, it wasn't underwhelming. It was a mellowing, whelming feeling that thrummed throughout my body. I didn't crave for more of the emotion, nor did I want it to go away. It was just a sense of peace that lasted until I closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
That night, I dreamt of lotus flowers, and arrows.
—-
Central City Outskirts
July 8th, 7:45 CDT
Wake up, get dressed, and more testing. That was how I was expected today to go mostly, but boy was I in for a surprise.
After waking up from my slumber, grooming myself, tossing on a red t-shirt and pair of jeans S.T.A.R Labs was graciously letting me borrow, and patting down my pockets to ensure I didn't forget my journal or phone. I left my temporary room in search of the cafeteria for breakfast, but Instead of finding a hallway, I found myself staring at Batman.
"H-Hello, Batman sir. Nice to see you again." I greeted him.
"Follow me." He commanded before walking off.
"Oh- alrighty." I muttered before following him.
Wonder what he needs me for?
Following him took me through the building into a section I hadn't seen before. In it was a giant tube, leading to what looked like the shutter of a camera in the center. Batman typed something into a nearby terminal, and almost immediately it started to glow a brilliant white. A Zeta-Tube I could presume. Which meant…
My brain froze for a moment. That was happening today?! Too soon, too soon. I thought I had like another week or something!
"Just walk into it," Batman told me. So I did. I knew it was harmless, so I didn't hesitate.
"Recognized, Omnitrix, B-0-7." A computerized voice resonated.
Omnitrix? Guess it makes sense only thing they know the name of is the Omnitrix. I don't have a hero name, or an actual name either. I've been going by "Dude, Bro, and You" for the past two days, so I guess it's my fault for not picking something sooner.
"Recognized, Batman, 0-2" The computerized voice spoke once again.
In front of me was a multitude of different heroes. Kid Flash, Superboy, Robin, and Aqualad, who weren't in costume, and whose name's I shouldn't know the name of, and Flash, Red Tornado, Hawk Man, Black Canary, Shazam, and Aquaman, who were in gave me a stare before Batman found his place in and commanded the attention of everyone through his sheer Batmanness, while I found a place near, but apart from the junior heroes.
"This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League." Batman spoke. "We're calling it into service again. Since you four are determined to stay together and fight the good fight, you'll do it on League terms." He spoke to the four junior heroes. I'm guessing this has to do with what happened back at Cadmus.
"Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor." He continued. "Black Canary's in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions."
"Real missions?" Robin asked.
"Yes, but covert." Batman answered.
"The League will still handle the obvious stuff." Flash chimed in. "There's a reason we have these big targets on our chest." He pointed towards the lighting bolt symbol on his chest.
"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter." Aquaman added. "Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly."
"The 6 of you will be that team." Batman finished.
"Cool! Wait. 6? Who's he?" Robin pointed at me. "And that only makes 5."
A glow appeared from the Zeta-Tube and two people? Martians? Walked out.
"This is the Martian Manhunter's niece' Miss Martian" Batman spoke. "And he…" Batman paused. "Doesn't know. And until the League can find out his origins, he'll be joining you."
"Hi." Miss Martian greeted with a small wave. We all crowded her, and I wasn't going to complain. Less attention to me. Superboy stood back though.
"Liking this gig more every minute…" Kid Flash said to Miss Martian. "Welcome aboard! I'm Kid Flash. That's Robin, Aqualad. S'cool if you forget their names."
"I'm honored to be included." Miss Martian spoke.
"We'll give you time to get acquainted with one another." Martian Manhunter interjected, and left along with Batman and the others to another part of the cave.
"Superboy," Robin called. "Hey! Come Meet Miss M. and… what's your name?" Robin asked me.
"Well the robot thing called me Omnitrix, but that's my watch. Can't remember my actual name though… Huh, I need to figure something out in the meantime." I told him.
"Dude?! Who names their watch?" Kid Flash pointed out.
"While I would not have put it as Kid Flash has, what is so special about your watch?" Aqualad asked me.
"Uhhh…" I dialed the watch to a random alien. "Nothing much." I tapped down on it. A bright flash of yellow, and I looked up. "Except for letting me do this." I finished.
The five of them towering over me, and I could instantly tell which alien I was transformed into.
"Eeeep! So adorable!" Miss Martian squealed. She picked me up and pinched my grey cheeks. I could feel my cheeks heat up, and I could assume I was flushing.
"Your watch allows you to transform into that creature?" Aqualad questioned.
"Bis namb bis Brey Babber." I tried to correct him.
Miss Martian stopped pinching when she realized I was trying to speak. I stood on the palm of her hand. Kid Flash was hunched over laughing, and Robin was snickering.
"I said, his name is Grey Matter." I cleared up. "And he's not the only alien it allows me to turn into."
"What's this?" Miss Martian asked.
"What's what?" I asked, realizing what she was about to do. "Wait! Don't touch it!" but it was too late, her hand was already making contact with the Omntrix on my back. In a flash of yellow I transformed back into my normal size. I, a 6 '0 guy weighing in at 220 pounds of mostly fat, was now being held in the arms of a girl much, much smaller than me.
"That was the Omnitrix. Now, please… let me down." I asked, unable to look her in the eyes.
She did so, and I noticed Kid Flash and Robin laughing much harder than before. My face heated up even worse, but I chose to ignore it. "As I was saying before, Grey Matter isn't the only alien the watch allows me to change into."
When I said the word alien, I could see Superboy's face tighten ever so slightly. "Actually, I think Kid Flash might like this one…" I dialed the watch to XLR8, and pressed down. "XLR8!" I cried, as the flash of yellow died down.
I zipped around them once or twice, and met eyes with Kid Flash. He smiled. "Another speedster? Sweeeeeet!" He exclaimed. "How fast can you go?" He asked me.
"Uh… I think S.T.A.R Labs clocked me in at a little less than 1,200 kilometers an hour?"
"Well… you're not as fast as me." Kid Flash said cockily. "But you're not too bad."
"Thanks? I guess." I pressed down on the Omnitrix symbol to detransform.
"So? What should we call you, new guy?" Robin asked me.
"Uh…." I looked around the cave for ideas, before my eyes settled on my shirt. "Red?"
"The color?" He questioned me suspiciously.
"Yes?" My eyes narrowed.
"Alright," Robin shrugged. "Red it is. Well, welcome to the team Red!"
"Welcome, Red." Aqualad, well… he welcomed me.
"Thanks!"