A/N: So here's a story that I've been wanting to work on ever since. Before I made a superhero AU once back from three months ago (I think), but somehow, I see the the whole idea as a rushed story with no proper backstory of what's the main purpose of it all. So, I decided to scratch that by abandoning it, and creating a origin story first, to freshen up before I put my previous story idea (which is in the works of a re-write) for publishing. But I decided to focus on this first. Enjoy reading.
In a quiet afternoon, a small diner, that looked old and didn't had that much customers despite it being a bit like larger store in downtown, is having its business being slow, as usual. The business owner, elderly and seemingly less tired looking, exited the other room behind the cashier and stood in front of the cash register and noticed that the money he earned was a little. He sighed, and decided to count how much he earned.
A waitress, looking like a college student, came out from the kitchen and served a customer a hot mug of coffee. "Here you go, sir. Enjoy." The man who has served thanked back. She walked to another customer, wearing a black jacket. "And what can I get you?"
"Yeah." He said, in a gruffy like tone. "Uh, can you tell me about this place?"
"Well, not much and all, since I've been working here for about four months to pay off my apartment and college debt." She explained about her experience. "But I can tell that this place was been here before a guy opened a restaurant at the other side of town two years ago." She explained. "Sadly, business was slow, but the pay was a bit good."
"Oh, is that so?" he asked, earning a smug.
"Yeah. But nothing beats this place at all." She said, with a warm smile. "This place hasn't been robbed in… well, for a while now."
"Oh?" he made a smirk, "Now that's a good story." The woman gasp as she saw a gun being released from his pocket, shooting the ceiling, which got everyone's attention.
Then, five more, wearing a superhero toy masks, came in, armed with submachine guns and shotguns. "Alright! Down on the ground! Now!" he cocks his gun. "This is a robbery!" he gave a warning shot and everyone got into the ground, whimpering and cowering in fear.
The rest of the robbers go in different places and surrounded some civilians and other places in the diner, to make sure of the cops arrived. The lead robber, wearing a red mask, walked towards the manager. "Where's the vault?" he asked calmly.
Eventually, the lead robber was successful enough to notice the vault, which the manager guided to his room. "Open it." He demanded, and the manager did so, revealing how the small locker was filled with much cash. Guess the manager was either greedy or just wanting to see his money grow.
The leading robber handed him a body bag. "Fill all of them in this bag, and empty the whole safe. Especially the cash register." The manager nodded scared, and proceed to start.
Police sirens blared when they reached at the diner. The police officers exited their swat car and readied themselves with their pistols. "We got a 10-65 at Willy's Diner, Koch Avenue. Over." He gave the report to a dispatch.
Suddenly, an armed robber exited the diner and aimed at the police officers. "Freeze, police!" one officer, with his gun aimed, yelled.
Both the armed officer and armed robber made the first shots.
"… and that's what happened after the incident last two weeks ago. In other news, six armed robbers have returned after robbing a local diner at Koch Avenue. Police reports says from its owner and manager stated they stole at least sixty-five thousand dollars. These robbers have also killed two officers in the line of duty right after they escaped. Old reports about the robbers also said that they've been doing their work in a week, and still haven't got caught yet. Police reports have announced they will do everything they can to bring them behind bars. In related news, a killing seen at an alley way, in the same day…."
"An armed robbery? Having a six-day score of no accidents? Now this is a huge issue that should be dealt in all seriousness." The man assured, after watching the news. "That is, if the police can catch up to these crooks, bandits, or whatever you call them." The man is named no other than Edward Greenville, the owner and multibillionaire of an advance weapons and bio-engineering research Vortex Corporation.
"Well, it's a bit different than you think at all, sir." His assistant, a female Asian, stated. "This kind of thing should be dealt with a hero. Surely, they're doing everything they can to find them."
"Who? The heroes or the authorities?" he asked two questions, leaving the assistant silent. "Hmm… seems you're not watching the news as well, Rachel." he said in a pitiful voice, "My kids never watch the news, but hey, they're kids. Try at least once in a while."
"I'd love to spread my head with politics and local news, sir." She adjusted her eyeglasses. "But my job as your secretary in both your company and your election as 'soon-to-be-mayor', as you would say it, is my top priority." She took a glance at her left. "Well… maybe I've been watching the news sometimes, during my vacations of course…"
"Which I also let you have." Edward reminded. "Don't forget it, I'm a giver, you know?" he cleared his throat. "Can you remind me again about my schedules again?"
"Of course, sir." She said in a monotone voice. She cleared her throat as she started to remind him. "Your mayoral candidate speech with Rob Fields is at exactly 2:00 PM. And you have also a meeting about the fund raiser about a charity auction for a small town in Grove Street. Oh, and you also have a meeting with the science division at Vortex. They said that they discovered something that's finished."
"Wow, and here I am, running for mayor, and still not giving up." He chuckled lightly at himself. He then heard a knock on the door, "Come in."
A man entered the room, wearing a police uniform for his body, which is actually a jacket with the capitalized letters RWPD logo is imprinted on the left side of the jacket's sleeve. "Hey, don't mind if I come in for a while, Eddy?" he asked, with an awkward smile.
"Quincy. It's good to see you. Come in, you are always welcome, as long I'm around." The man in suit glanced at his assistant. "Rachel, if you please excuse us. You're on break. You deserve it." The assistant nodded as she walked out. "So, Quincy, how's the police work going on? Did you still try to find those crooks yet?"
"No. Not even a bit." Quincy sarcastically said.
"Let me guess, hard to find?" Eddy guessed.
"Not that. The whole office is full. We have to do a lot in some of these investigations. We're still trying to find the black weapon cartels that's been around the city for a whole year, that maniac who almost burned down three fire departments last month, five shipping company workers are still missing after a week, and those armed robin hoods that robbed everything in a week which is right now."
"Have you tried to contact anyone at all?" He asked once again, "You know, FBI, CIA, or RECON." He took a glaring glance at the left to avoid eye contact. "Or those heroes."
"That's one thing. About the last part, I mean." Quincy took a deep breath. "There are a few heroes in this city trying their best to make sure that they can help us in anyway. I mean, come on, sure there are not that much heroes in Royal Woods, but there are some that are willingly to help not just in Michigan, but in the entire world. Besides, they have their hands full."
"And that's one thing. As the future mayor of this city, I'll make sure that this whole place is not just saved by the heroes… but also me." He pointed out to himself.
"And how's that gonna work?" Quincy gave off a smirk on his face.
"Well, to start, I always wonder myself about this crazy question." He stood up from his chair and stared at the window with his arms behind his back. "What will happen if there were someone already protecting Royal Woods already. Since the heroes now sometimes came in here for help and distress from the public's cries. Just answer me this… or try to guess it. Who will be there to make sure that the police force or not just them, but anyone out there who wants to put any criminal behind bars for their crimes and disgusting acts of society? Who will be there to protect us?"
"Well, for something that I know since the world is populated by thirty percent of heroes. I know for sure that there's someone bound out there, other than me and the police itself or the government, or even the law, that'll fight outside this crime filled system we all are in."
"You ask me this, Quincy." Edward asked in a strict tone. "Who in the right mind would save the city like that?"
WHITE RAPTOR
CHAPTER 1
THE START OF AN ORIGIN
Elsewhere, still in Royal Woods…
The school bel rang at the Royal Woods Middle school. Everyone is starting to make themselves busy after a long lecture of class. Some of them started to head to cafeteria, others are at their lockers talking with their friends and grabbing stuff for the next lesson. But mostly, it focuses on the same white-haired boy, wearing a white and orange jacket with navy blue jeans, and white sneakers, who's busy with his locker like the rest of everyone.
"Who am I? You sure you want to know? And in case if you're wondering why am I not speaking in front? Well… I decided to put it away and make it like I'm monologuing. The story of my life is not for the faint of heart. If somebody said it was a happy little tale... If somebody told you I was just your average, ordinary guy, not a care in the world... somebody lied. Unless it's for a good reason."
In the cafeteria, the same white haired boy already got himself some lunch as he starts to find a table to sit on so he can start eating. As he narrowed down at some tables in front of him, he witnessed that he received some annoyed glances, while some are glares that they are sign of not letting him sit with him.
"Hey, over here!" a male voice called out, with a friendly and joking tone. "I saved you a spot!"
As the white-haired boy smiled, he was walked his way to the boy that he was greeted at. Lucky him. And we would say that in his head by now. As long as nothing goes wrong, everything will just be –
BUMP!
"Hey, I was going first, you could – Oh." The white-haired boy stopped, after he looked at another middle schooler like him, nervously.
"That's me. Lincoln Loud. And this is the start of the story."
The middle schooler was about in his eight-grade year, about tall, had a good shape on his body, and good looking. He was wearing a varsity jacket with a white shirt underneath, black pants, and red sneakers. "Oh, well, well, well. If ain't the Dork Wonder!" the teen chuckled, mocking him. Along with his friends as well.
Lincoln smiled nervously. "Hey Vince." He greeted. Good start, to guess with. "Don't mind if I move pass you. I don't want any trouble at all."
The jock named Vince smiled, menacingly. "Alright, Loud. I'll let you pass. For now. But if we ever cross again," he placed his hand behind him. "it'll be very ugly for you to handle. Got it?"
"C-Crystal." He responded.
"Good." He grabbed his sandwich, taking a bite. "Now move!" he pushed him, giving him a little boost and almost saved himself from tripping, and continued walking as he finally made it to the table.
"So, he took your food, huh?" the boy that Lincoln called asked. He was the same age as his, and wearing a black Denim jacket with red accents.
"Yeah." He said, not worrying about it. "At least I know when to have back up." He said, cheekily.
"Of course." His friend handed him a paper bag with food inside. "One chicken sandwich with a side of pudding."
"Thanks." He grabbed the bag and brought the contents out. "I wonder what's Wendy's taking so long? She always comes here before us."
"Well, me and her made a bet." He grabbed both of his hands together. "I told her if she can get me a snack at her Dad's food truck before the bell, I can let her do whatever she wants when we hang out."
"Is this because she ruined your science project last month?" the white-haired boy asked.
"Yes."
"One hot meal for Daniel coming right up!" the girl which happens to be Wendy, wearing a brown shirt with a pink heart on the center, dark blue shorts, and a pair of roller skates, entered the cafeteria, only to accidentally let go of the bag, hitting straight at Lincoln's head. The bag on the other hand, was grabbed immediately by Bill. Some students noticed, and laughed at Lincoln's reaction.
The embarrassed Wendy skate her way to the two boys, and looked at Lincoln with an embarrassed smile. "Sorry Linc, I didn't see you there." She apologized. "So, what's up?"
As class ended for the day, Lincoln is seen walking alongside Daniel and Wendy. Short information about the two, Daniel is the son of a rich business owner, who runs a company called Sentinel Corps. And Wendy is one of the few girls who joined the Royal Roosters for the hockey team with good grades with her. They're the new friends of Lincoln after his old friends, like Clyde, decided to start schooling somewhere else. But they keep in contact with Lincoln… sometimes.
"So, how was my fast delivery, rich boy? I bet I'll be getting a five-star rating if I have my own delivery service." Wendy said, with a smirk.
"Well, the food was hot. I'll give you that." Daniel stated. "But I really hate it when you go clumsy when you hand my food over, Wendy. I mean, come on, you are part of the hockey team."
"Uh, duh!" Wendy retorted. "I was supposed to be fast and clever in my directions! I mean, what's the point of playing in the ice rink if you can't build up speed."
"I thought you're more of a fast and blinded type." Daniel joked. "I mean, come on. You weren't really that focused on the ground."
Wendy made a playful smug on her face. "You know, you're still a jerk, right?"
"Uh-huh, that's really sweet of you, Wens." Daniel said, ignoring her. "So, what's running on your mind, Linc? Got something good, or clever to say?"
"Yeah, man. At least put down the phone for once." Wendy retorted. "You might hit your head at a lamp post, or fall into a manhole."
Lincoln was really busy alright. He was busy checking on his phone. "Sorry, guys. I was really busy with some videos. I really found this cool hero named Mr. Dense, who just beat up a group of villains in Los Angeles." He said with a gleeful smile. "Did you know that he can use his body as a weapon, since it's a lot heavier when he activates it. That's what he also did in his patrols and his videos on the internet. It's kinda almost the same as Crystal Princess, but she just covers her body with crystals, and – "
"Woah. Slow down there, Speedy." Wendy gestured him to stop. "When are you gonna stop talking about it once in a while. You've been like this since we first met you at that field trip to Ohio."
"I'm agreeing with her, though." Daniel agreed. "But… I can't tell on what, though."
"But you really can't be forgetting, can't you?" Lincoln asked. "My always dream I wanted to be a hero. The reason why I watch these videos so that I can become what I always wanted to be: A hero to protect the world."
"You can't be serious, can you, Linc?" Wendy was more annoyed at what Lincoln said about his dream.
"What do you mean?" Lincoln asked.
"I mean, come on, a few people in Royal Woods, and us, thinks you're just 'the kid with a comic book mind.'" She quoted. "They'll just call you names, or maybe lecture a for a second about your dream if they saw you. I mean, us two, and your family are doing it, and you're still not understanding."
"My family doesn't understand that my two other sisters are at a college hero program, and my parents just let them?" The white-haired teen was almost frustrated about it. "I swear, it's like they don't know how to support a child's dream. Especially my sisters, they should be supporting me, too." He added.
"Lincoln, being a hero isn't really a… real dream to take." Daniel said, putting his arm around him. "It takes a lot of risks, and they're the ones doing the work. A bad guy comes, they beat them and take them to prison, we thank them, and the cycle goes on and on." He explained. "Besides, I don't think it's a risk you want to take too, man."
"Easy for you to say, you're the son of a multibillionaire business company." Lincoln pointed out. "Who knows, you might the next to take it over."
Daniel scoffed a bit. "It's destiny that will decide if I will take it or not." He said. "Just like your dangerous ambition. As your new friends, you gotta think it through before you take this risk."
Suddenly, the horn of a car was heard about a few meters away from the school. "Oh, that's my ride. I really to go, my dad gets really strict if I'm not home. See ya, guys!" he rushed his way to the car.
Wendy gripped her sports bag hard, that she's been carrying with her. "Well, that's it. I 'm heading for practice. So, what are you gonna do?" She faced Lincoln.
"Oh, you know. The usual." The white haired boy answered.
In a small convenience store (not at Flip's), Lincoln bought himself a bottle of soda, and an issue comic book of another real hero called "Wood Beast". As he noticed that the sun was about to set, he immediately set foot to the nearest bus station.
While walking at the sidewalk, he knows that not only that the city was a bad place to go in, because that's how cities works if his away from home. He even remembered that there's a nearest bus stop, except it was far away from where he is. Instead, he decided to head to the possible shortcuts. The alley way.
From the rumors from his parents, and some news reports, Downtowns in Royal Woods were now used a turf for small time gang members, thieves and muggers. But as the Royal Woods Police Department would explain, it was used more often by thieves and muggers, who result to murdering for a reason, and vice versa.
The white-haired boy kept his composure stable, knowing his tracks, but there wasn't turning back anymore since he needs to get home as soon as possible. "Keep it together, Linc. As long you don't get mugged, you can get outta here, and head home safe." He wished.
That's were until a voice called out from behind, "Stop right there!" a mugger, holding a knife and smoking a cigarette, told him to stop, to which he did after seeing a knife on his hands. "Hand over anything you have! Wallet, watch, phone… Anything!"
"Look, I don't have that much money. Please, just let me go, I don't want any trouble." Lincoln begged calmly.
"You don't have a choice, don't you." He threatened, with a smug.
Suddenly, a much bigger mugger blocked Lincoln from behind from leaving, while a scrawny member searched for his pockets to get his wallet. Somehow, he managed to take it. "Right here, boss. Looks like this kid's playing with us."
The lead mugger grabbed the wallet, and searched for how much was in it. "This is it?! What did you even spent to make it look flat!" he growled in frustration "Beat the brat! Teach him a lesson." He commanded, only for Lincoln to throw a rock at his head which made him moved to the side to run away. "Get him!"
The white-haired boy tried his best to make sure nothing was blocking his way in the alleyway. Even if he did suck at cardio, he managed to get pass through everything. That was until he ended up in a dead end, marking his end.
The muggers stopped and cornered the boy, the leader slowly approached him. "Wow, kid. Even you can't tell were to go. You're even dumber when you think." He joked.
Lincoln prepared to defend himself, only to remember that he lacked the skills of fighting. Instead, he grabbed a pair of rusty, but lighter, water pipes beside the trashcan. The muggers laughed at his defense, only to let the large mugger snatch them, and throwing it away.
"Your funny kid, I'll give you that." The leader said. "But face it, you can't beat us. Just have to give it all up!" he said with a smirk. "Besides, no one's here to save you." he threatened as he brought out his knife again. His goonies prepare to kill Lincoln after what he did.
A clang was heard behind them. The muggers turned around, only to see a person wearing an intimidating full-face mask and a black and crimson bulletproof clothing. Somehow, he is a vigilante. "Last warning. Leave the kid alone." He threatened coldly.
Not paying attention, the first to attack was the big thug. Right before he could punch him straight, his hand was grabbed by the vigilante, only to punch him on the face real hard, making him rest at the wall near him. Before he could knock him out, he was suddenly pounced by the scrawny thug, head locking him. The vigilante tried to struggle him away, while the thug regained himself to intervene.
The vigilante managed to grab the scrawny mugger, and turn him around to throw him straight to the garbage. The thug charged his way at him, but dodges immediately. He grabbed a handful of orbs from his back pocket, and threw it at his face to blind him. Once the smoke cleared out, the vigilante prepared to break his right leg with a strong leg kick, making him slouch and deliver a straight uppercut. As the scrawny mugger got back to his feet, he was immediately knocked out when a trashcan lid was thrown at him by the vigilante.
The vigilante turned out to see the lead mugger, frozen for a while after witnessing his skills. The lead mugger knocked Lincoln away, and charged at him to strike him with his knife skills. The vigilante managed to dodge the knife from him. He pushed him away, grabbed his weapon; A crossbow, as he shot him at the leg, making him cry out in pain to the ground.
The vigilante witnessed the mugs all knocked out and hurt, he noticed Lincoln as he approached him slowly. Meanwhile, the lead mugger removed the arrow from his leg, "Hey, bastard!" the vigilante turned around to see him charging at him. He pointed his weapon, which transformed into a submachine gun, and was shot once again, but at the chest when he was met with rubber bullets that act like a fist.
Lincoln tried to get up on his feet, and as he did, he realized that the vigilante that saved him was gone. "What? Where did… he go?" he asked himself that, only to hear a police car approach the scene.
A/N: So that was the first start. And believe me, this took me a long time to make. If you don't know, making a story like this isn't easy. I have to do some research, and make the scenarios look fitting for the story. I hope you enjoy the first chapter, and updates for the next chapter will be very long, but I promise, I'll update. See you in the next chapter.