Several days ago Matthew and his sister Kendra,the current Hawkgirl,were helping to evacuate a
high-rise office building that was burning out of control.It seems the fire skipped over several
floors and had trapped some people between fires.The firefighters were helpless,their ladders
would not reach high enough to be effective,but they were trying to get to the stranded office
workers.
That's when Hawkboy,Matthew and Hawkgirl happened along. Matthew didn't hesitate,he flew
straight into the conflagration,Kendra close behind.It took them 3 trips into the flames but they
managed to save every last person.
Matthew was feeling good about helping out today,when he started to hear some hecklers in the
crowd.
" Hey Hawkboooooy,you look so cute in that outfit. Wanna little man love?"
Matthew ignored them while talking with one of the people he helped save,he'd heard it
before.Only now the verbal attacks were real starting to get vulgar and very personal.Kendra
tried to distract he brothers attention from the crowd as much as she could,but it was getting hard
to do so.Matthew had heard heckling before this,but never this spiteful. Before Matthew and
Kendra could leave someone yelled.
" Hey Hawkboy you do your sister yet,or are you a fag? Anyone who dresses like you must be
gay. Look at those booties and those shorts.What a mo"
That was all Matthew could take,he charged the loudmouth in the crowd.He had to be restrained
by Kendra and a police sergent.
"Don't do it son,that punk isn't worth the trouble,don't lower yourself to his level."
Matthew was still steamed,he pulled away from the cop and his sister,and flew off into the
afternoon sky.
"Ha,look at the little priss run."
This was all one of the men Matthew helped save could take,he took off the oxygen mask the
paramedics gave him. He walked right up to the punk and dropped him with one punch to the
jaw.The crowd applauded and cheered.
Matthew saw none of it,he was halfway to Gotham when he vowed the Hawkboy would fly no
more.
When he finally returned home,it was very late,but everyone was waiting for him.
There was his father, Katar,his mother Shayera,and of course Kendra,and surprise of surprises,his older brother Hector,the current Dr.Fate.
"I take it by this reception you heard the whole story?" Matthew asked while taking off his helmet and wing harness.
"Yes,Kendra told us,plus most of it was on the evening news." His mom answered
" The news? Great now I feel even shittier,if thats possible."
"I'm sorry this happened son,but you know some people just don't like heroes,just look at what the X-men went through. We have to ignore their taunts and slurs,if they see it gets to you,it only makes them work harder to upset you."
" I know that dad,but it's been getting worse for me lately,and I got pissed. As of now Hawkboy is dead."
Kendra and her mother just sat there looking at one another completely dumbfounded by this announcement
" What? all because of some taunts.Son I thought you were bigger than that."Katar said,just a bit to angerly.
No,not just because of that,but because of you as well.Do you know what it's like trying to live up the the legacy of the great Hawkman and Hawkwoman?It's damn hard.I,we..." he said motioning towards Kendra. "..have to work twice as hard as anyone else because of it.Don't get me wrong dad,I love doing what I do and love you,but it's time I went out on my own,and try to make a name for myself,It's time to step out of Hawkman's shadow.Besides,Hawkboy really is kinda goofy for a 20 year old to be called,oh sure it was cool when I was running with the Teen Titans,when I was 12,but I grew up.Hey even Garth gave up Aqualad and became Tempest."
Everyone just sort of stood in utter silence for a good couple minutes absorbing what Matthew had said.
Finally Katar broke the silence."If this is what you want,I won't stand in your way."
"Thanks dad"
"Do you have any ideas what you want to do?" Shayera asked.
"As a matter of fact I do.I thi...."
Before Matthew could explain further an alarm sounded.Katar reached into his back pocket and pulled out his JSA communicard,and tapped the receive button. Sentinal the current JSA chairperson's image filled the small vid screen.
"What's up Alan?'
"Several members are missing and it looks like Darksied is involved."
"We'll be right there.Sorry son."
"Don't be, go do what you do best.Save the world."
Hector volunteered his sevices,Darksied was a tough character.Asmall wave of his hand and the Hawks were in their battle gear.Another wave and they were gone.
"You sure this is what you want to do Matt?"
"Yeah I'm sure,Hawkboy is no more.Oh he may resurface one day,but not with me at the controls."
"Good luck big brother."Kendra said ,giving Matthew a quick peck on the cheek."I'm going to bed."
Matthew went to his room,had a quick shower,then set about the task of remaking his image.
high-rise office building that was burning out of control.It seems the fire skipped over several
floors and had trapped some people between fires.The firefighters were helpless,their ladders
would not reach high enough to be effective,but they were trying to get to the stranded office
workers.
That's when Hawkboy,Matthew and Hawkgirl happened along. Matthew didn't hesitate,he flew
straight into the conflagration,Kendra close behind.It took them 3 trips into the flames but they
managed to save every last person.
Matthew was feeling good about helping out today,when he started to hear some hecklers in the
crowd.
" Hey Hawkboooooy,you look so cute in that outfit. Wanna little man love?"
Matthew ignored them while talking with one of the people he helped save,he'd heard it
before.Only now the verbal attacks were real starting to get vulgar and very personal.Kendra
tried to distract he brothers attention from the crowd as much as she could,but it was getting hard
to do so.Matthew had heard heckling before this,but never this spiteful. Before Matthew and
Kendra could leave someone yelled.
" Hey Hawkboy you do your sister yet,or are you a fag? Anyone who dresses like you must be
gay. Look at those booties and those shorts.What a mo"
That was all Matthew could take,he charged the loudmouth in the crowd.He had to be restrained
by Kendra and a police sergent.
"Don't do it son,that punk isn't worth the trouble,don't lower yourself to his level."
Matthew was still steamed,he pulled away from the cop and his sister,and flew off into the
afternoon sky.
"Ha,look at the little priss run."
This was all one of the men Matthew helped save could take,he took off the oxygen mask the
paramedics gave him. He walked right up to the punk and dropped him with one punch to the
jaw.The crowd applauded and cheered.
Matthew saw none of it,he was halfway to Gotham when he vowed the Hawkboy would fly no
more.
When he finally returned home,it was very late,but everyone was waiting for him.
There was his father, Katar,his mother Shayera,and of course Kendra,and surprise of surprises,his older brother Hector,the current Dr.Fate.
"I take it by this reception you heard the whole story?" Matthew asked while taking off his helmet and wing harness.
"Yes,Kendra told us,plus most of it was on the evening news." His mom answered
" The news? Great now I feel even shittier,if thats possible."
"I'm sorry this happened son,but you know some people just don't like heroes,just look at what the X-men went through. We have to ignore their taunts and slurs,if they see it gets to you,it only makes them work harder to upset you."
" I know that dad,but it's been getting worse for me lately,and I got pissed. As of now Hawkboy is dead."
Kendra and her mother just sat there looking at one another completely dumbfounded by this announcement
" What? all because of some taunts.Son I thought you were bigger than that."Katar said,just a bit to angerly.
No,not just because of that,but because of you as well.Do you know what it's like trying to live up the the legacy of the great Hawkman and Hawkwoman?It's damn hard.I,we..." he said motioning towards Kendra. "..have to work twice as hard as anyone else because of it.Don't get me wrong dad,I love doing what I do and love you,but it's time I went out on my own,and try to make a name for myself,It's time to step out of Hawkman's shadow.Besides,Hawkboy really is kinda goofy for a 20 year old to be called,oh sure it was cool when I was running with the Teen Titans,when I was 12,but I grew up.Hey even Garth gave up Aqualad and became Tempest."
Everyone just sort of stood in utter silence for a good couple minutes absorbing what Matthew had said.
Finally Katar broke the silence."If this is what you want,I won't stand in your way."
"Thanks dad"
"Do you have any ideas what you want to do?" Shayera asked.
"As a matter of fact I do.I thi...."
Before Matthew could explain further an alarm sounded.Katar reached into his back pocket and pulled out his JSA communicard,and tapped the receive button. Sentinal the current JSA chairperson's image filled the small vid screen.
"What's up Alan?'
"Several members are missing and it looks like Darksied is involved."
"We'll be right there.Sorry son."
"Don't be, go do what you do best.Save the world."
Hector volunteered his sevices,Darksied was a tough character.Asmall wave of his hand and the Hawks were in their battle gear.Another wave and they were gone.
"You sure this is what you want to do Matt?"
"Yeah I'm sure,Hawkboy is no more.Oh he may resurface one day,but not with me at the controls."
"Good luck big brother."Kendra said ,giving Matthew a quick peck on the cheek."I'm going to bed."
Matthew went to his room,had a quick shower,then set about the task of remaking his image.