The man in the heavy black cloak stooped on the mountain. He stared out over the shining city. Ten years had done little to change it. It sparkled in the night like a polished diamond.
"The end is near. You will find it in me." He jumped into the air and let himself drop to a small ledge beneath him. Another leap and another ledge. He made his way down the mountain faster than any human could've done. His feet struck the last ledge with enough force to smash it. Cracks made their way across the small ledge. It broke from the mountain and slid down slope. Feral rode it to the bottom of the mountain. He made his way through the trees that had grown up to the base of the jagged peak. He started to run through the forest and across the barren stretch of land that rested just to the west of Jump City.
He stayed to the left of the canyon that ran almost the entire length of Jump City's badlands. He quickly passed the barren world and jumped into the air. He landed on the road that would take him straight to the magnificent city.
His keen ears twitched as he heard the cries of help from the city.
"Showtime."
The massive stone monster whipped his arm around and smashed it through the wall of the bank. Five figures emerged from the night. "Hold it right there Cinderblock! It's a little late to make a withdrawal. Titans GO!"
Two of the figures jumped forward and slammed twin punches into the concrete behemoth.
His arm slammed them into the ground.
Two metal boots proceeded to smash into his face. The figure then flipped off the stone creature. He landed and threw a blue bird-shaped object in Cinderblock's direction. A green bolt of energy collided with it, making it explode in the monster's face.
A large pole was sent flying. You could just see the outline within the black encasement.
Cinderblock grabbed the pole and slammed it down on the two figures laying at his feet. One arm shot up and glowed yellow as it blocked the hit. The concrete creature bent down and picked up the two figures. He threw them in the general direction of the others. They were easily caught by their friends."
Cinderblock bent down and ripped a large section from the street. He threw it at the Titans and watched them scramble to avoid the slab. A man landed on the still moving street and ran at Cinderblock. The section of street landed as the cloaked man jumped at Cinderblock. He went right by the creature's head.Û½He flipped over and snagged onto the head on his way down. The massive monster lost his balance and crashed into what was left of the street. A metal clad fist slammed into it's face ending the battle.
The Titans gathered in the middle of the street and watched the man slowly rise to his feet.
Nightwing moved over to him. "Thanks, he knows us a bit too well."
"Then you should know him just as well."
"Yeah, we need to train some more. The name's Nightwing. Pleased to meet you. We're always looking for new members." He stuck his hand out and prepared to shake the newcomer's hand.
Instead his arm was twisted behind him and he was thrown over to Starfire.
"That won't be necessary. The Titans are no longer needed. I'd suggest retiring if I were you."
The Tamaranian floated over to him. "We protect this city, and shall continue to do so."
He removed his hood and glared at her. His silver mask sported two green eyepieces that were slanted upward toward the outer edges of his silver featureless mask. "You are five heroes barely able to beat one of the least intelligent criminals in the city." He turned toward the youngest of the Titans. "You're Armstrong I believe. Joined the Titans four years ago at the age of nineteen, You imbue your arms with a massive amount of energy when you fight. You should forget about them. The Titans can't be trusted."
"Yo man, you show up out of nowhere and you say we're not to be trusted. We don't even know who you are. If you're such a big man why don't you tell us who you are."
"My name is Feral, and I have nothing to provto the likes of you." He turned back to Armstrong. "Your friends don't care about anything but their own glory. You'd do better if you were on your own. The only person you can trust, is yourself. I learned that the hard way." Feral started to walk away from them.
"Hey!"
Feral swung around and caught the small device in his hand.
"Call us when you get into trouble. Trust us, you will."
The communicator was thrown back at a speed that would make a major league pitcher jealous. "I'd never call on you." He slowly reached up and removed the mask from his face.
"God..."
"No..."
"It's..."
He turned to allow Armstrong a perfect view of his face. "You're someone they can always count on. But it won't matter. When you're in trouble, don't expect them to help. They let me be tortured, let my eye be ripped from my head while I was still awake. Beaten, cut, starved, burned, and they never came. Leave before it happens to you." He placed the mask over his scarred face.
He turned his back on the heroes who stood in the middle of the street. Only one figure moved.
Raven rushed toward him. "Beastboy, don't g..." He twirled around and backhanded her to the side of the street. He turned and continued walking away.
"I told you back then, Beastboy is dead." His ears twitched as he heard a familiar hum. "Go ahead and prove me right. Come on, shoot me in the back. Show the new guy exactly what kind he's fallen in with."
"Let it go Cyborg. It won't help anything. We've got to earn his trust back."
"Raven, all you did was try to talk to him. We can't let him get away with that."
"Is there anyone who has more right to hate us? We'll just have to wait."
Cyborg's sonic cannon powered down.
"Don't feel like showing your true colors to the new guy? Well, he'll figure it out in time. It's not like you can hide who you are."
Feral walked into the darkness.