Chapter 2 – The Candidate

Time slows as options being swimming in my head. It would be easy to just jump out of the way. I would avoid exposing myself, and then I can get away. It's obvious this town doesn't need any more heroes. Right before I begin to dodge, something tingles in the back of my mind. While most people have already fled, I sense four people huddled underneath a table. There are two adults, two children, and something else. It's small, but there is one more presence, and it's in one of the adults. It's a family, and they are going to be welcoming a new member sometime in the near future. That seals it, I can't dodge anymore. I could catch the pellet, it'd hurt like hell, but they'd be safe. There is one more option though. I reach down and grab my guitar case. I give it a heave, and it collides with the pellet resulting in an explosion. The force of the explosion sends me flying back and I crash into a nearby table. My whole body hurts and a deafening ring fills my ears. My eyes flutter open and I catch the tail end of the family fleeing the pizzeria. That settles that. As I get to my feet, I look down at the heroes fighting this mad man. The pain starts to subside, whether the minor healing factor is at work or the sheer amount of adrenaline, I couldn't guess. As expected the guitar is toast, but it's a small price to pay. However, thirty some odd dollars that was stashed in the case is now gone too.

There's something mesmerizing about watching this group of heroes fight. Their powers vary so much, but they are tackling the problem as if one entity. Shards of earth fly towards the bomber, but they are met with the same pellets and are reduced to a powder. Even while doing so, he's deftly dodging all the various projectiles headed his way. Green bolts, lasers, the occasional piece of debris cloaked in black magic, he seems effortless, almost like he's toying with them. He laughs whole heartedly at the destruction he's causing, and a wry grin creeps across his face.

"Is this all there is to you? I'm taking on the six of you without so much as breaking a sweat!" The teens are looking a bit winded. "I can keep this up all day. The more destruction I cause, the more of you I might be able to bring out. A city such as this I'm sure is harboring at least one potential candidate." He raises his voice, "ANYBODY? C'MON THIS IS WHAT WE WERE SENT HERE FOR! B-1446 IS HERE AND READY FOR A RUMBLE!" He pauses for a moment then turns back to the teens. "Well, B-1446 doesn't sound very fun; instead, you citizens can call me Blast Cap…Gah! Nobody? Well, after I take care of you all, I'll turn this whole damn city into a crater."

Something about what he called himself resonates within me. I can't put my finger on it. I turn heel and am about to walk away, when a familiar voice rings in my ear. "He's just like you." I turn and nobody is there. "He's a monster, just like you."

"Please, I'm no monster," you scoff. "I'm not the one blowing up the entire city in a fi-"

"ENOUGH!" the voice interjects. "We both know what you did that day, (Y/N). How many bodies did you leave? You think that you can save people, do good deeds, and all will just be forgiven? You aren't even helping people because you should, it's just so you can attempt to forgive yourself. Trying to price any of those lives you killed that day is just how a monster would think. Why don't you remind me of what you are and kill this son of a bitch."

They're right. I can feel the surrounding buildings still house an abundant number of people. I have to join this fight, maybe if I fake like I know what he's on about, we can move the conflict away from the city. I take a running start and leap off the balcony, and enter a roll as I land. Smoke has begun to fill the streets, and it's getting hard to see. I take a deep breath and yell, "ALRIGHT ALREADY!"

I honestly didn't expect that to work, and much to my surprise, it did. The sounds of the brawl begin to dissipate, and minutes later the battlefield is clear. Looking around, you see the street has been torn asunder, and buildings with broken pieces of wall and shattered windows. There are cars on fire, and all eyes are on you. About 30 feet down the road, you see him. He stands wearing black combat boots, and his laces look rough for wear. His dark jeans are tucked into his boots, slightly singed in some areas, and crudely drawn flames rising from the tops of the boots. A white belt brings a stark contrast to his attire, as a black short sleeve shirt is tucked in. They mimic the pants with the horridly drawn flames. His tanned skin shows a mix of scars and burns, and his fingers look charred. The only hair on his body is the short, scraggly bed of red that sits atop of his head. His eyebrows appear to be burned off, and a large burn sits on his right cheek.

The leader attempts to speak, but Blast Cap interrupts him before he gets the chance. "What the fuck is this then? What are you gonna do? I'm having fun here, and I'll just send you scattered across this asphalt for interrupting it." His fingertips begin to rise, "I hope you don't regr—"

"You asked for me didn't you?" I interject. "Well, I'm sick of you blowing up this lovely city for your five minutes of fame. You are one weak candidate if you still haven't blown away these guys." I gesture back towards the teens and can feel them leering at me. I cock my head and say in a low tone. "I'll hold this guy off, and you evacuate the buildings. I'm not taking charge, just trying to save lives here." The teens are puzzled as a seemingly nobody is ordering them around. "I'm like him, but unlike this asshole, I'm here to help. Now GO!"

They hesitate for moment but spring into action. Blast Cap seems pleased with himself and speaks up. "So, before we start, I need your tag. I know the superiors can hear us," he taps his ear, "but humor me."

I hesitate for a moment before the voice creeps into your ear. "Are you trying to say you don't even remember? How much of your past are you going to deny?!" The ghostly voice sighs. "R-2149," she says in a hushed, sullen tone. "(Y/N), you truly must be passed forgiveness."

I shake my head, dismissing whatever that was. "R-2149," I state, "but you can call me (Y/N). So, is this a no holds barred kind of thing? They didn't tell me too much, but if possible, I'd like to move this away as to not involve civilians." As I speak, I'm looking into his eyes to see if he can even tell I'm lying. I don't know what he's on about, but maybe, just maybe, he'll grant me this.

"Trying to defend these people? We have been blessed, and who cares if a few of them get culled?" He chuckles. "Are you ready, (Y/N)? Once I'm finished with you, I'll be one step closer to the prize."

He begins a maniacal laugh and shoots a couple pellets in my direction. I've been watching him for a bit, so I know there is a couple seconds recharge between bursts. If I'm lucky, I can resolve this without the use of my "talent." I'm stronger than any strongman, faster than any Olympic runner. I can take hits like no one's business. That isn't to say I can't feel pain, but I least I heal a little faster. I try to dodge and weave, but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to gain any ground. He seems flustered that I'm not having trouble so he stops for a moment. He goads me forward, and I take it. I have to take any chance I can, but what kind of trap was he planning. I get about ten feet from him and a crooked grin creeps across his face. He shrugs and confusion washes over me. I feel something small under my foot, and a cacophonous boom erupts. I'm sent flying, and my body is in agony.

"That was too easy!" He states. "You heroes are all the same. You think you are so damn clever. I've got so many traps set up in these streets. I can do so much with this power, if I concentrate on it, I can make them as flat as a piece of paper! They are blended in with the asphalt. The potholes are nice because they can pack more explosives and be a bigger, well, boom. Ah, is this how you feel when you win against your adversaries? This feeling is absolutely euphoric! He starts to raise his arms again to prepare his next assault. Before he unleashes the torrent of explosives, he pauses. "I wish I could savor this even for just a moment longer. So," he looks around and sees no titan in sight, "I will."

"You really are an idiot, aren't you?" The voice once more enters your ear. "You can't beat him without using it. Let the monster get its lips wet. Show him; show THEM, that they are creating monsters. GO!"

My vision goes red, and I can feel a warmth running down my face. I stagger as I stand, but turn towards him. I'm still in control, but barely. I take a breath and run towards him. He seems annoyed and launches a flurry of pellets at me. I raise my hand and stream of blood escapes my palms. As it coats the pellets, I harden it and the explosions are contained. He stares in bewilderment. The very weapon he'd been using to cause despair had been taken down in an instant. He points his hand out and spawns a far larger explosive. He hurls it towards me. As much as I want to bat it back towards him, I know it'll explode on impact with something solid. I toss more blood and it produces the same result. I can regenerate my blood fairly quickly, but only to an extent. However, he doesn't have to know that.

"This. Isn't. FAIR!" Blast Cap bellows. He pulls his hand up and is having difficulty uncurling his fingers. "I guess I've wasted too much. No matter, I'll just make one bigger than the amount of blood you have in your body." Hearing that, I act quickly. I raise my hand and ten small spikes protrude quickly and fly towards Blast Cap. I hear a harrowing cry as each of his digits now house one of the spikes. "You fucking bastard!" Tears are forming in his eyes and he falls to his knees. His fingers are completely stiff, and he can't pull at them. He attempts to grab them with his teeth, but I liquefy where he bites. I saunter towards him and place my foot on his chest and kick him down. I sit on his chest and grab his shoulder and put him mere inches from my face. Blood drops from my face and onto his.

"Man, I really didn't want to do that." I gasp for breath as I speak. "You forced my hand, but now that've I got you, how about answering some questions for me? Where to begin? How many of us are there? Where can I find the people that did this to us?" I rattled the questions off with a stern tone.

Blast Cap starts laughing. "Are you daft? Did you hit your head or something? They explained everything to us last year! Don't you…wait," a moment of clarity washes over him, "you're him aren't you? Oh, isn't this great! They told us about you before we started! You're the renegade who betrayed his 'family.'" His laugh grows heartier until he starts to cough. I can feel my blood boil at his laugh. "Tell me, (Y/N), how does this level of destruction compare to your deeds?"

I raise my hand and blood begins to pool and cling to my palm. Steam starts to rise and it bubbles. "How about we match that scar on the other cheek? We can make a matching pair!" I attempt at an intimidation, when the wispy voice chimes in.

"Torture huh?" It whispers. "I guess it's not above you. You are right here; you can end his miserable life just by thinking about it. How would you do it to him? The blood surrounding his skull sends itself straight into his pea-brain? You could have his blood stop altogether, making him die from lack of oxygen, or you could cause is blood to boil and make him cook from the inside. You claim to have changed, but in the end you really are the same."

"You know, I'm getting real sick of you saying that. Why is it that you have such a vendetta against me?" I reply as silence befalls us.

"Who the actual hell are you talking to? I didn't say anything! I didn't even know who you were until today!" Blast Cap states. "Now claim victory and FINISH ME!" He screams.

I let the blood return to my body, clench my fist, and knock his lights out. The punch breaks skin, some blood dripping from the new wound. I'm not gonna kill him, and I'm not gonna let that voice win. It just showed up one day out of the blue. I wish I could figure out why it's there, but that's a problem for another day. I've got so many questions, but no damn answers. I quickly check his person and find a small earpiece and take it. Maybe they'll have the answers. As it finds its way into my pocket, the silence is broken by multiple sirens. Gaining my ground, I flee into the alleys. Everything is sore, but I'm alive. My backpack is at the pizzeria, so it means I might have to resort to some light theft in the meantime. It's not ideal, but I still have to survive. After running for about ten minutes, I find a dumpster and lean up against it. Thirty minutes soon pass and I hear footsteps.

"We know you're here, we followed your scent," a young voice states.

I turn and notice a green dog staring me in the eyes. Startled, my feet never came to me so quickly, as I stare down the group of teens. I see the robotic one holding my bag, and he tosses it to me. "Thanks. Well, for whatever reason, you found me. Why?"

The green dog transforms into his human form. "Dude, we just wanna know what that was about."

"Dude?" I say confused. "My name is "(Y/N). As you are probably aware, I'm not from around here, and I know about as much as you guys. Jump City seems to have capable heroes, young like me too. What do they call you?"

"We're the Titans. I'm Robin. That's Cyborg, Starfire, Terra, Raven, and the one in front of you is Beast Boy." He calls out each responding in kind.

"You really are an interesting group. As much as I appreciate you returning my bag, I'm still wondering why you sought me out." I respond.

Robin replies. "He said he was searching for a candidate. How did he know you were here? If there are more, we need to know so we can put a stop to them."

"Here's the short version. Some of us were taken and given powers, and I escaped. When he introduced himself, I had remembered that we were given tags with that same naming method. I don't know what a candidate is, but he seemed to know more than me, but wouldn't talk. I'm assuming you all have him so why not talk to him?" I explain.

A confused look washes over the Titans, when a familiar voice echoes in the alley.

"THERE YOU ARE!" Blast Cap shouts. "YOU HAVE TO PLAY BY THE RULES!" His body begins to glow. "If you won't kill me, I'll do it myself, and take you all with me." His laughter sends a shiver down my spine. Raven encompasses him with black barrier. "This won't stop me! This explosion will rival a nuclear detonation. Killing me is the only way to stop me now."

"We won't do that!" Robin responds. "Terra, can you do the same thing as Raven? Then, Raven, can you launch him up?"

As they begin to respond, Blast Cap interjects. "There's no time! 5…4…3." He giggles.

The color washes from the Titans face and I act. I look at the cut on his cheek. I reach my hand out and twist my hand. My power forced the blood in his neck to spin at a high speed. An audible crack is heard in the alley, his body goes limp, and the glow fades.

"What…what did you do?" Robin says in disbelief. "How could you just kill him?"

"You think I wanted too?!" I cry out, tears beginning to stream down my face. "You saw the damage a pellet smaller than his fingernail did! I couldn't just let so many people die…"

The disembodied voice cackles in my ear. "You did it! You actually did it! I see you are still playing judge, jury, and executioner. Add one more to the count, eh?" It continues to laugh.

The sound reverberated in my head. I clench my head in pain and the light fades from my eyes.

Where to begin? First of all, I apologize wholeheartedly for dropping off the face of the Earth, for what, 3 years? Life decided to sucker punch me and kicked me while I was down. However, I'm okay now and found this on my desktop and it rushed back to me. I'm gonna go back and rewatch it now. I'd like to do one at least once a month, if not every other month. Cheers friends.