Chapter 5

It had been a good week since the fight with Doomsday, everything was normal now on the streets of Chicago. Petty crimes, sirens, loud music, and good smelling food. A few prostitutes here and there but that didn't bother Taylor, who is now dressed as Skarlet King. He knew that people had to make ends meet somehow, even if the ways were a bit revealing for him. Hell just a minute ago he saved a prostitute named Jenny who offered him her services as long as he needed them. He politely declined telling her he had a girlfriend, she understood and went home for the night. Now he was perched on a Gargoyle on a different tower this time. It was called "Chicago & Co Enterprises". It was finished being built last week and he liked the view it gave him, not being able to see the glory of downtown Chicago. His mind began to drift off to Megan and he had instantly blushed.

Like his last thought, they had started dating a week ago after The Justice League's battle with Doomsday. When word had got out that the two were dating it was kind of awkward.

-Flashback, Watchtower, day after the Doomsday fight-

Megan and Taylor were in the lounge area relaxing, Superman had put Taylor and Superboy on a 4 day probation from combat, so that meant no crime fighting, or patrol for the two teens. They both were fine with it and Superboy went to his home in Smallville. Megan was sitting on the end of the couch reading a book and Taylor rested his head on her lap as watched a show on "Animal Planet". A few people had came back from training and saw the two this close, of the group being Artemis, Beast Boy, Kid Flash, and Zatanna. They all stared at the two and Megan was the first to look up.

"Is there something wrong?", She asked causing Taylor to raise his head then look at everyone then put it back down.

"Megan...can we go talk in the hall?", Artemis asked and she nodded.

She gently moved from her spot and went into the hall with her best-friend. Taylor was now left with Beast Boy, Kid Flash, and Zatanna. They all looked at Taylor and Kid Flash was to first to speak.

"Well all I can say is that I saw this coming, but congratulations on your guy's relationship," He said with a smirk.

"Yea dude I hope it goes well for you guys, "Beast Boy smiled.

To the youngest member of The Team, Megan was like an older sister to him, well sorta by blood in a way. Taylor would see it when he would go train in the training room and saw that those to were as close as family. He admire that greatly and ignored the slight incoming headache.

Kid Flash and Beast boy had then went on to go playing video games somewhere in the room leaving Taylor and his best-friend Zatanna.

"Well Well mister "I can't do it, It's too early". "She chuckled then took a spoke at the end of the couch by his feet.

"Shut up...it just happened and so far I enjoy it, she has the softest kisses, and her skin smells so good and so soft."Taylor said in a kind of a dreamy voice and Zatanna gave him a look of slight disgust.

"You're a creepy old man…",She said.

"Am not I'm 19 on this planet's age system, "He defended raising his head a bit

"I'm joking jeez kid." Zatanna said.

"Were the same age…",Taylor said with a smirked.

The magician had squinted his eyes then stuck her tongue at him. A minute later he then looked at him as he watch T.v.

"I am happy for you though, "Zatanna said honestly.

"Thanks," He smiled and rose up to give her a hug and then laid back down.

She smiled and then got up. "Well I have things to do down at home...I'll see you later, "She said before she got up and left.

His girlfriend and then came in, she had gently lifted his head and he then snuggled back into her thigh. "What did you guys talk about?"

Only a sigh had came out her mouth then she gave him a kiss then continued to read her book. "It was one of those girl talks,"

"Oh, never mind then, "He said then looked at TV and continued what was now a common thing for the two.

-Flashback ends-

After that things had gotten awkward and it's just now beginning to die down. Taylor had decided to call the quits for the night and decided since he still have some energy left go explore the country for a bit. If he flew fast he could get anywhere in little to no time. He then stood up and began to fly to the East Coast. A city that he has been hearing about was Gotham City, which was located in, New Jersey.

'A nightmare out of metal and stone huh?', He thought to himself as when he asked Superman about it. 'Sounds like it's Bats place to be,'

Arriving in what seemed like 30 seconds, Taylor had landed on top of Wayne Enterprises and gave the city a quick look. It him feel a tad bit uncomfortable at how many crimes were going on at once. Taylor signed to himself and then walked to the edge of the building, thinking Batman won't mind that if he had helped put, he leaped off the building and silently began to fly along in the shadows and tried his best to remain unseen. He then saw a bunch of cop cars headed down one street and another bunch headed down another, a minute later he then saw a third group headed down the last of the three way street. He landed on a roof to where he could see all three groups departure. As he was shrouded in the shadows he saw three different vehicles split off from each other, one per group of cop cars. He saw Nightwing on a motorcycle as did he saw Batgirl. The tricked out black bat car was Batman's he assumed and then he followed Nightwing since he was the closet.

Taylor had stuck on Nightwing's trail from the shadow of the building until he had stopped by an old abandoned factory. Nightwing had gotten off his motorcycle and then began to scale the building. Taylor had waited for him to enter and then went and scoped the warehouse out for himself. After he had done this, Taylor had moved to the roof and then he had went into one of the large silo shafts and maneuvered his way to down into the building. The sounds of a fight had began to echo through the building. It had soon became silent as and minutes later painful coughs could be heard.

"I don't know whether to call you stupid or brave in this case, I was waiting for the Bats to get here…" A voice said."Should've known he would have some help with this one…",

Nightwing looked Bane up and down and then chuckled. "You really think you have a chance? This is Batman we are talking about?"

Bane had then frowned at him and punched Nightwing in his face for good measures. "Yes we really do...not now but in do time, anything is possible when you have prep time," The villain laughed and then he began to walk up to Nightwing.

"What are you planning to do?", The hero asked and began to struggle earning more punches to the gut.

"Why we are gonna kill you of course, and cause the Bats quite a bit of grief? "For the shits and giggles" as Joker would say," Bane grinned and cracked his knuckles and was ready to lay the beat down on him.

At that moment Taylor had grinned and kicked the vent door down, Bane looked up just to have it land on it's face followed by Taylor landing on top of the vent lid. Bane had grunted and Taylor had punched the villain in the gut sending him crashing into the wall.

"Alright bitches parties over!", Taylor as his Scarlet King persona shouted and then flipped into the air delivering kicks to the goons holding onto Nightwing and then made short work of them.

"Thanks King", Nightwing thanked as he was helped up and then surrounded by more goons who were kind of hesitant.

"Thank me with beer and steak later, right now you are hurt and you need to leave." Taylor stated and a 4 foot chain link came out of his palms and then he gripped then with a grin on his face.

"No I'm not leaving you here...you maybe be a tank but i don't leave my teammate behind." Nightwing said as the two stood back to back.

After a while of silence, Taylor shrugged and mumbled. "Not my fault if you die," Nightwing only grinned and the two got prepared for combat.

The goons had charged in for the kill then Taylor swiftly began to dodge they're in-coordinated attacks. Taylor's fists were imbued with demonic fire and then he started to let his fists of fire rain down on his enemies as well as Nightwing. They were breaking bones left and right until all the guys were down and out. Taylor took a couple of jabs at the air displaying his skills and speed.

"Nice work now to take care of Bane," Nightwing said just to have Taylor stop Nightwing from advancing.

"No you are sitting this one out...cuff these shitheads I'll take care of Bane, it'll only take a moment..", Taylor grinned slowly walking over to Bane as he had now just gotten out of the hole.

"I don't know who the hell you are but you're gonna end up the same way like everyone else when they cross me!", Bane yelled and he pressed a button on his wrist and some weird liquid had flown from the tubes into his body and he had began to increase in muscle mass significantly.

Once Bane was finished he had a huge grin on his face thinking he had the advantage now, but oh how he was wrong. He was met with a laugh from Taylor himself.

"Yea keep filling yourself with steroid juice ugly," Taylor grinned and then looked at Bane as he popped his knuckles,"You have 10 seconds to leave me incapacitated and if you do...you walk out free no questions asks."

Bane blinked and then frowned and growled. "You mocking me!?",

"No I'm being serious...your time starts now, " Taylor said and wasn't even gonna brace himself for this one.

With that, Bane had charged towards Taylor and then threw a punch at the grinning hero. It landed in Taylor's chest then a loud shockwave wave emitted from the punch. It didn't move Taylor, not even a little bit.

"You spent 6 seconds charging from there, to here, and then hit me in my chest." Taylor laughed and then kept counting." Now you wasted 3 seconds not doing anything,"

Bane quickly had landed several hard hitting punches to Taylor and he laughed taking them. Bane growled and then Bane clubbed his hands together and was going to pound them on Taylor's head, planning to smash it like a watermelon. Taylor had caught the fists and then grinned.

"Time's up bitch!", Taylor said and then teleported a little ways away from Bane. He then sent a chain hurling towards Bane then whipped a cracked towards Bane's skull, successfully cracking the frontal lob into pieces. Taylor had then sent another chain that was wrapped around Bane's neck. With a single, powerful tug he pulled Bane towards him and then punched the giant Brute in the face and then did a tumble 1080 degree Arabian flip behind Bane who was struggling with the chain around his neck. Taylor had did 2 strong kicks behind his legs to make him kneel. Bane swung his massive arms behind him to try and hit the hero but missed when Taylor rolled behind him the caught his arm.

"This looks important," Taylor grinned then snapped Bane's arm in half and he screamed in pain.

"You son of a bitch", He grunted then Taylor broke the other one and another cry of pain came from Bane.

"I don't know who you are but when I find out...everything you ever loved will be dead in a cold, painful, and a very slow death." Bane threatened. "And that's a promise…",

"Well I'll be waiting, " Taylor grinned and then did a reverse evasive roll backwards a couple of feet behind Bane and then used his upper back and his hands to spring him high into the air. He did a couple tucked front-flips before landing a fatal drop-kick on Bane's head knocking the villain out.

Nightwing had then walked up next to Taylor and then looked at Bane. "that was brutal but the job is done and he is subdued", Nightwing said and then patted Taylor's back. "Come on...Batman wants us at a rendezvous point in Gotham. Follow me,"

"Yes Captain," Taylor said and the two went to Midtown.

-Watchtower-

Megan was in lounge area pacing back and forth slowly while looking up at the ceiling. She was bored and haven't seen Taylor since this morning. It was 7:30 p.m. and she had stopped 12 robberies saved, a burning building, and patrolled all of L.A just to have some time pass by. Still no word from Taylor.

'Okay okay...he's busy saving the world, 'Megan said and then turned to see Artemis looking at her.

"What's got you troubled?", She asked as she walked over to Megan stopping the young adult from pacing.

"Taylor hasn't came back to the tower nor is he at Zatanna's place, it's like he just disappeared." Megan said and then Artemis laughed.

"Oh I was just talking to the other members and he's with Nightwing in Gotham, they just stopped a kidnapping," She told her friend and Megan was about to Gotham to see him but Artemis had stopped her.

"Take it easy okay? Look Taylor is another Doomsday but on our side...I hate to admit but from the time he first arrived and until now...he has really proven himself. You've been pacing like this every time he goes on a mission...relax he can handle himself." Artemis told her and then she looked over at the door then back at Megan. "You guys need to go out on a date."

Then with that Artemis had left to go take care of some business. Megan had nodded and then decided to go with what Artemis said. "Yes you are right"

She had left the lounge and then went to her room to go get prepared for tomorrow.

-Gotham, Midtown, Wayne Tower-

Taylor was with Nightwing on the top of Wayne towers eating some takeout. Taylor had a mix of Yakisoba with a load of steak bits and Shrimp, and Nightwing had a normal order of egg noodles. For the past 30 minutes, the two were talking about random things and getting to know each other. This time it was Taylor's normal personality that was talking and not his persona.

"Wow you're really good at hiding your true identity. It's a little bit much but so is Batman he is just less talkative," Nightwing said and then Taylor chuckled.

"Yeah I hear ya...hopefully Bane actually stays in jail this time," Taylor chuckled and then took a bite of his food."I heard they keep getting out somehow...if it was me I would put them down for good for all the stuff they had put the people through,"

"I hear you on that Taylor, but the League only allows killing if it's a last resort thing...we can't just go killing bad guys left and right ya know. That's makes us no better than the bad guys," Nightwing told him, though he felt where he was coming from.

"Yea, it seems like everyday is a last resort in Gotham though...all I wanted to do was to explore the area...suppose to be my day off," Taylor chuckled.

"Yea it really is though it's been calmer than usual, less work for us though, "Nightwing said taking a bite of his food.

"I see you guys are enjoying yourself…" A deep voice said from behind the two.

They both knew it was Batman, Nightwing was use to the Dark Knight popping up out of nowhere, and Taylor had been scared by his mother repeatedly until he could fear no more. They both looked behind themselves, Taylor waved kindly at Batman and saw Batgirl next to him. Nightwing nodded at Batman and at Batgirl. Batman looked at Taylor.

"Didn't know you were visiting. "He said to the hero and received a smile.

"Originally I was just exploring but then I heard cop cars and then I followed Nightwing and then helped him take down Bane…",Taylor said.

"A bit more Brutal for my taste. "Nightwing commented.

"Well this time he better stay down", Taylor chuckled.

"I know we saw how the whole thing went down, we followed Taylor in and watched the whole thing", Batgirl said with a smile."Thanks for saving Nightwing King,"

Taylor nodded with a smile and then stood up after eating the last bite of his food.

"Good work", Was all the Dark Knight said before disappearing into the night leaving the three alone.

"Well I have to go back to the Watchtower and go check on Megan...I bet she isn't happy that I have saw her all day.." Taylor said then put own his mask and his persona came back. "Later losers!",

With that Taylor had fly away into the night sky with a wicked sorta evil laugh. Nightwing shook his head with a slight smiled and Batgirl scratched her head and sighed.

"He's on our side right?". She laughed.

Nightwing chuckled along with her and looked up at the sky. "It's questionable with a laugh like that," He teased and the two had went home.

-Watchtower, Megan's room-

The Martian was laying in her bed reading a random booked she had picked off her shelf. It was a simple love story about a weird boy and girl versus a normal boring world. She smiled as it reminded her of Taylor and her. They were both aliens and both very weird, against a world full of crime and anger which seem to be the norm. On that same thought, she began to think of her boyfriend, she missed him already even though it hasn't been a 12 hours. She sighed and went to get another book. Just as she stood up she heard a familiar voice down the hall along with another. She recognized the two one was Kid Flash and the other was her boyfriend. She had then dropped what she was getting ready to do and went to confirm if what she heard was correct. She saw Kid Flash in his hero attire and Taylor in his as well. She sighed in relief and jogged began to jog towards Taylor.

Kid Flash and Taylor were talking about how Taylor had beat down Bane. Kid Flash was impressed that Taylor took down a major criminal so easily.

"I'm surprised he isn't dead from that blow to his skull...where do they come from anyway?", Kid Flash asked mentioning his chains.

"Well in your worlds terms "Hell", Taylor said. "Small portals appear anywhere from my body and the chains come out,"

"That's cool!", Kid Flash admired.

The two stopped in their tracks when they saw Megan heading towards Taylor with a bunch of mixed expressions. Kid Flash waved goodbye at Taylor before running off somewhere. Megan had rushed in for a tight hug on Taylor. Taylor smiled and hugged the Martian back.

"I missed you", She began then looked at him in the eye." I swear the next time you don't call or text me we are gonna have issues mister." Then there was the frustration.

"I was worried sick and I was bored...you could've died", Followed by more frustration and a bit of sadness.

"But I'm glad you are okay and here…",Then lastly the happiness.

Taylor had wrapped his arms around her waist and was getting ready to respond to all of her inquiries.

"I missed you too and more…"He began and then smirked. "Well I don't have a phone to text to call you…", He told her.

"I can't die by anything on this planet...at least not as what I had seen so far", He said then kissed her forehead. "Don't worry I'm not leaving you anytime soon,"

"And lastly I'm glad you are in my arms safe and sound. "He told her smoothly and with each word he had spoke Megan blush would increase until finally her normal green face was taken over by a deep rosy red.

"W-well It's mm...yea"'She said quickly giving up on finding the right words but then something he said caught her attention." What do you mean you don't have a cell phone."

"I never really had time to get one and I don't know how to operate one…there wasn't a book in the Chicago library with proper instructions. "Taylor explained to Megan.

She then gasped and took his hands and practically dragged him to her room and then closed the door behind the two. Then she had sat on her bed and Taylor had followed along.

"Take the day off crime fighting tomorrow," She told him expecting resistance.

"Okay." Taylor said nonchalantly.

"Taylor I won't take no...oh okay umm i was expecting resistance." She said but then smiled.

"Yep cops explained to me that they were getting a lot of heat about me doing all there work son we compromised...they'll call me when they need me."Taylor shrugged."Then I went to visit Gotham.",

"How was it?" Megan shivered. She had heard stories about how cruel Gotham was and was surprised Taylor came back unscathed.

"Save Nightwing's life and then almost put Bane down permanently. After that, me and Nightwing had dinner." He told her with a shrug and started holding her hands for no reason.

"Oh well im glad you're okay...really",She told him taking his hands as well.

"So why did you want me to "take the day off", Taylor asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh well I figured we needed to go spend some time together ya know? Like go to the mall and buy stuff and go out to eat or the movies." Megan suggested looking around the room.

"Sure lets do it all," He smiled with an assuring nod." You have to plan it out though...I don't know where all of the places are."

"Sure thing! Leave it to me,"She smiled then kissed his cheek.

Taylor had then stood up and gave her one last hug before turning to the door.

"Wait...you're not gonna stay the night?",She asked looking up at him with hopeful eyes.

"Well I need to go home since my clothes are there...despite me having to outfits."Taylor said truthfully.

"Well okay…"'She said with a bit of dissatisfaction in her voice.

"You can come over and spend the night and we'll leave from there."He told her with a warm smile and the held out his hand.

She smiled brightly and took his soft hand then went to her closest and got a change of clothes and put them into a pink bag then the two had left to his house.

Megan went via teleport to his and Zatanna's apartment and Taylor had took the scenic route and arrived in under a second. He went through the patio and saw his best friend on the couch. Zatanna waved at Taylor with a friendly smile.

"Hey been busy?", She asked as she looked at her books on the table. One could guess she was in college doing some homework.

"Yea been in Gotham and other stuff…",He told her as then a knock had sounded.

Taylor had went to answer it."Who goes there?", He asked.

"Ummm Megan," A voice answered and Taylor confirmed it was Megan.

Taylor opened the door and she was surprised to see him. Using the teleporter only took 2 seconds and he arrived in less than a second.

"Jeez you're fast…", She told him and she received a slight nod."Like Flash fast…",

"He beats me every time but I don't got the speed force like he does...though using my max won't hurt me but it will leave this planet shook." He explained.

She nodded amazed a bit, she could only think of the wide range abilities he could do. She had followed him to his room and saw he saw him and Zatanna gave each other a thumbs one with a serious "good luck". She hit his arm.

"Nothing like that", She told him sternly and he had raised his hands in defeat with a smile.

"Okay you win," He chuckled then entered his room and then went to his walk in closet.

It was a simple plain room, it wasn't anything fancy like Zatanna's room except for the bed which was a California King size with a black, red, and white coloring with a picture of a sexified Pocahontas in the middle with the pillows, and sheets to match. Taylor went in his walk in closet to take off his costume. Megan set her things on the shelf next to and sat on his bed.

She noticed he had a large bookshelf next to his bed on the other side. It was filled will a collection of the works of Stephen King, and Edgar Allan Poe. It also contained random magazines, workout routines, healthy living books, notes, almanacs, record books, and so much more. It interested her a bit more about Taylor, she knew he had to read quite a few books to learn about the world but she didn't know he read books out of enjoyment. She saw Taylor come out the closest in grey basketball shorts with no shoes or shirts. She blushed, quite a bit actually, having such a ripped and chiseled physique but yet he was slender. He was holding a towel and some Irish Spring body wash. He went into his own restroom nd went to take a shower. Figuring it was going to take awhile, she got a random book off his shelf then began to read. A couple of minutes later she heard a voice escaped the bathroom. It was Taylor singing, she recognize the song.

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World",Megan said to herself."Tears for Fears is a good group."

He sounded just like the main singer when he had sung, it was smooth and it had made your heart melt. She smiled and continued to read the book, a few minutes later Taylor haf came out the restroom in basketball shorts and a tank top. She smiled and sat up looking at him the Zatanna came busting in the door.

"Emergency! We need you to come help us handle Amazo...he can copy powers so we need your abilities since he can't copy yours",Zatanna told him and Taylor signed.

Megan chuckled and then transformed into her green appearance with her suit on. Taylor went into the closet and came out a second later fully cloth in his fear.

"Alright Z, where is he located, bout to crack some skulls," Taylor now as Skarlet King laughed.

"He's making his way towards...Chicago…",Zatanna said partially repeating the words from J'onn who was talking in her head.

Taylor then took off his mask looking at Zatanna with a worried look. "Why?",

"Why is heading towards Chicago...that's Taylor's territory." Megan said holding his hand.

"Because...that's who he is exactly looking for...you", Zatanna said.

Hey guys thanks for reading and I appreciate it very much. Sorry about the terrible typing and stuff I had to work off a phone and this is what I got for now. Anyways I'm working on 3 different stories for now so I'm trying to divide my time between here, work, and college...then friends and family. Enjoy!