206. Metropolitan part 1

The day that I got lost inside the underbelly of Titan's Tower, I experienced a queer sensation. I was surrounded by familiarity. But that same familiarity was choking me. Deceiving me. Forcing me to run circles in the center of something that I thought I knew but in all reality was only throwing me into further and further chaos. When the Titans' alarm sounded, I felt utterly helpless. For though I was in the thick of it all, the thick of it all was suffocating my senses. And I couldn't get out of the very thing I walked into for the life of me.

Walking into Metropolis felt a little bit like that.

I had seen buildings before. I had walked through dozens of big cities before. I had developed a love for randomly strolling through urban areas and getting a mental layout of the place. Of main streets and plazas and courtyards and downtowns and industrial districts.

But Metropolis overwhelmed me. Its towering buildings had an amplified, concrete translation of being bottom up in the center of a vast field of corn. If I took a side street into a clearer part of town, I'd only find myself wandering between the stalks of four more buildings; each as tall if not taller than the ones that were previously swallowing me up. And then the streets turned into bridges that scaled up, up, up with the height of Metropolis till everything turned into a vast, three dimensional maze of vast length, cluttered width, and numbing height. And people….people….people filled the streets. People on foot. In cars. On people movers. It was like the City of the future. Metropolis—like Tokyo—was an undeniable glimpse of the future before the future itself came. But the signs of overcrowding that Tokyo showed, Metropolis seemed to make up for. The high-rises already doubled as apartments, restaurants, golf driving ranges, helipads, shopping malls, theatres, hotels, schools, laboratories, and everything. Bridges for walkways, bridges for driving, and bridges just-for-kicks interconnected all of these spires. Metropolis had an airlife as much as a ground life.

Wandering around in that municipal mayhem on November 26 made me realize just how complex human society had become. Urban society had made its proverbial haystack, and all of the monumental chaos just begged for a gargantuan needle to swim through it all and protect the reinforcement of the towering quagmire. And more then than ever did I thank Terra Firma's lucky stars that Superman had become that much-needed needle.

I'd been to Metropolis before. Only two times. The first time was just a brief walk-through. I had come East from my long, cross-country trek. I took one whiff of the big city and immediately had the fecal matter scared out of me. So I traveled south some along the Metropolitan Highway and found the bayside Town beneath the Titan's Tower. And I never looked back.

The second time was an even briefer occasion. H.I.V.E.'s Academy in Bludhaven had just been sacked, and Robin, Raven and I decided to deposit the goons-of-war into Maggie Sawyer's and the police department's capable hands. Disruptor, Charger, Deuce, Gizmo, and a few others found a home in special prison wings.

On both occasions, I barely touched the surface of this City. And for good reason too. I think Robin in his living years even was scared of marshalling a City like this. Batman and Green Arrow must have felt the same, for all I cared. Metropolis was huge. It was a job for Superman.

Which made me wonder why in the blue Hell I was waltzing into that place to begin with. The last week and a half had been nothing but pushing, pushing, pushing forward for me. It made no difference if I was sliding testicles-first into Las Vegas on the advent of a mafia apocalypse. Or if I was sneaking into Las Vegas with nothing but a sword and an asian best friend to toss at an underground sea of thugs.

Speaking of which…

Where is the Messenger?

My shaded black eyes narrowed.

Then again……do I really need him now?

Smallville.

Metropolis.

These are all decisions that I have made. Me, myself, and I.

And besides……

What did the Messenger know about the Gaia Sphere crap?

Or the fate of Terra's captured 'essence'?

And if he knew anything, was he hiding them from me?

Hull seemed to have known more in that department. Or at least, the sword-swinging ice prince was selectively telling me things as well.

This is my mission.

X'Hal willing, I can keep it mine as long as I can.

I paused on a sidewalk somewhere.

Blinking.

'X'Hal'………

I smiled.

A warm, fuzzy thought came to me.

Scarlet hair and raised, Tamaranian eyebrows.

Laced with Beast Boy's laughter and a spilled tofu.

Cyborg giving me a high-five.

Raven in the corner with a book, shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

The thought came and left with a sigh.

And I was alone in the urban maze again.

Right……

Don't forget.

Don't forget the main reasons why you're here……

I pressed on, whatever and wherever 'on' was. I was looking for Lexcorp. That is to say, I was looking for a building with access to Lexcorp's main files where I might be able to dig up some hearty dirt on Triangular.

Ultimately…….

It didn't help that this was Metropolis, and just about every other skyrising building I saw was plastered with the sleek 'L' of Lexcorp in one fashion or another. Lexcorp Waterfront Suites. Lexcorp Industrial Management. Lexcorp Phone Co. Lexcorp National. Lexcorp International. Lexcorp Gardens. You name it.

I suppose every branch of heaven inevitably roots itself in a demon every now and then.

It was a good hour into my mindless trek that I finally saw Lex Luthor for what he was. He was Metropolis. Much in the same way that Dagger 'was' the City back home. Only, Lex Luthor had the gall to brag about it. Dagger owned people and places in a covert way. Luthor kept a public face that kept his image from ever possibly being blemished. Dagger relied on the blemish of his figure to strike fear into the hearts of his adversaries. Both despots were incredibly different yet identically tricky in their stylistic rulings. But both were equal candidates for Triangular. Secretly I wondered who pulled whose strings the most.

And what of the Gothamite?

Awww……screw it.

Where's that damn HQ?

I summoned to mind many a briefing the late Robin had given us when discussing future needs for national, superheroic intervention. He had shone us slides and diagrams of Metropolis, covering quite exquisitely the 'headquarters' of Lex Luthor. I remembered that the chief Lexcorp building was a virtual obelisk stretching high into the sky. It was sleek. Black. And it had a curved head with huge transparent glass facings serving as the windows to Lex Luthor's black, black office.

On a more helpful note, the Lexcorp building was the tallest structure in Metropolis.

I tilted my headup.

Skyscrapers….skyscrapers……skyscrapers…..

Yeah.

Useful information.

If I could fly.

I told Kara and the Kents and myself over and over and over again that I wanted to keep a low profile when venturing into Metropolis. And I meant it. I didn't want Triangular knowing that I was tailing them. I didn't want the Justice League reacting to me and thus showing Triangular I was there. And most of all I didn't want….

Red Aviary……

I felt a chill. A chill just like any other chill. My metal fingers twitched. I ignored it the best way I could and moved on.

Most of all……

I can't let Red Aviary find me……

As much as I may deserve to fester in death's academy some day soon or sooner, I mustn't die yet.

Not now.

Not while I have a job to do.

A mission to follow.

Robin's Contract is over.

It's done.

Now begins Terra's contract.

And, inevitably, a way to save the rest of the Titans.

But……without bringing them into it.

Without bringing them into the jaws of death.

Because—even if he doesn't know where I'm at—Red Aviary is following me.

He may even be in Metropolis.

I don't rightly know.

I don't even want to know……

But……

It is only a matter of time.

It is only a matter of time……

I took a deep breath.

I must hurry.

Hurry, I did. In as 'inconspicuous' a way as possible. Much to my futile refusal, John and Marth had donated me twenty bucks for the trip into Metropolis. I didn't see much use in the highly gracious offer until I was halfway into City limits and remembered….

'Shit.'

'I'm a Titan.'

I had to conceal my identity before everyone around me.

So, I jumped into a thrift store at the outskirts of the City.

I changed into black slacks with a black, long-sleeved turtle neck that could cover the scar on my neck and the metal nature of my left arm. A jacket from my Las Vegas days I wore over this, and underneath that I concealed a good bit of my ponytail and Myrkblade's scabbard. I even found a cheap pair of black sunglasses to replace my wide, trademark ones. My combat fatigues, I stuffed into my backpack and hurried along in my trek.

Wow……

A cheap outfit of all-black.

Eh……a little 'less conspicuous', I suppose.

Not like I've done any modeling outside of uniform for the Titans' Magazine.

A beat.

I blinked.

We have a magazine?

I shrugged that off and kept searching for the infernal spire.

I figured that Downtown would be the ideal spot for Luthor's diamond-in-the-rough to be. So, I simply followed traffic.

I walked along the clustered, elevated freeways.

Past nose-to-nose cars. Very….futuristic looking cars.

Everything about Metropolis screamed 'tomorrow'.

It was nearing late afternoon.

The Sun was beginning to set.

I soon realized why the traffic was so thick. It was the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday. Shopping malls of multiple stories were being harrassed with all sorts of clustered, metallic attention in the parking lot while pedestrians filed in and out of the stores with shopping bags. I wondered if I should have counted my luck or bit at my curse. The more shopping, the thicker the crowds, and thus the more danger could be caused to innocent life.

If…..

If…….some sort of chaos broke loose.

But why was I feeling paranoid?

I paused at an intersection as a few shoppers wandered by.

I scratched my chin.

Wasn't there……

Wasn't there someone on the loose in Metropolis right around now?

I looked up at the nearby building side…..and discovered 'it'.

'It' was an electronic ticker a la Wall Street built around the curved corner of a tall bank building. Workers on elevated platforms were erecting boughs of holly and candy canes already on banners and lampposts. The holiday spirit was striking the commercial district. And in between news briefs and stock exchange info, the ticker of flashing light bulbs read a Metropolitan equivalent to an amber alert:

'Livewire still at large. Justice League baffled. Mild skirmish with the electrokinetic rogue reported at Lexcorp Power Center. Mild injuries sustained. Reward of 100,000 for Livewire's present location and any available info.'

I whistled.

Livewire……right……

I've seen and heard her on the t.v. before.

I couldn't help but wince.

Sheesh. Do all villains come in stereo?

I sighed.

I filed past thick crowds of people.

Men in trenchcoats talking on cell phones.

Families waiting on sidewalks as the amber sunset started to bathe the City.

Dogs on leashes keeping their barking to a minimum because of the cold.

The cold….

I exhaled. Vapor left my lips. I clenched my fingers in cheap, slacks pockets.

Winter……

This will be my first real winter on the East Coast.

Already……I don't think I like it.

I shuddered.

Just pretend it's Seattle, Jordan.

You can handle Seattle.

You can handle……

I looked up.

Again, the spires of Metropolis.

Again, the thick chaos.

The feeling of being lost.

And no Lexcorp HQ to be found.

I thought of stopping somewhere and asking directions……being desperate.

But….

How many citizens here can understand sign language anyways?

I took a deep breath and stubbornly walked alone. Forward. Onward….

I wonder……

Have I truly gotten accustomed to life as a mute?

I was lucky to have known sign-language ahead of time.

And the fact that I so much as survived the injury dealt to me five or so years ago is a miracle in and of itself……

I gently rested a hand over the 'X'-shaped scar on the small of my throat.

I sighed.

But……

The only people I've gotten along with are a scant few in the Norman Apartments and the Titans.

There's Renee and Daniel, of course.

And Sandy.

And acquaintances I've met through the Titans, like Speedy, Diana, and Simon Stone.

But……my life……my way of living……

It's really cut down.

I stopped making friends like I used to.

I stopped being so……so extroverted.

I……became silent. Not just 'mute', but silent.

And dark.

Did……Did I really have to do that?

When Viper was first defeated and Cyborg mused about making me a 'voice box', maybe I should have actually……considered his offer.

Maybe it would have given me a chance to be 'Jordan' once more, and leave a little bit of 'Noir' to the dust……and 'Wyldecarde' to the ashes.

But what then?

Did I really want a voice? Even an artificial one?

Would it really have benefited me……to have screamed when Robin died?

I bit my lip.

Eh……

It's the truth.

I am 'dark'.

I……might as well be silent.

I reached another intersection.

A clock tower rung.

I looked up at a nearby church.

An antique clock stroked.

7:00 pm.

I guess not that much time had passed……

The bell tolled.

A commercial bus came to a stop in front of me. Engine humming. Hydraulics hissing.

I sighed and ran a hand over my bangs.

What am I thinking?

This is going to take all night………

The bus hissed again. It drove off down the road.

And as its broad, aluminum body passed….

The Lexcorp Headquarters appeared. Its obsidian, nasty self. Stretching up from the urban horizon.

The final bell tolled.

I smirked.

Then again……

Just as I made a step forward onto the crosswalk

SCREEEEEECH-CRUNCH!

People gasped.

A few women shrieked.

I looked over.

The commercial bus had slammed dead-on into a lamppost.

After a few seconds, I realized why.

The lights inside the bus were flickering on-and-off. The engine was sputtering. It was like the 'juice' of the machine was being sucked out.

And….

The nearby lampposts were flickering on when they didn't need to. The sun was setting, but it wasn't that dark.

Stoplights strobed like mad.

Building fronts flashed before the lights and appliances inside burnt out.

Finally, the neon sign of a busy shopping mall enjoying the fruits of Black Friday sparkled and exploded. POW! Pedestrians ran screaming as huge shards of glass, plastic, and plaster littered the street corner behind them.

Metropolis—at least in my pocket of the City—had turned into an echoing sound chamber of fright and catastrophe. Lights still flickered and electric displays still sparked as everyone ran and surged past me…

But I stayed still.

Frowning.

Yeah.

I think this is obvious by now……

When she appeared, it was with as much fanfare as one may give to an electrokinetic nymphomaniac with a penchant for pyrotechnics and homicide. She appeared by sparking out of three separate lamposts in blue streaks and solidifying in mid-air flight. A pale-faced grin beamed under a stalk of blue, bride-of-Frankenstein hair. Her outfit was a thumb-length from being defined as a birthday suit with its jagged designs of blue, black, and white. She twirled about like a punkish ballet dancer in the air and when she spoke….I somehow envisioned battle tank treads grating against gravel.

"Wooo hooo! Black Friday! In about five hours, you're gonna become Red Saturday!" she rubbed her hands together and eyed the shrieking, fleeing pedestrians beneath her hovering figure. "Hiya, folks! Sorry I couldn't join ya earlier…." Her rubbing palms produced tiny bolts of hot blue. "I was kinda-sorta detained by S.T.A.R. Labs and their nasty silicon jail cell. I thought I might miss the fashion season! My-My, if I do say….you'd all look rather sporting in BURNT SKIN TODAY!"

ZZZZZZTTTTT!

She rained blue death down on the citizens.

They shrieked and jumped, hopped, and leapt as the bolts ate at their heels.

ZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTT!

ZZZZTTT!

"Hehehehehehehe….ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Livewire tilted her head back and continued launching electrical sparks down at the innocent. "That's right! That's right! Number one shopping craze this holiday season is positively electrifying! How about some seven hundred thousand amps for your tease? Ha ha ha ha!"

One random bolt flew over my head and exploded the neon sign of a pawn shop beihnd me.

POW!

I ducked low, wincing.

People ran past me, screaming.

Gritting my teeth, I stared up at the malevolent maiden through my shades.

Yeah……

Schizophrenia's early this time of year.

Am I sure I didn't wind up in Gotham City instead?

I turned my back to the loud chaos and eyed the towering image of Lexcorp HQ.

"………."

I turned and looked at Livewire.

"………."

I sighed….

Red Aviary can wait……

Right now, Blue's the one threatening life.

I fingered my backpack and looked around nervously as people ran by and bolts of blue exploded various electrical transformers and equipment along the city street.

But……

Gotta keep a low profile, Noir.

Can't let these people see you

I turned to my left.

"………."

A phone booth.

"………."

I looked at Livewire.

A beat.

"………."

I smirked.

Yeah, alright……

I blurred past the panicked citizens, stepped into the phone booth, shut the door behind me, and ducked down low.

T-T-T-T-T-T-

"KAPOW!"

Livewire aimed at a minivan.

ZZZZZTTTT!

BOOOM!

"Hehehehe..,"she twirled and aimed at a Burger King's sign. "KABLAAM!"

ZZZTTT!

PHOOOM!

"Hehehehehehe! Heeeehehehehe!" Livewire spun again and faced the shopping mall beneath her. A huge semi-truck doing a delivery was parked in the back. Livewire summoned a huge, pulsing orb of electrical energy and squinted her eyes. She aimed at the fuel tank beneath the truck's engine. "Now for the grand finale! Batter your Turkey with this, you bourgeoisie Santa-humpers!"

ZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTT! She charged, charged, charged, and flexed her limbs to launch the pulse. "YAAAAAAAAAA!"

FWOOOOSH!

A black streak of murk ran up a building, bounced off, and soared at her.

She glanced right, her eyes sparkling bright with a hot blue. "eh?"

THWACK!

A smoking sword briefly solidified just enough to give her the uppercut of her life.

"OUCHIES!"

She soared off in a blue, ragdoll streak over the shopping mall till she sailed through the sixth story space of a high-rise building under-construction.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

TH-THWOMP!

She slammed onto the hard concrete floor of the half-built building and skipped like a pretty blue stone across the interior.

"Ooof!" Thwap! "Ouch!" Whump! "Ugh!"

She finally slid to a stop. Her elbows and knees sparkled where they were scabbed.

"Nnnnngh…," she stirred and shook her head. "Mmmf….god…was I just hit by a fart?"

FWOOOSH!

Something streaked to a stop several feet in front of her on the sixth floor.

"Nnngh…," she looked up. Blinking. "Who the fuzz are you?"

CHIIING!

I held Myrkblade up, taking a deep breath.

Fully garbed in my trademark combat fatigues.

Frowning.

But….

Inside I felt like smiling.

Good……

Get her out of view of the outside world.

Now you can kick ass.

I stood firmly with my back to the setting sun.

Around us stretched a thin cobweb of concrete and steel support beams over a wide, concrete floor. Power tools and pieces of lumber and other detritus of Metropolis construction crews littered the dusty landscape around us. Behind her several feet away was a partially finished 'building face' composed of freshly plated sheets of glass. This was likely to become an office complex of sorts.

"Nice stick you got there, ninja-butt!" Livewire spat as she stood up. She reared her fists. "Saaaaay…..you look familiar. You ain't one of those Justice Lamers…."

I gritted my teeth.

"Oh hey! I know!" she smiled like a jester and sexily struck a pose with one hand on her hip and the other pointed daintily towards me. "You're one of them Teen Tykes! The one with….ya know….the smoking sword and the long black hair!"

I held my smoking sword up as my long black hair drifted in the breeze.

"Heh…I rest my tight little case," she winked. Then frowned as sparks danced between her fingers and teeth in a menacing manner. "Now what's a moron like you doing all the way in Metropolis ruining my fun?"

"……..," I stared.

"I just got out of holding and all you and the Justice League cares about is cramping my style!" she floated up into the air and charged a huge pulse of electricity in both arms. "Do you know when was the last time I had a decent holiday for Christ's sake? All I wanted was to have a little holiday cheer by burning as many lucky, rich saps to a crisp as possible! Can't you at least afford me that?"

TH-TH-THWISH! I twirled Myrkblade, held it in one hand, and motioned her on with my metal fingers.

Come spin your dreidel, bitch.

She frowned, eyes sparkling hot-blue. "Fine….have it your way, kiddo." FLASH! Her electricity gathered into a bright, blue ball. "You're a hot little number, smokie! But I'm about to make you even hotter! RAAAUGH!"

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTT!

I felt the air boil as the bright orb soared at me.

My black eyes twitched.

I dove to the floor.

FWOOOOSH!

The sparks singed the back of my camouflaged jacket.

I slid on a curtain of murk, rolled forward, vaulted up to my feet, and blurred at her.

She grinend wide and shot two wrists towards the concrete floor. "HA!"

FLASH!

I took a breath and leapt the sparks.

I twirled over her head.

She spun around.

I impacted a steel girder with my feet, kicked off, and soared down at her.

She braced herself, two blue-and-white hands outstretched.

I snarled mutely and swung Myrkblade at her.

THWOOOOSH—CLAMP!

She grabbed the end of my smoking blade.

"….," I blinked.

She winked.

ZZZZZZZZZTTTTTT!

Sparks traveled up the black layer of smoke covering my blade and surged into my body.

I felt like I was on fire.

Sparks danced out of my black eyes and flickered out from the edges of my shades.

After getting the shock of my life, I fell back as if from a concussion blast and landed hard on the floor.

THWUMP!

I winced.

Yeah……

That was smart……

"Hehehehe!" Livewire twirled in the air and summoned a huge pulse in her right hand. "Yes, waiter! I like my tender meat well done!"

FLASH!

A bright blue bolt surged towards me.

Collapsed on the ground, I braced myself—

ZZZZZZZZTTTTT!

The ground warbled with hot blue sparks.

My body evaporated into a column of burning smoke.

"YES!" Livewire pumped her arm and clapped her hands. "Hahahaha!" She smiled up at the crispy smoke. "I guess all those teenage hormones were really flammable, huh?"

Suddenly, the smoke congealed thickly in the air.

"…..," Livewire blinked. "Waitaminute—"

FWOOOSH! I solidified into a descending jump-kick.

WHAP!

I struck her in the chest with the heel of my boot.

"OOF!" she went sailing back, smashing through two sets of lumber before collapsing to a sparkling heap besides discarded equipment. TH-THRUMP! "Unghh…."

I landed in a crouch. Cracked my neck. Twirled Myrkblade. And blurred at her. THWOOOSH!

She stood up, rubbing her shoulder. Frowning. She shot a wrist out and enveloped a corded power-saw in electrical energy.

ZZZZTTT!

VVVVVVVHHHHH!

The saw rose like the sharp head of a orange-corded snake and shot at me.

I skidded to a stop, gasping.

THWOOOOSH!

I ducked as the saw swished overhead, lopping a strand or two of black hair.

SL-SLINK!

Livewire laughed in the background as the saw snaked around and came at my rear.

VVVVVHHH!

I swiftly ran 'up' a metal girder and leapt off it with a backflip.

CL-CL-CLANK! The saw kicked up sparks as it bounced off the girder after me.

I landed and immediately shot myself towards the rear of the saw.

I swung Myrkblade.

SN-SNAP!

With a flash of sparks, the cord cut loose.

CLANK!

The saw fell to the floor.

"Rghhhh…," Livewire frowned and flung blue sparks at a bundle of equipment surrounding her. "Allow me to redecorate your face!"

I landed—perched to a pile of lumber. Sweating.

Do all villains these days come with 'Nutra-Suck'?

FWOOOOSH!

My black eyes blinked at an incoming squadron of 'alive' power tools. Drills. Riveters. Nail guns. Sanders. Even a can-opener.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

Save the mental one-liners for later.

I took a breath and dashed across the length of the haphazard interior.

A riveter ate at my heels, pounding sharp-tiny potholes in the concrete floor upon which I tread. Clank!-Clank!-Clank!-Clank!-Clank!

I held a breath, leapt, and swung with my arms encircling a steel girder above.

THWOOOSH!

The riveter sped on beneath me.

I hung, panting…until a ring of staples imbedded themselves into the girder around my head.

CL-CL-CL-CLUNK!

I looked up.

A staple gun flew at me.

P-P-P-P-POW!

I dropped down, twirling Myrkblade and deflecting.

CL-CL-CL-CL-CLANG!

I crouched on the floor.

Two powerdrills surged at me. One on either side.

I leapt up.

CR-CRACK! The drills collided with a shrapnel explosion.

I backflipped across the interior of the half-constructed building. Livewire's mad laughter echoed in my airborne ears. I looked left and saw her floating, hugging herself, sparkling tears of insanity rolling out of her smiling face.

PLANT!

I landed behind a pile of lumber.

SWIIIIIISH!

A sander flew at me.

I twirled Myrkblade up.

CLANK!

I batted the power tool up.

I grabbed its cord. Swung it like a slingshot. And let it loose in Livewire's direction.

THWIIIIISH!

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…….!" Livewire opened her teary eyes. "Huh?"

WHUMP!

The sander slammed into her gut.

She flew back and struck hard into a steel girder. "Ooof!" She slumped down to her butt. Wincing. She painfully stood up, hissed, and barked at me: "That's the second time you hit a girl today! What kind of a gentleman are you?"

I gave her the bird.

"…….hrmph…..right then," she flexed her nimble limbs. Smirked. And presented sparkling fingers. "Time to burn off those tiny balls of yours."

I merely smirked.

Fat chance of that happening.

ZZZZZZZZTTTTT!

I swiftly blurred out of the way.

The blue energy struck dead center in a pile of lumber, setting it ablaze. FWOMB!

I rolled to a crouch and held Myrkblade up.

She shot again. "YAAUGH!"

ZZZZZTTTT!

I took a gamble and swung my murking blade.

FLASH!

I deflected the blast up towards the ceiling.

FL-FLASH!

The blue bolt bounced off and struck down into a nearby radio besides Livewire.

POW!

The radio exploded, forcing her to jolt and shield herself.

FWOOOOSH!

A rush of wind.

When she lowered her arms and looked up, I was swinging at her with Myrkblace.

CHIIIIING!

"Great Eisner!" she teleported into a blue streak and materialized away from my swing. Behind my back she flung a bolt of electricity. ZZZTTT!

I teleported before the energy could strike. Smoke blurred. I materialized beside her and swung at her legs.

TH-THWAP!

She was tripped. She fell with a gasp. As I swung at her again, she teleported in blue energy behind me and kicked me in the butt.

WHUMP!

I stumbled forward.

"NNNNGH!" she flung a ball of hot sparks at my cranium.

FWOOSH! I teleported and materialized in place, facing reverse with an upswing of my sword. CLANG!

I struck the bolt back at her.

She flexed her limbs. FLASH! Teleported. FLASH! And solidified in a rushing charge towards me with a wink, blown kiss, and sparkling fist.

ZZZZZTT-THWAP!

I was struck hard in the chest. The combined force of impact and blast of electricity sent me sprawling backwards, tumbling, towards a humming generator to the side of the half-constructed floor.

"Hmmm…," Livewire hovered in place and boredly 'examined her fingernails'. "I could play this game with you all day, kiddo. But…no offense…" She winked. "I prefer the big girl's playground. Give me Wonder Woman or Supergirl anyday. You're just a little brat in the sandbox. A sore temptation to rob the cradle if I've seen any in my life—but still a brat."

I stood up wearily besides the power generator. I panted, smoked, and held Myrkblade high. Feet ready to move….to strike…

"You really just don't give up….do ya?" Livewire spat. She looked at the generator and smiled. "What you have in beauty you sure-as-hell lack in brains! YAUGH!"

ZZZZTTT!

She flung a blue pulse into the generator.

FLASH!

The generator started to spark and vibrate dangerously.

"…..," I looked at it.

The generator had wheels.

I smiled at Livewire—THWUMP!—and kicked the generator towards her.

THWOOOOSH! The rolling 'bomb' started to glow and spark just as it reached the electrokinetic maniac.

Her pale eyes widened and she waved her arms: "No-No-No-No-No!"

POWWWWW!

Flames and smoke and shrapnel.

Yes……

I slowly paced towards the billowing scene.

Eyes glaring under my shades.

"………."

"Nnngh!" she 'collapsed' out of the flaming debris. She coughed, wheezed, and hacked. "Ughh…….no thanks, I didn't order any pizza with nitro-glycerine today…."

A beat.

She looked up at me. Glaring.

I glared back.

"………that wasn't very nice!"

FLASH!

She produced a huge pulse of blue in her right hand and shot it at me in a sparkling stream. ZZZZZZZTTTTTT!

I braced my legs. I held Myrkblade up.

FLAAAAAAAASH!

I was shoved back with my heels grinding into the concrete floor.

I flinched and winced as the shoving sparks of electricity surged mercilessly against my sword, threatening to leap off and lick at my frame.

My skin twitched at the mere grazing of blue energy.

Livewire kept applying force. More, more, more, and more lightning.

I was eventually shoved all the way to the wall of glass sheets and

CRACK!

The energy stream relented just as I was shoved back against the glass with a jolt. My impacting body formed cobwebbing cracks through the transparent material. The window nearly shattered.

Wincing all over, I looked over my shoulder at the sunsetlit Metropolis outside the half-built scraper. I saw something. And I brightened.

"Looks like you're at the end of the line, creep!" Livewire shouted. She hovered up to a hot levitation as she charged pulses of electricity in both wrists. "If you're lucky, they'll make a cornerstone of this building out of your grave! But what the Hell am I talking about!" She raised her wrists and charged the pulses further. "You're gonna be cremated! Ha ha ha ha!"

Smirking, I faced her again and raised Myrkblade.

Standing in place.

In place….

"Rghhhhh!" she hovered towards me, flinging a left hand full of electricity.

ZZZZZTTTT!

I bravely held Myrkblade up and twirled it to the side. CLANG! I deflected the blast.

"YAUGH!" she flung her right handful.

ZZZZZTTTT!

I braced myself even more and swung Myrkblade again. CLANG! My whole body tensed and shook, but the blast was deflected.

"Grrrrrr!" Livewire impatiently shook and burned all over. "Why…won't….you….DIE?" SWOOOOSH! She soared at me, charging a huge….huge pulse of blue. "Rrrrrrgh!"

I stood my ground. I charged Myrkblade.

"Rrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrgh!"

I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly in both hands. Teeth gritting.

"RRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!" Livewire came at me. She brought both wrists together and burned the air with a heated friction as the sparks danced, dance, danced and surged at me.

SWOOOOOOOOOSH!

I stood…….but…..at the last second.

I ducked.

Livewire flung the electricity. "RAAAAUGH!"

FLASH!

I teleported out of the way.

Livewire couldn't stop. She sailed straight through the glass windows.

SHATTER!

And once outside the construction site's sixth floor, she saw herself sailing straight towards a huge, white structure of metal.

A water tower.

A water tower plastered with black text: "Metropolis Shopping District."

The girl screamed like a burning tank: "NOOOOOOO!"

CRUNCH!

Her blue-streaking body burned its way into the white shell. Water splashed in side.

A beat.

…..

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

Inside, the freakish girl shrieked and screamed as her body convulsed from the electricity mixing violently with the liquid.

I materialized from smoke form and stood before the gaping hole in the glass frame. I shaded my black eyes and squinted at the hotly-blue glowing crucible.

The whole ordeal lasted a full minute….and Livewire was quite adequately fried. The water evaporated and soon I saw the devilish damsel lying dormant in the bottom of the water tower's draining puddle. She moaned once or twice….and was out for the count.

I took a breath and leaned on Myrkblade.

Smiling…proud….

I suppose the juice was worth the squeeze.

A strong voice suddenly sounded off behind me.

"Let me guess. You were trying to stay under the radar and yet you couldn't resist saving some people…"

"?" I spun around. I looked up. I gasped.

Superman hovered before me. In the flesh. The same icon I had seen months ago in Smallville but somehow far more…legendary in appearance with the sunset of Metropolis looming in a thin frame behind him.

Hard, dark eyes glared at me as he folded his arms and said: "I know the feeling. It's hard. Especially when you're in a city for reasons you shouldn't be."

I backed up…almost to the window.

I nervously shook, swallowed, and mouthed: 'How……How……'

"You should know better, Noir," he said. "People don't just walk into Metropolis without the League knowing. Not anymore these days."

My black eyes narrowed under my shades.

But……How?

'Your mind. It is full of distress and urgency. It shines forth like a beacon, Jordan.'

I blinked.

My heart froze over as my head throbbed.

I looked around.

Black eyes darting about.

Superman was still. Silent.

'You come to this City looking for something on your own. By why, Jordan? Why alone?'

I couldn't help it. I shivered. I got a chilling flashback to Braniac's wires squirming around me and his electronic brain raping its way into my brain.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists.

Who……are you……?

Superman tilted his head up.

"You can come out, J'onn. There's no reason for any ambush this time. Noir managed to take out Livewire before we got here."

'I can see that……'

Fwooosh!

A flash of dim, green light.

"?" I turned, panting.

I saw a ghostlike entity seep down through the ceiling of the interior and solidify into a familiar image.

Robed and dignified, Martian Manhunter stood before me.

"I shall alert the others," he said to Superman with a clear-eyed gaze.

"Good," the Man of Steel nodded. "Because they're on their way."

Martian Manhunter looked at me.

I panted.

His brow furrowed.

'Please. Calm down, Jordan.'

I seethed.

'Whatever it is that troubles you, surely the League can be of assistance.'

I snarled and blurred at him.

CHIIIIING!

Even Superman jumped.

I gripped Martian Manhunter's robe in my metal hand and held the tip of Myrkblade to his alien neck.

Get out of my head!

"………," he merely stared.

I sweated all over.

FLASH!

Suddenly my body was encased in a glowing green aura. Constricting. Like a shield.

Shuddering, I looked to my left.

Green Lantern floated into the construction site's sixth floor. He had his ring outstretched, holding me at bay. "Now just what in the Sam Hell is happening here?"

"Everyone stay calm…," Superman walked over and placed a hand on Green Lantern's shoulder. "I think we just caught Noir by surprise…"

"'Noir'?" Green Lantern's emerald eyes narrowed. "Is this the punk who tried to take Livewire out on his own?"

"That….he managed to do…," Martian Manhunter monotonously droned.

"Looks like he was about to gut you, green-stuff," Green Lantern glared. "From what I see."

I frowned at him.

ZH-ZH-ZH-ZH-ZHIPP! "Yeah. Looks like clear case of telepathy phobia in my book!"

"….," I blinked. I looked to my right beyond the green force field and was startled by a tall, red-suited man with yellow bolts crowning his head.

"Welcome to Metropolis, darkstuff!" the Flash pointed and smirked. "Where the law is still true and the aliens still probe ya!" He wrapped an arm around Martian Manhunter's shoulder and leaned against his side. "Such a rude alien. You didn't mean anything by it this time, did you, Marvin?"

J'onn droned: "You are breathing on me."

"It's called carbon dioxide. You should try it sometime!"

"Flash," Green Lantern pointed at the water tower. "Quit yapping and return Livewire's body to S.T.A.R. Labs."

Flash shrugged. "Figures. Superman and GL are always sweeping damsels off their feet. I sweep them off of water towers." ZH-ZH-ZH-ZHIPP! He was suddenly to my left and at the gaping hole in the windowside. He waved and winked at me. "Hey! Teen Titans! Cool bunch of crime fighters! I'd join them myself if I wasn't such a hot, dashing, adult superhero!"

"We don't have all day….," Green Lantern groaned.

"Pfft! Fine. Go and punch the lights out of a Citadelian battlecruiser for all I care!" ZH-ZH-ZH-ZHHHHIP! A red streak blurred over into the water tower, scooped up Livewire, and then blurred south under the sunset.

Green Lantern turned and faced me…still not relinguishing his shield. "So….are you going to tell us what you're doing in Metropolis with that itchy-hilt-finger of yours or do I need to drag your mommy into a corner for a PTA meeting?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Superman smirked.

"I can slap his cheeks with leather gloves later."

"He's mute," the Man of Steel pointed.

"Say what?"

"It was simply a misunderstanding," Martian Manhunter uttered.

I turned and looked at him.

The alien droned on: "Clearly Noir is very sensitive to mental communication. I often forget how unaccustomed humans are to telepathic interference. If you were to lower your shield, Green Lanter, I am quite certain that he will relinquish his wielding of his sword."

The alien looked at me.

'Am I acting too presumptious?'

I winced a bit…but eventually sighed and lowered my sword.

Presume away.

He nodded.

'Thank you, Jordan. And my apologies for startling you.'

I clenched my teeth under tight lips.

Whatever……

"Allright, double-M. You'd better be right."

"He always is," Superman said.

FL-FLASH!

The green shield subsided.

I took a breath. Chiiing! I sheathed Myrkblade and walked slowly to a dark corner.

"Superman, you've met him before," Green Lantern folded his arms. "Any idea what he's doing here?"

Superman drifted over: "Noir. A week and a half ago, you quit the Titans. And after all this time, you end up here. Alone. Why?"

I faced away from the League and folded my arms.

Frowning.

Crud.

Crud almighty.

This is not what I wanted to have happen.

I did not want to come into contact with the League.

I just……

I musn't attract attention.

Not at this rate.

I musn't.

'What do you fear so much that forces you to embark upon this City alone, Jordan?'

I shook, spun around, and snarled.

Okay, you can stop that already!

"…..," Martian Manhunter's face furrowed.

Green Lantern looked between us. "Okay. You two need a time out or what?"

"I think Noir has some explaining to do," Superman said.

I looked at him sickly.

Who are you?

My Kindergarten teacher?

"J'onn…," Superman spoke aside to the Martian. "Ask him what he's doing here. What it is he wants."

ZH-ZH-ZH-ZHIP! "Why the interrogation? Isn't it obvious? He trashed Livewire to a pretty pulp, didn't he?"

Green Lantern glared at Flash. "Aren't you supposed to be going to S.T.A.R. Labs?"

"I already did."

"Bah."

"Boy is Hamilton thrilled," Flash folded his arms and smirked. He looked at me: "So what's he doing again?"

"That's just it," Superman shrugged. "We don't know."

"It does not seem polite of me to pry at this moment," Martian Manhunter said. "I fear that we will not get any answers if I force myself upon him."

I made a face at that.

"What? Is he telling you that?" Green Lantern asked.

"Guys. Does it matter? The kid's a superhero! Like us!" ZH-ZH-ZHIP! He stood beside me. "Hey..uhm….ahem…," he pretended not to be looking at me as he spoke beneath a breath: "Is it…uhm….true that Raven meditates nude?"

"……," I backed away from him and into….a strong form.

A warm hand fell onto my shoulder. And for some reason, I suddenly felt comforted. At ease. Safe amidst this sudden circle of interrogating superheroes….

"Noir has been through a lot. More than any of you can imagine. Whatever has brought him into this City, I'm sure it's for a noble reason. Who are we to question the decisions of a Titan? Especially in recent aftermath of Robin's horrible death?"

"And you would know this….why?" Green Lantern looked above me. "Because he's written to you, Diana?"

"…..," I blinked. My lips parted as I turned and looked over my shoulder.

Wonder Woman stood behind me, a hand on my arm and her other against her hip. She uttered: "Just call it woman's intuition."

"……"

She looked down at me. She winked and whispered: "It's okay, Noir. You're among friends here."

"……….," and I finally smiled.\