A/N
Okay guys, here we go. Are you ready?. Feel free to comment your opinions, I would love you forever for it. (Time to deal some Justice!)
Chapter 1: Enter The Dragon...
Day ?
My body shudders as the first of the vile needles pierce my soft human flesh, the pain a slight pinch, but still causes a barely heard wince escape from my numb mouth. Needle, after needle, pierces into my prostrate body, one by one pouring in a thick substance, that I could feel clinging to my blood. It causes excruciating agony as it entwines with my DNA... no... when it binds with my very being.
Within a few mere minutes, I am no longer human. I am something more.
The inaudible chatter around me ceases and an eerie wait of anticipation commences.
My entire body tingles in a sensation I have never felt before, every muscle and bone in my body twitches and tenses. Just as quick as the euphoria happens, it stops. My desperation increases as I desperately cling onto my life, as I observe it, slipping away.
Then. Darkness consumes all.
"Dude?" my vision restores and I take a few deep breaths, as my heart feels like it's attempting to climb out of my heaving chest. As my senses regain their usual sharpness, I let go of the printer I had been unconsciously crushing. "You okay?" the voice re-emerges and relief flows over me as I realise it's my best friend Jake.
"Yeah. Just daydreaming. That's all." I barely choke out, by now, I noticed I was in the same office building, that I work in. It pays well, I never knew it would for being a regular technician.
"Okay then man, whatever you say. By my reckoning, you had another flashback." Jake knows me too well. Cleaning up my mess like I'm a child, he attempts to un-do the damage I inflicted on that poor printer. Jake is in my opinion, the greatest friend I could have.
He never judges, or pities you. At this precise moment, I couldn't be happier about that.
"I did. By now, I have come to terms with it. For every good thing in life, there is always a bad." I countered, a smile ripples across Jake's olive face.
"Ewwwww... you know I smelt? Depression, that's what. Seriously man, if there is a bad thing in your life, it's because he let it." he affirms and continues fiddling with the broken machine. After a few more muttered curses, he sighs and waves his hands in the air. "I give up." he announces. With the grace of a pig, he stretches, as he straightens his 5'8 body and pushes a hand through his wavy blonde hair.
"You just gave me a speech about not giving up, bro." I snicker and he chuckles. I'm so lucky to have a great guy like him, as a friend. He always finds a way to cheer me up, when I am down. For some odd reason, he has always stuck by me. Even when I told him about my "condition" he simply shrugged it off and we went to the bar for a drink.
"Except I don't have superpowers, speaking of thou which shall not be named, when are you getting out there?" he badgers me, it would be a miracle, if he went one day without asking. Gripping his shoulder firmly, I direct him towards our cubicle, that is reserved for and us and I shove him into his seat.
"One: Stop asking me. Two: Stop asking me. Three: Do I really need to say?" I patronise him with my "I mean it" tone, that I developed a long time ago. Standing above him to assert my control, I observe the way my friend looks over my posture.
"Boy, that's really good. That stance is so... overpowering, it's... perfect. Oh and that voice as well. You really need to use that when beating down thugs, you should also shout "I'm Batman" or something like that." he fidgets in his chair, I can only guess the one liners he is generating in his head.
"You know I haven't even finished the suit yet, right?" I assume he has, but the expression on his face says otherwise. Needless to say, I think that look is priceless and should be remembered forever. "I nearly have, but it's kinda hard considering, we barely make enough to cover material costs. You know I had to make it out of tight-fitting, reinforced leather? I highly doubt Batman and Deathstroke wear leather. All things considered, it's nearly done." I inform him on the current production status, which makes him flash the cheesy grin, I know and love him for.
"Good. I cannn'ttt wait to see it." he states, pointing up to the ceiling of the office, which I am certain our neighbors will find amusing. "In a more serious note." he snaps out of nowhere, slowly edging forwards in his seat and staring at me, directly to my eyes. "This city needs you man, it's been waiting for far too long. Remember the news this morning?" he inquires and slumps solemnly back into his chair. How could I forget? The story of a husband and wife brutally murdered last night, for simply refusing to hand over money. Reflecting on the news we heard from Delta Central this morning, I sit on my desk and place my feet on my comfortable chair.
"I promise you Jake: No-one is this city will suffer like that again." I assure myself as well as him. I can only hope that I have everything it takes to protect this city. Over the past three years since my initial "transformation", I have been learning fighting styles and new ways to use my strength. Having around 80% of my brain to use, it allows me to master martial arts and languages in weeks.
"I know Alex. I know." Jake discloses his faith in me. This boosts my fragile confidence, just knowing he believes in me, causes me to have belief in myself.
"Good Midday, Delta City, this is Lois Lane reporting here in Midtown Center." a feminine voice blares from the TV that hangs from the wall beside us, we both spin our heads to watch the rare occurence. No reporter from other cities ever show up, kinda like the heroes ignoring our plight. "I'm here at Echo Industries, where a showing, open to the public will be happening." my focus shifts around her background to see her standing in front of a large modern building, her black hair blocks the view of the open entrance. "Echo Industries haven't revealed the exact details, but have said they will unveil some cutting-edge technology they have recently developed. I'm sure it will be a night to remember. Back to you guys." she finishes and the view switches back to the anchors and there was a brief, but amusing shuffle as our co-workers sat back down.
"That was Lois Lane making a once in a lifetime appearance here on Delta Central, that's all for now and have a nice day." the elderly male anchor wraps up the news and Steve the supervisor unceremoniously switches off the TV. Damn you, Steve.
"I think, we just found something to do tonight." Jake blurts out, I did a double take as I understood what he just said.
"You've got to be kidding me." I sigh.
"Nope." he bluntly responds, then he makes a weird hand gesture, that I absolutely no idea what it means. "You have offended my family and you offended the Shaolin Temple." he perplexes.
"Are you okay?" I question and shake his shoulders.
A few hours later - The Grand opening
"I can't believe you are actually making me wear this!." I half-yell at my best friends as we approach the entrance to the gala in dark black tuxedos. All around us, people are dressed similarly, apart from the women who are wearing expensive-looking dresses.
"Quiet it down, will you. Tonight, we are respectable citizens of Delta City." he shushes me with a sligth nudge to my ribs, which was designed to make me annoyed.
"Aren't we always respecta-"
"Just two, no car." Jake cuts me off to inform the attendant, who nods and let's us slip through. Once we enter, it's like stepping into an episode of Downton Abbey. The whole building is filled with light and to the left of the entrance is a room with a dance floor that occupies the center. The design looks strictly old-fashioned, but it does have a cool vibe to it.
"This is cool and everything, but isn't this supposed to be a lab facility?" I beseeched my companion, as I am befuddled to the lack of equipment or this new technology they are supposed to be unveiling.
"Beats me." Jake responds casually, either he has an assumption about the decor, or he just doesn't care. "See you at eleven." he confirms our leaving time, before darting off at a pace that even surprised me. What is on earth is he doing? Ah well, probably off to chat up some girls. Being left without my buddy, I enter the room with the dance hall and pick up a glass of wine from a waiter coming around. Standing in the corner I observe the inhabitants of the room with keen interest. Focusing my hearing, I was surprised by what I heard.
"How much have you had to drink?" a female voice I picked out whispers, fury present in her voice.
"W-What is-is-s it to y-you?" a man replies, barely speaking from the overwhelming intoxication of expensive alcohol.
"That's it Ronald, we are going home!." the women physically drags him out of the room, I only just catch it out of the corner of my eye.
"Are you as bored as I am?" a deep voice startles me from behind and I almost spill my precious wine, as I spin around to face the vocal intruder. Surprisingly, it was a heavily built man wearing glasses and a dark blue suit, barely containing his huge form. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." he apologises, another surprise hit me as his voice was gentle and sympathetic.
"It's okay. To answer your question, yeah, it's really boring. However, I'm here for a friend, so I put up with it." I told him my reasoning, although I didn't really have to. I guess I just like the guy, even though I just met him. "What's your excuse." I request his reason.
"I'm here with Lois Lane." he briefs, which confuses me. I never knew Lois Lane would have a boyfriend. She always seems so ruthless on TV. "I'm also a reporter with the Daily Planet. The name's Clark Kent." he holds out his hand and I accept his hand with mine.
"Alex Corver. I'm a nobody really, I just work as a technician in an office building." I confessed, whilst keeping up appearances with a wide smile. When he let go I only just noticed how firm his grip is, after he let go, it was like a car had been taken off it.
"Don't get too down about yourself, no-one is nothing." Clark assures empathetically, giving me a smile of his own, I couldn't but return it with a smile, a real one this time.
"Welcome everyone!" A voice of an elegant voice rings out, demanding the complete attention of everyone in the room. Every head turns to meet the new arrival, which is a finely dressed middle aged man with a yard brush moustache. "Can I please to a moment to thank you all for gracing us with your presences, this beautiful evening." he continues.
"On second thought, may I also thank you for unwillingly taking part in a test today." an eruption of whispers occurs, as people attempt to figure out the test. The short man waited for the noise to halt, until he spoke again. "You have been lied to, by us. What you see around you tonight, is not what it seems." he smirks and with a wave of his hand the walls and floor fade away to reveal blank white walls. The crowd cheers and whistles at the spectacle, even I am moderately impressed.
"Welcome to the future. Technology that allows the change of the visual effects on surfaces, so that it may be blend in, or... stand out." he bows to an great ovation received from the rabid spectators. "With this technology, ordinary people's homes will look like palac-" his final statement was cut short by a massive explosion that rippled through the room. Sending me and everyone end spiralling to the ground.
Opening my eyes, I see a large chunk of the wall behind the mangled corpse of the talking man, ripped apart. Like something out of a hero movie, three men wielding automatic rifles step through the hole. "Consider this a hostage situation. We are apart of the Deathbringers and are here for your money and lot's of it." the lead thug with a bald head and a long scar running down his cheek booms out, obviously believing that everything was under his control. Smirking, he points directly at me. "Go tell the cops." he orders and I hastily obey, running out through the hole and around the building, until I come to the entrance.
"Alex!" I hear the familiar voice of Jake and I swiftly turn to see his head popping out from the side of a car. Rushing over to him, I frantically check for any signs of injury. "Dude i'm fine, don't worry about me." he promises. Then he pulls out a duffel bag from under the car and passes it to me. Unzipping the bag, I have no idea, if he is in his right mind.
"Are you kidding me!?" I mime to him and he grabs my tuxedo and pulls me towards him.
"Listen to me!." he commands. "I brought this, because this was obviously going to happen. Hundreds of people in one place, that's a hell of a ransom fee, man. Whilst we were on break today, I planted this behind the building." he explains as quickly as he can.
"I can't do this. The suit isn't done." I try to make up an excuse, as i'm not ready for this.
"Yes. You. Can. Now. Go." he spells it out, so it's clear as day. "I believe in you, buddy. Now believe in yourself." he nods for me to go, taking a deep breath, I head into the fray.I am so going to die.
Day 0, as a Superhero
Wearing my Mark I design I leap up a few stories of the building, before latching onto a pipe and climbing up, trying my best to avoid any windows that lie in my path. My initial thoughts are that the leather is far from comfortable to wear, but also allows for a longe range of movement, that I desperately need in my fighting style. In under a minute, I climbed to the second to last floor and after checking that the coast was clear, I slide through the only open window in the entire building.
Slowly crouching, I make my way to the stairs to see a thug coming up them.Target Practice. Once he entered the room next to the stairs, presumably to search it, I sneak up behind him and lock him in an unforgiving rear-naked choke. When he finally passed out, I let him fold to the ground and I use his belt to tie him to a workbench.
Turning around, I see the oddest reflection in the world. In the mirror was me, wearing a dark blue leather costume with bright purple streaks flowing along the body and down the legs. At my waist was a belt that includes my first and only gadget: a self-made smoke grenade. The only exposed points in my suit is from my right and left shoulders down to my wrists. Where I have gloves that I want to have an electric charge hidden inside sometime in the future, but that's hard considering it's leather. On my head I wear a mask than covers my mouth, until below the tip of my nose and a hood that covers my hair and most of my face. On the mask is dark red fire-like streaks that travel upwards.
In time I want a domino mask, although having none also sounds cool, if i'm going to hero, then I want people to know who I am. What are you doing? There are hostages downstairs.With unbelievable silence, I sprint out of the room and jump down a few flights of stairs at a time. Thanks to the strengthening of my bones, it's practically nothing to me.
Falling for the last time, I land silently on the first floor, I quickly check around me to ensure no-one is behind me. Hiding behind the corner of the door, I peep my head around and see four gunmen standing in front of a large crowd of hostages, seated on the floor. At the head of the group is Clark and Lois Lane, Clark was sat remarkably still, for a man under threat of dying.
Slithering like a snake, I keep to the shadows in the corners of the room and when they aren't looking I reach up and switch off the lights via a switch above me. "What the hell was that?" the lead thug growled, but he seemed less sure of himself than before. "All of you stay here, i'll go get the lights." Seizing my chance, I kneel run around the edges of the room, until I am directly behind the three thugs watching the hostages. Even if the switch is at the other end of the room, the boss was taking his time, going to the switch.
As I look to the hostages, I almost gasp in shock as Clark is looking straight at me. A sudden burst of light shakes my eyes and the boss strides up to the other three. "Must have been the fireworks." the boss laughs at his own joke, before facing his victims again.
"Can we get some water, please?" Clark asks the head gang member, who chuckles. Realising he is distracting them, I strike with the ferocity of a viper. As the bald bossy boots goes to hit Clark, I stroll up to the other two and smash their heads together. Before the third even registered this, I slammed my palm into his face, sending him halfway across the room. In shock, the final bad guy spins around and before he could fire, I rip his rifle out of his helpless hands.
He watches on in horror, as I effortlessly snap his rifle in two and drop the pieces, badass-like to the ground.
Pulling out his backup pistol, he fires a shot, which I anticipate and dodge from point-blank range. Grabbing his wrist with one hand, I squeeze down, easily fracturing the bone and to finish him off, I headbutt his bald head to the abyss.
The room was left in complete silence for a few moments, until cheers erupted. It was a feeling like no other. These people were cheering for... me. Diving straight into professional mode, Lois Lane jumps and relentlessly questions me.
"Who are you? What drove you to help us? Have you got super-strength?" she interrogates. All I could manage in the moment was,
"I'm going to stop at nothing to save this city!." I shout in my "I mean it" tone. She was about to ask another round of savage questioning, when I sprint out the room and don't stop running for any reason.
Watch out bad guys, i'm here to stay!.
A/N
Now guys, I want your opinions on this so far and I want you to help this story get recognised, because if I can hit a huge amount of views, I will be heading into the trilogy I already have planned for this character.
Hope you enjoyed,
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