A/N
New chapter here for you, things have changed slightly as it has been a month since the last chapter.
We will start seeing a new side of Alex and his quest for justice.
Chapter 4) People should know...
Day 35- Alleyway
Doing my usual night rounds, I once again spend all my thoughts on where it all went wrong. Not trusting a friend, that's a check. Not trusting myself, still a check. Last, but not least, trusting Waterfall.
I've been through this I million times. I am alone now, but I am stronger than ever. Crime is finally falling and my name is getting out there.
Flexing my arms, I count how many criminals I have caught over the past month.
Too many- it needs to change.
Now that Jake has left, I have no-one to hold me back. For once, I actually have a sense of direction and clarity, which I had no idea, I possessed.
I need to fight crime, wherever it may be.
Considering I have quit my job, I don't really care. I moved out and into an apartment of my own; it's cheap, but I don't spend much time there anyway. Being a hero, you don't get much "me" time and luckily for me, I don't mind.
Checking out my new addition to the arsenal, I look over grappling hook attached to my right gauntlet. It does the job and I found out, that it's pretty good for disarming criminals. I tried it once on a dummy target, although, I have never attempted it on a real person. So yeah, I have no idea if that would work; I could really use something to test it on.
Right on cue, a police car rolls by with sirens blazing. Kicking into first gear, I try my best to chase down the speeding emergency vehicle.
Following the car to it's destination, I arrive to a classic shootout- police exchanging fire with the dastardly robbers. Jumping into action, I rip off a car door, and charge the criminals position.
Smashing the door into one man, sending him onto another cars hood, I turn around and face another gunman; now training his weapon on me. My reflexes kick in, and I roll to the right,dodging two shots; before he could move his weapon, I trap his arm in the doors window.
Letting the door go and seizing the weapon, I unload the clip and whack the guy over the head with his own weapon.
Whistling my approval, I look around.
Mopping up the rest were a few DCPD officers, not much else- apart from a news crew. Rushing over to me, is a newswoman and her crew of thirsty cameras
Oh boy.
Well, at least I can get some media exposure.
As she approaches, I notice how good looking she is, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her hair is long, falling down the front of her shoulders.
Crossing my arms to seem more imposing, I eagerly await the crew.
Before I could ask a question of my own, the female immediately jumps into the questions, seemingly exited at her news haul. "How did you get here?" she questions, keeping her eyes trained on mine. Luckily, I had my mask up, and hood down, covering my face.
"I ran." I state, keeping the words to a minimum. It seems to work for Batman, so why can't it work for a rookie like me?
"So, you have super-speed like the Flash?" she assumes, annoyingly so. Why does everyone assume I have "powers", I mean come on, ever heard of peak human abilities?
"No. I can't run that fast. Only faster than cars." I explain, making my voice deeper for more effect. It was then I realised how casual that sounded- "only faster than cars" - I must have sounded like a complete ass. Well, more than usual.
"Why help?" she interrogates, in what seems to be a personal question, rather than a professional one. It's very odd how she flirts through subjects like that, maybe wanting to catch me off guard- not a chance, lady.
"I can deal with situations that the police cannot. Today, one of these officers could have died and I won't let that happen." I respond, walking away from the reporter. Thinking that it would seem better for my image if the reporter chases after me, I don't turn back, but only keep my heightened hearing open.
The beautiful reporter rushes after me, however, she surprisingly leaves her crew behind.
Straightening her blonde hair, she smiles at me. "I know that you are more than likely busy, but I would really like for you to have a real interview with me." she asks, hope sparkling in her eyes, glistening like the vast expanses of the ocean.
"I have better things to do." I reject, preparing my grappling hook for a quick getaway.
"I know." she answers, and then hunches over, wanting to whisper to me. "I want to help. I know this city and how corrupt it is... and I want that to stop." she whispers, almost pleading me to accept. Nodding in acceptance, I fire the grapple at a nearby building, and reel myself in.
I suppose it would put me out there even more. Fingers crossed, the Justice League will hear it.
"Come to my office tomorrow at 3:00PM!, I will make sure that no-one is there, apart from you and me... of course!." she shouts up at me. She's persistent, I will give her that. Reaching the building, I climb up the ledge and run from rooftop, to rooftop; all the way home.
Day 36- Rooftop of the office building, in Alpha District
Standing on the designated rooftop, I wait for exactly 2:55 PM, before moving into the building via the fire escape. Doing this, just in case it was a trap. Who knows, the police seem to be really quiet about my activities lately. As I stride down the corridor, I scan every room for any potential escapes, or diversions.
True to her word, the building is thoroughly abandoned.
Out of the blue, the reporter from last night pops out at the end of the corridor, beckoning me to follow her. Sighing, I follow carefully, still searching for threats.
Catching up to her, she is walking towards an office room with "Delta City blog" at the top and "Rebecca Wilson" directly beneath it. Opening the room and waiting for me, she has that same beaming smile on her face, as last night.
Going in and floppimh down onto a chair placed in the corner of the room, I examine the office. It has several amount of paper thrown onto the ground, all around the bin, and empty cans of energy drinks, discarded lazily on the desk.
Stroking her silky blonde hair, she sits on a chair opposite me and goes to press a button on a camera facing me. "I just want to say thanks for this. I just want you to know that a LOT of people respect what you are doing out there- including me." she smiles, and presses the button.
A red light appears to the left of the lens, signalling the recording has started.
Folding her legs and taking a deep breath, she commences her questioning. "Many people have dreams of being a hero, but very few actually do it. What inspired you to fight crime, like the members of the Justice League." she begins, taking down notes before I even opened my mouth.
"Once I got my powers, I realised that I could do things, others can't. Then, one day, a good friend told me that... good things only come when people are ready to fight for it." I respond, keeping my depth of voice down again. My heart twinges slightly at the mention of Jake, however I persevere.
"Do you have aspirations of joining the League." she continues, calmy, but with an edge of excitement.
Resisting the urge to laugh in her face, I answer truthfully. "The league is something you can't get into, it's something you earn and yes... I will do everything to get into the league. But, not at the expense of this city." I answer, believing every last word.
"Do you really want to help?" she interrogates, a personal question seeping into a professional... again; she really needs to stop that.
"Yes, I do. Unlike others." I imply, directed at a particular majorly corrupt public department.
"By that, do you mean the police force?" she raises an eyebrow, not that the camera would catch that. She's also quiet smart apparently- smart enough to quickly decode my implication.
"To call it a police department, would be incorrect." I scoff, very unhero-like, I might add. "They are taking advantage of the people they swore to protect. Many of them are not worthy of the badge." I elaborate, feeling angrier by the moment.
"What are you going to do about it?" she asks, leaning forward.
"I am going to do everything I can to enforce justice on this cities criminals... all of them. Starting with the common criminals, that plague this city." I announce, staring directly into the camera.
"Any final words?" she concludes, laying her pen down on the notepad; I think she's itching to see what I have to say.
"One last thing. I can't do everything- you, the people- also have the responsibility to stand for what's right." I carry on, pulling my hood down further.
"I am Black Titan, and I will find you." I finish, with an cool touch. Rebecca seems to also think that, as wide grin forms across her features; distorting her dimples, and looking very Joker-esque. Rebecca then proceeds to lean over and switch off the camera. The red light fading away.
"Thanks. I hope to see you again." she holds out her hand.
"Maybe." I shake it and stroll to the door, stopping there. I call over my shoulder "Call me if you need help", before exiting through the door.
Nailed it!
Soon enough, everyone will know my name.
Mentally fist bumping myself, I bounce down the hallway I entered from and get out through the hatch. Opening the hatch, I am shocked to see a DCPD detective stood waiting for me. Putting a hand on my smoke grenade, I look over the detective. He's young, quiet tall, but also muscular, the type a regular exerciser would have. Furthermore, he has dirty brown hair and green eyes, emphasising his round face.
Seeing me grab my grenade, he puts his hands up in surrender. "Sorry to surprise you." he hastily apologises, smirking, but not in a sinister way.
"It's okay." I answer, maintaining my stare. Watching for any sign of hostility, I edge forwards.
"Do you really think I could take you anyway? I saw your video." he chuckles, holding up his phone and putting it on the ground.
"What do you want?" I growl menacingly
"To talk, believe it or not." he answersk the smirk slithers off his face. Perhaps realsing that I don't trust him, he copies my movements, taking steps back.
"Go on, then." I beckon him to follow me into the open space in front of the hatch. Making it easier for me to escape, if the need arises.
"Look, I know you might not trust me, but I want to help." he speaks up, keeping his hands in the air.
"A lot of people want to help, all of a sudden." I bark.
Realising I am coming off in a bad way, I decide to lighten up a little.
"Do you not know?" he gasps incredulously. "You inspire people, unlike any fellow officer I've met. Listen, I hate my department- they all are on the Deathbringers payroll- unlike the only honest cop in Delta city." he carries on.
"Waterfall." I blurt out, seeking a specific response.
"What?" he chokes, seemingly startled by my sudden change of subject.
"Do you know her?" I question, thinking that this must be her informant on the inside.
"Yeah, I talk to her, every so often." he replies and I loosen up, motioning for him to drop his hands. Relieved and letting out a "Wooh", he puts his hands down.
"Black Titan." I announce, holding my hand out for him to shake.
"Detective Ryan." he shakes my hand, instantly. "Hard grip." he jokes and I let go.
"She tell you about me?" I raise an eyebrow, but he doesn't see it as my hood hides it.
"A lot, actually. However, it was Rebecca that told me you would be here. I've been feeding her information to put on her blog." he explains, hesitantly.
"Good man." I comment.
"Thanks, it's the least I could do." he grins cheerily. "Right now, I'm here for you... we have a... problem. I have intel that the local triad is smuggling drugs into the city, from a local Chinese restaurant. Although, the DCPD won't give me a warran,... but... you don't need one." he informd expectantly waiting for me to cut him off like they do in movies.
A chance to stop the triad- count me in.
"I'm in." I crack my knuckles for extra effect, having the desired consequence on the Detective..
"Of we go." he flinches at my actions, however, quickly smiles again.
"You drive."
"Why?"
"I prefer to run, get exercise, you know." I casually counter like it's nothing; by all acounts, it is.
"Run!? How are you going to keep up?"
"Let me worry about that."
A/N
Hope you liked this chapter, do you think he has changed since Jake left?
Talk to me in the reviews; I always like a new chat, every once in a while.
A quick shout out to TheMcCOY- thanks for the kind review.