"Ow! Owwww...damn...dammit...that damn kid...my whole body hurts..what
the hell is that kid made out of?" The electric woman sat down against
the brick wall in the alley. "One thing's for sure, I can't beat that
kid, not like this. I'm gonna need something more..." She thought about
it before smiling and looking up at the sky. "Two things: A lightning
storm...and the city's power grid." She licked her lips. "Yummy." The
woman stood up and walked away.
A week passed as she both recovered and planned out her counterattack.
There was a thunderstorm coming soon and she planned to utilize both that and the electricity drained from the city to make herself invincible.
Electrolyte adjusted her gloves and threw on an overcoat and walked out of her apartment.
Seraph was at home sitting up in his bed and working on his studies while watching television. The giant TV screen in his room was playing his favorite television show: The Chase Sibling Adventures. In this episode they were fighting off a gigantic dark skinned tyrannosaurus type creature with bony spikes all over it's body. The battle was taking place on an alien world with gigantic meteors falling down all around them while heavy metal music played in the background. It was easily one of the most epic battles in the show's history. Seraph was really getting into the overly epic fight when his mother walked in. "Seraph?"
"Oh, hello Mother dearest."
"Seraph, how is your work coming along?"
Seraph showed his mother the math work.
She looked it over. "Ahh, very good. You do have a few small mistakes though."
She sat down and the two talked about the math work and Seraph made the corrections. "Alright, excellent work. Now, I can see you're watching your show, so you can keep on watching. When you're done, we'll move on to your piano lessons."
"Yes mother, thank you mother."
Seraphina kissed her son's forehead and walked out of the bedroom.
Seraph smiled and lay down on the bed to watch.
Electrolyte lit up a cigarette as she walked up to the power plant. "HEY! HEY! Who the hell are you?!" The security guards grabbed her shoulder and were promptly electrocuted and sent flying backwards. Electrolyte giggled and walked up to the door and blasted it down. The security inside went for their guns but the lightning villainess simply blasted them down and made her way inside, zapping random people as she went.
Justice Lad battles an electrifying super-villain.
A few days had gone by since the battle with the giant robot and Freedom Eagle had assured him that the pilot would be locked up in the PIN for the rest of his life. All in all things had been peaceful in the city. He was wearing a nice new suit and relaxing in the sky. He noticed a guy selling ice cream to children on the street. Smiling, he flew down and walked up to the man and offered him a couple hundred dollars. "Hello. My name is Justice Lad. I'd like to buy everyone ice cream."
"Okay!" The man said and took the money and handed out ice cream to everyone who wanted some. "Ummm, how much change?"
"Keep it." Justice lad said and walked off to eat his ice cream, waving goodbye to the other children.
"Thank you!" P.W. called after him. He smiled and nodded. "You're welcome!"
After sitting on a bench to eat the ice cream cone, he called his parents, taking a small phone out of his belt. "Hi Mother! Hello Father! I'm at the park! I just bought some people ice cream. It was really good, how are you doing?"
"Very well dear." Seraphina replied as she relaxed at the pool.
"Great! When do you want me home?"
"6:00 PM dear. We have a dinner party tonight."
"Yes mother dear!"
There was an explosion. "Gotta go now mother, some super villain has shown up again. I'll call when I'm done."
"Of course, be safe dear."
"Always am!" He hung up and flew to the sound of the explosion.
A group of masked criminals in body armor were loading stolen goods out of the museum and into a truck. "That's it! We got what we came for! Move it!" Their leader said, a tall figure about 6'4 and wearing blue motorcycle gear with a blue helmet. Justice Lad flew down on top of the truck. "Hi bad guys!"
"Damn, it's him! You guys get the goods out of here, I'll handle him."
"You.....do know who I am right?"
"I know and I'm going to be the one who takes you down. No stupid kid is beating me!"
Justice Lad jumped off the truck. "Alright, let's see what you got bad guy."
The others finished loading up and drove off. Justice Lad wasn't worried, he could catch it easily. In the meantime, the villain in front of him was surrounded by electricity. It was sparking off of the villain who raised a hand and fired off a blast of electricity at him. Justice Lad raised his hand up and the bolt struck it but there was no damage. Justice Lad was actually holding the bolt of electricity in his hand. "Why you...try this on for size!" The villain said and blasted him with the other hand. Justice Lad stopped it again. "This all you got? That robot I fought before had way more juice then this." He threw the blasts aside and smiled.
"Stupid kid. Don't think I'm beaten yet!" The villain charged up electricity and then let fly a powerful double handed blast, hitting his chest. Justice Lad walked into the attack, one step at a time as the villain backed up and then Justice Lad blitzed forward and punched the villain into a wall, breaking the helmet and revealing that the villain had been a woman.
"Oh....wow....oops...oh man, Father was always telling me not to hit a woman and now this happens." Justice Lad looked at the unconscious woman. "Well....she was trying to electrocute me." He reasoned and shrugged and then flew after the truck, traveling down the road. It had traveled several blocks by that time and was going over a hundred miles per hour. However, Justice Lad was soon able to catch up with it and got in front of the truck, letting it slam full force into him. Wrecking the front of the truck but he was unharmed. Justice Lad soon took out the goons and put them back in the truck which he carried over to the museum and set it down.
"Wow! Thanks kiddo!"
"Not a problem Officer, just doing my job. Say, do you know who that electric woman was?"
"Electric woman?"
"You know, the woman in motorcycle gear. She was right there."
"Sorry kid, when we got here all we found was a broken helmet, no signs of any woman."
"What? That's weird. Oh well, I'm sure she won't be a problem." Justice Lad waved goodbye and flew away.
"Ow! Owwww...damn...dammit...that damn kid...my whole body hurts..what the hell is that kid made out of?" The electric woman sat down against the brick wall in the alley. "One thing's for sure, I can't beat that kid, not like this. I'm gonna need something more..." She thought about it before smiling and looking up at the sky. "Two things: A lightning storm...and the city's power grid." She licked her lips. "Yummy." The woman stood up and walked away.
Issue 1: Chapter 4. A New Home And Adoption?
Part 1
Hope had trouble sleeping, having nightmares about her time on the streets and the bad man with his giant size and his faceless head. That man was scary. When she woke up, she lay still, enjoying the softness of the bed she had.
"Hope! Breakfast!" Matron called to her.
Hope smiled and scrambled out of bed to find a breakfast waiting for her.
A nice bowl of cereal. "Wow...is that for me?"
"You bet it is Hope." Matron smiled sweetly.
"Yay! Thanks!" Hope said and ran over and climbed onto the chair and began eating. It was Cheeri-O's. After eating the cereal and drinking her juice, Matron took her to the bathroom and helped Hope with teeth brushing.
Once she was done, Hope spit in the sink and washed her toothbrush, leaning onto the sink to do so. She almost slipped and fell but Matron caught her. "Th-thank...thank you."
"Think nothing of it dear."
After this Matron gave her a bath and dressed her in a new dress. Hope walked out of her room. "Ummm...h-h-how do I look?"
Matron smiled down at her. "You look adorable Hope. Come along now, it's time to learn to read and write. You can can't you?'
Hope shook her head. "Mommy and Daddy never got to teach me."
"So I see. Well, no time like the present."
For the next hour, Matron pulled out books and pencils and taught the child how to read and write. She read storybooks to Hope and then helped Hope say the words, read them and then write them down. Hope learned very quickly. From there, they moved onto math, during Matron bemoaned the fact that she did not have a calculator available and then had to explain what that was to Hope, who laughed at the idea of such a crazy device.
Matron then introduced Hope to the Monopoly Board Game and then Checkers. It took Hope quite some time to get used to both but once she did, she was creating complex strategies out of thin air, even though she had to ask Matron what that word meant. Matron laughed at the child's innocence.
After playing games together, they sat down and watched television.
Justice Lad was on the news and was talking to reporters.
"Matron? Who's that?"
"Why, that's Justice Lad dear. He's a superhero."
"A superhero? But he's a little boy."
"Heroes can come in and all shapes and sizes and ages dear."
Ohhhh....then you're a superhero too Matron! You saved me!"
"That I did dear." Matron said and hugged her.
Over the next few days Matron taught her so many new things, how to make macaroni art, introduced her to cartoons, sang her lullabies, and even picked flowers with her. She still had the cough and the occasional dream of the bad man, but it didn't bother her anymore.
Hope's parents were gone but she had Matron now and that was all she needed.
After a month however, things changed. A rich couple knocked on the door and Matron spoke with them. She called Hope the door.
"Matron!" Hope ran up and hugged her. She turned to the rich couple. "Hello. My name is Hope." She said and curtsied.
"Isn't she adorable darling?" The woman asked.
The man smiled. "Yes. Yes she is."
Then the man said 5 terrifying words. "We'd like to adopt her."
"I see...right this way and we'll fill out the paperwork."
"........Matron?"
A short while later, the rich couple came out of the backroom and shook Matron's hand. "Come on Hope! We'll take you to a new home!"
"B-b-but..." She turned to Matron, tears in her eyes. "MATRON!" She ran up and grabbed the old woman's dress. "Please! Please! I don't wanna go anywhere else! I wanna stay with you!" She pleaded as she cried on her dress.
Matron knelt down and hugged her. "Shhh...shhh..there there dear. This is for the best. They can give you a better life then I can."
"I don't want that! I just wanna stay with you!"
Matron turned her around. "Please Hope, they can give you everything you would ever dream of. I love you like my own daughter but there is more for you out there then in here. I know they will be good to you."
"Y-y..you...you mean it?"
"Oh yes. We will never hurt you Hope."
Hope looked back at Matron who nodded. Hope hugged the old woman one last time and then ran off to be with her new family.
As they started up their limosine, Hope looked out the window and waved goodbye to Matron.
After she left, Matron silently walked into the orphanage and sat down and wept.
"Ummmm...M-M-Miss?" Hope asked.
The woman looked down to her and smiled. "Yes dear?"
Justice Lad sat down on top of the remains of the giant machine and rested. He was exhausted from the fight in more ways then one but he had won and defeated another giant machine. Freedom Eagle landed next to him. "Hey there kiddo. You did great."
"Yes, thanks sir. But you're the real hero. I couldn't have saved the city if you hadn't shown up."
"I just blocked the energy blast and tore off the cannon's. You did all the work."
"Well...yeah...I guess so. Thanks for that though sir."
"You're welcome." Freedom Eagle said.
"So, um, if I may ask, where were you?"
"Long story short, I was punching an Eldritch Abomination in the face." he paused. "Or whatever counted as a face for that thing."
"An eldritch?"
"Nasty, horrendous things from outside the Universe. They are abominations Justice Lad and are not something you should ever want to fight." Freedom Eagle summed up.
"Woah..."
"Yeah." He ruffled his student's hair. "But never mind that, great job in the fight."
Justice Lad laughed. "So what are we going to do about him?"
"I'll take him to The Pin and dismantle the robot."
"What's The Pin?"
"It's where we take the really bad guys. I don't see him breaking out of there. Afterwords we'll figure out just how and where he built this and ensure he can never do it again."
"Wow, it sounds really impressive."
"Oh it is. I'll take you to visit when you're older. Trust me when I say that it's no place for a child. Even a super one like yourself."
Justice Lad nodded. "So, um, can I go home then?"
"Sure thing and you can take tomorrow off from training too. You've earned it."
"Thanks!" Justice Lad said as the two high fived and then Justice Lad flew away.
Freedom Eagle watched him leave. "That kid, he's incredible. Fighting giant robots at his age. I can't imagine how powerful he'll be when he grows up." He stood up and flew around the giant robot at super speed, dismantling it in seconds and he then grabbed the Pilot and flew him away to the Pin Prison.
Justice Lad arrived back home and took off his mask as he walked in the door.
His parents ran up and hugged him when they saw his torn costume and the bruises on his body. "Oh my son!"
"Son, what happened? We heard explosions and earthquakes!"
Seraph hugged them both close for a few moments. "Oh man. Today was crazy."
The family sat down to talk about it.
------------
"Another giant robot?!" Seraphina asked, shocked.
"Yeah and this one was even bigger and stronger then the last."
"Incredible. I can't imagine what it must have been like for you to face such a monster on your own." Heman said.
"Tiring. I am taking a couple days off to rest after this battle."
His parents nodded noddd with understanding. "We're just happy you're okay son." His father said.
"Don't worry, I always will be."
The two talked for awhile more before Seraph headed off to take a nice long hot bath and then have a nice long sleep.
His parents arranged for the costume to be delivered to an extremely expensive tailor to be repaired.
After bathing and drying off, Seraph put on his pajamas's and got into bed. He soon fell asleep, tired from the day's battle.
It had been a good last few days and Seraph was relaxing on a building. He had some training with Freedom Eagle tomorrow so he planned to just take today off. After relaxing and enjoying the breeze, he leaped off of the building and flew over the ground as the people cheered on Justice Lad. After flying around and waving to the people, he flew back up into the air and began flying around the city when he heard something in the distance. Something big was coming. Justice Lad flew up further and cupped his hand behind his ear to hear better. He was right. It was big whatever it was. Justice Lad gulped and flew towards the sound to see what it was. It didn't take long before he could see it in the distance and he stopped in his tracks, staring at the oncoming 107 meters tall mechanical giant heading his way.
Justice Lad stared in horror, shaking at the sheer size of the giant robot. It was far larger then the one he had fought previously and form the looks of it, this new one had far more weapons. He turned around and looked back on Paradise City. Justice Lad balled his hands into fists and then turned back to the giant robot. He knew that he could not let this giant get anywhere near the city this time. He looked at the ground below. A mountain area. Not the best, but he would have to fight it here. He flew to meet it.
Inside the cockpit, the pilot smiled as the computers picked up on Justice Lad. "Right on schedule. This time, you die." The two met up and Justice Lad flew up to it's head. "Long time no see kid! Like the shiny new outfit."
"Like the nightmarish evil robot."
The pilot laughed. "Yeah, this is my newest creation, designed specifically to kill you. This is my INSTRUMENT OF VENGEANCE! Get as mad as you want, you won't even scratch it!"
"We'll see, jerk. I beat you last time, I can do it again!"
"You got guts kid. But that's not going to save you this time!" The robot's eyes lit up and fired red lasers at Justice Lad.
Justice Lad flew down and backwards to avoid them but as he did the torso of the robot slid open and two guns popped out and opened fire on him. Caught off guard, Justice Lad barely had time to cover himself before being hit by bullets almost as big as he was. He was pelted by the bullets, his super durability protecting him but they hurt like hell. The robot stopped shooting and turned and smacked Justice Lad with his shield, sending him soaring through the air.
Justice Lad landed 10 miles away and dug a trench through the rocky ground on impact. He lay motionless for a few moments before rolling over on his stomach and slowly picking himself up. He fell down again and then got up again. He was hurting after that hit. Justice Lad groaned and shook his head. "Owwww..." He glanced around as he dusted himself off. "Where am I now?" He had landed in a rocky area without much cover, a forest in the distance, a few giant boulders, but that was it. Hearing the robot coming his way, Justice Lad quickly come up with a plan. He kept low to the ground and flew away at super speed.
The giant robot landed shortly after and began scanning for him. "I'm confident he landed around here somewhere..." He spotted the trench. "Well, I hit him pretty damn hard. But, there's no body, so where..."
(NOW!) Justice Lad circled around and flew back towards the giant, aiming at the back of it's right knee. He rammed into it with both fists at top speed, denting it inwards and causing the giant to fall on one knee.
"Huh? What's? Where?"
Justice Lad smiled and flew up on the giant's back and began punching it's back, shaking the giant and rocking the pilot. He looked at the computer's and found that he was on the robot's back. He smirked. "Stupid kid...don't underestimate me!" He pressed a button and millions of volts of electricity covered the robot. Justice Lad was right in the middle of punching away when he got shocked. He yelled out and jumped backwards. He landed on the ground and rolled to a stop.
The robot turned and stared down at him. "How do you like the Full Body Tazer? You really think I wouldn't have something in case you attacked me from behind?! WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?"
"A BULLY AND A THUG!" Justice Lad yelled back up at him as he got up.
The pilot laughed. "I gotta admit, you have nerves of steel. I however, have this!" The pilot said and opened fire on Justice Lad with his multiple Gatling Guns. Justice Lad was already flying when he saw them starting to turn. Which was good, as the guns didn't shoot bullets. They shot rockets. There were explosions everywhere as Justice Lad flew around as fast he could to avoid being shot, knowing it would be the end of him if they connected. He started blurring from the speed he was putting out and began to fly around the robot faster then it could turn, trying to make the robot use up it's ammo.
The pilot flipped switches and the upper torso of the robot began rotating around and around while shooting at him.
Justice Lad saw the shots coming and quickly flew downwards into the ground, breaking through it and making a hole. He then began tunneling underneath the robot.
The Vengence Robot jumped backwards and opened fire on where he had saw him tunneling down. The result was a virtual inferno and dozens and dozens of explosions as the rockets fired out from the Gatling Guns.
The underground below collapsed under the explosions and fire.
The robot leaned forward and scanned the area for signs of him. No sign of the young hero.
Just when the pilot was relaxing, Justice Lad burst out of the ground and flew up into the air at superhuman speeds and rammed into the robot's head, causing the robot to jerk upwards and stumble backwards a few feet.
Justice Lad saw his chance and flew down below the robot and attacked it's leg again, causing the robot to fall on it's back. "AHHHH!" The pilot was tossed about in the cockpit. He grabbed the controls and began to right it up. Just as it was starting to get up though Justice Lad flew up to the robot and punched it back down. "Stay! Good bad guy!" He taunted.
"YOU SONNOVA-!" The pilot activated the full body taser once more but this time Justice Lad was ready and flew away from it.
The robot got back up on it's feet and aimed the shoulder mounted multi-missile launchers. The pilot smiled as the computer's locked on.
"Uh oh." Justice Lad began flying up and away from the giant robot.
"HA! Run all you like kid, it won't do any good. These are special missiles. Once they lock onto a target there is no escape! HOMING MISSILES FIRE!" The Pilot pounded down on a button and all the missiles fired at once, roughly two dozen in all. Justice Lad's face went pale. "Ohhhhhh not good."
He began flying away to avoid them but they followed him. No matter how he turned, the missiles followed after him. He had distance from them which was all he had right now. He sped up as he tried to think of a plan. Glancing down, and then back at the giant, that idea began to take shape.
The pilot laughed as the young superhero struggled to evade his missiles which began to gain on him. "Ohhh man! This is hilarious!" Justice Lad flew downwards and grab up a 10 ton boulder. "And just what is he planning on doing with that? It's useless you know, the missiles are more then smart enough to dodge a simple toy like that."
"Good to know." Justice Lad smiled as he flew up into the air. He took aim and slowed down just enough that the missiles started getting closer to him. This was very risky. If he messed up, he would die. So he would simply not mess up. Turning, he made sure the missiles were following him and then flew back towards the giant and raised the boulder up above his head. Once he was close enough, he flung it at the giant's head as hard as he could and then flew downwards to the robot's chest area. Closer, closer, closer...suddenly he made a superfast turn and let the missiles collide with the robot's chest.
The boulder broke against the robot's head harmlessly, but it provided the distraction that he wanted.
Just as the pilot was laughing in triumph, the missiles collided with the robot, causing a multitude of giant explosions that knocked the robot over and caused severe damage.
The pilot was nearly knocked out by the impact and would have been if not for the protective suit he wore. He groaned and looked at the screen. There was severe damage to the chest area even though the armor held, the missiles were used up, the damaged robot would move slower now and the kid was still alive.
"What's wrong?" Justice Lad asked, breathing hard from the effort to put out such speed. "I thought you said I couldn't damage you."
The pilot cursed as he forced the robot to stand up again. Screaming in rage he fired with the Gatling Gun Rocket Launchers once more while shooting out the robot's eye beams. Justice Lad flew around to dodge the attacks. A few minutes later, the rockets ran out. Justice Lad charged in and got in some good hits the moment he was distracted but the robot was once again able to smack him one. Fortunately, Justice Lad saw this one coming in time to block it. He was launched through the air once more, but this time he was able to roll with the impact and landed on his feet, although it still hurt. He got to his feet and engaged the giant once more with Justice Lad using his speed to dodge the attacks and knock around the giant and avoiding it's strikes. While the giant robot was very strong, even more then him, it wasn't fast enough to hit him due it's enormous size and the suit being limited to the pilot's reactions. So long as he kept an eye out, he was safe.
After a series of thunderous blows, Justice Lad succeeded in knocking it backwards a couple feet away.
The pilot looked at the readout. He was being pummeled by this kid. He was running low on weapons. He was sustaining damage. He was running out of options. He glanced around and then the idea came to him. He made the robot jump back several dozen feet back and after a series of button presses and a lever pull, the giant cannons on the robot's back pulled up into firing position. The robot took a stance as he aimed at his target.
Justice Lad panted, the fight was tiring him out. He needed to finish this. That was when the big guns came up. Justice Lad readed himself to dodge.
The Pilot smiled. "Kid....Justice Lad....I've been underestimating you even now. You're something else. No hero has fought with my creations like you have. So I'm sorry for that. But this is over. I've won."
"Won? What have you won? I can keep going."
"Oh I'm sure. But you won't be able to after this." The cannon's charged up. "You see, you made me remember something. Sometimes it's the smartest who wins, not the strongest. I don't need to hit you with this next attack to win." The cannons continued charging.
Justice Lad didn't get it.
"Confused? That's fine. Just take a look at what's behind you."
"Behind me?" Justice Lad glanced behind and then turned around in shock. What was behind him, miles away, was Paradise City.
"That's your precious city. For what it's worth, you've done a good job defending it. But that's over now. You see, even at this range, I have enough firepower to blow the city away."
Justice Lad turned and stared at him. "Y-you....you wouldn't..."
"Oh. I would and I am." The cannon's finished charging up. (And once this is done, you'll be too busy being an emotional wreck to fight me off and I can stomp you into paste. This fight is over and I've won. You'll never stop this) "Goodbye Justice Lad. BREAKER BEAM FIRE!" The cannon's all fired at once, unleashing massive beams of energy that all combined into one and shot towards the young superhero. Justice Lad tried to dodge it and was flung away by the sheer power of the attack. Justice Lad tumbled to the ground. He rolled around on it and quickly sat back up, watching helplessly as the blast shot towards his beloved city. "STOP IT!" He screamed.
The beam got closer, closer, closer, closer and suddenly there was a flash of light and a deafening explosion. "NOOOOOOOO!"
The pilot smiled. It was over. He had won now.
Justice Lad punched the ground in anger as he cried in anger and sorrow. He had failed. He had fought as hard as he could and he had failed everyone. All the innocent people. "I'm sorry....I'm sorry...I-I..." He looked up. He trailed off.
The Pilot smiled and sat back in his seat as the robot walked up to Justice Lad. Suddenly, he stopped. He saw the same thing Justice Lad was. He pulled up the visor of his helmet to make sure he wasn't seeing things. "No...."
The computer zoomed in.
"No...way...."
The skyscrapers, the towers, the buildings, the people....it was all still there.
"Th-that is...impossible...."
Floating in front of the city, arms held out to the sides, a grim look of determination on his face and his cape billowing in the wind.....was Justice Lad's mentor. Freedom Eagle had shielded the city with his body, stopping the blast from getting anywhere near it.
Needless to say, the pilot was shocked to see this.
See? Shocked. :)
"F-Freedom?"
Freedom Eagle glared at the giant robot. A second later he had zipped over to Justice Lad and handed him a tissue. "There now, no crying, everything's better now see?"
Justice Lad wiped his eyes. "But how?"
Freedom Eagle simply smiled. "I've taken harder hits then that." He then glared up at the giant robot which began backing away from him. "Y-you....but...how...what...that's impossible! Nobody could survive that!"
"Then allow me introduce myself. I'm nobody and I just survived it."
He then flew behind the mecha, grabbed at it's cannons and ripped them right off and flung them away. "And that's quite enough of that."
The mecha fell onto it's knees, the damage was severe.
Freedom prepared to finish it off.
"WAIT!" Justice Lad called up to him. "He's mine."
Freedom Eagle looked down at his student and nodded. "You got it. Knock him dead kid."
"Oh I'm planning on it." He said and flew up to the giant and began pounding on it's head, knocking the robot onto it's back again.
The pilot pressed the button for the taser and the electricity coursed through the robot for a moment before fizzling out. "Oh no. Ohhh no. Not now..." He checked the readout. The Breaker Beam had trained too much power from the robot. The eye lasers and taser were offline. And then the kid was on the robot again. Just like last time And he was angry. With a roar he jumped onto the robot's chest and began pummeling it at super speed, landing hundreds of blows that began tearing through the armor until Justice Lad punched into and through it and with a grunt he tore it open and hopped inside.
The robot thrashed and writhed on the ground as Justice Lad tore it apart from the inside.
"NO! NO! NO!" The pilot slammed his hands on the console but nothing was working. The robot was shutting down and shaking apart. After a few moments, Justice Lad punched through the sheet of metal between him and the pilot and threw him out. The Pilot flew out of the robot and tumbled down it. He groaned as he picked himself up. Justice Lad flew up out of the hole he had made and stared at the villain. The Pilot pulled out two pistols and opened fire on the hero. Justice Lad swatted the bullets out of his way like they were annoying flies and then zipped up to the pilot, grabbed him and smacked him one, sending him flying through the air to crash to the ground and rolled to a stop, busted up an out cold.
Justice Lad had won.
"I've watched your fights on the news, stupid kid. Ever since I escaped, I've been watching. Waiting. Building my new weapon in secret. You humiliated me you damn kid. I'm a laughing stock now because of you! Justice Lad, you, a crying, snot nosed little brat with your sh-ty little costume destroyed my suit in front of millions. I had to do a lot of favors and make promises to very powerful people to get a second shot but it's been worth it. I have every news article, every bit of footage. Every time you fought somebody I researched them. All to prepare for this battle. I know how to beat you now and I've designed my new super armor, my...VENGENCE around that. I hope you've said your prayers Justice Lad because I am coming for you and this time, I won't stop until I've torn down the entire city around your head and then blasted you to ashes."
The Pilot finished his recording and looked up at the mechanical giant he had constructed. It was time for payback. The kid was going to pay for humiliating him, in spades.
He road a lift up to the chest of the mechanical giant and got inside and closed it up. The eyes turned red. The ceiling above it opened up and light poured in, highlighting the giant monstrosity as it lifted off and flew off towards Paradise City...
The day after the battle with the Inferno Gang, Justice Lad was enjoying a flight through the city. Despite being in costume, he wasn't explicitly on patrol, rather he just felt like enjoying the beautiful afternoon. The sun was shining down, there was a nice breeze and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. He turned over on his back as he drifted through the air. He closed his eyes and relaxed in a lounging position.
He snapped out of it when down below he heard the blaring of sirens. Flipping over, he saw a car speeding down the road with police cars chasing after it. "Well, a hero's work is never done." He flexed and then flew off. The car was going over 80 MPH. Justice Lad caught up to it easily and then flew in front of it, floating in front of it, he smiled and took the impact, not even budging from it. Fortunately, the men inside were wearing their seat belts. He yanked open the door and pulled out the two teenagers inside and set them down. He waved to the police as they pulled up and then flew off.
Afterwords, Justice Lad decided it would probably be a good idea to patrol for awhile. He flew down a few city blocks and overheard some men talking, yelling, threatening. It was a little hard to make out at first with all of the city noise but he did his best to follow it. Peeking around a corner, he saw a group of men in suits beating up on another man. He didn't know what was what, but he knew that the men were obviously evil. He flew over to them. "Hey! Leave him alone!"
"What the f-k?"
"Hey! Language!" Justice Lad yelled back at him.
"It's just a kid."
"He's Justice Lad, he's not a normal kid." One of the thug's said and pulled out a model 500 S&W Magnum Revolver and fired at him.
Justice Lad readied himself. A year ago he wouldn't have been able to do this. But after a year of training, he was much faster. He held up one hand and caught the bullet out of the air. There was smoke from his hand and he then dropped it, crumpled up from his hand.
"AH!" The thug fired again and again, with Justice Lad moving his hands in the way of the bullets and stopping them.
He flew forward as the other thugs were bringing out their guns and opened fire. Justice Lad knocked the bullets away as he raced towards them. Some of the bullets hit his head and body but bounced off all the same. Reaching them, Justice Lad reached them and shoved one through the air to bounce off the brick wall. He turned around and smacked a gun from another before kicking him into the air. After knocking out the last one, he landed down next to the beaten down man. "Hey, hey, are you okay Mister?"
The man muttered something.
"I'm sorry?"
"Thank you...."
"No need to thank me Mister, I'm going to fly you to the hospital sir, hold on!" Justice Lad lifted him up into the air and then flew off.
He reached the hospital in minutes and carried him inside. "HEY! HEY!"
The hospital looked up, shocked to see Justice Lad of all people in the hospital.
"This man needs help!"
"Get a doctor!" Someone yelled as Justice Lad set him down on a nearby stretcher.
"So what happened to him?" A police officer asked.
"He was being attacked by some bad guys and then I beat them up and now he's here."
"Alright, do you know where the 'bad guys' are?"
Justice Lad gave him the directions. "They should still be out cold."
"I see. Alright, thanks kiddo." The police were dispatched to pick them up.
Justice Lad waved goodbye and then flew away.
Meanwhile....
"Stupid Kid. Wrecked my armor. A KID WRECKED MY ARMOR!" The pilot yelled out as he continued his work. "Oh but I've learned from last time. I'm going to smash you this time kid." He smiled as he looked up at the news report. "Enjoy your victory while you can. Because I'm coming back for a rematch, and this time, I'm going to destroy the city and you!"
Back at Paradise City,
"Well that was weird, I wonder what those guys wanted with that man." Justice Lad pondered as he flew around the city. "Oh well. I guess that the police can handle it." His thoughts were once more interrupted as he heard screaming and spotted a news copter a couple hundred feet away falling off a building and plummeting to the ground. Justice Lad flew down after it as fast as he could, getting under the copter and Justice Lad braced himself and caught it when it was half way to the ground. After a few moments, he flew up to the top of the building and set it down. He waved to the pilot and reporter before flying away. He sighed. "Yeah, today was a good day."
Justice Lad carried Indigo and his minion over to the bank and set them down on the ground. He looked up to see an ambulance, police cars and fire trucks hanging around taking care of things. His parents came out and waved to him. Upon seeing the young man who had saved them, the crowd burst into applause and cheers. Justice Lad smiled and flew into the air in a loop-d-loop before flying around the people, listening to their cheers and gratitude.
He then landed on a car and stood around to listen to their praise for a bit. "Thank you, thank you, I was just doing my duty ladies and gentlemen. The bad guys have been beaten and the city is at peace once more. Now, I must go, but fear not. For wherever evil raises it's head, Justice Lad will be there!" He then flew off as fast as he could.
A few moments later, Seraph Dragonhowl came running up to his parents. "Mom! Dad! You're okay!"
"Of course we are son, thanks to Justice Lad."
"Awww, I missed him? I was hiding just like you said and now I missed him?"
His parents laughed. "The important thing is that you're safe son."
The reporters took a photo of the family who then got in their limo and headed home.
"So what are we going to do about the check?"
"Oh we'll just have to cash it in some other time son!" His father said cheerfully.
Later that night, a news report played with people praising Justice Lad for his vigilance and heroism in defeating an entire gang and a powerful super-villain despite being just a kid.
Justice Lad carried Indigo and his minion over to the bank and set them down on the ground. He looked up to see an ambulance, police cars and fire trucks hanging around taking care of things. His parents came out and waved to him. Upon seeing the young man who had saved them, the crowd burst into applause and cheers. Justice Lad smiled and flew into the air in a loop-d-loop before flying around the people, listening to their cheers and gratitude.
He then landed on a car and stood around to listen to their praise for a bit. "Thank you, thank you, I was just doing my duty ladies and gentlemen. The bad guys have been beaten and the city is at peace once more. Now, I must go, but fear not. For wherever evil raises it's head, Justice Lad will be there!" He then flew off as fast as he could.
A few moments later, Seraph Dragonhowl came running up to his parents. "Mom! Dad! You're okay!"
"Of course we are son, thanks to Justice Lad."
"Awww, I missed him? I was hiding just like said and now I missed him?"
His parents laughed. "The important thing is that you're safe son."
The reporters took a photo of the family who then got in their limo and headed home.
Captain Justice Tropes!
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Expy[/url]
-Of Superman.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FlyingBrick[/url]
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EyeBeams[/url]
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HandBlast[/url]
-His list of powers.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FlashStep
-Utilized in his second fight with Indigo Inferno.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheCape[/url]
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheParagon[/url]
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ManInWhite[/url]
-His costume is pretty much all white.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LightIsGood[/url]
-See above.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MeaningfulName[/url]
-His first name (On Earth)? Seraph.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BashBrothers[/url]
-When fighting alongside Union Jack. It's amazing how in synch they are.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SugarWiki/FunnyMoments[/url]
-His landing on Earth as an infant. It has to be seen to be believed.
His Kirk impression on the ship.
His reaction to severed tentacles turning into monsters? Call it a neat trick and then vape them with heat vision.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome[/url]
As an 8 year old kid, he went toe to toe with a 60 foot Mecha and held his own. When his parents got hurt, he went berzerk and tore it apart. Do NOT hurt his loved ones.
Lifting a 30 ton truck casually and moving around a 100 ton boulder
After his first year of training: No selling flamethrowers to the face, shrugging off being blasted through a building due to taking a giant fireball to the face to protect his loved ones and civilians.
In his second fight with that same villain, he completely owns Indigo Inferno, flash stepping all around him and easily beating the villain like a drum.
The aforementioned teamwork between him and Jack during the alien planet arc when they are beating on the Eldritch Abomination in the sky, followed shortly by Justice catching it with ease, and their beat down of Mogo.
[url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments[/url]
-As a kid, hugging his parents when they get out of the hospital after the Mecha fight, his parents protecting him during the fight when he gets hurt, his interactions with his maids and butlers, etc...
Taking a giant fireball head on to protect a bank full of civilians.
In modern times, honestly telling Zashia that the Earth is beautiful.
It had been a year of training for Seraph. He worked out by lifting large boulders over his head, increased his speed by chasing Freedom Eagle in the air and on the ground, and increased his hand to hand skills by attacking Eagle and following his instructions on top of being taught karate by him. Little Seraph still did not compare to his mentor but he had become much more powerful then before. He was now 9 years old and was walking around the city with his parents. The evil pilot was still imprisoned and there had been no real attacks. Some low level criminals had shown up but the police dealt with them easily with Justice Lad helping out every now and then. There had been a fight between Freedom Eagle and an android villain, but as far as Seraph knew, there were no casualties. He had also met a nice girl named Bellatrix a few days ago.
Over time he had come to love Paradise City.
The people were nice, the city was beautiful, there were tall buildings everywhere, it was clean, and from what he heard the schools were excellent. Seraph hoped that last part was true as he was going to leave homeschooling and go to a private school soon. He had also modified his costume over the course of the year to be more superheroic. Currently he had been nicknamed by the papers as the Paradise Prince due to being the richest boy in the city.
Yes, life was good.
But life was not all fun and games for the young boy. For there was another supervillain fight on the way.
They walked into the bank and waited in line as everyone turned and waved to them and greeted the Dragonhowl's. Seraph and his parents greeted them back and waited in line to cash a check when suddenly a group of men in black suits broke into the bank and fired Flamethrower's into the air. They were lead by a masked man in white armor.
"This is a bank robbery, everyone hand over your money and valuables and you will not be harmed." The man said as one of his goons produced a large bag. "Now get to it!"
Seraph looked up at his parents who moved in front of their son to give him cover. Seraph ran towards the back exit and removed his suit to reveal his costume underneath. He put on his mask and then flew back to the entrance and entered in behind the criminals. "Hey you!"
The gang turned around to see a child floating in the air and looking down on them.
"Give everybody's money back right now or else!"
Two of the goons replied by turning on their flamethrowers and blasting him with fire. The people in the bank screamed in horror as they saw the little boy hero be engulfed by flames. Fortunately, Justice Lad was superpowered so he was unharmed. He flew through the flames and grabbed one of the goons and tossed him across the room. The thug bounced off a wall 50 feet away and fell to the ground.
He then punched another thug across the room. The remaining thugs backed up and fired their flamethrowers at once but Justice Lad was unharmed and easily flung them around the room like rag dolls, taking out each one with one hit.
Soon all that was left was the leader.
He looked around and shrugged. "So you're Justice Lad huh? You're younger then I thought."
"Yeah, so what's your name you jerk?"
"Y ou can call me...The Indigo Inferno."
"Indigo what?"
The Indigo Inferno raised his hand and a blue flame surrounded it and then flew forward, exploding against Justice Lad's chest and launching him through the air. He broke through the wall but was otherwise unharmed. He patted his chest, thankful for the adjustments to it that made his costume so durable.
"Ohhhh...Indigo means blue...blue fire. I get it now!" Justice Lad said as he got to his feet and stared down the villain again.
"Should've stayed down kid." Indigo said and rapid fired the fireballs at him. The fireballs were as fast as bullets from a machine gun but thanks to his training, Justice Lad was able to dodge them and fly over to Indigo and throw him out of the bank and across the street. He collided with a street lamp, knocking it over. The fireballs impacted against the bank wall, blowing it out.
"Well that's that. Is everybody okay?"
"Yes...yes we're okay now Justice Lad. Thank you."
Justice Lad smiled. "All in a day's work ma'am."
Behind him, Indigo stood up and summoned up a large fireball which he flung at the bank.
"JUSTICE LAD LOOK OUT!" A woman screamed.
He turned around and saw a fireball the size of a van hurtling towards them. He glanced at the henchmen on the ground. (Doesn't he even care about them?!) After a quick look at the people in the bank, he made a decision and flew out to the fireball, crossing his arms over his head.
The explosion rocked the bank, blowing away the glass and sending the people flying through the air. People on the street screamed and ran for cover from the explosion even as they were launched into the air.
Justice Lad flew backwards from the impact and flew straight through the bank and out the other side of it. He bounced off the wall of the alleyway behind it and fell to the ground.
"And that takes care of that." Indigo smiled. "I suppose robbing the bank can wait for another day." He said and walked off laughing.
Justice lad picked himself up. The blast had hurt but compared to the pounding that the metal giant had given him, it wasn't all that bad. He shook his head to get rid of the ringing in his ears and brushed the dirt and rubble off his costume. He flew back through the hole to find the people of the bank had survived, including the henchmen. There were injuries but they were all okay.
He flew over to his parents. "We're fine. Go get him." His mother said.
Justice Lad nodded and flew off after Indigo Inferno.
Round 2
Justice Lad flew around the city, searching for Indigo Inferno. He finally found him when his super hearing picked up the sound of his voice. Justice Lad flew over to his location and hid behind a corner. He watched him knock on a large metal door. He heard someone undoing locks and the door opened and a man in black let him in.
"What's up boss? You get the cash?"
"No. I did take down Justice Lad though."
"You serious?"
"Of course. He was a dumb kid fighting a grown man. Who do you think was gonna win?"
"And the others?"
"Had to leave them behind. They were out like lights. No matter though. With Justice Lad out of commission, the city is ours for the taking."
After making sure nobody was there to get dragged into the fight, Justice Lad came out of hiding and walked over to the door and knocked on it. A man looked through a hole but he didn't see him.
Justice Lad waited for a minute before knocking again.
Same result.
Smiling, Justice Lad flew up into the air and knocked a third time.
The man in black opened up the door. "WHO'S THERE?!" He demanded and he practically deflated as he saw Justice Lad floating in front of him. Justice Lad shoved him across the room and onto Indigo, knocking him over. Indigo shoved his minion off of him and looked up to see the kid hero smiling at him. "Still alive Indy!"
He flew outside to avoid Indigo's flames and floated in the air.
"You should have stayed down kid."
Justice Lad blew a raspberry at him. "There's no one here to distract me now. This time I'm going to win."
"Keep dreaming." Indigo launched the fireballs at him but Justice Lad easily evaded them and flew in front of Indigo so fast the villain had no time to react. Justice Lad punched him in the face, sending the villain flying through the air several dozen feet before he hit the ground. "That was for attacking the bank at all!"
Indigo rubbed his jaw and looked up to see Justice Lad had vanished.
"Boo!"
Indigo whirled around and swung a fire covered arm at the young boy who ducked under it and punched him in the stomach, busting his armor and sending the villain flying. "That was for the fireballs."
Indigo picked himself up, holding his ribs. "St-stupid...k-kid...don't.get.COCKY!" Indigo roared and a wall of blue fire erupted around him. He gestured and the fire launched out at Justice Lad who used his speed to avoid it. Indigo controlled the wave of fire with his hands, using it as an extension of his arm to try and grab Justice Lad who flew around it. "That's enough!" Justice Lad said and made a U-Turn in the air and flew past the fire and rocketed towards Indigo and tackled him, carrying him through the air for several feet before tossing him away, the fire dissipating with the loss of his concentration. Indigo bounced off the ground for a few feet before stopping. He got to his feet and found Justice Lad in front of him again. He grabbed the villain by the shirt and punched him across the face. "And this is for the giant fireball!" He smacked him again,launching him dozens of feet away to hit the ground, unconscious.
Keres and Jessica have taken a aircraft specially designed so that one wouldn’t hear it coming. Keres knew a guy who he won it from during a bet. He didn’t want to take anything from LION as this mission that he’s going is of a personal nature. Jessica wanted part and from the expression of her face she will go regardless if Keres accepted or not.
The flight to where they are going is silent, the both of them haven’t said a word to each other outside of Jessica providing the co ordinance of the remaining coven. Vesogog, The Vampire Lord of said coven, had got what he deserved for the actions that he committed would condemned one to the worst level of hell imaginable. In Jessica’s case hell was too good for the monster so the worst punishment would be to consume him in the similar manner in which earned Jessica a fearful reputation among the villain and even Superhero community. Due to that she had acquired Vesogog’s memories, not only of his unforgivable act but memories that could help locate his remaining coven. Given the coven’s loyalty they will retaliate for Vesogog’s demise but Keres and Jessica wont give them time to form a counter attack.
They silently agreed LION would not be informed or involved in this. There simply is no word for what they would do. Vulgar obscenities worthy of their monstrous reputation slid through their mind, things that would make Gabriel shake her head in solemn pity. The other members of the Order have been through enough since that night. Drusilla, one of the toughest members next to Roger, Keres has known had to be consoled by Gabriel and Starling. There is one member who had it the worst and the mission would hunt him for the rest of his life. Also should lines be crossed they don’t want them taking any heat from the head officials. Keres has been under fire from them before and Jessica is aware of their opinions towards her. Most importantly they couldn’t bear to let the other members of The Order see what they will do.
While flying the aircraft Keres’s hands shook with near uncontrollable rage but he kept it contained long enough so he could use it to the ones who has it coming. Jessica had a look of pure emptiness, a kind that’s not really rage but unsettling. They are over the ocean they could see a small island “Reclusive, no one around to cause any risk of innocents being in the crossfire” Suits Keres and Jessica just fine. Jessica’s eyes grow about as dark as the night sky and wings slowly sprouted from her back. Darkness starts to consume the insides of the aircraft then soon the outer parts of it.
One member of the coven had walked out of his base of operations while the others were planning on a counter attack against the Order. Their base of operations is that of an old temple. He decided to go out on a hunt but he sniffed and caught something unsettling. He looked up and see what resembled a dark cloud looming towards. As the vampire examined what he sees to his horror isn’t clouds. Something terrible had assaulted his finely tuned senses …no that wasn't right. It had gripped them, and invaded them. The oppressive blackness was racing closer at an impossible speed.
“That’s right, I want you to be scared. Just like he was” Keres said with his eyes his eyes grew hot with rage like molten gold
The very law of physics, of sanity itself warped beneath Angel Enigma's might. The darkness seemed to converge about her, form twisted ropes of clawed shadows that then opened into eyes and mouths. Hundreds of them…thousands…the same terrible blood red eyes and mouths that Angel Enigma possessed as the aircraft itself looked as if it had come alive with the roaring of what should have been a engine is replaced with that which is inhuman
The other vampires of the coven are alerted it’s leader who replaced Vesogog looked out. He no longer knew what God, or what higher power he prayed to. The entirety of his non life had been swept from his eyes and replaced only with this primal and pleading fear as what he looked up and saw was “Death”
Hours of unimaginable screams went into the night, it gradually died down and replaced with the roaring of the flames.
There was no satisfaction of what the two accomplished as they watched the temple burn and the remaining vampires with it. The emotions between Keres and Jessica who had now changed from her Angel Enigma form looked on. Keres still holds his sword in his hand that is stained with the blood of vampires. Jessica had assured they would meet their fallen master and suffer together. They have both reached into the darkest depths of their minds that night but no regret was shown.
Keres started to shake, not of rage. There are memories that he experienced in his immortal life that were horrible enough that he wanted to bury as deep as he could. What a member of the Order, who was a victim of a horrible attack caused by Vesogog, experience caused one of those memories to resurfaced. It was 1897, someone he cared about was viciously attacked by a vampire. He remember the restless nights she had, scrubbing herself frantically till her skin turned raw. He would be there to console her and promised that he would help her. He dropped his sword without giving any thought.
He felt Jessica embrace him, he remembers what she went through and that night must have caused some horrible memories to resurfaced. Either she did it to comfort him or to seek comfort herself doesn’t matter as Keres embraces her in return then continued to watch the temple burn. Despite the obvious in some way they both realize that they not too different.
The sun ascended over the ocean, it’s rays give the waters a majestic view. The light reaches to the island, the tress danced to the nice breeze that greeted them. Far out unto the island there is a lone aircraft, from the look it’s of a military or used to belong to it and it’s advanced beyond your usual military aircraft. Inside two people stir in the back of the aircraft. Keres shuts his eyes tight at the morning rays, a soft moan was enough to wake him up. He looked down at her, curled up next to him, her head and a hand lying on his chest. His mind recalled the events from last night, an act of empty revenge that led to both individuals finding comfort in one another when they needed it the most. He’s happy to see how peaceful Jessica looked and wanted it to remain for just a little longer.
Jessica awoke and her eyes looked up at Keres’s. Words don’t have to be spoken as they both are aware of what happened. “ We can never go back now” Keres whispered. “No we cant” Jessica agreed” Wouldn’t want to even if we can” Keres kissed her head gently signifying that he wouldn’t want to either. Jessica looked over to see her sword laid next to Keres’s sword about a few feet of her “ Don’t have to worry about them anymore”
He shook his head” No, yet they have allies” Jessica nods” They always do but we will take care of whatever comes our way, didn’t get our reputations for nothing. Just so you know if it’s ever brought up I wont hide this from Gabriel”
Stroking Jessica’s hair Keres responded” I’d prefer you wouldn’t. I could say the same when it comes to the Order members. ”
Jessica smiled” We’ll cross whatever bridge beyond that” Keres smiled in return and the two embraced each other. They are both unsure of what the future holds but are willing to face whatever befalls them
The girl ran for her life from the tall man. She ran out of the warehouse and down the road. She ran and ran until she collapsed from exhaustion. She was gasping for air and breathing hard. Her heart was pounding in her chest, sweat dripped down her face. The girl could not run any more. She dragged herself over to a series of trashcans and hid behind them, trembling and gasping for breath. She just sat for hours before she dared crawl out from behind them and looked around. Whatever that monster was, it was gone. Sighing with relief, the girl resumed her wanderings.
Some time later, she was wandering the streets when her stomach growled. She was hungry and thirsty and tired. She looked around. She had no money of course and she knew none of these scary people. So she walked the streets, trying to find some food.
Over an hour passed and she found nothing. Tired and weak from hunger and thirst, the girl sat down on some steps to rest. A moment later, a door opened behind her. The girl jumped and turned to see who it was, terrified of the possibility of the monster appearing once more.
Instead, there was an elderly woman looking down on her.
"Good heavens! And just what is your name little one?"
"H-h-h-"
"Hmmmm? Oh my just look at you! You're a mess! Come inside and lets get you all cleaned up."
The old woman knelt down and offered her hand. The girl hesitated until she smelled the food inside. "F-food?"
"Oh yes. That's Pie. You can eat up after you've had your bath."
The girl ran and hugged the old woman, sobbing in her arms.
The old woman smiled and brought her inside, closing the door behind her.
The girl was bathed, cleaned and dried and finally given a new dress to wear.
she sat down at the table and began to eat a piece of pie.
"Now then dearie, can I ask you your name?"
"Hope!" The girl said, happier then she had been in days. She was warm, she was clean, she had new clothes and fresh food.
"Hope. It is nice to meet you. You can call me Matron."
"Hi Miss Matron!"
After finishing the first piece of pie, she had a second.
"So Hope, what did happen to your parents?"
"A good guy and a bad guy were fighting and they blew up our home."
Matron shook her head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk...this happens all too often. I wish they would think before they fight. I am so, so very sorry for your loss Hope."
"Thank you. Miss Matron." Hope said. She yawned. "I wanna sleep."
Matron smiled and lifted her up and carried her and laid Hope down in bed. "Sleep tight Hope."
After laying her to sleep, Matron walked across the orphanage and into her own room where she pulled out a small book. She sat down at her desk and went through the pages and stopped at one. She smiled at it. "Ah my little goddess, tomorrow your new life begins."
Doctor Nemesis
Issue 1 Chapter 2
Wanderings.
The girl walked and found herself in the inner city. She was still hurt and alone and scared. Morbid though it was, the rain had cleaned her face and she had caught some of it in her mouth. It seemed to help her throat and she wasn't thirsty but now she was cold and wet. The girl had nothing. By chance, she wandered by a restaurant and saw a man walking out of it. She hid behind a wall and saw the man throwing away some food, muttering something about guests and waste before walking back in. The girl stood still for a moment before creeping over to the dumpster and jumping up at it. After a few jumps she made it and barely managed to pull herself up and then fell into the dumpster. The smell made her gag but she found the food and looked at it. It was still good, well, kind of. The girl picked it up and tossed it out before climbing out of the dumpster and dropping down. She fell on her butt and yelled out but she still got up and grabbed the food and ran off. She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her and found a corner and ate the food. Even cold and wet as it was it was still good. She ate and ate until the food was gone and threw away the remains. She sat down and thought about her parents and how they would never eat a good meal like this again and cried some more. Eventually she stopped crying and, wiping her eyes, she found a cardboard box and crawled inside, curled up into a ball and laid down, shivering but happy to be out of the rain.
Despite the cold, she soon fell asleep.
Morning.
The girl crawled out of the box and looked around. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining down on her. It's warmth felt good on her and she smiled up at it. On a normal day, she would be out playing catch right now with her dad. But not today. Today she was all on her own. The girl slowly walked out of the alley and looked out. Cars were zooming down the street and people in suits were walking around chatting on devices they held up to their ears. Along with the suits, there were other children running around and people who were older then them, but not as old as the suits. The suits were so big and scary looking but the children were colorful looking. She caught a few names as the people walked by. Seraph, Eagle, Bella and others. But she knew none of these people. The little girl's parents had drilled into her head not to trust strangers. That was, anyone besides them. Seeing a gap in the scary people, the little girl dashed forward and began running down the street, stumbling and terrified of being alone in this big, wide world.
Some of the people watched her go, but none of them did anything.
The girl ran and ran and ran and bumped into somebody. "Hey! Watch it brat!"
The little girl fell down and saw a much taller boy standing over her. She wasn't a suit or a colorful child or one of the smiling people. The man wore a brown leather coat and black pants and boots with a white shirt. "Hey, you deaf or something?!" The boy asked her. He lifted his leg and something hard struck the little girl, sending her sprawling. Pain. That's what she felt. The little girl was hurting now. She had trouble getting up and the boy took something out of his pocket and then there was a knife in his hand. The girl stared up in terror, her whole body trembling and the knife glistening in the sunlight. "Hey little s-t, you don't got parents do ya? That means nobody's gonna miss ya." The boy smiled. His psychotic grin would haunt her nightmares.
Fate intervened however as another boy grabbed his arm. "We're not killing a kid!"
The two boys began arguing with each other and the little girl ran away from them.
The little girl ran until she couldn't run anymore and fell on her face. She shuddered and soon began to cry. "Why? Why? Why? What did I do? I haven't hurt anyone. I'm good.I'm good. Why does everyone hate me? Why are my mommy and daddy gone? Mommy........Daddy...." The girl sobbed.
Eventually, the girl stopped crying and walked some more and ended up in a warehouse where she sat against a wall. She looked around. It seemed empty. There was a backroom but the girl didn't want to go there. Her chest hurt from all the running and she was tired. Right now she just wanted to rest. She started coughing. This lasted for a moment before it stopped and she got about a minute's rest before she the door to the backroom open and then the strangest man walked out. The girl began coughing again. He was tall, oh so tall, the men in suits were small compared to the giant and quite skinny. he had two lanky arms down to his sides. It didn't look like he had any hair on his head. The tall man was dressed in a suit with nice shoes. He walked over to her slowly, as if he was taking his time. "H-hello?" the little girl said to him. The man kept walking. "P-please...don't hurt me." It was dark in the warehouse, so she couldn't see his face at first. The girl stood up. "I-I'm just a little girl....my mommy and daddy are gone...a-and I need help and I-" the girl froze up when he passed through a sunbeam and the girl clearly saw his face....except there wasn't a face. The tall man had no face.
The girl had nightmares before, scary ones, ones of monsters coming to get her but this was different. There were nowhere near as terrifying as this tall man. A single thought ran through her mind: RUN! The girl bolted out of the warehouse, screaming bloody murder.
She didn't dare look back...
A little girl was sitting in the broke down house on the floor, her stomach hurt from hunger. She was skinny even for her age with her ribs showing. They never had any food and what they did get didn't last long, it only gave them enough to get by. Her mother was sitting across from her coughing. She was sick and her daddy had gone out to find medicine. He said he would steal it if he had too. Her mother tried to talk him out of it but he said the had to do what he had to do. No one cared about them, so they had to get what they could. Raven never got to play with the other children in the city. They always laughed at her and hurt her because she didn't have money and they did. But the little girl didn't care. She didn't care about her pain or her dirty clothes or sad life. She had her mother and father and that was all that mattered to her. Her parents had taught her that having money was the cause of their problems. That the 'rich people' had caused their pain and sorrow and kept them down. As you can guess, the girl hated them for that.
A door opened. The little girl looked up. Her father ran in, panting and sweating from running. "Here.....I got it....I got it." He said and ran to his wife, opening the bottle and pouring the pills into his hand. "Here..take them. Take them."
"Bless you Gerald. Bless you." She said and accepted the pills and swallowed them.
Gerald smiled and reached into his pockets, pulling out two burgers. "And-and I even got some food while I was out. Eat. Eat up."
"Daddy!" The little girl hugged him and he hugged her back and the family ate. The father splitting his food with his wife and the little girl getting one to herself.
It was the best meal they'd had in days.
Once everyone was feeling better, the family gathered around and the father told a story about a poor little girl who grew up to be a beautiful woman who could do anything she wanted and she had all the money in the world and she married a prince and they lived happily ever after.
The girl giggled. She like the story. She knew who he was talking about and she would do it. She grow up to be that woman who could do whatever she wanted..
The wife told him she liked the story and they hugged.
Then it happened. An explosion. The family fell over from the shock. The father ran over to the window and looked out. A fight. A fight between two supers. And they were getting closer. One of them was tall and wearing a red cape. The other was wearing some kind of metal that was glowing dark green. The two fought in the air, clashing. The armor man knocked back the caped man and fired off a blast of energy. The hero dodged it and the blast flew towards their home.
"Oh my God...GET DOWN!" He yelled as he ran to his wife. They locked eyes for just a moment and jumped over to their daughter and covered her with their bodies.
There was a sound of thunder and the house was destroyed.
A cough.
Struggle.
The little girl picked herself up and crawled away. She was hurt. She was bruised and cut and had smoke on her face. The girl coughed a couple more times and looked for her mother and father. "Mommy? Daddy? Where are you?" The girl looked behind her and saw her parents burnt and smoking bodies laying under the remains of their house.
"M-mommy? Daddy?" The girl crawled over to them and shook their bodies. "...Wake up. This this isn't funny! Wake up! WAKE UP!" She screamed in desperation. But they didn't move. The little girl's parents were dead. Died shielding her with their bodies. The only people in the whole wide world who loved her were gone. She was alone in the world.
The girl laid there and cried her eyes out, begging her parents over and over to wake up but they didn't. In her sorrow and anger at the world, the girl screamed at the heavens in futility.
The girl didn't know how much time had passed before the rain came down and she slowly got up and walked away. She didn't where she was going or what she would do. The girl had nothing now so she had nothing to live for. So she would walk and walk and walk. Walk to find her place in a world that didn't want her...
The two flew around until they found a giant boulder. "Alright, try to move this."
Seraph walked over and pushed against it. It didn't budge. Surprised, Seraph tried again. He then began pushing harder and began making it slowly slide across the ground. Seraph walked forward a couple feet before stopping. He was breathing hard.
(I thought so. Well, that was a 100 ton boulder. Still, it's impressive that he could move it at all at such a young age.)
"Alright, let's take a break for awhile."
The two sat on the cliffside, enjoying the magnificent view of the mountains.
"Sir?"
"Yeah?"
"How long have you been a superhero?"
"Hmm, well I guess this year will mark year 103 for me."
"You're 103?"
"Yeah. I just age a little slower then normal humans do. Physically, I'm in my fourties."
"Wow."
"Yeah, I got started a long time ago and I haven't looked back."
"You must be the oldest man in the world."
Freedom Eagle got a laugh out of that. "Nah, that would be either Patriot or Keres."
"Who's Keres?"
"A friend of mine. He's an immortal."
"Immortal?"
"It means that he can't age or die."
"Wow, that must be so cool."
"Yes, I am certain that it is."
"What about Patriot?"
"Eternal Youth. He doesn't age."
"Oh."
"Anyway, up for some more training? Let's do H2H Combat now."
"H2H?"
"Oh, sorry, it means hand-to-hand, martial arts."
"Okay!" Justice Lad flew up and got ready to train.
Freedom held up his hands, palms facing Justice.
"Hit my palms, hard as you can and follow my instructions."
"Okay."
"Alright...Right Punch!"
Justice Lad did as he asked and punched his palm as hard as he could with his right hand. There was a loud *SMACK!* but Freedom's hand didn't move at all. "Good. Left Punch!"
Justice Lad punched and the same result.
"Woah....that's incredible!"
"You have some real power behind your hits kiddo." Freedom complimented. "Again!"
"Okay!"
"Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right!"
This kept up for an hour before Freedom had him switch to kicks for an hour before going to back to punches and started shouting his commands faster and Justice Lad had to keep up.
By the end of the day, they had moved onto combinations and Justice Lad had learned to throw fast punches and kicks and they had worked in some flight training as well.
The Dragonhowl's heard a knock on their door and Freedom walked in holding a tired Seraph.
"The training went very well. He's a fast learner. I'll see you next week." Freedom Eagle handed Seraph to them and flew off.
The Dragonhowl's waved goodbye to him and carried their son to his bedroom.
Seraph woke up, ate, got dressed, packed and waited by the door for Freedom's Eagle to show up so he could begin training. His father was reading the newspaper. There was an article about the child genius Marnie Montgomery. Seraph could read it from across the room. Apparently she had given her android some upgrades and it was now able to understand and translate foreign languages after hearing them for a few minutes. Seraph made a mental note to see if he could meet her later.
There was a knock at the door and Bob let Freedom's Eagle in.
"Ready to go Seraph?"
Seraph nodded and flew over to him. "You bet!"
"Glad to hear it." Freedom's Eagle said. "Don't worry, he'll be home by tonight."
Seraphina and Heman nodded. "Goodbye, have fun Seraph!"
Seraph waved goodbye and they walked out. "So when does my training begin?"
"Right now actually." Freedom's Eagle said and flew up into the air. "Keep up with me."
"But you're......" Eagle held up a hand. "Don't worry, I'll go slow today."
"Oh.....okay." Seraph said and flew up into the air.
"Alright. Go." With that, they were off and flying in the air. Eagle was flying with ease and even turned around to look at him with his arms crossed as Seraph did his best to keep up. "That's it Seraph. Don't try to force your speed all at once, let it build up gradually."
"Okay..." Seraph focused on Eagle and began slowly accelerating. He felt the wind whooshing around him as he began moving up to 40-50-60 MPH. Eagle smiled. "There you go." He then flew to the side. "Let's work on navigation. Follow my path." Seraph had trouble stopping and continued forward for several feet before he came to a stop. He then spotted Eagle and flew over to him. Eagle flew upwards diagonally and Seraph had to change course to follow him. They continued flight training for two hours, working on speed, navigating and flight combat. Seraph had trouble with that. The idea was to attack Eagle. Seraph quickly found that his ramming tactic wasn't working. Eagle would simply fly over or under or to the sides, so Seraph had to adjust his tactics and try to anticipate where Eagle would go. They also worked in punches and kicks. As they flew over a scrapyard, Eagle motioned for Seraph to follow him.
The two touched down and Seraph walked around with Eagle. They soon discovered a 30 ton reefer truck. "Alright, this will work. Seraph, try to lift this."
"What? B-but it's huge!"
"So was the armored suit you fought and you were able to knock that thing around just fine. Think of the truck as a smaller version of the suit."
"Oh. Okay." Seraph walked over to the truck and got under it and then stood up. It was shaky at first but he managed to lift it up with ease. "I did it!"
"Strong as I expected. Alright, let's go find something else for you to lift." He said as they flew off.
