Southside, Metropolis
June 17th, 2010
The streets of Southside, or as the locals called it, Suicide Slum, felt like a twisted version of the comics he remembered. Everywhere he looked, grimy buildings stood tall, their walls covered in graffiti that told tales of rivalries, love, and despair. The air was thick, not just with pollution but with the palpable tension of small gangs, each trying to outdo the other in ruthlessness. The distant sirens, a constant reminder of the chaos, seemed to never stop. Man, this really isn't the Metropolis I read about, he thought, his fingers gripping the edge of a dumpster as he pushed it open. But I guess even Superman and the Justice Society can't be everywhere.
His dark skin, a rich shade of mahogany, contrasted sharply with the blue-and-white baseball shirt that clung to his thin frame. He paused for a moment, sitting on the edge of the dumpster, his eyes scanning the dilapidated buildings around him. Almost a month in this place, and it still feels like some sort of messed-up dream. Can't remember my own name, but I remember Batman's entire rogues gallery. How does that even work? He sighed, the weight of his situation pressing down on him, and then dropped into the dumpster with a resigned thud. The unpleasant squelch that followed made him grimace. Better not to think about it.
His stomach growled, a loud and demanding sound that echoed in the confined space. He began to rummage, hoping against hope for something, anything, edible. Come on, just one slice of pizza. Or a half-eaten burger. Anything. But all he found was a piece of stale bread, which he eyed with a mix of disgust and desperation.
He groaned, the sound echoing off the metal walls of the dumpster. This is not how I pictured my life. To be fair, he didn't really remember picturing his life before he woke up in Southside but he figured he had better than this. With a grunt, he climbed out, wiping his hands on his jeans, trying to shake off the grime and disappointment.
"Yo, Blue!" A voice, familiar and welcome, cut through his thoughts. He turned to see Jamal, a tall, caramel-skinned boy with a mop of curly hair that never seemed to behave. Jamal was waving enthusiastically, a grin stretching across his face. Beside him was Mia, a petite redhead with a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. And then there was Katie, her buck-toothed smile infectious, her hair a shade that sat somewhere between dirty blonde and just plain dirty. Trailing the trio were the twins, Leo and Rosa, their matching brown eyes always filled with mischief.
"Hey, guys," he greeted, his voice betraying the relief he felt at seeing familiar faces.
Jamal swung a backpack off his shoulder with a flourish. "Feast your eyes on this!" He unzipped the bag, revealing an assortment of food that made his mouth water: two sandwiches, several sodas, a half-eaten pizza still in its box, and five bags of chips.
Mia rolled her eyes, nudging Jamal with her elbow. "Don't act all high and mighty. I swiped the pizza, remember?"
Katie piped up, her lisp making her words sound even more endearing, "And I got the drinks. Scored big time at the convenience store."
Leo laughed, his voice deep for a twelve-year old, "And I got the chips. Rosa was on lookout."
Rosa smirked, her eyes twinkling with pride. "Best lookout in Suicide Slum. They didn't even see me."
He chuckled, the weight on his shoulders feeling a little lighter. These guys, rough around the edges and as street-smart as they came, had become his lifeline. They had taken him in, shared their food, their secrets, their hideouts. In the harsh world of Southside, that meant everything.
"Come on, Blue," Mia said, handing him a sandwich. "Eat up. We've got a long night ahead."
He took the sandwich, his stomach growling in anticipation. "Thanks, Mia." He took a bite, the flavors exploding in his mouth. It wasn't gourmet, but right now, it was the best thing he'd ever tasted.
"I know that's not who I think it is."
The laughter that had filled the alleyway moments before was suddenly silenced by the cold, harsh voice that echoed off the graffiti-covered walls. The kids turned in unison, their faces paling as they recognized the three figures blocking their only exit.
The tallest of the trio, a lanky guy with a shaved head, had a snake tattoo curling around his neck, its beady eyes seeming to watch them. Beside him, a beefy guy with a perpetual scowl looked like he was perpetually ready for a fight. The third, a wiry girl with a nose ring, had a smirk that spelled trouble. Her eyes, cold and calculating, darted around the group, taking in the food spread before them.
"Look who we have here," the tall one drawled, his voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Little rats scurrying about in our territory."
The wiry girl snickered, her eyes fixed on the food. "Yeah, and it looks like they've found some cheese."
Jamal, always the bravest of the bunch, stepped forward, his voice defiant. "Dax, Spike, Tank. Last I checked, this ain't Grime's Hollow. You don't own these streets."
Dax, the tall one, tilted his head, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Jamal, buddy, we've talked about this."
"Talked about what?" Jamal shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "All you do is run us off every time you find us. We don't talk."
Blue's heart raced. The Slum Snakes. They were just a bunch of wannabes, but they were dangerous. They thrived on fear, and right now, they were basking in it.
"Shut up," the beefy one, known as Tank, growled, stepping forward and deliberately crushing a bag of chips under his boot. "We know y'all been stealing. Where's our cut?"
"C-cut?" Mia stammered, her green eyes wide with fear.
"Protection money," Tank explained, his voice dripping with condescension. "Our cut."
"Protection money?" Jamal echoed, his voice dripping with disbelief. "None of us work, genius."
The wiry girl, whose name was Spike, lunged at Mia, but Blue stepped in front, blocking her path. Without warning, Tank shoved him hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Ow, that's gonna leave a mark, Blue thought, gritting his teeth against the pain.
Jamal, anger evident in his eyes, stepped forward again. "Back off!" he shouted, trying to push Tank away.
Dax laughed, a sound that sent shivers down Blue's spine. "You think you can stand up to us? You're just kids."
"We don't want any trouble," Mia said, her voice trembling slightly.
Katie stood by her side, her eyes darting around, looking for an escape route. "Yeah, j-just leave us alone."
Spike smirked, her eyes glinting with malice. "We don't really want your money. We just like reminding you not to steal on our turf."
The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. The Slum Snakes were clearly enjoying the power they held over the group, but Blue wasn't about to let them have the last laugh.
"Yeah, we get it," he said, forcing himself to his feet. "You're the big bad Slum Snakes. Now slither away."
He could almost feel Jamal's wince, the older boy's fingers clenching into fists. The alleyway was silent for a moment, the tension palpable. The Slum Snakes exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.
Dax stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Blue. "You've got a lot of nerve, kid," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "But nerve won't save you."
Blue swallowed hard, his mind racing. He needed a plan, and fast. The Slum Snakes were closing in, and there was nowhere to run.
"Spikey," Dax's voice cut through the tension, his hand outstretched to his side. "Bat me, please."
Spikey, the wiry girl with the nose ring, smirked, revealing a row of silver-capped teeth. She reached behind her, pulling out an aluminum bat that glinted menacingly in the dim light. "You got it, boss."
Dax caught the bat with ease, twirling it in his hand. "What would I do without you, Spikey?" he mused, his voice dripping with false sweetness. But then, his tone shifted, becoming cold and menacing. "Now, back to you little rats. Seems like somebody needs to learn to speak when spoken to."
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Blue's heart raced, each beat echoing loudly in his ears. The alleyway, once a familiar refuge, now felt like a trap. The gleam of the metal bat seemed to hypnotize him, and he couldn't tear his eyes away. Oh man, this is bad. Really, really bad.
He tried to back away, but his feet felt like they were encased in cement. The other kids were frozen too, their faces pale, eyes wide with fear. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, making it hard to think. I need to... I need to... But what? What could he possibly do?
Then, a desperate idea formed. It was a long shot, but it was all he had. Taking a deep breath, he pointed behind the Slum Snakes and screamed at the top of his lungs, "SUPERMAN!"
For a split second, the gangsters hesitated, glancing over their shoulders. That moment was all he needed. He bolted, following the lead of his friends who were already sprinting away. But they were faster, their worn-out shoes giving them more traction compared to his threadbare socks. He could feel his energy waning, the lack of food in his stomach making itself known. But the Slum Snakes were quick to recover, and he could hear their footsteps pounding behind him.
Come on, come on! he urged himself, pushing his legs to move faster. But then, a sharp pain shot up his foot, causing him to stumble and fall. He looked back to see the rock that had tripped him up, cursing under his breath.
Rolling onto his back, he saw Dax approaching, the bat raised, his grin even wider now. "You're gonna pay for messing with us, brat," he sneered.
Desperation surged through Blue. He had to act fast. Grabbing a handful of garbage beside him, he hurled it straight at Dax's face. The sudden distraction worked. Dax staggered back, momentarily blinded, the bat swinging wildly to the side.
Seizing the opportunity, Blue scrambled to his feet and bolted, darting into a side alley. His heart pounded in his ears, the adrenaline pushing him forward. But as he ran, a sinking realization hit him: the alley was a dead end.
No, no, no! Panic welled up inside him. He was trapped. The walls of the buildings on either side were too high to climb, and there was no other exit. He could hear the angry shouts of the Slum Snakes getting closer.
He backed up against the wall, looking around frantically for anything he could use as a weapon or a way out. But there was nothing. Just old crates, discarded trash, and the cold, unforgiving brick wall behind him.
Dax's mocking laughter echoed down the alley as he approached, the bat swinging menacingly by his side. "Thought you could get away, huh?" he taunted. Spikey and Tank flanked him, cutting off any chance of escape.
Blue took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had to think fast. He couldn't let them corner him like this. But with every passing second, his options dwindled, and the weight of the situation pressed down on him.
His mind raced, searching for a way out. But with the gangsters nearing him, all he could do was hope for a miracle.
"What should I break first, your arms or your legs?" Dax cackled, his voice echoing off the walls of the alley, making it sound even more sinister. "I'll be nice and let you choose."
Blue's heart raced, each beat echoing loudly in his ears. The walls of the alley seemed to close in on him, the weight of his situation pressing down hard. His stomach churned, a sickening drop like he was on the world's worst rollercoaster. The grimy bricks, the discarded trash, everything seemed to blur together as panic set in.
The bat-wielding gangster's smirk seemed to grow wider and more menacing the closer he got, his intentions clear. Blue's mind raced, searching for a way out, but coming up empty. I wish I could be like Superman, he thought desperately, the name echoing in his mind like a mantra. Superman. Superman.
"SUPERMAN!" The word spilled out for the second time that afternoon, more of a plea than a shout. As it did, an unfamiliar sensation began to build behind his eyes. It was like a pressure cooker, the energy bubbling and rising, threatening to explode. His vision started to blur, the edges darkening, and a sharp, piercing pain shot through his skull. He groaned, the sound escaping his lips before he could stop it.
Then, without warning, everything turned BLUE.
It burst from his eyes like fire, scorching him from the inside out. The sensation was overwhelming, like his very soul was being torn apart and set ablaze. A brilliant burst of blue heat filled his vision and erupted out into the alley, making the air scream nearly as loud as he did. It lashed out, a laser-like beam that sliced through the air with a force he couldn't comprehend.
The beam melted the tip of Dax's bat, turning it to slag instantly. The nearby dumpster bore the brunt of his gaze next, the metal hissing and steaming as it began to warp and melt. And then, as he instinctively turned his gaze skyward, trying to avoid causing more damage, the beam burned a hole in the upper terrace of a building, sending bricks and debris crashing down.
Blue's scream echoed through the alley, raw and primal. The pain was unbearable, like his eyes and veins were on fire. The energy continued to pour out of him, cutting through everything in its path with intense force. He could feel the heat, the power, the sheer force of it as it burned out of his eyes.
As quickly as it had started, the energy sputtered and died, leaving Blue gasping for breath, his vision slowly returning to normal. The alley was filled with smoke and the acrid smell of burning metal, Dax and his gang nowhere to be seen.
Blue slumped against the wall, his legs giving out beneath him. He was exhausted, drained, and utterly confused. What just happened? he thought, trying to make sense of it all. Was that... was that me?
He looked around at the destruction he had caused, the melted metal, the scorched bricks, and the hole in the building. It was hard to believe that he, a thirteen-year-old boy, had done all that. But as he sat there, trying to catch his breath, one thought kept running through his mind: I wish I could be like Superman. And maybe, just maybe, that wish had come true.
Am I...? The thought was cut off as he blinked, trying to clear the afterimages from his vision.
Okay, that was cool, but also kinda scary. That really just happened? He tried to steady himself, but his legs felt like jelly. He stumbled forward, body trembling as he tried to keep his eyes open and body upright. Wha…
As he swayed, a shadow fell over him. He squinted against the sun, his heart skipping a beat as he recognized the iconic silhouette hovering above. The red cape, the emblem on the chest, the strong jawline. It was unmistakable.
It's him! It's actually Superman! The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Did he hear me scream? This is so cool! Wait, is he here for me? The excitement was short-lived, though, as a wave of dizziness washed over him again. It felt like the energy was being siphoned out of him, leaving him drained and weak.
The world around him began to tilt and the boy stumbled forward. Whoa, head's spinning.
He took in a sharp breath, but that barely seemed to help. What's happening to me?
Help! He tried to call out, but his voice failed him like his legs, lungs barely drawing air anymore.
As his knees buckled, he felt a strong hand catch him, preventing him from hitting the ground. The last thing he saw before everything went black was the concerned face of Superman, looking down at him.
+ 75 XP
+ 75 XP
+ 125 XP
> Skill Gained!
>
> Heat Vision Lvl 1!
> Feats Unlocked!
>
> First Strike!
>
> You've defeated your first enemy, marking the start of your journey.
>
> + 250 XP
>
>
>
> Iconic Inspiration I
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> Tapping into the might of legendary heroes and villains.
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> + 1000 XP
>
>
>
> Peacekeeper I
>
> Not all heroes resort to violence. Defeated your first foe without a fight.
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> + 1000 XP
>
>
>
> Triple Threat Trumped!
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> Defeated three enemies at once.
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> + 1000 XP
>
>
>
> Raw Force (of Personality) I
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> Intimidate your first enemy into submission.
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> + 2500 XP
>
> + 5 CHA
>
>
>
> Beyond the Limit I
>
> Defeat all enemies after draining your energy pool below zero.
>
> + 2500 XP
>
> + 100% Power Boost for next 24 hrs after awakening
>
> + No regeneration debuff for draining energy into negatives.
>
>
>
> Giant Slayer I
>
> Against all odds, you defeated an enemy twice your level.
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> + 2500 XP
>
>
>
> Giant Slayer II
>
> Against all odds, you defeated 3 enemies twice your level.
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> + 5000 XP
>
>
>
> Civilian Savior I
>
> Putting the people first. You saved 5 civilians from danger.
>
> + 1500 XP
>
>
>
> Starting Out!
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> Dipping your feet into combat at Level 5.
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> + 2 Perk Points
>
> + 10 Stat Points
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>
>
> The Man (of Steel) Himself!
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> In the heart of Metropolis, you crossed paths with Superman.
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> + 5000 XP
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>
>
> Emerging Hero!
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> Your power grows as you hit Level 10.
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> + 2 Perk Points
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> + 10 Stat Points
>
>
>
> Level Up x 10
>
> You are now Level 11.
> Health: 90/200
>
> Energy: -100/200
>
> XP: 19000/20000