Preparing myself, I knew I had at least one or two days before Starfire arrived, so I focused heavily on training my strength and speed, as well as shaping up my black whip so I could unlock Starfire's cuffs.
I managed to get my average to 50% now, and I can push it to 65% without hurting myself too badly.
The night of Starfire's return was far away from Earth. A sleek spaceship traversed the solar system, its metallic hull shimmering under the distant sunlight. On a warship orbiting a nearby planet, two intimidating blue aliens with armored exoskeletons and piercing red eyes were chained inside a massive, reinforced cell. They wielded crimson-tipped spears, their scales glinting with a faint blue hue, and green dorsal fins ran along their backs, fluttering as they screamed in distress.
"Will the door hold?" asked one guard, his voice tense.
"It must be. She is scheduled for delivery on time," replied another guard, adjusting his armor.
"What if she breaks out?" asked the third guard, glancing nervously at the thick energy barriers.
"Then may the gods help us," said the second guard, as more screams erupted from inside the cell. Suddenly, the massive door shattered and crashed to the ground.
A few seconds later, a teenage girl with fiery red hair, vibrant green eyes, and orange-toned skin burst into the corridor. She wore a purple crown insignia on her forehead, a form-fitting purple outfit with metallic cuffs on her wrists, and was speaking in an alien language filled with harsh glottal sounds.
She crushed through guards in her path, her movements swift and fierce, until she reached an escape hatch and swiftly flew away toward a nearby planet, disappearing into the starry expanse.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, I had just finished apprehending a thug who had robbed a convenience store. As I looked up, a flash of emerald light streaked across the sky followed by a massive explosion that shook the cityscape.
"She's finally here. It begins," I said determinedly, leaping into the air and following the source of the chaos.
I soon arrived at her location. She was frantically smashing through buildings, trying to remove a curse that seemed to afflict her, destroying the block in her rage. She turned herself into a supporting beam, smashing into the pizza place's structure and pounding at it.
Using the battering ram I had earlier, I struck her crown, causing her to turn and focus on me. "Hi there, I'm Deku, the new hero in town. And you are?" I said, as she charged at me. I dodged her attacks with ease, deploying a few smoke bombs to disorient her. She kicked up a car and hurled it my way, but I twisted aside just in time.
"Do you want to play? Fine, let's play," I said, powering up to 20% of One For All and unleashing a punch that sent her flying back several feet, though I hurt myself in the process.
"Okay, you're stronger than I thought," I admitted, shaking my right hand and feeling a sting.
She quickly stepped out of the wreckage, speaking in an alien tongue, preparing to strike again when a green goat-like form transformed back into a young boy in a black and purple outfit with a matching mask and striking green skin.
"Ex-Doom Patrol Beast Boy reporting for duty, sir. How can I help?" he saluted.
"Well, you can start by not calling me sir. I'm not that old. We're practically the same age, and we've got bigger problems," I said, pointing toward the side where Starfire had just grabbed a bus and shot it at us.
"Move aside before another teenager, wearing a gray hoodie and black pants, arrives and catches the bus, setting it down safely."
"Who's messing up my neighborhood?" asked the teen.
"She started it," Beast Boy said, pointing at Starfire. She was approaching us, her cuffs partially uncovered as she rubbed her wrists, revealing the unprotected skin beneath. She helped free her hands and began blasting towards us.
I covered all three of us with black whips, intercepting an explosion before releasing it and activating SmokeScreen to obscure our positions from incoming attacks.
Massive property damage ensued as we hid behind a bus, desperately trying to stop her.
"The girls will flatten the whole city if we don't stop her," said the teenager.
"Then we'll stop her," I declared, and we charged again. Suddenly, dark magic enveloped the area in the shape of a raven, halting our assault.
"Maybe fighting isn't the answer," suggested another teenager, wearing a purple cloak with black and purple armor beneath, her white porcelain skin exposed at the legs.
"She might be right. Stay here," I said, feeling a twinge of reluctance, but she quickly raised her fist to me.
"Well, I'm just going to unlock your cuffs with these," I said, revealing my black whip.
Though she hesitated, I slowly lowered her hand and used my whip as a key to unlock the cuffs, which fell to the ground.
"See? Now can you?" Before I finished, she ripped off part of my mask, pulled my head close, and kissed me—surprising me, though I'd anticipated this.
She pushed me away and declared, "If you don't leave me alone, you'll be destroyed," then flew off into the distance. I retrieved my mask and quickly put it back on before anyone noticed.
"Well, whoever she was, she sure knows how to make an impression," said the teenager.
"I think we made a good impression," Beast Boy said with a smile.
"I don't think it's over. I highly doubt whoever put those cuffs on her will leave her be," I said as I started walking off. Noticing that the others didn't follow.
"Are you guys coming or what?" I asked, noticing one girl and the other teenager looking surprised.
"You want us to help?" asked a female.
"Yes. Why wouldn't I? You just helped me fight her, and I don't see why I shouldn't want you with me."
"Maybe because I'm an accident—a cyborg, a freak," said Cyborg, removing his hoodie to reveal half his face covered in metal with a glowing red eye.
"Dude, if you're a freak, what am I? What about Beast Boy?" I asked, gesturing to myself and pointing at his green skin.
"Trust me, you're in good company. No one here thinks you're a freak," replied one of them.
Suddenly, a massive alien ship appeared over the city, projecting a hologram of its leader.
"People of Earth, we have come to hunt your planet's prisoner. Hand her over, or we will destroy your city," the hologram announced before cutting out, as hundreds of fish-like aliens streamed into the streets.
"Now I'm 100% sure I'll need your help," I said firmly. The others hesitated, but nodded.
"Are you coming?" I asked, turning to Raven.
"I'm not sure I should. If you knew what I was, you wouldn't want me there," she replied.
"I know you stepped in when I said someone was in danger—that's all I need to know you're a good person," I said with a reassuring smile, as we all moved to find Starfire.
We maneuvered through alleyways to avoid attracting attention. "We need to find her. If only we had a way to track," I said.
"She's nearby," Raven said. "I can sense her."
"There's a sonic vibration in my arm. I can use it to track her," Cyborg added, activating a device that picked up her heartbeat. Following the signal, we arrived at a video game store.
Inside, Starfire was eating junk food, her eyes glowing green as she prepared to fire.
"Relax, we're friends. You don't have to blast us," I said, raising my hands. "You don't have to destroy us."
"Why did you free me?" she asked, her hands still shimmering.
"We're trying to help. You know, be kind," I responded.
"On my planet, kindness is weakness," she snapped, growing angry.
"Here, nice means strong. Tell us—why is the Lizard King after you?" Cyborg asked.
"Not a prisoner, an prisoner. The Gordanians want to deliver me to the Citadel to serve as their prisoner," she explained, calming down.
"And the Citadel?" Raven questioned.
"It's not a safe place," she replied.
"Then we won't let them take you," I declared, just as the wall behind us exploded, revealing Gordanian soldiers.
They charged, but we were ready. I powered up to 20% of One For All, Beast Boy turned into a rhinoceros, and Raven cast magic shields. Cyborg cracked his knuckles, and Starfire readied her energy.
We fought them fiercely, taking down soldiers one by one. I grabbed an alien near me, tossing him into another, and used my black whips to trip and disarm others.
Cyborg tore off his armor to reveal his metallic body, while Beast Boy transformed into a pterodactyl, scooping up enemies. Raven's magic and Starfire's energy blasts helped us push back.
Finally, the fight ended, and the soldiers retreated, leaving us victorious.
"Thanks," Starfire said, exhausted.
"My suit's torn, but I look cool without it," Beast Boy quipped.
"Yeah, sure you do," I teased. "My mask is way better."
"Goofy—that's what you call it?" Raven muttered, shaking her head.
"Secret identity? I don't need one. I'm green," Beast Boy said, removing his mask and revealing his bright green hair.
"This isn't over. If their leader comes back, he'll most likely try to keep his end of the bargain and destroy the city," I warned, just as a massive hologram of the alien leader appeared.
"Fools! You Earth scum were warned. Now I will destroy your city," he declared as his ship moved to attack.
"Besides smashing a pizza place and a video store, we've made a space conqueror angry enough to want to wipe out the city," Beast Boy said with a nervous laugh.
"It's all your fault. You should have left me alone. If you'd done that, none of this would be happening," Starfire yelled, enlarging her head comically and scolding me.
"My fault? You tried to smash me with your gauntlets, then blast my head off, then kissed me. They just destroyed the city!" I shot back.
Our argument escalated until Raven interrupted. "Quiet!" she demanded.
"It doesn't matter whose fault it is. We're in this together, and we'll get out of it together," I said, placing my hand in the center. The others nodded.
"No. That's how we're going to get up there," I added, referring to the ship. "I can fly, but we'd be spotted instantly."
"I can teleport us using my shadow powers," Raven offered.
"Good idea. Everyone, huddle up," I said, as we gathered close. A black spear of energy appeared around us.
We materialized in a dark alley on the ship. "Ugh, that dark energy gives me the creeps," Beast Boy remarked. Cyborg elbowed him gently, nodding toward Raven.
"He didn't mean that. He just isn't used to it," I said, trying to ease her discomfort.
"It's fine," she replied, pretending indifference.
"Do you know where the controls are for the giant cannon?" I asked.
"The bridge has the weapon's controls. We can stop them if we get there," Starfire said.
"Let's go," I ordered. As we moved, I noticed Raven was staying close.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"You said I'm creepy," she replied.
"He's green, Cyborg's metal, she's an alien, and I'm from another dimension. You're in good company," I said, and she looked at me with a small smile.
"Another dimension? Really?" she asked.
"I'll tell you everything when the time is right, but now's not that time," I assured her, walking beside Starfire.
"I'm a burden. I owe you an apology," Starfire said softly.
"It's okay. I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier," I responded.
"And you are being nice—on my home planet, only my Konopka showed me kindness," she said.
"Things are different here. I'll show you kindness every day," I promised, noticing her blush.
"Guys, I think they know we're here," a boy ahead of us warned, pointing at a line of approaching soldiers.
Charging up 10% of my power, I prepared to face them as Beast Boy, Raven, and Cyborg handled the ones behind us. We reached the bridge quickly and tore down the door.
"We're more than five heroes— we're a team," I declared, as I used my black whips to toss soldiers into each other, while Cyborg punched others away. Beast Boy turned into a kangaroo, kicking enemies, as the commander shoved him into a wall.
He was about to crush Beast Boy when Raven cast a magic shield. I delivered a punch and a kick to the commander, knocking him down. He cut my leg with his white arm tracker, then sent me sprawling into a wall.
"Deku!" Starfire shouted, rushing to attack, but she was slammed to the ground by the general. Her energy-infused fists struck him, forcing him to retreat. Cyborg and Starfire teamed up, delivering punches until they were overpowered and slammed into the wall.
I noticed the tracker on his arm—could it turn into a weapon? I asked.
"Only one way to find out," Cyborg said. Before we could act, the soldiers surrounded us.
"Get away from my friends, Azeroth Metreon Zitos!" Raven shouted, unleashing a massive magic blast that knocked out the aliens and disarmed the cannon.
The general extended his claws, about to attack, but Cyborg transformed his arm into a sonic cannon, striking him down. "Okay, I'm only doing this once. Booyah!" he cheered.
As dawn broke, I stood on the island where the enormous pillar had been. A hologram of the alien leader appeared.
"Man, someone should build a house out here," Cyborg commented.
"Hey, that could be us. Living out here wouldn't be so bad," I said.
"Yeah, if you don't mind the sun, the beach, and having fun," Beast Boy added, glancing at Raven.
"You're a funny guy," she replied.
"Do you think I'm funny?" Beast Boy asked hopefully.
"Yes, like the little brother I never had," Raven said, ruffling his green hair.
"Please, do I look nice?" Starfire asked, wearing a purple crop top that exposed her midriff, a purple skirt, matching boots, and metal bands with gemstones on her neck.
"You look fantastic. Um, what's your name?" I asked, pretending I didn't know.
"My name is Coriander, but in your language, it translates to Starfire," she said.
"Welcome to Earth, Starfire," I greeted.
"Thank you all for your bravery and help. I wish to ask permission to become a main hero here with you," she said.
"You're more than welcome. I think we should form an official team," I replied.
"We're going to need a base," suggested Beast Boy.
"Why not here? We have the ship and this place, now that those aliens are gone," Cyborg agreed, knowing none of us had much money, especially Starfire.
"Leave that to me," I said.
Three months later, we had officially built the Titan Tower with city approval, becoming the town's superheroes. We relaxed in the common area, proud of our work.
"I guess it's time for me to introduce myself," I said, removing my mask and faceplate, revealing my face.
"My name is Izuku Midoriya. I'm not from this earth," I announced.
"You mean you're an alien like Starfire?" asked Beast Boy.
"No, I'm from another universe. Over 80% of my world's population has superpowers—and most use them for evil. That's where All Might comes in. He gave me these powers. I aim to defeat our ancient enemy, All For One, who can steal and master others' powers. A few weeks ago, I was transported here against my will by an unknown ancient being who said this world would need me. He also gifted me with vast knowledge of this world and infinite money, which allowed me to afford this place," I explained, earning surprised looks.
"Wow, that's a lot. So, you're the ninth user of this power and have inherited the abilities of the previous six?" Cyborg said.
"Do you ever wish to go home?" asked Starfire.
"Even if I could, I'm not sure I'd want to, after everything we've been through. I'm happy here," I replied.
"Thanks for sharing. I'm Victor Stone," Cyborg said.
"Rachel," Raven introduced herself.
"Garfield Logan," Beast Boy added.
Suddenly, an alarm blared. A robotic voice announced, "Alert: Bank Robbery in downtown is in progress."
"We'll discuss this later. Titans, go!" I ordered. We quickly flew out, Cyborg riding on Beast Boy's back, transforming into a pterodactyl