-26 February 2003
Today, Captain Marvel flew low over the skyscrapers of Star City, feeling the fresh breeze of the sunset as the sun slowly set on the horizon, bathing the city in orange hues. He was only passing through to get to know the famous city from the DC world better, exploring a little before continuing his journey to other parts of USA. Since he didn't know the city very well, he decided to take his time to visit this and other well-known cities from the DC universe.
His feats and the name Captain Marvel had slowly spread throughout America, from Argentina to Canada. Now, when people saw him flying, they knew who he was and no longer confused him with Superman, who mostly stayed in Metropolis and only intervened elsewhere in emergencies.
He even took the time to stop occasionally and sign a few autographs. And although he would never admit it out loud, he loved the feeling of being famous and treated like a celebrity.
As he passed over a busy avenue, he saw a small group of people gathered in front of a giant screen at a shopping mall. The news was in full swing, and although he didn't pay much attention at first, one word immediately caught his ear.
"Green Arrow."
He slowed his flight and hovered at a prudent distance. The words from the newscast echoed in the air:
"Today, once again, Green Arrow's actions divide our community. What some call a vigilante crusade, others see as a threat to public safety. The hooded vigilante is still loose, fighting crime on his own," the presenter said.
"Green Arrow, a threat?" Marvel wondered, frowning slightly as he listened from above. He glanced at the people watching the screen, some with worried expressions, others just curious.
The screen showed footage of Green Arrow, the hooded hero jumping between rooftops and firing arrows with pinpoint accuracy, disarming some robbers in seconds.
'Well, he's definitely efficient at his job,' he thought, half-smiling as he watched the powerless hero handle criminals with ease. 'The guy clearly knows what he's doing'
For him, it was always admirable when a hero with no special powers could handle these situations perfectly.
"Although his interventions have significantly reduced violent crimes in our city, we cannot forget that Green Arrow operates outside the law. The police have called him a 'disruptive element' who, while effective, poses a risk to both civilians and officers," the presenter continued.
Marvel took a deep breath.
"Seems like in this DC world, they're still not very tolerant of heroes yet…" he reflected. "The system still treats them as a problem just because they don't play by their rules..."
He knew what it felt like to be judged. Not every place he had been to as Captain Marvel had accepted him; many had their criticisms. But his situation was easier than other heroes' since he didn't belong to any one specific place. He wandered without a fixed base, helping and intervening where he felt it was needed, so his image as a hero wasn't tied down to one city that could pass judgment on him.
Besides, he was Captain Marvel, the "great hero," the only one truly helping all over the continent and making people across many countries smile, earning their sympathy. Some even wanted to call him Captain America instead of Marvel, but he refused to answer to that name, no matter how many called him that.
Returning his focus to the news, he listened to the interviews with the citizens on the screen. As usual, opinions were divided.
"Look, I don't deny he's done some good, but… who controls him? Today he decides to help, but what about tomorrow… if he crosses the line? Who's going to stop him?" a woman on the screen said.
Marvel rolled his eyes slightly at that.
"It's the eternal question," Marvel muttered to himself. "What if a hero abuses their power?"
Of course, the concern was legitimate, he knew that. After all, he himself lived with the responsibility of great power… 'Well, this is starting to sound like Spider-Man,' he thought with amusement, though it was undeniable that this was a reality.
Another citizen appeared on the screen, a young man in a football jersey and cap:
"Green Arrow's a hero! The police can't handle everything, and he's filling that gap. Let him keep doing his job."
Marvel nodded slightly in midair, agreeing with the young man.
"Exactly. It's not always black and white. Sometimes, you need someone who can see the gray and act accordingly," Marvel said to no one.
The newscast continued as Captain Marvel hovered silently, watching people's reactions. Some murmured quietly, discussing what they had just seen. A group of two men seemed especially caught up in the conversation.
"Green Arrow's no Superman! He's dangerous to have out there on his own," said a slightly overweight man.
"But who else is gonna do his job? The police can't handle all the crime in this city. If he wasn't around, Star City would be a mess," replied the other man, looking skinny in contrast.
Captain Marvel observed them for a moment before gently flying to a nearby rooftop, far enough not to be seen but close enough to keep reflecting on what he had just heard.
'It's not easy being a hero in a city like this,' he thought, watching the lights of Star City turn on one by one as night fell. 'Especially when neither the authorities nor the people fully back you"
He had the luxury of flying across different countries, being welcomed in most cities, and if he wasn't, he simply ignored them and left—he could do that. He didn't have to stick around or help people who didn't appreciate his assistance. He was never one for that "turn the other cheek" stuff.
But he knew that for someone like Green Arrow or other heroes tied to a specific city, operating in the shadows and outside the law, the game was different.
He really doubted he'd have the patience to do what they did and put up with all the criticism.
He stood in silence, watching as the news moved on to other topics, but the image of Green Arrow stuck in his mind.
'The question's always the same, like in those Spider-Man movies: hero or menace?' he thought with a smirk. 'But what a lot of people don't understand is that sometimes, a hero has to walk that thin line to do what others can't'
With one last look at the city, Marvel smiled.
"Well, I definitely don't need everyone's approval. I'm just happy with the fame," he finally said, taking off into the sky, letting the wind carry him toward his next destination as the lights of Star City gradually dimmed below him.
...
Now, Captain Marvel was walking the streets of Metropolis, feeling the energy of the great city around him. This time, he had decided to try and go unnoticed, dressing casually in a baseball cap and sunglasses to avoid curious glances, winning him a few amused and mocking glances since, well, only an idiot wears sunglasses when there's no fucking sun.
Also his imposing figure made it hard to be just another face in the crowd, but it was still much better than flying around in his red and gold suit—Superman would probably spot him instantly if he did that.
The streets of Metropolis were lively as always. The buildings gleamed under the many bright lights of the surroundings, and the city, known as the "Big Apricot," had a unique sense of hope. Every corner was infused with the influence of its famous and beloved hero, Superman.
At one corner, he stopped in front of a storefront where a large TV was showing the morning news. The tone of the broadcast was clear from the start: Metropolis was proud of its hero.
'Yep, completely opposite of what I saw with poor Green Arrow' he thought with amusement at the stark difference between their reputations.
"And now, some news that probably won't surprise anyone. Superman continues to be the most beloved hero in Metropolis, and in fact, in the entire country. In a recent survey, an astounding 90% of citizens said they fully trust him," the smiling presenter said.
Marvel looked at the screen with a small smile.
"Of course they trust him," he muttered to himself. "It's Superman, the quintessential hero"
The screen showed Superman descending from the sky, his cape billowing behind him as he stopped a building from collapsing. The people below clapped and cheered, clearly relieved by his presence.
'Hmm... It's kind of amazing' he thought. 'The way people look at him… like he's the answer to everything'
He himself deeply admired Superman, not just for his power but for what he represented. In a world full of uncertainty and chaos, Superman was a constant beacon of hope.
Oh Captain Marvel knew that as a hero, he was accomplishing great things, but even he felt that seeing Superman made him realize how far he had to go to reach that same level of trust people had in Clark Kent.
Though he doubted he'd ever be like Superman. After all, they were fundamentally different, starting with the simple fact that Marvel sought fame more out of personal interest, while Clark Kent had fame because he was genuinely a pure-hearted hero—something Captain Marvel knew he could never be 100%.
Sure, he liked helping people when he could, but his priority had always been himself.
The news screen switched to a press conference, where the President of the United States praised Superman with a sincere smile.
"Superman doesn't just protect our city, he protects our country and the world. He's a true example of heroism, someone we can all rely on," the President said, sounding like he truly believed every word.
Captain Marvel watched in silence as the President's words echoed on the TV.
'Interesting… Superman's got the total support of the government and the country, unlike most other heroes' He knew that, compared to other heroes with more ambiguous identities—sometimes even called vigilantes—who operated in the shadows and mysticism, Superman, well, Superman was simply different. Was a symbol that everyone kept their eyes on, expecting him to do the right thing without fail, always saving the day in plain view of the public.
'I guess that's what Superman does best' Marvel thought. 'Not only does he save lives, but he makes everyone here feel like they can move forward, like they're safe'
The presenter on the newscast resumed his enthusiastic speech, with a smile that seemed almost permanent.
"There's no doubt about it, Metropolis. We have a hero who not only protects us but inspires us as well. Long live Superman!"
"Long live Superman, huh?" Captain Marvel smiled at the enthusiasm of the citizens. He looked around. Despite being in Superman's city, where people saw their hero in the sky every day, there was no sense of complacency. People were still going about their lives—working, studying, and so on.
As the news continued, Marvel decided to keep walking, though he couldn't help but reflect as he moved through the crowded streets.
'I wonder' he thought, 'what would they think of me here?'
Metropolis was Superman's city, a place where the standards of heroism were practically impossible to match. He, as Captain Marvel, had a different approach with his more laid-back, carefree, and probably less heroic style.
He didn't plan to deal with the politics or constant media attention like Superman. At least not now. He would do what he wanted and enjoy his day-to-day life as Captain Marvel. He loved being able to spend time in this form, which was similar to his past self as Adam. To him, this form was already like his second identity, separate from Namor.
Sometimes he wondered if maybe he had something similar to DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), also known by some as Multiple Personality Disorder.
But he didn't really believe his situation was that complex and doubted he actually had two distinct personalities or "alter egos" with their own memories, thought patterns, and behaviors. Besides, he didn't experience any memory gaps or "dissociative amnesia" when switching identities. He was always the same; he just felt one way as Namor and another as Captain Marvel, which was more similar to his past self as Adam. One could say he simply acted differently depending on whether he was one or the other—it was just a simple variability in behavior, nothing serious.
And to back this up, he had Gamer's Mind, which made it practically impossible to have any kind of psychological disorder. So, it had to be just a feeling he created himself when switching from his Atlantean form to his Captain Marvel form.
Nothing too worrying… or at least that's what he told himself, since he had full faith that if it were something truly problematic, Gamer's Mind would fix it for him.
As he continued walking, lost in his sudden thoughts, he was finally distracted by the sight of an elderly couple in the distance arguing about the latest Superman feat they had seen on the news.
"Did you see how he stopped that building from collapsing? Incredible! I don't know what we'd do without him."
"We're lucky to live here," replied the wife, smiling proudly. "Not every city can say they have Superman..."
'Yep, they definitely love him' Marvel thought. 'Heh maybe sometime if I meet Superman face to face I can pull a joke on him to make believe that I'm his Kryptonian relative...'
'Um, no, rather not, I don't think he'll take the joke too well'
...
Captain Marvel had left behind the bright, vibrant colors of Metropolis and was now in Gotham City, a place shrouded in shadows.
The change was overwhelming. Unlike Metropolis, where everything seemed so bright and promising, in Gotham, the darkness seemed permanent, impenetrable and the atmosphere was one of constant vigilance in which people lived each day the way they could.
A thick fog covered the streets, and the sound of sirens and traffic mixed with the endless murmurs of a city that never slept.
He had decided to pass through Gotham to get a firsthand look at the environment he'd always heard about in the DC world. He knew this place had the famous Batman, a hero known to operate in a gray area. Although there wasn't much information about the Bat in this world yet.
Marvel landed gently on a rooftop, watching the horizon of dark buildings, like an ocean of cement and steel, covered by low clouds and smog.
Not wanting to meet Batman just yet, he decided to keep a low profile again, changing into civilian clothes to walk the streets unnoticed.
As he walked, he came across an old tech store on the street. Curious to know how this city viewed the famous Batman after what he'd seen with Green Arrow and Superman, he turned on a small television he found inside.
He flipped through channels until he finally found one where the local news was talking about the topic:
"In Gotham, the streets have once again become a battleground. The Dark Knight, better known as Batman, has been spotted once again facing off against the city's criminals. But is his presence really what Gotham needs?" the presenter said in a serious tone.
Marvel tilted his head slightly.
"Battleground…" he murmured to himself. In Gotham, everything felt like a constant fight. The streets radiated tension, and it didn't surprise him that the presenter described the city that way.
The screen showed grainy footage of a shadow moving across rooftops, a black blur leaping from a building. Batman—or more accurately, his silhouette—descended upon a group of criminals. The fog and shadows made his figure almost indistinguishable, but his presence was undeniable. Just seeing him move, a specter in the darkness, caused the criminals to flee in terror.
Marvel smiled to himself.
'Seems like the DC world doesn't give him all the credit he deserves… Batman's got a freaky talent for scaring the crap out of criminals'
'Though knowing he's just a man in a bat costume is pretty funny...'
Still, as funny as it might seem to him, it was obvious that Gotham and Batman were extensions of one another. The city reflected his dark spirit, and he responded with a presence that seemed more myth than real.
"Well... Superman and Batman are definitely just two sides of the same coin" he muttered to himself, then continued listening to the presenter:
"Although the number of crimes has decreased, the local police, led by Commissioner James Gordon, still do not officially support his methods. Some officers claim Batman acts as a rogue element, creating more problems than he solves," the presenter reported.
Marvel crossed his arms, deep in thought.
"Umm, just like Green Arrow… No matter how effective you are… if you don't follow the rules, you'll always be seen as a problem. Especially if your presence in one place is constant. Not everyone can be like Superman"
The news footage switched to an interview with an anonymous police officer, his face blurred and voice distorted to protect his identity. Marvel sharpened his hearing as the voice came through the screen.
"Every time Batman shows up, things get more dangerous. Sure, I don't deny he cleans up the streets, but he leaves us with chaos that we have to deal with afterward. Plus, his methods… they're violent. They don't always respect the law," the officer said.
The camera returned to the studio, where the presenter maintained her usual serious expression.
"In the streets of Gotham, opinions on Batman remain polarizing. While many see him as the only effective defense against organized crime and the crazies that haunt our city, others wonder: how long can he keep operating outside the law before his luck runs out?"
Captain Marvel turned off the TV, letting the sound of the city take control of the atmosphere again.
He knew Batman wasn't the type to sit around waiting for the system's approval. He wasn't like Superman…
"It's pretty incredible to think he's just a man with no powers, but if Gotham didn't have him, it would be lost," he thought, not being a big fan of Batman but still admiring the man. "And what others see as a problem, they don't understand that here, he's literally the only thing preventing total chaos."
With one last look at Gotham's streets, Marvel took off gently into the night sky. As he flew away, he wondered what Gotham would be like with someone like Superman instead of Batman…
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Hi there!
Well folks, All done!
Now I'm finally about to start the real deal, the part which I consider to be the actual good stuff. It's not that I don't like all the previous chapters, but I find it more boring to write chapters that are more to create a context for the upcoming story rather than writing the really interesting scenarios.
Sometimes I wish I could just write those without giving a lot of background, but well, if I want this to make sense to others and be a good story it's inevitable to have to write some extra stuff that I don't really enjoy.
But now I can start hehehe. Yeah, I'm happy. Finally come those things for which I really started to write this.