A month had passed since Xander first found himself thrust into the chaotic world of Gotham City, bonded to Steel and encased permanently in the Max Steel suit. It hadn't been easy adjusting to his new reality, but somehow, he was managing—barely.
In the beginning, things had been rough. Learning to control his TURBO-energy without blowing up half a block took patience and countless near-disasters. Steel had been instrumental, guiding Xander with precise instructions and endless sarcastic commentary.
"Remember when you almost vaporized that hot dog cart?" Steel teased, his voice buzzing through Xander's mind as they moved through the darkened alleys near Gotham's docks.
"You're never letting that go, are you?" Xander muttered.
"Negative. It was hilarious."
Despite Steel's constant banter, Xander had grown to appreciate his companion's presence. Together, they had taken down small-time crooks, disrupted illegal arms deals, and even thwarted a bank heist. Gotham's underworld was starting to take notice of the mysterious figure clad in sleek, futuristic armor.
Xander's camouflage ability had become second nature, allowing him to blend seamlessly into crowds when needed. Steel's advanced scanning capabilities had proven invaluable, not only for combat but also for keeping their activities under the radar of Gotham's more prominent vigilantes—especially Batman.
There had been close calls, though. One particularly tense encounter with Robin had nearly blown their cover.
"That guy is sharp," Xander had admitted after narrowly escaping detection.
"Indeed. Recommend avoiding direct engagement until tactical superiority is assured," Steel had advised.
Beyond the action, Xander had managed to establish a semblance of normalcy. Steel's technological prowess allowed them to legally acquire cash by analyzing and optimizing stock trades within ethical bounds.
"No illegal hacking," Xander had insisted firmly.
"Affirmative. Purely analytical genius at work," Steel had assured him.
With the funds, Xander rented a modest loft on the outskirts of the city, outfitting it with basic necessities and a secure workstation. He'd even managed to enroll in online classes to maintain some semblance of academic progress—though balancing that with crime-fighting was a challenge.
As they navigated the maze of shipping containers near the docks, Xander's thoughts drifted back to the countless hours of training and patrols.
"Think Gotham's starting to warm up to us?" he asked.
"Statistical analysis suggests a 32% increase in positive public perception," Steel reported. "Though some forums refer to you as 'The Turbo Ghost.'"
Xander snorted. "Turbo Ghost? Seriously? That's the best they could come up with?"
"Public branding is often suboptimal without professional consultation," Steel remarked. "We could have a better name."
"Let's put a pin in that," Xander said, his focus sharpening as they neared a cluster of heat signatures. Three figures stood near a crane, their body language tense.
"Energy levels are nominal, but this environment is suboptimal for covert operations. High concentrations of metallic debris and water can interfere with sensor calibration," Steel noted.
"Noted," Xander replied. "Why are we even here, Steel? This place screams 'bad idea.'"
"Intel analysis flagged increased criminal activity near the docks. This could be a key point for local underworld operations. Strategic reconnaissance advised."
Xander grimaced. "In English: You think there's bad guys here doing bad things."
"Affirmative," Steel confirmed cheerfully.
They moved silently through the maze of containers, the suit's enhanced sensors feeding data directly to Xander's HUD. Heat signatures flickered through the fog—three figures near a crane, armed and clearly agitated.
"They're packing heat," Xander noted. "What's the play?"
"Non-lethal takedown. Stealth preferred," Steel advised. Then, with a touch of enthusiasm, "Or we could go full TURBO-mode. You know, it really makes an impression."
"Let's save that for emergencies," Xander said dryly.
Creeping closer, Xander positioned himself behind a stack of crates, listening to the conversation.
"The shipment's late," one of the thugs growled, tapping the barrel of his pistol against his leg. "Boss isn't gonna like that."
"Maybe the Bat scared 'em off," another suggested nervously.
The leader spat on the ground. "Don't even joke about that. Batman ain't the only problem in this city. Heard rumors about some new player."
Xander tensed. "They're already hearing about me? Great."
"Congratulations," Steel quipped. "You're becoming a legend."
Xander rolled his eyes. "Focus."
With practiced precision, he launched himself forward, the suit enhancing his speed and strength. He disarmed the first thug with a swift twist of his wrist, sending the gun skittering across the concrete. A well-placed kick knocked the second thug to the ground.
The leader managed to fire off a shot, but the suit's energy shield absorbed the impact with a crackling hum.
"Impressive," Steel remarked. "But you're leaning too heavily on brute force. Efficiency is key."
"Thanks for the coaching," Xander muttered as he delivered a knockout punch.
The thugs lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious. Xander exhaled sharply, adrenaline still coursing through his veins.
Steel's tone shifted to analytical. "Incoming police response detected. Estimated arrival: three minutes."
"Time to disappear," Xander said, activating the camouflage overlay. They melted into the shadows just as red and blue lights painted the dockyard.
Once they were a safe distance away, Xander found a secluded spot near the water's edge. He sat down on a rusted bollard, the weight of the past month pressing down on him.
"So, what's next?" he asked.
"Strategic analysis suggests establishing alliances with local metahumans and vigilantes," Steel said. "Also, perhaps consider a catchphrase. All great heroes have one."
Xander chuckled despite himself. "Yeah, I'll get right on that. 'Turbo-tastic,' maybe?"
Steel's voice carried a hint of disapproval. "Needs work."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the city's chaotic symphony playing in the background.
"You know, for a hyper-advanced alien AI, you're surprisingly obsessed with pop culture," Xander remarked.
"Observation: cultural assimilation enhances mission effectiveness," Steel said matter-of-factly. "Also, comic books are awesome."
Xander shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Well, at least I'm not in this alone."
Steel's voice was steady. "Affirmative. Together, we adapt and overcome."
As they prepared to move on, Xander knew one thing for sure—his life had changed forever. But with Steel by his side, maybe he had a chance to make a difference in this world.
And who knows? Maybe they'd even find some pizza along the way.