Aid others.
My heart knew what that meant—a hero.
My mind, however, didn't quite understand.
'Help people? Me?'
"This might help you decide, Dean. Follow me."
My thoughts snapped back as Waller released my arms and pressed a button somewhere.
The wall in front of us slid open, revealing dozens of people in suits and lab coats, along with numerous monitors.
"Dean, I welcome you properly to what I hope you'll accept."
I absently nodded to her words as we stepped into the space.
'A secret base…'
My eyes swept across the busy workers focused on their tasks. As we moved toward a spot in the room, my gaze caught a large sketch laid out on a table.
'A suit?'
It reminded me of Batman's suit, but different in some ways.
"Dean."
I flinched and turned to Waller, realizing we'd arrived at the table I'd been staring at without noticing.
"This is the concept we hope you'll like."
I opened my mouth to respond but my dry throat made me rub it instead.
Waller smiled and snapped her fingers. Moments later, someone appeared with a bottle of water.
"Here, sweetie."
She handed me the bottle. I cracked it open and gulped it down as she continued.
(pic)
"You might've noticed it's somewhat based on Batman's suit, but with a few differences. There are reasons for the inspiration—"
I finished the bottle and accidentally cut her off.
"To make bad people afraid?"
She looked at me, calm and smiling.
"Indeed. The differences were made for you."
My face flushed with confusion.
"For me?"
She pointed to the helmet—that was one difference from Batman's suit.
"I thought you'd want a full helmet—for safety."
Then she pointed to the shoulders, which looked broader than Batman's.
"They offer better protection as well."
She paused, and I stared at the helmet before turning back to her.
"Do… do you really think I could help people? I… I was just one of countless addicts in Gotham."
My eyes dropped to my hands—hands that felt like they belonged to someone else.
"I do."
Waller grasped my hands softly but firmly.
Her face moved closer into view.
"Even if you or anyone else doesn't believe that you are meant for more than drugs and alcohol, I believe that Titan can help people."
Titan.
'Titan… Could I be that?'
No. I knew that even with Waller's kindness, I couldn't be that for anyone—not her, not anyone. That only twisted the feeling of worthlessness tighter.
I snapped out of my thoughts as Waller chuckled and let go of my hands.
"Why don't we see why I believe in you, Dean?"
I glanced at her neck as she spoke calmly, unbothered by my hesitation.
"Why I believe Titan can be a hero—for me."
My hands grew clammy again, but I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and nodded.
I looked at her hair and she chuckled softly.
"Good. Men?"
Two suited men approached.
"Is the area for Dean ready?"
That confused me, but I couldn't say anything as they nodded.
Waller gestured for us to follow them.
"It's time to see how strong you really are, Dean."
I blinked but followed.
-
—Test 1: Strength—
Objective: Assess maximum lifting capacity.
Procedure: Live weight simulation — 20 tons.
Result: Subject destroyed simulation.
Observation: Subject kept apologizing until Amanda Waller stopped it.
---
"Okay Dean, you got this."
I stared at the bar resting between two massive blocks anchored to the ground. Waller's voice urged me on as I gripped it tight and lifted with my legs.
Crk
I froze just as the blocks ripped free from the floor.
"I'm sorry!"
I let go of the bar, wincing as the ground shook beneath me. Turning toward the giant window where Waller watched, I bowed deeply.
"I didn't mean to! I—"
A buzzing sound cut me off.
*"Dean, it's okay. That needed replacing anyway."*
Relief washed over me and my shoulders slumped.
"Think you can do the next test?"
I nodded slightly, eyes still lowered.
"Good. On to speed and reflexes."
-
—Test 2: Speed & Reflexes—
Objective: Evaluate speed, reaction time and agility.
Procedure: 100-meter dash, dodge while under fire.
Result: 7.8 seconds for the dash. Not fast enough to dodge all bullets.
Observation: Subject was led to believe the rounds were fake.
Waller's comment on reflex testing: "He's getting faster."
---
Planting my feet, my heart pounded fiercely as the timer counted down.
'You got this, Dean. Be better.'
3...
2...
1...
I launched forward faster than ever, my shirt tugging against the wind, breathing uneven.
'Come on, Dean!'
I crossed the finish marker and skidded to a stop.
Hearing the results, my shoulders slumped.
"7.8 seconds."
*"Good, Dean. Only a few more now."*
I nodded at Waller's voice, ears burning with embarrassment.
'I'll do better next time.'
The buzzing sound returned as Waller spoke again.
*"Dean, the next part—don't be scared."*
I blinked, looking around as walls slid open and barrels rolled out.
*"These are loaded with BBs. Dodge as best you can. Okay?"*
Gulping, I nodded.
I heard a click behind me, then a pellet zipped past.
'Oh god.'
My heart raced as I ducked just before another click and pellet whizzed by.
"U-umm, how long do I need—"
I rolled on the ground just as another click shot a pellet toward my head.
Tk
One pellet hit my shoulder.
'Oh no.'
Tk
Another hit the back of my head as I stood up—only to be struck in the ankle.
TkTk
Two more pellets struck my back.
"Time!"
I heard Waller's voice over the buzzing.
*"Dean, are you okay?"*
I collapsed to my knees and looked down at my shredded shirt.
"Y-yes. The pellets didn't hurt like I thought they would."
She hummed, and I stood up.
*"Ready for the next?"*
I nodded.
*"Good, Dean. Next is flight."*
"Huh?"
-
—Test 3: Flight—
Objective: Assess subject's flight capability.
Procedure: Have the subject attempt to fly.
Result: Yes.
Observation: Subject flew directly into the ceiling before crashing down unharmed.
---
'How the hell am I supposed to fly?!'
The only advice I'd been given was, "Be calm and imagine flying." Sure, if that were all it took, everyone could do it.
'Just calm down.'
I closed my eyes and stood in the center of the room, taking a deep breath in... then out. I repeated it, trying to clear my mind.
'I'm so useless.' Waller was putting so much faith in me.
'So many wasted resources on me.'
I knew this had cost not only Waller but the government as well.
'Just fly, Dean.'
Not for myself, but for Waller—the only one besides Mom and Dad who believed in me.
*"Dean?"*
I heard Waller's voice over the buzz and opened my eyes. The ceiling was much closer than I remembered.
I turned my head and paled.
'I'm scared of heights.'
Suddenly, something inside me shifted, and I was launched upward with a yelp—smashing into the ceiling before gravity took over and I plummeted back down with a loud smack.
*"...Dean, are you okay?"*
My hand shot up, giving a thumbs-up with a groan.
"Yes. I can fly."
*"Onto the next then. Ready, Dean? This'll be the last for today."*
I nodded as I stood up, eyes on the rubble from the ceiling.
"What's next, Waller?"
*"Durability."*
-
—Test 4: Durability—
Objective: Determine if subject can be harmed.
Procedure: Fire E.M.A.R. Cannon at full power at the subject.
Result: No harm done to subject — limit unknown. Subject displayed laser vision.
Observation: Subject remained unharmed, confused and scared.
---
I gulped as a dozen men carried a menacing weapon-shaped device into the room.
"No need to be nervous, Dean."
I looked down at Waller, who was clad in some kind of armored suit.
"What... is that thing even meant to be fired at someone?" I pointed shakily at the weapon as the men attached cables to it with a series of hisses and clicks.
"No, but civilians have been killed by weapons like this—created by villains and in very rare cases, heroes."
My gut dropped as the weapon briefly glowed red.
"This was originally designed to apprehend criminals like Killer Croc and some of Superman's villains."
'Originally?'
Before I could ask more, she backed away and shouted,
"Dean, stand with your feet firm and chest out!"
Blinking, I clenched my hands and did as she said.
Turning toward the weapon, I squared my shoulders, placed one foot slightly back and the other slightly forward. The weapon began glowing again.
I closed my eyes as a blinding beam shot out.
KRK-KRAAK-SSZZHHRROOMM
I felt heat on my skin but no pain.
'Warm...'
It was like scalding water being poured over me—uncomfortable, but nothing harmful.
FFWWPH… pt-pt-pt—
The weapon powered down with a slow hiss.
I opened my eyes and felt something hot in my chest—not from the weapon, but something different, something gross and nasty.
My eyes snapped open and I glared at the weapon, ignoring the men around it.
My jaw clenched as the heat traveled from my chest to my neck, then to my eyes.
KZZT
A beam of red shot from my eyes, obliterating the weapon.
Immediately, my mind snapped back and a flush of sweat broke out across my face.
'How do I stop it?!'
"Dean, stop! Close your eyes!"
I shut them at Waller's command and collapsed to my knees as something wrapped around my eyes.
"Is... was anyone hurt?"
I felt Waller's hand run gently through my hair, calming me.
"No one was harmed by that, but this was a good thing, Dean."
I furrowed my brows.
"We now know you have laser vision."