First night as a superhero. It goes surprisingly well.

I'm finally here.

The intense sound of the many horns common in New York traffic ended up being the world's response to that thought.

Although I have often dreamed of taking this first step, now, here in the taxi on the way to my next life is where I finally feel that idea is about to become a reality. The first step towards fulfilling the dream I have had since I first came into this world of wonders.

I'm going to be a superhero.

And if the smile that brought to my face that thought ended up earning me a strange look from the taxi driver through the rearview mirror is something only I will know.

The rest of the trip ended up happening without any problems and I had already arrived at my destination. Empire State University, place of study of many superheroes (and super villains) of the Marvel universe. What will it be like? Will I meet any of them? Maybe we can be friends, eat ice cream, watch a movie, play video gam-

"Miss!"

"Oh"

The voice of the taxi driver I left behind brought me out of my reverie.

Oh God, how embarrassing! Am I the protagonist of a visual novel going to Hope Academy? You can't get caught up in your own thoughts, Rogue, silly Rogue.

The taxi driver spoke again.

"It's 20 dollars"

"A-a yes, of course, no problem"

Problem solved and the taxi driver returning to work $20 (and $5 tip) richer, I turned my attention back to the university and began walking towards the empty campus as I once again began to think about my current situation.

Today is Sunday morning, the day before college starts. Of course, I wouldn't be arriving at the dorms on the same day. I have to get to the principal's office, register, get my ID, go to the dorm, unpack my things (however few they are) and rest from everything that happened shortly after my 18th birthday.

I understand that I had already served my purpose for my parents, but to kick me out of the house a day after they no longer had any legal reason to support me? Seriously? Who does that?

Just thinking about it ruins my mood a little, but it's not enough to make me not see the advantages. Being officially an independent adult allows me to focus 100% on my superhero career. Just thinking about having to escape in the middle of the night through my bedroom window like a teenager going out partying gives me chills.

Sure I'll be in a bit of financial trouble when my savings run out, but I hope to be a well-established heroine by the time comes, otherwise I can always get a part-time job.

Before I could start thinking about the pros and cons of getting a job, I arrived at the director's office, where an office worker was waiting to the left of the entrance.

"Excuse me," I said to get his attention.

"Yeah?"

"I think I have a date with Principal Whitebly?"

"Right, could you tell me your name?"

"My name is Anne Marie"

"Anne…Right, here you are. Come in, the director is waiting for you, you arrived just in time."

"Correct, thank you very much, miss…"

"Luthor, Lena Luthor."

That name made me pause. I felt some sweat running down my forehead. Trying to hide my surprise, I answered in a "calm" voice that I know didn't sound as calm as I would like.

"Huh, that's a… curious name."

With a small smile that makes me think that this is not the first time she has been told those words, she answers.

"Yes, I am often told that."

I respond with a slightly awkward smile and decide to enter the principal's office to end the conversation and avoid any possible flags that name might raise.

Although that long black hair, pale skin and green eyes… Nope, nope. I'm definitely not going down that rabbit hole, I think as I walk into the office.

Sitting behind a large desk was a figure I definitely wasn't expecting. I couldn't make him out properly because he was sitting down, but he looked tall and had broad shoulders. Dark skin, a bald head, and very friendly eyes for someone who has to deal with running one of New York's most iconic universities. What stood out the most though was his oddly colorful suit, a mix of a pink jacket, yellow shirt, and green pants that all matched oddly, but still didn't seem out of place. I like the way his outfit looks, and I definitely feel like I'm relaxing just by seeing such a fun suit in a normally very formal environment.

I quickly took control of my expression and looked him in the eyes so he wouldn't think I thought anything bad about the way he dressed, I mean I would praise him for it, but I don't want to make things awkward so quickly.

"Miss Marie, welcome, have a seat. Would you like some strawberry pastry? I'd offer you some lemon, but I've never been a fan of citrus."

Honestly I really want to say yest, I would kill for any candy right now, but this is supposed to be formal, and I have to maintain good behavior.

"Give me two please"

Or so I would have thought a few years ago, I decided to never regret it, whether it was kicking criminals' asses or eating a candy.

"Heh, it's refreshing to have someone who accepts my sweets. Most people are pretty tense at these kinds of gatherings, you know?"

"Mmn Mmn" I nodded as I continued to enjoy my strawberry sweet.

Ohh, it has yogurt.

I must have made a strange face because the director laughed some more before continuing to speak.

"Indeed. While I'm enjoying this casual moment, let's get down to business."

I sit up a little straighter as the director starts to get serious.

"I have followed your career very closely, Miss Marie. Your performance in Mixed Martial Arts is more than impressive and although legally you cannot be given a scholarship for it because it is not a discipline with university teams, your skills in Judo, Taekwondo and Karate more than cover that need, as it was well-informed in the admission letter."

I feel myself puffing out my chest a little at his praise. Shortly after finding out I was in the Marvel universe, I pushed myself to the limit in martial arts, primarily MMA, still achieving a black belt in Judo, Tae Kwon Do and Karate, though I never went higher than the minimum to be considered a master.

My physical qualities definitely helped me, but only my discipline allowed me to get this far.

"Having said all that, what we need from you is to help the university win national and international awards in the various competitions while studying a degree here at the university and maintaining acceptable grades. Because of your scholarship as an athlete, we won't ask you to excel, but you must at least finish with a passing grade."

This part put some clouds over my head. Sure, it wasn't my first time going to college, but I hate studying, I hated every second of it the first time, and I was sure I would hate it again.

"In exchange for all that, we will give you a special student loan that will get smaller the better your grades are, plus you will have free accommodation in our university residence, and you will have a monthly salary to help you pay for your education materials. With all that said, do you agree to those conditions?"

Honestly, it's a very good deal. Of course, it's not a full scholarship (for now), but the accommodation and education are a very good incentive, especially here in New York where I need to be if I want to be in the thick of things. In the end, there's only one thing to answer.

"Where do I sign?"

From then on, everything was a blur of documents, signatures and agreements and the sun was already setting when I finally managed to move into my new home for the next few years.

The first thing I saw when I walked in was a completely normal living room, although somewhat empty and lifeless, it was quite normal considering that no one lives here yet. A TV, a sofa, a small table, a shelf, the typical stuff you'd find in the cheap living room example of an Ikea. There was no dining area, but there was a sort of bar connecting the kitchen to the living room, where I could sit down to eat breakfast.

The kitchen had everything needed for a functional kitchen. A two-door refrigerator, microwave, electric stove and a dishwasher under the sink. It was a bit narrow and there wasn't much space to make ambitious dishes, but there was enough for simple university food.

I walked out of the kitchen and to my left was a hallway with three doors. The two closest doors looked like bedrooms. I assume one bedroom for me and one for guests. At the end to the right was the bathroom, which taken a shower, but no tub.

Once I was done exploring, I went back to the lounge, picked up my bag and went into my room. I thought I might have to clean up or something, but everything was suspiciously clean, huh, that's an elite university for you, I guess.

I started unpacking my stuff. Clothes, stuffed animals, some decorations, trophies from previous tournaments, and two photos. One with my aunt after the strange traveling photographer passed through our town, and another of my biological parents. I've never met them, or at least I don't have any memories of them, but I'd like to think I was loved, and I keep the photo my aunt gave me as a keepsake.

I have to visit her soon and let her know the good news…

No!

I slapped my cheeks with both hands and felt my spirits return to normal.

None of that right now, Rogue! This is a special day! Today is the day you'll be a superhero!

Yes! Nothing will ruin this moment!

I quickly searched through my clothes for my amazing and not at all low-cost superhero costume.

A yellow neoprene suit of the highest quality I could find, some completely modern and fashionable tactical military boots almost up to my knees (although without heels, as much as I like the way they look, wearing them to a fight is silly), black military gloves (and tactical ones at that!), a bulletproof vest with Marvel technology that doesn't affect my figure at all, black elbow and knee pads, a compact tool belt where I keep my first aid kit and my tactical knife, a domino mask that covers the most important cheekbones on my face, a cute yellow headband for my hair and finally an incredible black leather jacket that finishes giving personality to my entire costume.

I look fabulous… a rocker lady ready to kick some criminal scum ass. Very similar to the original Rogue, though without the green. I don't like green. I look more edgy than I would like, wearing dark lipstick doesn't help, but it doesn't matter, it makes me feel powerful.

I took one last look in the mirror after striking a few poses and testing the suit's flexibility before leaving. The dorm is just outside of campus and as long as I leave through one of the less crowded exits, no one will likely see me.

It's time to be a Super heroine (or rather, just a heroine).

That was my thought about three hours ago. Who knew that traveling on foot through back alleys at night wasn't the most efficient way to find a crime.

The comics have lied to me. You'd think there'd be a woman being robbed by three thugs with a knife at this point, but so far I've found nothing more than a few homeless men who for some reason run away as soon as I approach them to ask about suspicious activity.

I mean, come on! I totally look like a badass superhero, but I also wouldn't hit someone just because they looked suspiciously like a drug addict.

"Ppp-please d-don't hurt me!"

Just as I was finishing thinking that, I heard a nervous voice a short distance away on my side of the alley that was clearly being intimidated.

Finally!

Sure, I shouldn't be happy that someone is about to get robbed (or worse), but three hours of absolutely nothing would drive anyone crazy.

I started running towards the voices that were slowly getting clearer. When I got to the place, there I saw it.

Two men, one of them with a small knife that was pointing at his victim, and a backwards cap, he looked somewhat fit, but worn out at the same time.

The other man, probably the victim, looks like a typical office worker with glasses.

The man with the knife had his back to me, and I quickly started running towards him.

"Stop criminal scum!"

"Huh! Wh- Guh!" Just before he finished turning around, my fist was already buried in his diaphragm.

And…He fell like a sack of potatoes in one fell swoop.

Huh, that was easier than I thought. I looked at the bully who was holding his stomach on the ground as he used all his strength to glare at me with hatred in his eyes. Should I hit him again?

I was about to follow that thought when I remembered the office worker in front of me looking at me with an astonished face.

"W-what?"

That's right, the victim!

"Are you okay sir, you're not hurt or anything, right?"

"N-no, W-who are you?"

Ooo it's my time to shine, I'm excited!

"Me? My name is Rogue, and I'm New York's new super heroine."

"Super heroine? Like Iron Man?"

"Better!"

The gentleman looked at me like I was crazy, but I'm sure he was stunned by my amazing charm. He looked like he was about to say something else when he suddenly froze after looking behind me a bit and suddenly ran off with a scream.

"Wait where- ARGH!"

My scream was cut short when I felt a dull pain in my left knee. I felt my legs go limp as I looked back to see another thug wearing a smirk as he held the bat that he had presumably just hit in the leg.

"You aren't so brave anymore, are you? Bitch!"

Shit, I was careless! I thought it was just one guy, but he had an accomplice. The pain in my leg was pretty distracting, and I hope for the sake of these two fuckers that it wasn't anything too serious, but I still kept my attention on the new thug thanks to the fact that I was relatively used to pain thanks to MMA practice.

The man swung the bat in a very telegraphed manner aiming for my head looking for a knockout but this time I was ready I ducked under his bat and stepped into his guard. Normally this was a bad move with someone taller and heavier than me, but I'm not normal. I grabbed his hand with the bat and squeezed the wrist with all my strength, causing the bat to fall as the thug let out a grunt in pain. He tried to grab me with his other arm, but he didn't have time as he was in the air after I quickly applied one of the most basic throws in Judo.

His back hit dry ground with a bang, I sat on his chest and when I was ready to punch him in the face to knock him out, I felt another blow, this time on my ribs. This time the bulletproof vest defended me pretty well, but the blow still threw me to the ground.

There I looked at the bully I had defeated first with the bat in his hand, with his eyes red with anger.

"Look what you've done, you stupid bitch! You think you're a superhero? Huh?"

He dropped the bat and reached into his jacket, and what he pulled out left me cold.

A gun.

Shit, I didn't expect these lowlife thugs to have a gun. Sure, I expected to come across one at some point in my career, but not this soon, not unprepared, not this close.

"Not so brave anymore, are you? Let's see if you're as strong when your brains are blown off."

At that moment I stopped listening to his words, I felt like I was having trouble breathing as the world went out of focus, time felt slower, and I started to think about everything that brought me here.

Am I going to die? Like this?

No, no, no, no, I can't die like this, I still haven't achieved anything.

Memories of my previous life began to come to my head.

I haven't fulfilled my dream yet, I'm not important yet, I've just arrived. Will my whole existence be like this? Die, reincarnate, die, reincarnate, die and always reincarnate before achieving something important with my existence.

No! I refuse!

But, my words didn't stop what was about to happen. And the moment I heard the sound of the trigger being pulled back.

Happened.

My body was floating in a huge galaxy, full of stars, but empty of them at the same time. I had everything and nothing at the same time. I felt that something should be here that wasn't, but my mind as it was unable to remember it and at that moment when I was confused by something that was there, but wasn't there, a small blue star slowly approached me.

I didn't know what this star was, but my instincts said one thing, power. Maybe not the highest, but definitely not the weakest. One word came to mind once the star reached my hands.

Dispatch.

A name?... Before I could think any further about the meaning of the word as the imaginary space felt it was no longer needed I was thrown out of the place and back to my desperate situation and there was the barrel of a gun pointed at my face.

I closed my eyes, expecting my imminent death, but the sound of the gunshot didn't come. I opened my eyes nervously and there was the barrel of the gun, but for some reason it's like it's behind a tinted black glass, but also the person's finger didn't move from the trigger, it's like it was on pause. I looked around and saw more of that inked "wall" around me.

Time bubble, my instinct responded.

At that moment, I realized that I was in a wall of accelerated time. Hours pass here, seconds there. Not only that, but the wall is practically indestructible from the outside. I don't know how I knew this, but I did know one thing perfectly.

I have powers.

I let that thought sink into my mind for a second, before quickly shaking my head.

No, it's not time to get distracted. A person only falls three times on the same rock when it get a taste for it and-

I don't like to fall.

I quickly moved out of gun range, before sighing a few times and preparing for the next step.

I quickly canceled the time sphere and right after the shot rang out, the man opened his eyes in surprise when he saw that I had disappeared from the place where I was standing a moment ago, but before he could react I gave him a strong punch in the jaw, breaking it along with most likely some teeth.

Huh I definitely didn't want to do that. Am I stronger too?

I stopped thinking about that before I approached the other thug who was definitely scared now, he tried to hit me with the bat and this time I decided to block it with my arm to test my theory.

I didn't even feel it.

It was intoxicating to realize that I was now above the ordinary. Could I have withstood the shot even without moving? I didn't want to find out, still, I quickly dispatched the other thug with another blow to the jaw, being more careful with my strength this time.

He doesn't got up again.

The alley fell into silence, interrupted only by my strangely labored breathing. I wasn't tired, objectively speaking I hadn't done anything that would leave me even remotely fatigued, but the mental strain definitely took its toll.

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down and proceeded to check the thugs' pockets and wallets, I would definitely need the money later. I grabbed about $80 and a prepaid phone to call 911 before I left there with my new powers and my thoughts highlighted like a wasp hive.

Continued application of my cool new time bubble power along with my newfound stamina had me back to my dorm in record time.

I walked into my room and slowly sat up in bed as my thoughts returned to that alley.

"SILLY, SILLY, SILLY, SILLY!"

As I screamed, I grabbed my trusty Atlas the Beetle stuffed animal and violently smacked my face with it while kicking the air like a little girl throwing a tantrum, but at that moment I didn't care.

"What were you thinking?! Monologuing before tying up the villain?! Getting distracted?! Not finishing the job?! What are you a Teen Titan?!"

I was furious with myself. I had made the oldest mistakes in the book. I was so focused on my success of finally being a hero that I forgot the basics! What good were all these years of training and preparation if I was going to die in the first alley with some D-class thugs?! I was just lucky to get my powers.

Powers.

I have powers!

"Wohoo! I got Super Powers! Take that, Iron Man! Who needs fancy armor when you can fuck with time!"

"Can you fuck with time?"

"I know right? It's so cool!"

One moment.

That wasn't my voice.

I slowly turned my head towards the door of my room, where a girl my age with black hair was looking at me with curious eyes.

"Yeah, it sounds really cool"

"Huh... this isn't what it looks like?"

The girl looked at me with a questioning face, looked at my costume that I still hadn't taken off from the excitement and then looked at my face again asking if I was serious.

"Hey! ... he he he, how long have you been there?..." I asked, my voice becoming very small with embarrassment.

"Since the fourth "Silly!" or so."

…I knew my habit of talking out loud when I'm excited would bite me in the ass at some point, but that was quick.

My first day as a superhero, and someone already knows my secret identity.

Shit.