Whose Child Is This

Markus found himself staring at a wall filled with graffiti after hearing the snap of fingers. He looked around in surprise before the horrible stench all around him hit his nose like a sledge hammer. Ultimate Wolverine could be said to be stronger in every aspect than the normal Wolverine and put his senses in a normal human it would make the normal human feel like his senses were revolting against him. This was what Markus was experiencing.

His sense of smell heightened to a point a rotting pizza roll smelt like raw sewage, a car horn sounded like a freighter's horn next to his ears! It was excruciating having to experience this first hand that he did not even notice his physical appearance. He tried to cover his ears but his nostrils were been assaulted. Try to cover his nose and his ears were making his brain hurt.

With no other choice, he just curled up in a ball, hugging his knees, his ears covered with his shoulders and nose buried in a bicep.

"There's no place like home, Markus. There's no place like home," he said, over and over again, trying to hypnotize himself. This went on for a couple of more minutes till it turned to an hour. By then, he had somehow got used to the smells and his hearing to a point he would ignore some of them. With his senses somehow under control, he finally got a look at himself and was shocked.

He was a hulking man whose entire body was covered with metallic skin. He ran his fingers across his face, making the sound of metal against metal; that made him realize he really just became Colossus. Even his eyeballs were made of metal with his pupil been more of a curving than organic. Je wondered about something and to stave his curiosity, he pulled his trousers by the waist and couldn't help but smirk.

"Even my little Markus is made of metal," he said before realizing that was bad. "Wait, can I change back to normal?" Like that was the trigger, he found that he had turned organic once again. He was still a hulking figure but it was not as intimidating as his metallic form.

"I look like a generic Russian ruffian though," he concluded when he looked at himself via a puddle. He looked like Piotr Rasputin from the Deadpool movie and he kinda liked it. "Let's see what kind of city I am in."

He walked out of the alley humming to himself the Rasputin song because, he found it ironic that Colossus's las name was Rasputin and he had his powers. He noticed how the city he was in was bleak, like it was covered with clouds of misfortunes. The streets were unkempt, trash was everywhere and the people looked alert, eyeing everyone they met with discomfort. He could also see the National Guard patrolling the streets, armed to the teeth.

"What kind of city is this? Am I in the Detroit version of DC?" he asked himself. A passerby heard him and decided to take it upon himself to answer.

"Hello friend, do you not know where you are?" the young man asked. Markus found it weird he had decided to talk to him while everyone were avoiding him the best they can. It might due to his height and rugged looks that made him look like a crook. But, he also needed information.

"Da, do you have information?" he asked the person before taking second to hear himself again. 'Did I just talk in a Russian accent?'

"Ohhh, exotic accent, I take you're not from here? Probably why you don't know where you are. Anyway, let me be the first to welcome you to Gotham City, the city of the damned," the young man said before fishing out a switchblade and pointing it at Markus. "Now, hand over everything you have or I'll gut you like a fish!" Markus was surprised by the sudden change of pace that he be ame speechless. This man was robbing him in the middle of the street, in broad daylight, armed soldiers matching behind them. The most ridiculous thing was that nobody even looks surprised, least alone concerned.

"Don't even look at them for help. Everyone here have their own problems, they won't bother with yours!" the young man said.

"Is that so?" Markus smirked before turning into his metallic form. "I am guessing they will not bother with yours." The young man felt like shitting himself as he saw the victim transform. For the he first time, he regretted chosing this path. A huge hand got hold of him by his neck and lifted him like a chicken. "Now, you give me information or I break you."

'Okay, what is up with my accent and vocabulary? Is this another ploy by that man to entertain himself, giving me Piotr's Russian accent?' he asked himself.

"Okay, okay, what kind of information do you want?" the young man gasped. He tried begging for help from the people walking by but just like he had told Markus, everyone else had their problems. Besides, Markus was a being that can turn into metal and apparently had super strength, they would be courting death if they tried to stop him.

"Is this the US of A?" Markus asked, already resigned to his fate of having this a cent whenever he talked.

"Yes, this is USA. We're currently in Gotham city in the Eastern seaboard," the man answered.

"Good. Why is city so gloomy?"

"This is Gotham, it's always gloomy. We have the most insane criminals running around tossing nerve gases, fear toxins, burning things up and the underground mafia are already acting up because a clown with made makeup is encroaching on the city. Then there's the man who is the self proclaimed defender of Gotham, the Batman. Dude dresses up like a bat, has high tech weapons and vehicles, goes around fighting crime in the night and sometimes during the day. I can tell you more but that it the basic information,"

"Hmm, that is enough," Markus said and dropped him. "That is enough for now." The young man immediately scurried away as Markus turned to his organic form.

'So this is the city Batman protects. Have to say, it sure says a lot about his character. Good to know where he takes it from,' he thought before turning around, only to see a kid wearing a super hero suit, armed with a staff glaring at him.

"You picked the wrong time to commit a crime, comrade," the child said. Markus frowned when he saw him.

"Are you lost, child?" he asked. The kid became visibly angrier when he heard the question.

"Surrender now or I'll..."

"DID SOMEONE LOSE HIS OR HER CHILD! I THINK I HAVE HIM!" Markus shouted, attracting the attention of everyone in the street. Robin became even more angrier when he heard this because he was going to miss an important day in his life because of this Russian gang member. He was going to meet his friends and later join the Justice League when he and Batman saw this man lift a young man by his throat. They did not know what was going on but this was a clear violation in their books. Batman decided to send Robin and probe the man while he came up with a way of taking him down.

"Stop ignoring me!" Robin angrily snarled then pounced into action. He swung his staff at Markus, aiming for his stomach but Markus got hold of the staff before pulling in it. Robin's eyes widened in shock before he found himself in the clutches of the man. He had slung his left arm around his waist and put him in place.

"Don't worry, child, your parents might not be far off," Markus said before turning to a passerby. "Where is the police station?" The woman pointed down the street while trembling before she ran off. Markus nodded and was about to walk off when a dark figure landed in front of him. When it stood up, Markus immediately recognized it as Batman.

"I am his guardian, if you could release him it would be appreciated," Batman said, softly. Markus then remembered that Batman was supposed to have a sidekick and apparently, it was the child he was holding.

"Right," he said, putting down Robin who huffed in anger and embarrassment. He went and stood next to Batman like an aggrieved child. "I did not realize one can start beating up adults at such an age."

"Who are you?" Batman asked.

"I am called Piotr Rasputin and I am lost," Markus said. 'Like hell I'm gonna tell anyone my real name. Real names have power and with Admantium, a magician might use it to harm me.'

"Where are you from, Piotr?" Batman continued questioning, his voice still neutral.

"The Motherland...hmm, that is strange. My memories seemed to have been lost. All I can think about when I think of my home is just Russia, Russia and more Russia!" be said, feigning shock and a little nervousness. "Is my mind broken?"

"You might have amnesia or something else. Till we find out, can I ask you to surrender yourself to me. I will take you to a place we might get answers," Batman said. He was taking the soft approach because of what Markus had done. He had thought he might start attacking Robin as soon as he appeared but his concern of his safety showed he might not be a bad guy. He was used to bad guys just throwing punches as soon as he appeared so this was a nice change of pace.

"Da, lead the way," Markus said.