Jason and Night stood on opposite ends of the training mat, weapons drawn. He trained Night for years, and she had never beat him once. Of course he never let her win, since out on the streets thugs don't have sympathy. He had made Brian stay back, sometimes their duals spread across the entire compound.
"You ready?" He asked Night, drawing his six foot scythe.
"Of course."
"Fight," Jason went into his other mindset.
She attacked first, flipping into a side kick. He dodged the blow, sliding down onto the ground. Jason twisted Night's ankles with his legs, and she feel sideways. He stood up, putting a foot into her stomach. Night briefly smirked, kicking him square in the back. His armor absorbed most of the blow, but it still stung. He drew his scythe and held it up to her throat. In a flash Night drew her twin sai and pushed his blade out of her face. She leaned back and jumped to her feet, holding her weapons up. Jason stroke first, spinning his scythe towards the side of her head. Night reacted immediately, ducking down and kicking him in the gut. He groaned in pain, then adrenaline surged through his blood. Jason jumped back into a shadow, melting into the 2D shadow of the wall. He reemerged behind Night, throwing her down onto the ground. Before she could get up again he placed his foot on her back, holding his girlfriend down. This was basically their relationship building, it worked better than what normal people did.
  "That was epic," Brian inhaled deeply, dramatically breathing heavily, "I can't imagine what you do on the streets."
  "Don't try to," Night said as Jason pulled her up, "it's not nearly as held back."
  "You nearly killed each other."
  "It's training," Jason shrugged, sheathing his scythe into the slot across his back.
  "What's awesome is you guys don't use common weapons, like swords or guns."
  "Guns are pathetic," Night sneered, "they run out of bullets and without them, people are defenseless."
  "Do you know the history of the sai?" Brian asked, still going into an explanation, "before its arrival in Okinawa, the sai was already being used in other Asian countries including India, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It may have been brought to Okinawa from one or several of these places simultaneously. Silat practitioners typically refer to the sai either as-"
"You know Brian," Jason interrupted, "we...really don't need to know that stuff."
"Fine then," Brian crossed his arms.
"What we do need to know is how to find the man who is responsible for Skull's amnesia," Night said, "he deserves some long delayed justice."
"I'm surprised you haven't killed him already," Jason raised an eyebrow under his mask.
"I tried," Night shrugged casually, "but I couldn't find him. There have been 6 fires in the last week I've had to save people from. Each time he disappears right after starting them."
It seemed normal for her to just say 'oh yeah, I tried to kill someone, but I couldn't find them'. That's the life of a vigilante everyone.
"Wait," Brian said, "can you show me each place he's targeted in the last month or so?"
"Sure," Night touched a screen on the wall.
The wall beeped once, a twelve by seven foot black screen lighting up. Jason wanted to walk up and poke it because it hadn't been there before he left. The display showed a map of the city, red dots were placed where the fires had appeared.
"One question," Jason spoke up, "how did you afford this?"
"You did leave part ownership of your company to me," Night replied, engaging in their usual banter.
"Oh yeah," Jason remarked, "and I'm glad I did."
"You have a company?!" Brian screeched, "what?!"
"Had," Jason corrected, "when I went missing I lost ownership."
"If you get it back you better hire me."
"No promises."
"Okay," Brian walked up to the screen, "each one of these buildings are owned by one company, can you guess which one?"
"Johansen Industries," Night hissed.
"What company is that?" Jason questioned, twirling a throwing knife between his fingers.
"It's yours," Night looked over at him.
"Fantastic," Jason lazily threw the knife across the room, the blade embedding itself into a punching bag, "the Vice President of my company took over. The worst part is she named it after herself. What a jerk-"
"What was the old company's name?" Brian asked, "I've never read about another name for it."
  "Parker Technologies," Jason signed, "I never really paid attention to it, besides the secret borrowing money to fund vigilantism."
"Borrowing?"
"My company, my money, Brian." Jason crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes.
  "Woah," Brian took a step back, sitting down in the computer chair, "you're pretty terrifying when you do that, now I see why criminals still fear you."
  "After years," Jason muttered, "time to go back out."
  "Don't think for a second I'm staying here," Night said, "I've done fine without you, no way I'm being your sidekick again."
  "You were never my sidekick, we were always partners."
  "That's funny," Night rolled her eyes, "jerk."
  "Oh, you love me anyways."
  "I'd hate to get in the middle of vigilante taunting time," Brian interrupted him, "but you might want to come see this. Multiple reports of armed robbery at Eximius Harbor."
  "Yeah I got it," Night pressed two fingers to her earpiece, "about 15 guys there, one gang leader."
  "Which gang are we talking about?" Jason pushed a button on his mask, activating his advanced vision setting.
  "Tarioni."
  "That's a hard one," Jason cracked his neck, "for the police I mean, let's go."
  "How are you going to get there?" Brian spun around, "it's 5 miles away!"
  "How have you been getting around?" Jason nudged Night, who was already grabbing throwing stars.
  "Grapple mainly."
  "You have much to learn."
  "Shut up."
  "You never bothered to take my motercycle-"
  "You have a motercycle?" Night hissed, spinning around.
  "I wouldn't exactly call it that since it's basically silent and faster than most-"
"Never mind," Night muttered, "I'll kill you later."
"Is that a threat?" Jason grinned lopsidedly.
"Who wants to know?" Night crossed her arms.
"Let's go," Skull's masked eyes turned white.

-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-

"This is Jessica Reagan from DB News, reporting live from Eximius City! We are just outside the police barricade that surrounds the harbor. For two hours police have been fighting of armed men that seized the trading port. So far there has been no success in stopping the perpetrators! Police cannot seem to get back up- Wait, this is just in! Two vigilantes have been spotted entering the premises..."
Dr. Johansen paced the room, impatiently waiting for her associate. She felt like punching someone, these damn vigilantes always interfered with her plans. The docks seemed easy to take control of, just for two days anyways. The cops were short on men, loyal men, as always. Crime is so easy to manipulate in Eximius City, it was like there were no police at all. But these vigilantes were a problem, one she intended to fix.
"Dr. Johansen," A smooth voice greeted her, the figure confidently striding into the room, "what brings you here?"
"Adam Robins," she forced a smile, "I have something to discuss with you. This is about Project A and X."
"Ah," Adam pushed up his glasses, "that project. Well...I guess you'll have to see for yourself."
The blonde scientist was the head of her company's science division, and she had entitled him with a 'off the books' experiment. This experiment had been in development for years, ever since that masked girl became a vigilante. The scientist led her through a private sector in her headquarters, going through three security doors. He wore a white lab coat, like the rest of the scientists.
"The test subjects have endured more modification than I'd prefer, but they came with the requirements you requested," Adam explained, stopping at a thick metal door. "Are you sure you want to carry this out? These projects are...untested, we wouldn't want the subjects backfiring."
"I have trust in your skills," Dr. Johansen nodded curtly, then her gaze hardened. "If those skills fail, then I will oversee that you are replaced, and take full blame for it."
"Yes ma'am," Adam swallowed nervously, anxiously adjusting his lab coat, "here we are."
They entered the testing chamber, the room dark except for two faintly glowing blue capsules. In one capsule was a girl, in the other, a boy the same age. Both figures were masked in superhero gear.
"I thought you hated vigilantes," Adam turned a questioning face towards her, "what changed?"
"Nothing," Dr. Johansen crossed her arms, "I just want two weapons, and that's it."
"But why create two superheroes?"
"Because then they're working for me," she smirked, "and they will kill those stupid, interfering heroes."
"Aren't superpowers a little over the top?" Adam clicked a few buttons, "Project A's cells are extremely changed, we are not sure if they will even work. And Project X is still has a sense of humor that we can't seem to modify-"
"Have you given them code names?" Dr. Johansen interrupted, not really listening, "they will need them in the field."
"You may need to ask Project X about that one," Adam scratched the back of his neck, "he seems to have chosen a codename for himself and Project A."
"Is there any disloyalty in Project A?" Dr. Johansen narrowed her eyes."
"No signs of disloyalty whatsoever," Adam gave a half smile, "she is the perfect test subject, besides her occasional anger."
"Good," she nodded, "dispose of Project X, then prepare to send out Project A."
"Dispose of?" Adam blinked in shock, "he is very skilled and can be very useful-"
"From what you've told me Doctor," Dr. Johansen narrowed her eyes. "He sounds quite rebellious, and we cannot have that. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Adam quickly replied, not wanting to be disposed of as well, "we will begin preparing Project A immediately."
"One last thing Doctor," she stopped him from walking out, "what are their powers?"
"Project A has antigravity suspension and can control the temperature of water molecules. Project X can increase the rate of healing of himself and others, has an increased metabolism, and has other unknown summoning abilities-"
"Dial down the science."
"Project A has flight and ice powers. Project X can heal himself and others, use apparent 'magic', and run at extreme speeds."
"Very good," Dr. Johansen nodded, "Parker's atom invention mixed with our nanotechnology has made many advances. And Doctor, what did Project X come up with for code names?"
"Project X calls himself 'Vexen.'"
"And Project A?"
"Archwind."
"They may keep those code names," Dr. Johansen uncrossed her arms, "well, Project A may, because you will dispose of Project X."
"Yes ma'am."
Dr. Johansen could sense he feared her, good. She swiftly left the room, the automatic door sliding open. It was time to get rid of those pestering vigilantes for good.

-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-

Adam Robins didn't do what she said. He promised multiple times to 'dispose' of Project X, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Over the years, he has formed friendship with the easy going test subject. He knew it was against protocol to even speak to any experiments, but the teen had a likable vibe. On the other hand, Project A was emotionless, cold, executing, as far as Adam knew. His job paid very well, and provided many opportunities, but he did not sign up to kill people, no matter how artificial they were. Adam pressed a button on the control panel, Project X's stasis capsule shutting down. The blue glow faded from the right glass compartment, Project X fell to his knees. Adam rushed over to the hooded teen, about to help him up. Project X wore all black, a hood over his head. Streaks of dark red ran down his hood, torso, legs and arms, his gloves and boots were completely blood red. Vexen had a bandanna mask covering is face from the nose down, his eyes barely visible under his hood.
"D-Don't touch me!" Project X hissed, his eyes flashing deep purple, "I heard what that blonde said, you're going to kill me!"
"No!" Adam protested, "I'm trying to free you, dammit!"
"If you don't want me to hurt you," Project X growled, "let out Archwind."
"Absolutely not!" Adam shook his head, taking a step back, "she won't be under orders! She won't be under my-"
"Command?" Project X finished, "please let her out, or I'll have to do it myself."
"Don't make me activate your shutdown Project X!" Adam held up a trigger threateningly.
"I'm sorry," Project X stood up, his shaded eyes glowing bright purple, "and I asked you to call me Vexen."
A second before Adam could push the trigger, the floor beneath him lit up purple, a circle of mysterious runes forming around his feet. The runes flashed as bright as the sun, and he forcibly went unconscious.