OutMan The Beginning (1)

Unfold

"OutMan Huh?" Andrew's gaze fixated on Donnie's lifeless suit, carefully laid out on the table before him. " How'd that Shoot into Play?" Andrew's eyes shifted from the lifeless suit on the table to Donnie, who leaned against a pillar, dressed in his jeans, navy blue sweater, and Converse shoes." It Just Fits With Me" Donnie pushed himself off of the pillar, his eyes meeting Andrew's. "It's because back in school, I was that one kid who never seemed to have it all. I faced challenges, obstacles, and trust issues that held me back from finding a true best friend. It was like, It weaved into the fabric of my existence, this constant struggle to connect. when it came to relationships, it was like I could never catch a break. Whether it was bad timing, missed chances, or just plain old bad luck, something always seemed to go wrong. It was as if the universe had conspired against me, denying me the love and connection I Looked for." Andrew raised an eyebrow, a curious glint in his eyes as he crossed his arms." So you were the Socially Outcasted Man in school?" Andrew's eyes glanced at Donnie, but his focus quickly shifted to the lifeless suit sitting on the table.
" I was, Pretty much my whole life, I WAS... The Outed Man" his mind consumed with the realization that being the OutMan held a profound significance. It represented his past struggle to connect with others, the longing for love, and the constant battle with trust.
" Does that Make me a loser?" Donnie turned to Andrew, seeking reassurance, and Andrew looked him in the eye. " "You may have struggled in the past, but that doesn't define who you are. You're a good person, filled with kindness and compassion" "Being a good person means always being there for the ones you love," Andrew explained earnestly. "It means going above and beyond to support and care for them, even if they don't always appreciate it. Remember, if someone doesn't appreciate your efforts, they may not be meant to be in your life. Surround yourself with those who truly care." Andrew, being the helpful and considerate friend he is, immediately noticed the damaged and dirty suit of Donnie. With a touch of craftiness, he began delicately cleaning and repairing it. " It's crazy How We're partners in this and yet I don't know much about you yet" Donnie couldn't help but chuckle at Andrew's witty comment, his laughter filling the room with a lighthearted atmosphere.
" You Know how People are, Life for me is...Not Very Amazing to Be honest with you " As Andrew diligently cleaned the suit, he felt a mix of emotions swirling within him." My Dad walked Out On me and My Mom When I was Born, My Mom thought she'd never Find Love Again, Thought she'd never find A way to Become whole again, Find Peace, I Kept telling her One day There's gonna be Someone to walk through her door and that man would Stay" Donnie's gaze softened as he listened intently to Andrew's heartfelt story, his eyes filled with empathy.
" And Did Anyone ever Come?" Donnie's curiosity piqued, and he couldn't help but ask Andrew with genuine interest. " I told her Someone would, Man Was She So happy when that day happened, I hadn't seen her smile like that In so long" Andrew's smile shimmered through his teary eyes, radiating a mix of bittersweet memories and newfound strength, a testament to his resilience and the depth of his emotions. " And What Happened?" Donnie's realization hit him like a lightning bolt, as he connected the dots from Andrew's tear-filled face, his own understanding intertwining with a sense of empathy for his friend's unspoken pain.
" For a Few years I Didn't Like Him, I was Suspicious of His intentions, Thought he was Up to No Good, Thought he was No good for My mother, But Only that Hurt Her when I told her what I thought of him, So Because of me They Stopped seeing each other, I destroyed That Smile He Gave her when He Walked Into her life, I felt Like I Ruined What she had Been looking for her Whole Life, For Weeks I could hear her from Down the hall, Crying every night, I Screwed everything up, I Thought I was ready for Her to Find someone To have in our lives but I wasn't" Andrew sniffed softly, his tears rolling down his cheeks like gentle raindrops, as he wiped them away with the sleeve of his shirt, revealing a vulnerable yet resilient spirit.
Andrew cleared his throat, a subtle yet deliberate action, as he gathered his thoughts and prepared to speak with conviction and clarity.
" But I Made It up to Her, I Went To Talk to him And I convinced Him To Go back to her,
But... The Second Time for them Just Didn't work like it did when they first started dating, Every time I was around, Things between them Always Got Awkward and quiet so, At one point They Just Stopped Talking and... Once Again, We were on our own" Andrew averted his gaze from Donnie's suit, fixing his eyes firmly forward as memories of his mother and the man she had been involved with swirled in his mind, filling him with a mix of regret and guilt for inadvertently disrupting their relationship.
" What happened to him?" Said Donnie. " I found out a few months back that... He Ended up Dying Of Colin Cancer" Andrew's voice quivered with emotion as he struggled to hold back his tears, his words escaping in a choked whisper as he fought to regain composure. " And He was a Great Man, I had found a Father to look up to, But I screwed everything up..."
" It's ok man" Donnie said. " You Were Just Protecting her, I Would Do The Same If I were In your position" Donnie told him. " Things could have been different, But they ain't, Ever Since then She hasn't Looked at me the same" Andrew turned to him. " It's Not your fault Andrew, You Know Now That My Sister and my friend Ralph, And The Whole World Knows About My Powers, They may Not Look at me the same, But who am I to run away from that When I Can accept it?" Said donnie. " i take That As a Hint to talk to her?" Andrew's gaze met Donnie's, and in that moment, he understood the unspoken message. Donnie's eyes conveyed the urgency for Andrew to mend his relationship with his mother, to seek resolution and healing. " Yes I do, Don't wait To work things out, With Our Line of work You never know how much time You have Left"
Donnie gently placed a reassuring hand on Andrew's shoulder, offering silent support. Andrew nodded, determination flickering in his eyes, as he made a silent promise to himself to reach out to his mother and mend their broken bond." I've gotta Go, Just Hang in there all right?" Donnie burst out of the garage, a mix of red and white energy swirling around him, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
His powers surged, propelling him forward with a newfound strength and determination.
Andrew let out a heavy sigh, his heart filled with a mix of hope and fear. He wondered if his mother would even give him a chance, fearing that she may shut him out once again. All he wanted was her happiness, even if it meant sacrificing his own. Every day, Andrew carried the weight of guilt on his shoulders, haunted by missed opportunities and unresolved conflicts.
Donnie's words echoed in his mind, reminding him not to wait, for in their dangerous line of work, time was a precious and uncertain commodity.
Donnie dashed through the bustling city, a blur of red and white energy, racing against time. Arriving at his doorstep, he hesitated before opening the door, knowing that his sister Lily and friend Ralph awaited him with a barrage of curious questions on the other side.
Donnie's hand hovered near the doorknob, but suddenly he stopped, closing his hand as he closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. The weight of anticipation and uncertainty overwhelmed him for a moment. Donnie's hand gently gripped the doorknob as he entered his apartment, carefully closing the door behind him.
With a nervous stride, he made his way into the living room, where Lily and Ralph eagerly awaited him, now aware of his true identity as the OutMan. Donnie could read the curiosity in their eyes and the slight furrow of their brows.
Their faces told him that they had countless questions swirling in their minds, ready to be unleashed upon him. " You Have a Lot a Questions, I know it's a Lot to take in from what You all Saw today" Donnie mustered the courage to begin explaining. " That Night You were Attacked By this....Man In Black, He did this to you?" Ralph impulsively cut him off, his words bursting forth like an unstoppable tide. " I'll Be Honest, I don't Know how I got this powers that Night, I just Remember there was this explosion of Light Before I ended Up In the Hospital"
Donnie's gaze shifted towards Ralph.
" The other person that was there that Night, I didn't Catch Who it was But...It Looked Like A woman" Donnie paused, his mind momentarily drifting back to that fateful night when he was attacked by the mysterious man in black. Memories of the white figure that saved him flooded his thoughts, reminding him of the life-altering incident that transformed him into the enigmatic OutMan. " She Saved me From The Man In Black" Donnie snapped back to reality, his gaze shifting from his distant memories to his present surroundings. He glanced at Ralph and Lily, noticing their quiet demeanor as they struggled to process the weight of his revelation.
" Look I'm Sorry I kept this From all of you"
Ralph crossed his arms, his posture reflecting a mix of curiosity.  " No" He told donnie. Donnie looked at Ralph, a tinge of understanding in his eyes. Despite Ralph keeping his secret, Donnie appreciated his loyalty and support. " We Get it, You kept it to Protect Us, That's What Every Hero does to Protect their loved ones"
Donnie's face lit up with a warm smile, and Lily rose gracefully from the comfort of her couch,
" Because Of You FistStriker's Reign Of Terror Is over" Lily's smile grew wider as she expressed her gratitude to Donnie." Not Exactly"
Quickly He interjected, urging Lily not to let her guard down, as the Man in black was still lurking somewhere out there, plotting His next move.
Lily and Ralph shared curious glances, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern. " FistStriker Was working with The Man In Black, He made a deal that if she Could kill me he'd Give her Power, She May Be out Of the Picture, But He's Still Out there, He's Faster, Stronger Then me"
Lily and Ralph shared curious glances, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern. They both turned their gaze back to Donnie, intrigued by his mention of the enigmatic man in black. Donnie nonchalantly plopped himself down on the armrest of his couch, " So what Are you gonna do?" Ralph's gaze fixed on Donnie, his eyes filled with anticipation" I don't Know Yet, Andrew and Jessica are working on that Right now" Donnie turned towards Ralph with a determined glint in his eyes. " Who's Andrew And Jessica?"
Lily's curiosity piqued as she turned her gaze towards Donnie, her eyes filled with intrigue,
" My Friends In The Chair, They've Been testing My powers, Made The Suit" Donnie gracefully rose from the armrest of his couch, his movements exuding a mix of confidence and anticipation." Sounds Like You have all hands On deck In your start of The Superhero Life"
Lily couldn't help but chuckle as she realized that Donnie had already taken a leap towards his hero journey. " I do, But I'm gonna need a Lot more than Two Smart Brains" Donnie's eyes shifted from Lily to Ralph, a glimmer of determination in his gaze, as he recognized the daunting task ahead and acknowledged that he would need their unwavering support " We're really Doing this?" Ralph's laughter echoed through the room at the mere idea of their ragtag group coming together to thwart the nefarious plans of the Man in Black." We Are, As A Team" Donnie flashed a warm smile and chuckled with excitement as he reassured Ralph that they were indeed going to tackle this daunting task as a united and determined team. " So When Do We Start?"
Lily's curious gaze fell upon Donnie as she inquired about the commencement of their quest to locate the Man in Black, prompting Donnie to turn towards her with a determined expression, assuring her that their journey would begin soon.
" We Already Did" Donnie offered a warm smile to Lily before turning his gaze towards her and Ralph, realizing that things were about to change significantly now that they knew he was the outsider. He understood the importance of watching out for them and keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings. Donnie knew that he would have to remain cautious and vigilant, always on the lookout for anyone who might target the people close to him and the residents of West City, as their safety became his utmost priority.
The next morning
Donnie and Lily arrived at the garage door. Donnie confidently sported black jeans, black converse, a crisp white shirt, and a stylish jean jacket, effortlessly combining his casual and edgy style. He was ready to take on whatever came his way with his signature fashion flair. Lily exuded a cool and edgy vibe, clad in black jeans, sleek black boots, and a chic 3/4 sleeve crew knit. Her fashion sense captivated attention, showcasing her unique style and confidence as she embarked on the day's adventures. " So This is Your...Fortress of Solitude?" Lily, with a hint of nonchalant charm, slipped her hands into the pockets of her black jeans. Lily cast an observant gaze over the area, taking in every detail. As she examined her surroundings " Eh, A Fortress of Solitude would be Somewhere Far from the city, This is More like....A Hideout where We can Test My powers, Come for Technology that Andrew or Jessica would make, Or Just To hang Out"
Donnie approached the door from the side, swiftly sliding it open with a calculated move.
" A Garage isn't Exactly A Superhero's Thing"
With a curious expression, Lily stepped into the garage, her eyes widening at the sight of Andrew's impressive inventions and scattered tech. Monitors flickered with data, and amidst the organized chaos, she spotted a run-down vehicle partially concealed under a dusty tarp.
Donnie quietly closed the garage door behind them, his footsteps echoing softly. As he approached Lily's side. "Yeah, That's The Point of Someone Who's Never really Had The Popularity in High School" Donnie ventured further into the garage, his eyes scanning the assortment of gadgets and gizmos. Lily couldn't help but chuckle as the realization of what the name "Outman" meant for Donnie. With a smile on her face, she followed Donnie " I get it now" Lily stood by Donnie's side. " It Has a Deeper Meaning" Donnie's curiosity pulsated as he scanned the garage, searching for Andrew and Jessica. " Andrew?" With a sense of urgency, he called out his name, hoping for a response amidst the cluttered space. " Jessica?" Donnie's voice echoed through the garage as he called out Jessica's name. Donnie's voice reverberated once more, calling out Andrew's name. Suddenly,
Andrew emerged from the room, diligently cleaning off his dirty hands. Donnie and Lily turned their heads simultaneously, their eyes landing on Andrew. " Hey, Jessica Around?"
Donnie took the initiative, asking Andrew about Jessica's whereabouts. Andrew met Donnie's gaze, " Yeah, She's On her way, Who's this?"
Andrew conveyed to Donnie that Jessica was on her way Just before he turned to Lily and asked Donnie about her, he continued to diligently clean his hands with a rag. " This Is My sister" Donnie graciously introduced Lily to Andrew, who greeted her with a warm smile and a gentle handshake. " You Must Be Lily" Andrew engaged in a heartfelt conversation with Lily, making her feel comfortable and at ease, all while subtly glancing over to the table where Donnie's seemingly lifeless suit lay, pondering the mysteries that surrounded it. " And You Must Be Andrew, His Guy In the Chair" Lily couldn't help but chuckle as she realized Andrew's true identity, knowing that he was the one who had been assisting Donnie all along, bringing a sense of lightheartedness to their conversation.
" Ahh, So That's My Official Label" Andrew burst into laughter at Lily's remark about him being the "guy in the chair" helping Donnie, finding her observation both amusing and spot-on, showcasing their shared sense of humor.
" Did You Sleep Here?" Donnie curiously asked Andrew if he had slept in the garage, intrigued by his presence there, and decided to follow him.
" Whenever I am Too Tired to Drive or If I Have a Lot of On My Mind" Andrew Said. " So I take it as Everyday?" Lily jokingly remarked to Andrew and Donnie that his habit of sleeping in the garage must be his way of avoiding snoring complaints or escaping the chaos of everyday life, earning a chuckle from both of them."Well, Lily, it seems you've inherited all the funny genes while I got stuck with the garage-sleeping gene!"
Andrew turned to Lily, realizing she was the designated joker in the family. Lily smirked at Andrew and confidently proclaimed " I may be more of a smartass, but I can still hold my own as the family joker. It's a talent for every occasion!"
Andrew grinned at Lily and sincerely expressed, "Lily, I have a feeling I'm really gonna enjoy having you around" Donnie's face lit up with a warm smile as he looked at his sister Lily, filled with the certainty that she was going to fit in perfectly with Andrew and Jessica.
" Have You come up with A Plan To Stop The Man In black?" Donnie gazed earnestly at Andrew, curiosity dancing in his eyes as he inquired about the progress of their plan to thwart the elusive man in black. His anticipation grew, eager to hear Andrew's crafty and ingenious strategy. Andrew's voice dripped with sarcasm as he playfully retorted, "Oh, was I supposed to do that? I'm terribly sorry, Donnie. I was just a tad occupied, trying to fix and clean your suit because FistStriker had quite the field day with it." Donnie's perceptive gaze softened as he noticed a lingering pain in Andrew's eyes, realizing that his friend was still carrying the weight of his Guilt. " Andrew If It's about your Mom I understand, You don't have to Hide it man" Andrew shook his head with determination, refusing to let his personal pain get in the way of their mission. "No, no, no, Donnie. It's okay. We have a job to do, and that's to stop the Man in Black, he said, his voice resolute and focused. Andrew chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, And I came up with a name for our nemesis. Cause Do we really have to keep calling him 'The Man in Black'?"
Donnie and Lily exchanged intrigued glances, eagerly waiting to hear what Andrew had in mind for the new name of their adversary. "And that is?" Lily said with concern, her eyes widening in anticipation. "The Red Edge, Andrew replied, his voice dripping with intrigue. "Why Red Edge?" Donnie asked, eager for an explanation. Andrew took a deep breath, his eyes glowing with intensity as he offered a glimpse into the intricacies of his choice. "Red symbolizes the essence of blood, danger, energy, and action, all traits that he embodies effortlessly. There's a deeper significance behind the name, but alas, I shall keep the specifics concealed, The Point Of This is, Red Edge Is Out there and He's Gunning for you for....Whatever reason he has" Andrew Told him. Donnie's gaze locked onto Andrew as the unsettling revelation settled in. "But why me? What have I ever done to this guy?" he questioned, his voice trembling with a blend of confusion. Andrew clasped his hands tightly on the rail, his face etched with concern, as he contemplated the unsettling truth.
"There's one possibility" he revealed, his voice filled with a mix of caution and apprehension.
Lily's gaze shifted from Andrew to Donnie, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "What is that possibility, Andrew?" she inquired, her voice laced with anticipation and a touch of worry.
As Lily and Donnie's attention shifted towards the garage, they watched in surprise as Jessica walked in. "He's from the future, she exclaimed, her voice filled with urgency and a hint of disbelief. Jessica swiftly closed the garage door, leaving Donnie and Lily stunned by the revelation of the Red Edge's future origins, their minds racing with questions and possibilities.
Donnie turned to Andrew with a curious look and asked, "Do you think the Red Edge is really from the future?" Donnie was still taken aback by the mind-boggling possibility that time travel might actually be real. Andrew paused for a moment, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, and said to Donnie, "Think about it, Have you ever ticked off the wrong guy enough for him to come after you?" Donnie shook his head. " Not once"
Donnie's eyes widened as a wave of realization washed over him. He wondered what he had done in the future to tick off The Red Edge. Perhaps there was a falling out or some unresolved issue that led to this pursuit.
" It Does make sense For Red Edge to Be from the future, Whatever Happened in the Future, He came back Probably to stop you from becoming OutMan so In the future The world's First superhero Would never Exist" Jessica Told him.
Lily pondered the intricacies of time travel, her curiosity shining through her intelligent gaze. "If The Red Edge wants to erase himself from the timeline, wouldn't he have to go back in time to the point of Donnie's birth?" she questioned, seeking a logical explanation. Jessica turned to Lily " You know new Girl, Time Travel is So hard to explain" intrigued by her insightful question, and with a warm smile, she introduced herself as she gracefully walked past Lily, setting her bag down on top of a nearby table. " I'm Jessica by the way " Lily, her voice laced with intelligence, offered her perspective on time travel.
"Isn't it that complicated? When you travel to the past, that past becomes your future, and your former present becomes the past, which I don't believe can alter your future," she explained thoughtfully. Donnie looked at Lily curiously, surprised by her knowledge of time travel. Lily met his gaze with a hint of amusement, knowing that she had peaked his curiosity. Donnie looked at Lily with an arched eyebrow, his curiosity getting the best of him. "When did you learn about time travel?" he asked, genuinely intrigued. Lily chuckled, playfully teasing Donnie. "Haven't you seen Back to the Future or
Hot Tub Time Machine?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Andrew chuckled, nodding in agreement. "She's got a point," he said with a smile. "And welcome to the time travel club."
Donnie's eyes widened with curiosity and a hint of fear. "Time travel, man. If that's real, then... could the multiverse be real too?" He couldn't help but wonder about the vastness of existence, pondering the possibility of aliens and a world much bigger than he ever imagined. Jessica leaned in, her eyes filled with intellectual curiosity. "Did you know that Polchinski is 94 percent certain that the multiverse is real?" She shared her knowledge, sparking a discussion about the fascinating concept of multiple universes. Donnie chuckled nervously, realizing the complexity of it all. "Yeah, having a team of brains to guide me through time travel and a floating rumor of the multiverse being real sure helps ease the pressure!" He appreciated the support of his knowledgeable friends.
Jessica playfully rolled her eyes and said,
"Well, Donnie, I'm glad we could lend a hand. Who needs superheroes when we've got our brilliant minds, right?" She winked and exited the garage, leaving Donnie chuckling at her humorous remark. Donnie's mind raced with the extraordinary turn of events. From battling criminals to the revelation of a futuristic pursuer, and now the possibility of a multiverse being real, he couldn't help but wonder how his life had taken such an unexpected and thrilling turn.
Donnie couldn't help but chuckle to himself, realizing that his life had become a whirlwind of adventure and complexity. If this were a show, he mused, none of these mind-boggling elements would have come into play until much later seasons. But hey, that's the price you pay for diving headfirst into the superhero life, crime, time travel, and now the multiverse. Donnie's mind raced with possibilities as he contemplated what could come next in his extraordinary superhero life. Aliens? World domination? The true endgame for him seemed uncertain, but one thing was for sure: normalcy was a thing of the past.