In A New League Of Power

Chapter 1

Cornelius Floyd's life had never been easy, but it had always been his own. Growing up as the oldest of three children in a tough neighborhood, he had always felt the weight of responsibility. He had dreams, hopes, and ambitions, but all of that came to an abrupt end one fateful night.

In my previous life, I was caught in a tragic accident—a car crash that left me fighting for my life. Despite the best efforts of the doctors, I didn't make it. As my consciousness faded, I felt a strange sense of peace, thinking that was the end. But instead of darkness, I found myself surrounded by a warm, radiant light. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I was reborn in a world that was both familiar and astonishingly different: the DC Universe.

I was still Cornelius Floyd, but now I lived in Metropolis, the bustling city protected by heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman. My memories of my past life were intact, but I had a second chance—a chance to make a difference in a world full of possibilities.

Life in Metropolis was a whirlwind. I adjusted to my new surroundings, made new friends, and tried to blend in. But today, as I walked through the halls of Metropolis High, something felt different, like a premonition hanging in the air.

"Cornelius! Wait up!" Katherine Medina's voice rang out, pulling me from my thoughts. Katherine had been my best friend since middle school. She was brilliant, ambitious, and had a passion for science that was contagious. Her dark, curly hair bounced as she hurried to catch up with me.

"Hey, Kat," I greeted her with a smile. "What’s the rush?"

"I need your help with something in the lab," she said, slightly out of breath. "It's a project I've been working on for weeks. I think I'm on the verge of a breakthrough!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Is this about that Luna wave machine you've been tinkering with?"

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Exactly! I finally got it to capture radiated Luna waves. I just need to fine-tune the calibration, and I could use your extra pair of hands."

I chuckled. "You always drag me into your experiments. Alright, lead the way."

We made our way to the school's science lab, where a sleek, futuristic machine sat in the center of the room, surrounded by cables and blinking lights. Katherine's girlfriend, Alicia, a blonde with piercing brown eyes, was already there, meticulously adjusting the controls.

"Alicia, meet Cornelius, my trusty assistant," Katherine said with a grin. "Cornelius, this is Alicia, my girlfriend."

I extended my hand. "Nice to meet you, Alicia. Katherine's told me a lot about you."

Alicia shook my hand warmly. "Nice to meet you too, Cornelius. Any friend of Katherine's is a friend of mine."

"Alright, let's get started," Katherine said, clapping her hands together. "Cornelius, can you monitor the energy levels while I run the test? Alicia, keep an eye on the frequency output."

We got to work, each focused on our respective tasks. The machine hummed to life, and the room was filled with a soft, blue glow. At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly. But then, I noticed something strange.

"Kat, the energy levels are spiking," I said, a note of concern in my voice. "Something's not right."

Katherine frowned, peering at the readouts. "That's odd. It shouldn’t be doing that. Alicia, can you stabilize the output?"

"I'm trying," Alicia replied, her brow furrowed in concentration. "But it's not responding."

Suddenly, the machine began to shake violently. Sparks flew from the control panel, and the blue glow intensified, becoming blindingly bright.

"Cornelius, get back!" Katherine shouted, but it was too late.

I saw the explosion coming and instinctively moved to shield Katherine. The next moment, I was engulfed in a wave of radiated Luna energy. Pain seared through my body, and everything went dark.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. My mother, Timeka, sat by my side, her face etched with worry. Katherine and Alicia stood nearby, looking equally concerned.

"Mom?" I croaked, my throat dry.

"Oh, thank God, you're awake!" she exclaimed, tears streaming down her face. She hugged me tightly. "I was so worried."

Katherine stepped forward, guilt written all over her face. "Cornelius, I'm so sorry. I had no idea the machine would malfunction like that."

I managed a weak smile. "It's not your fault, Kat. These things happen."

Alicia nodded. "We're just glad you're okay. The doctors said you were lucky to survive."

Over the next few days, I began to notice strange changes in myself. My strength increased dramatically, to the point where I accidentally crushed a glass in my hand. I discovered I could fly when I absentmindedly floated off my bed. My skin became impervious to harm, and I could move at incredible speeds. My senses sharpened, allowing me to hear conversations from across the hospital and see details with astounding clarity.

One afternoon, as I sat in my hospital room, Katherine and Alicia visited me again.

"How are you feeling, Cornelius?" Katherine asked, pulling up a chair next to my bed.

"Better, I guess," I replied. "But something's... different."

"Different how?" Alicia asked, curiosity piqued.

I hesitated, unsure how to explain. "I feel stronger. Like, a lot stronger. And I can do things I couldn't before. Watch."

I focused on a small metal tray on the bedside table and, to their astonishment, it floated into the air and hovered in front of me.

"Oh my God," Katherine whispered. "You have powers. Like, Kryptonian powers."

I nodded slowly. "I think the radiation from the machine did something to me. I have super strength, I can fly, I'm practically invulnerable, and I can move really fast. My senses are off the charts too."

"This is incredible," Alicia said, her eyes wide with wonder. "You're like a superhero."

I sighed. "But what do I do now? I didn't ask for these powers."

Katherine placed a hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out together, Cornelius. You don't have to go through this alone."

Alicia nodded in agreement. "We're here for you. And who knows? Maybe you were given these powers for a reason."

As I looked at my two friends, I felt a sense of determination welling up inside me. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew I had to use my newfound abilities for good. The world was a dangerous place, and maybe, just maybe, I could make a difference.

The days turned into weeks, and I slowly adapted to my powers. I practiced in secret, honing my abilities and learning to control them. Katherine and Alicia were my confidants, helping me navigate this new chapter of my life.

One evening, as the sun set over Metropolis, I stood on the roof of my apartment building, looking out over the city. The weight of my responsibility pressed down on me, but I felt ready to embrace it.

"Hey," Katherine's voice called out from behind me. She and Alicia joined me on the roof, their expressions supportive.

"Hey," I replied, a small smile on my face.

"We've been thinking," Alicia said. "If you're going to be a hero, you need a name. Something that symbolizes your abilities and who you are."

I pondered for a moment. "How about... Boundless? It represents the limitless potential these powers give me."

Katherine grinned. "Boundless. I like it. It suits you."

"Then it's settled," Alicia said, nodding. "Cornelius Floyd, aka Boundless. The hero Metropolis didn't know it needed."

As we stood together, watching the city lights twinkle below, I felt a surge of hope and purpose. I was Boundless, and I was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.