(Chapter 1: Rough Start)

The path to being greater is never easy for anyone especially when the world is full of people in a constant and never-ending struggle between good and evil, yet for one, in particular, his journey would start when he's got nowhere to go but up.

(Cadmus Facility, Alaska, November 15th, 2009, 8:40 pm)

It was the dead of night in Alaska as the Cadmus scientists had been working on an over 3 years long project assigned to them; that dealt by using something known as the Blacklight virus in order to create the apex in adaptive super soldiers, with only one in the 2 and a half out of the 6 years being successful.

"I still can't believe that out of everyone we've had to do this too, that this was the best we could find success in." One of the Cadmus scientists spoke as the sedated test subject lie there unconscious

"Yeah well be glad that he's been fed a constant stream of sedatives because it now we'd be in big trouble since Project Legion over there was so strong that it took us having to call in some people to make so that we wouldn't lose so many of us." Another Cadmus scientist spoke in memory of those events that cost the lives of Cadmus scientists and guards

"Which is the main reason why I'm thankful that those sedatives work on him because it not then we'd be in trouble." The Cadmus scientist added as unknown to him the test subject had been feigning unconsciousness and was manipulating biomass tendrils to undo his bonds

"How bad would it be if he were awake and not sedated?" The other Cadmus scientist wondered looking over as the test subject began to get up

"Well, have you ever seen a Friday the 13th movie? Think of that but on steroids considering that with all that we've done experimenting on him then I wouldn't blame him. Why do you ask?" The Cadmus scientist questioned before a pale arm from the lack of sunlight burst through the glass and impaled him through the chest

"Because do you really think I wouldn't have evolved to grow resistant to all those sedatives you pump me with since I've been waiting for an opportune moment for 10 months." The test subject spoke before soon enough biomass tendrils began to burst forth and absorb the man into him

"Look man I just started here...please I won't tell anyone!" The Cadmus scientist pleaded with him as a fist punched him through the face

"You're damn right you won't." The test subject spoke as he ran throughout the base using the memories he absorbed from both scientists to run to his escape

That in mind the pale test subject raced throughout the base in a blur as he went throughout for the most expedient exit until he was met by opposition from guards that soon opened fire on him, yet he soon jumped onto the wall and began running along it and landing in the middle of the mess. With him then proceeding to tear through them like they were made of silly putty with him punching through their body armor like it wasn't even there, for the bullet wounds inflicted on him would soon heal within moments of being shot by the gunfire.

With the carnage having been kept relatively minimal considering the fact that he absorbed half of the guards into himself both to further aid in overcoming the effects of sedatives, but also to help in allowing himself to make his escape more successful as he rushed throughout the base. For he would soon take out 2 more squads of guards before he soon saw that the place was on red alert, with him soon noticed an air vent off to the corner and going for broke dove through it and began to quickly crawl through it towards an escape.

With him quickly crawling through the air vents and began to focus on his biomass to shift his pale and gaunt form into that of one of the guards as he quickly crawled through it quickly and with haste to gain a definite escape from his captors. And it was soon a bit over a half hour of making sure he was moving stealthily and quickly before he was able to make his escape into harsh Alaskan cold, with him quickly sprinting towards a vehicle and breaking through the window as he reached through the biomass within himself to get a key to start the vehicle.

"And I'm finally golden and out of here...so long you bastards and rest in hell!" The pale test subject exclaimed from within the vehicle as he drove off

"Now then to get to somewhere; to where I can get clothes and food. Because while absorbing those guys was good and all nothing would beat having real food again." The pale test subject thought after all not having had actual food in almost 4 years would make anyone hungry

Yet as he drove off into the distance as the Cadmus facility the surviving scientists knew that they were going to be in massive trouble for letting Project Legion escape their grasp, due to the fact that said test subject and the only successful one of it had gotten out and killed over 2 dozen of those in the base. Not to mention considering that Project Legion was meant to be a highly adaptable and evolving super soldier, which combined with his ability to shapeshift into anyone he absorbed it would be highly difficult to track and or let alone find him.

Meanwhile, the test subject from Project Legion had only one thought on his mind besides clothing and food was to get stronger and once he had acquired the amount of strength start killing off those who stole years from him and experimented on him like a lab rat. For consequences be damned if he was going to get his revenge on the people who kidnapped him, with no quarter given to anyone involved in Cadmus.

(2 weeks later, Salem, Oregon, 3:45 pm, November 29th, 2009)

It was weeks later as the test subject from Project Legion who had a vague memory of his name which was Maynard and was currently within the town of Salem, having made a pitstop to gather himself and be on the lookout for anyone.

"Well, the good news is that I've managed to get out of those clothes, but the bad news is that I've got no money." Maynard thought as for the first time in years looked at himself over in a mirror

He was in his mid-20's; having large almond shaped dark green eyes with his face being gaunt and pale from the years of experimentation and lack of gaining any real food or sustenance as well as sunlight. He had semi matted black hair with shocks of white going through it from the amount of stress put through his body that went to his shoulders, as well as a matching tangled beard that went to his collarbone as he had an angular face and slightly hollow cheekbones that combined with his squared off jaw that combined with his 6 foot 4 height gave him at the current moment a ghoulish appearance.

With him wearing a large long sleeved flannel red and darkened grey shirt that fit his broad-shouldered form and somewhat wiry build good enough; which he wore under a black winter coat that along with his black jeans and matching boots that were topped off by a scarlet colored cap was all good to go.

"Now then to find some money for gas and to still get some more to eat, because consuming doesn't do it well enough like a hot meal," Maynard said more to himself before he witnessed a mugging

"Well, there's one way to do it." Maynard thought to go towards the trio of thugs

"Hey if you know what's good for ya then you'll walk away, or else your gonna get what this broad has got coming to her." One of the thugs threatened as he wielded a pistol, another having a baseball bat and the other a crowbar and the last one wielding a stiletto knife

"Really man? I'm wondering do you actually want to start this because this won't end well I guarantee it," Maynard responded as the gun-wielding thug pointed his pistol at him

"Last chance either keep walking or ya gonna get it." The pistol-wielding thug swore as he aimed it at his face ready to pull the trigger

"You don't have the balls," Maynard responded before getting shot in the face

"That'll show him." The crowbar wielding thug spoke as he neared their target

"Now hand over the goods if you know what's good for you." The crowbar wielding thug added as suddenly a garbled scream was heard

"What the fuck!" The knife-wielding thug exclaimed

That in mind they saw coming out of his back a large 2 and a half foot long blade that was several and a half inches wide; that looked like a cross between a machete and falchion that stopped at his elbow joint while from the elbow upwards was covered in dense brick red and onyx colored biomass that pulsed like a heartbeat. With him having sliced upwards as the two halves of his upper body slid apart revealing a now fully healed Maynard who looked more irritated than anything else as he swiped blood across the pavement, for he was basically daring them to do something.

With the pistol-wielding thug ordering and threatening them to go after Maynard to which they reluctantly agreed to do in rushing after him which proved to be their undoing, considering that unlike the heroes he didn't care about being merciful or sending them to jail. Especially since he took off the stiletto knife-wielding thug's left arm off at the shoulder to literally disarm him of his weapon before splitting his head straight down the middle, as the two sides clattered to the ground while the one using the crowbar moved in to try and bash his brains in..

Which proved to be his undoing with him turning around to impale him through the right lung before slicing downwards and sundering through ribs and vital organs like they were made of perfectly cooked Thanksgiving ham. Leaving only the pistol-wielding thug who began to empty the whole clip into Maynard who merely kept going albeit with staggering from the shots, yet once Maynard closed in the distance he began to rapid fire stab at the man's insides until they looked like they went through an industrial-sized blender.

"That takes care of that and I wonder if she's ok...and she left...then again I would too if I saw someone just up and slice through some guys like they were made of swiss cheese." Maynard thought as he neared the pistol-wielding thug

"Now then time to see what you guys knew," Maynard spoke as he extended his biomass tendrils and began to consume him as memories and thoughts rushed into him

"Well a gang led by some fire-starting asshat, well at least I've got a reason to stay. After all, I could use some of that against Cadmus." Maynard said to himself knowing he could use a little bit of power

That in mind he quickly took to the rooftops to watch as the police did their clean up of the massacre to which he watched because with the information he gained from consuming the thug he was gonna stay a bit in Salem. Not only would he gain a new power out of it but also be able to do some sightseeing as well, after all being stuck in a facility for almost 4 years would leave anyone with a compelling want to see the sights and go around to see all of what they've missed out on in the gap of time.

(5 days later, December 4th, 2009, 7:41 pm)

It was the evening as Maynard was taking in the view of the town of Salem at night as he had to admit that it looked quite peaceful in the snow-covered night, as he'd used the money he'd taken from the thugs prior to getting him some Wendy's.

"Oh man I've missed having actual food," Maynard spoke happily eating his 2nd Baconator

"And not to mention that at least now from what I can remember that I've got an excuse to do some cross country traveling." Maynard thought since from what memories he could recollect he always wanted to do some traveling around the U.S

"Still I can at least have some entertainment by getting rid of tools," Maynard said as he saw some more thugs start robbing a bank

With that in mind he finished his Baconator and fries and soon dropped down and glided towards the destination and landing softly onto the ground and soon attacking the two posted outside with shotguns, as he took out the one on the left by driving his fist through their chest to obliterate their heart and then rushing over and punching the other one in the throat so hard it collapsed like a soda can. He then proceeded to go over to their getaway car and turning his arm into its bladed form and slashed out all of their tires; after all, he'd rather not go on some cliche car chase across town and waste time and energy that easily could've been handled.

That in mind he snuck into the bank and hid away making sure not to be heard or seen as he waited for them to come out into the open, this way he could take them out all at once instead of having to go about chasing them around and further waste time. So with that he played the waiting game and minutes later saw the 6 thugs wielding shotguns and semi-auto pistols with them have no idea what was coming, with him soon leaping from his hiding place and punched one with such force that his sternum shattered like glass and breaking his ribs on contact and sending him straight into a wall on contact.

That in mind they all started opening fire upon him with him ducking for cover and waiting for an opportune moment to strike, as he heard them stop firing as they decided to split up and flank him that way. Luckily he thanked the lights being out which allowed him to hop up onto the ceiling and sneak his way into it to hide for cover, with none of them being the wiser about his position as they looked all over the place for him.

"Damn it where the hell did that guy go?" One of the shotgun wielding thugs wondered searching around for Maynard

"I don't know but I'm telling you that this fucking sucks man, as the boss sent us here to just get some cash and shit and be out. Not fight a damn metahuman." The mini uzi wielding thug cursed at their luck

"Well, all I know is that I'm gonna get out of here and fast because I am not gonna get flash-fried because we couldn't kill some dumbass wanting to play hero." The shotgun-wielding thug responded as both shuddered at the possible punishment

"Yeah as I still remember what happened to poor Frankie when he messed up, as I didn't think you could've incinerated someone's insides like that. But then again when people can fly and shoot lasers out of their eyes I shouldn't be surprised." The 1st shotgun-wielding thug spoke considering the world they lived in

"Anyways let's keep looking as I…" The shotgun-wielding thug tried to say

That was before Maynard dropped down like a specter to snap his neck before he went to the mini uzi wielding one and clamped his hand down around his mouth before punching his fist straight into his chest, once that was done he began to consume the man's biomass as onyx and brick red biomass tendrils extended outwards. Once that was done and over with he quickly morphed into the mini uzi wielding thugs form and went over to join the remaining thugs, with him taking some time to assure them that he'd been dealt with so they could leave and once properly convinced made their departure.

With them walking outside only for the thugs to curse the fact that their getaway vehicle had their tires slashed apart into many pieces, yet amidst their argument over what they should do Maynard snuck up on one of them and clocked him right in the jaw, sending him flying and unconscious with a concussion. The remaining 2 thugs going to open fire on Maynard who deftly leaped into the air before immediately dropping down like a missile, as he delivered a dropkick that caved in the thug wielding the submachine gun with bones crunching like twigs from the sheer force.

Before Maynard turned his attention to the one who had now decided to shoot him as a shotgun blast hit him square in the stomach making him take a step back from the force, yet his biomass merely took care of it and ejected the pellets before rapidly closing up the wound. With him proceeding to shoulder check the remaining thug so hard that it not only violently tore his left shoulder from its socket but also hairline fractured his collarbone on that side, before proceeding to lift him up and slammed him down onto his knee to immobilize him.

"Huh looks like the police officers are arriving." Maynard spoke as police cars began to park their way in the crime scene

"Might as well make like Michael Jackson and beat it, because if there's one thing I've seen on the news is that heroes and publicity are a messy combination I can't afford to want. Especially since I need to keep myself hidden." Maynard said to himself as he jumped away from the scene

That in mind the policemen began to go through the crime scene and gathering up evidence as well as arresting those who weren't killed by Maynard, with the police lieutenant having come to check this out and was currently talking with one of the officers about this.

"Well, boss you gotta admit that whoever this is, that they're doing a better job of getting rid of that bastard's goons than what any of the heroes have been." The police officer spoke to the dirty blonde haired and blue eyed lieutenant

"You got that right, as finally someone who won't pull their punches. Because if there's one thing these heroes do that I can't stand is constantly hold it back. Since it they stopped trying to hold the moral high ground all the time, then we wouldn't have to worry about all of this." The police lieutenant spoke since he was tired of the heroes constant of trying to be on a moral high ground causing more trouble than they what was worth

"So when and if we do find this guy, what are you gonna do?" The police officer asked in regards to what was to be done with Maynard

"Easy enough I'll shake his hand for helping us get a leg up against that damned firestarter. Because thanks to him I've had to deal with enough people losing their homes or getting roasted because they wouldn't do what he wanted. So you can believe that I'll thank him for getting rid of his bastard minions." The police lieutenant responded because to him Maynard was helping out far more by eliminating that pyro's minions

"Good to know because I'd rather have someone like him whose taking the fight to them and making sure they stay down, then some." The police officer agreed

"Well, whoever you are all I gotta say is thank you for helping us out." The police lieutenant thought before leaving the now cleaned crime scene

(2 days later, Lexcorp, December 6th, 2009, 2:10 pm)

It was 2 days later as Lex Luthor was with Vandal Savage with the founders of the Light discussing one thing in particular, that being the escape of Project Legion 3 weeks ago from their base out of Alaska.

"So Luthor you mean to tell me that you've no intention of going after Project Legion?" Vandal Savage questioned with a justified amount of suspicion in his voice

"Correct as before you go off on a tangent about how I should have all of our men scouring the globe for him, let's consider that this is actually perfect for us." Lex Luthor answered back with full confidence

"Explain Luthor." Vandal Savage demanded

"First of all think of it this way Vandal. Because we've been experimenting and toying around with Project Legion for years now, but we've never had a chance to field test it into the open with the League. But now that he's made his escape we can finally see how are super soldier shall fare in the open world." Lex Luthor stated with a small grin on his face

"Because it would be more than a shame to let all of that work on Project Legion go to waste and not have it properly field tested. After all, he would prove most useful in getting rid of the competition, after all the longer we leave him out there the longer he would prove useful in lessening our problems. Because you and I both know that we have loose ends that need tying up and Project Legion's field testing would be our way of that." Lex Luthor added gaining the immortal's attention at that

"I haven't even thought of that prospect, as I can agree that in our trying to have the Light become what it is today that we've left quite a few things left unattended too. Which has proven to be a thorn in our side as of late." Vandal Savage stated having to admit the prospect of that would help out immensely

Because the thing was that in the years building up the Light to its current standing they'd, in turn, left a number of loose ends that were now proving to be quite a problem, which is why allowing Project Legion to go around doing his field testing in the form of his doling out his vengeance against Cadmus would prove beneficial to them.

"So I guess this means that we're pulling away from our Cadmus projects then?" Vandal Savage questioned as to if they'd be leaving Cadmus to fend for itself

"No...well not at the very least anyways, since they still have their uses to us. After all, we've still got Project Kr in the works, something that I've had some personal investment in." Lex Luthor spoke in his project of a more stable Kryptonian hybrid

"Let's hope that this one won't go on a rampage, as we still have the clone of Supergirl that went rogue and had awoken last year from her coma. For that in and of itself has proven to be a headache that never ceases." Vandal Savage replied making a full note of the fact that the clone of Supergirl was now running rampant across the globe

Because suffice to say that when Galatea found out she was being discarded like trash so easily it didn't go well, especially considering that she turned said facility and everything in a half-mile radius into killing field.

"Yes and let's be glad that for now that she's not rampaged in the last few months, for at least the league going after her will take some pressure off of us on that front." Lex Luthor told him of the fact that the League had been searching after Galatea

"At least the League can prove itself useful as a deterrent towards her. But back on topic Luthor with Project Legion. Since how do you know that he won't go joining up with the League and proceed to make things abundantly worse for us?" Vandal Savage wondered considering that it Project Legion joined with the League it could prove disastrous

"Oh, that's easy enough Vandal. Because we engineered his powers and abilities to maximize lethality to make him the perfect killing machine. Not to even mention that what with all that was done to him, do you really think that he'll adhere to their pathetic rule against killing? After all, unlike them, he's too close to hating Cadmus for what we did in creating him to what he is now, so I've no doubt that he won't join them." Lex Luthor assured the immortal after all, unlike the rest of the League he knew full well that Project Legion's vendetta would clash too much with the League for him to join them

"You raise quite the compelling point Luthor, as it seems as though you've thought of everything." Vandal Savage spoke as the bald multi-billionaire's smirk never left his face

"That's the thing Vandal, I have since do you really think I would allow for something like this to happen without at least planning around such events. Because it there's one thing that damned Kryptonian has taught me; its to always plan ahead for every avenue of what's to come." Lex Luthor answered back with confidence as years of being in business and having faced off against the Man of Steel taught him the value of patience and planning ahead

"Hmph, it seems as though your fixation on Superman has begun to finally show reward." Vandal Savage spoke in a condescending manner

"Oh no, you've got me all wrong as the thing is I'm far over Superman. Because to be honest he holds no real form of interest to me anymore." Lex Luthor stated having grown tired of the Man of Steel as the years persisted

"Really now? And tell me what brought this on?" Vandal Savage questioned in curiosity

"Simple enough. For he's so predictable to the point of which I find myself realizing what's the point of doing the same routine without fail and it's gotten to where I don't consider him so much of a rival anymore. If anything its more of the fact that he's a bland annoyance than anything that I won't bother wasting my time on." Lex Luthor explained to the immortal

Because after so many years of having gone against Superman it made the self-made billionaire realize that there wasn't a point to it anymore, for he'd come to realize that Superman had become to him as boring and bland as week-old oatmeal. Which is why he gave up pursuing after Superman since what was there to be gained from it really other than more stress to add and more annoyances to be gained from the Man of Steel, therefore he dedicated his time to more important matters that deserved his time.

"I can't find any way, shape or form to argue with that logic. Since he's the epitome of being a stereotypical boy scout." Vandal Savage agreed as it there was one thing for certain it was that Superman was the standard for being Lawful Good

"Nevertheless we've nothing to really worry about from Project Legion, as I say let him go on his vendetta. After all, he'll be doing our clean up for us and we'll finally be able to see how effective our super soldier is." Lex Luthor told the immortal as after all letting him pursue his vengeance would work out better for them in the end

"Alright I shall agree to this plan of yours, but should we suffer more losses than we gain from letting him run rampant. Then its all on your head." Vandal Savage warned him as the self-made billionaire never wavered in his expression

"Relax yourself Vandal and have patience as I've made plans in case of that since everything I've been doing as of late. I have done and made sure succeeds to benefit me either it is in the short term or in the long run." Lex Luthor replied in his ever-present confident and assured tone of voice

"Because we may be working together Vandal, but never in your life mistake me for an incompetent idiot." Lex Luthor told him his tone of voice only needing a slight change to show the seriousness of it

"Are you threatening me?" Vandal questioned him

"Oh no because unlike most people, I don't make threats since threats are for people who are too weak and or incompetent to follow through with them. But what I am making you is a guarantee and what I can guarantee you is that if you ever cross me or make me look like a fool; then I'll be sure to make your run as an immortal come to an end." Lex Luthor answered back because he didn't deal out in threats as he saw them as petty and weak-willed

"Well, I believe it is time for me to leave then." Vandal Savage spoke feeling that the atmosphere in the room had become uncomfortable

"Yes as do be careful, since there's a snowstorm coming and we wouldn't want anything to happen to you now would we." Lex Luthor spoke as the immortal rose from his seat

"And remember Luthor that I will be watching you and the progress on Project Legion." Vandal Savage told him while the bald businessman remained not intimidated

"I'm sure you will; now unless you want to be caught up in the storm then I'd suggest you'd get a move on." Lex Luthor told the immortal who soon departed the building

"And while Project Legion is taking care of the loose ends we have, that frees me up to continue working on Operation Powershifter." Lex Luthor said with a smile as he began to open up the files for it

"Because the Light shall continue to shine itself on humanity, should they fail to stay at their A-game I will snuff those who threaten it out. For in order to make sure we shine forth we must continue to stay at our best; therefore shall they become fools that fail to keep up then they shall be replaced." Lex Luthor swore since it there was one thing that he wouldn't stand for is anyone not being at their A-game

So then with the stage set for our virus infected protagonist find out how things shall go for Maynard in the new chapters of Follow the Blacklight.

And cut as I hoped you guys liked the debut of this new story as for why the chapter had to be short it's because of the fact that for something like this the pacing had to be as such, so as not to bog down the chapter. Yet with that being said let's get down to it now shall we.

First up we've got Maynard escaping from the facility that he was held at which I thought would be nice since he wouldn't really be worried about doing all of his flashy abilities so much as getting out and safely; which is why he didn't go all out.

Following that up we've got Maynard killing off some of the thugs and getting himself involved in taking out a gang within Salem, which I thought would be neat to do in showing off one of the powers he does have. Which is the Blade power which is the one that I thought would be good enough for him to start out with besides the basic Claws or Hammerfist; which he will get there in time.

After that, we've got Maynard stopping a bank heist which I wanted to do to show that Maynard can be more than just brute force and when he commits to it can stealth his way into taking out an opponent. Not to mention that I thought it'd be neat to do a bit between the police to show that not everyone is for heroes, something that will come up throughout the story.

Lastly we've got a bit between Lex Luthor and Vandal Savage who to be honest were the most important out of the Light; with me having them do this to not only bring up some plot point that will have their merit in the story but also to set Lex up to be something bigger in the story.

That being said please favorite, follow, review and share this story out as much as possible since I know this story can be something really cool; because every little bit you guys do helps the story out. Also, remember that flames will be ignored, yet constructive criticism so long as its well thought out and not an excuse to be a dick is welcomed.

All that being said this Nomadic Chaos further using the power of said Chaos to give you guys good content to read, for next chapter is Maynard's going up against his 1st metahuman so stay tuned for that and other things.

Prelude Theme Song: Rusty Cage by Soundgarden

Random End Song: Take out the Gunman by Chevelle