Aegiron

'Flashback: Forged in Metal'

Elliot hadn't expected anything unusual when he clocked into his night shift at the foundry. The world outside seemed normal enough, and the familiar hum of machinery filled the air as he worked late into the night, welding steel beams for a project he barely paid attention to.

But that night, the sky was far from normal.

A strange glow flickered through the high windows of the foundry, casting eerie shadows across the metal surfaces. Elliot paused, the welding torch still in his hand, and looked up just in time to see a flash of light streak across the sky.

A low rumble shook the ground beneath his feet, followed by a thunderous crash as something massive collided with the earth nearby.

---

Elliot's heart raced as he abandoned his workstation, the welding torch still sputtering on the floor. The eerie glow outside drew him like a moth to a flame. He stepped out of the foundry, the cool night air hitting him like a wave. Distant sounds of panic and confusion echoed through the streets.

As he made his way toward the crash site, he could see the remnants of what looked like a massive meteor, glowing and pulsating with energy, embedded in the ground. The earth around it was scorched, and pieces of debris lay scattered in all directions. Curiosity propelled him forward, despite the warning bells ringing in his mind.

When he reached the impact zone, the sight was overwhelming. The meteor was larger than he had imagined, shimmering with colors that seemed to shift and swirl. Elliot approached cautiously, unable to take his eyes off the mysterious object. It was like nothing he had ever seen before, almost alive in its brilliance.

Suddenly, as he drew nearer, a pulse of energy emanated from the meteor, sending a shockwave through the air. Startled, Elliot stumbled backward. In a frantic attempt to regain his balance, he reached out and grabbed the nearest metal beam lying on the ground.

In that instant, the warmth from the meteor surged through the air and into his body, intertwining with the metal he was touching. Elliot gasped as he felt a jolt of energy ripple through him. His body began to shift and change, the essence of the meteor merging with the metal in his grip.

As he stood there, bewildered, he watched in awe as his skin turned into a shining metallic surface. He felt his form solidify and harden, transforming into iron, steel, and then shifting to other metals. It was a surreal experience—one moment he was a man, and the next, he was becoming a living embodiment of metal.

The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying. Elliot realized he could become any metal, and with each transformation, he felt a surge of power and confidence. The very essence of the meteor had awakened something extraordinary within him.

---

A few hours passed, and Elliot felt the adrenaline from his transformation beginning to fade. He returned to the foundry, shaking his head as if to dismiss the incredible event. The sounds of machinery and the familiar scent of metal surrounded him, but his mind was still racing. **What just happened?** He thought, glancing back toward the meteor crash site. Surely the authorities would arrive soon to investigate. Yet, as he waited, a sense of unease settled over him.

His curiosity got the better of him. Why hadn't anyone checked on the meteor? After all, a cosmic event like that had to draw attention. Just as he was about to step outside again, a loud explosion reverberated through the air, shaking the ground beneath his feet. The noise was followed by a wave of panic as sirens blared in the distance.

Elliot rushed to the window and peered outside. Smoke billowed from a nearby building, and chaos erupted in the streets. People were running in all directions, their faces masks of fear. He couldn't ignore it any longer; he had to see what was happening.

As he stepped out of the foundry, Elliot felt the metallic power still pulsing within him. With each step, his confidence grew. He would figure out how to control this ability, but first, he had to understand what was happening.

Moving cautiously through the streets, he followed the sounds of destruction. His heart raced as he turned a corner and came face-to-face with the source of the chaos. A duo was wreaking havoc, unleashing energy blasts and manipulating the environment around them. Buildings crumbled under their fury, and debris rained down like confetti.

Elliot stood frozen for a moment, caught off guard by the sight. Who were they? What had happened to them? He didn't know their story, but he sensed the anger radiating from them. They were like him—newly empowered and filled with reckless energy.

Fueled by a mix of fear and determination, Elliot shouted out, "Stop! You're going to hurt someone!" His voice echoed amidst the chaos, but it barely registered over the cacophony of destruction.

The duo turned their attention to him, their expressions a blend of fury and confusion. "What do you want?" one shouted back, eyes blazing. "Get out of the way unless you want to get hurt!"

Elliot felt a surge of resolve. He couldn't let them wreak havoc, not when he had the power to do something about it. "You don't have to do this!" he pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears.

In an instant, they charged at him, and Elliot barely had time to react. He instinctively transformed his arm into a thick metal shield just as one launched a blast of energy toward him. The impact reverberated through him, and Elliot grunted as he braced against the force.

Elliot fought back, channeling his newfound abilities. He shifted into steel, trying to absorb the next attack, but the combined fury of his opponents was overwhelming. They were stronger than he anticipated, their anger driving them to unleash chaos with reckless abandon.

Elliot struggled to hold his ground, morphing his limbs into various metals to deflect their attacks, but he could feel his stamina waning. Each transformation took a toll on him, and he was still inexperienced with his powers. He had to find a way to gain the upper hand.

As he clashed with them, he realized he needed to think strategically. Instead of overpowering them, perhaps he could calm them down, appeal to whatever sanity remained within them. "You don't have to fight! We can work together!" he shouted, desperately hoping to reach them.

But as their battle raged on, it became clear that anger clouded their judgment. They were not just fighting him; they were fighting against their own demons, and Elliot was caught in the middle of it.

---

In the midst of the chaos, Elliot tried to keep his footing, but the combined force of their attacks was too much. A sudden blast of energy caught him off guard, sending him sprawling to the ground. The world spun around him as darkness closed in, and he felt the last remnants of consciousness slip away.

When Elliot finally awoke, he found himself lying in the rubble of a collapsed building, dust and debris surrounding him. The air was thick with smoke, and a strange silence enveloped the area, broken only by the distant wail of sirens. Disoriented, he pushed himself up, blinking away the haze from his vision.

As he surveyed the devastation, the remnants of the earlier battle loomed before him. The destruction was extensive, and a sinking feeling settled in his stomach. **What had happened while he was unconscious?**

Elliot scrambled to his feet, brushing dust from his clothes. He could see the outlines of figures in the distance—authorities had arrived. The sound of sirens grew louder, echoing through the ruined streets. Relief washed over him; perhaps they had managed to restore order.

But as he looked around, uncertainty crept in. **Did the duo escape?** Had they just abandoned the scene after knocking him out? He needed answers, but the last thing he wanted was to be caught in the crossfire again.

He spotted a nearby alley and hurried toward it, desperate to avoid any confrontation with the authorities. His heart raced as he moved cautiously through the debris-strewn streets, hoping to remain unnoticed. The sight of police cars and emergency vehicles added to his unease.

Just as he reached the alley's end, he glanced back at the scene. Officers were beginning to cordon off the area, and reporters were gathering, eager to capture the unfolding story. Elliot felt a pang of guilt as he remembered how he had tried to intervene, only to be overpowered.

Realizing he needed to get home and process everything that had happened, Elliot slipped into the shadows of the alley and continued toward the outskirts of the city. The distant sounds of sirens began to fade as he put more distance between himself and the chaos.

Once he was far enough away, he let out a shaky breath. He still had so many questions about his powers, the duo he had faced, and the transformation that had altered his life in an instant. But for now, all he could do was return to the familiarity of home, where he could regroup and plan for whatever came next.

As he walked through the quiet streets, the night felt heavier than before, filled with uncertainties. Elliot knew he had to learn how to control his abilities, understand his place in this new world, and perhaps find a way to prevent more chaos from erupting in the future.

---

Weeks had passed since the chaos erupted in the city, and Elliot found himself among the many volunteers helping to rebuild the destruction. Each day brought new challenges, and he worked tirelessly alongside others who had stepped up in the aftermath.

Elliot had transformed not only physically but emotionally. He had discovered his newfound powers during the disaster, and now he was determined to harness them for good. As he lifted heavy debris, cleared rubble, and assisted those in need, he felt a sense of purpose that had been missing from his life.

With the destruction still fresh in everyone's minds, Elliot used his abilities discreetly, ensuring no one recognized him. When he transformed into metal, he became an unidentifiable figure, a nameless protector who could help without drawing attention to himself. His metallic form allowed him to absorb impacts and lift heavy objects with ease, making him an invaluable asset to the rebuilding effort.

Despite the heavy workload, Elliot found joy in his new role. He participated in strategic meetings with the other heroes, discussing how to best help the community and protect it from future threats. It was a refreshing change from his previous life, where he felt isolated and unsure of his place in the world. Now, surrounded by others who understood the weight of their responsibilities, he felt empowered.

---

As the rebuilding efforts finally drew to a close, Elliot walked through the nearby construction site, surveying the progress made by his fellow heroes and volunteers. The air was filled with the sounds of machinery and the chatter of workers, but there was an underlying tension that lingered—remnants of the chaos they had all endured.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from further down the site. A scaffold had begun to sway dangerously, and a group of workers below scrambled to get out of the way. Without a second thought, Elliot's instincts kicked in. He dashed toward the chaos, his body shifting into metal as he prepared to act.

He reached the scaffold just as it began to topple over. With a powerful surge, he transformed fully, catching the structure in mid-air with his metallic arms. The weight pressed against him, but he held firm, his strength surprising even himself. He could feel the vibrations of panic from those nearby, their eyes wide with shock as they watched him defy gravity and physics.

"Everyone, move back!" he shouted, his voice booming through the construction site. The workers heeded his command, retreating to safety as he steadied the scaffold, slowly lowering it to the ground. A collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd.

As the dust settled, applause broke out, echoing in the air as workers and volunteers recognized his bravery. Elliot remained in his metallic form, standing tall and imposing, soaking in the moment. He scanned the crowd, noticing several people on their phones, likely capturing footage of the incident.

A familiar face soon emerged from the gathering, a reporter he had seen covering the rebuilding efforts in recent days. She pushed through the crowd, excitement gleaming in her eyes as she approached him, her microphone ready.

"That was incredible! You acted so quickly to save those workers!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration. "It's not every day we see someone handle a situation like that. How do you feel about what just happened?"

Elliot took a moment to respond, his metallic form glinting in the sunlight. "It's just what needed to be done. I couldn't stand by and let anyone get hurt."

The reporter nodded, clearly impressed. "And you've been a part of the rebuilding effort for a while now, haven't you? What motivates you to keep pushing forward, especially after everything the city has been through?"

Elliot paused, choosing his words carefully. "I think we all want to make a difference. After the chaos, it's about helping our community get back on its feet. We owe it to each other."

The crowd murmured their agreement, nodding along with his words. The reporter smiled, sensing a deeper story. "You're right. We need more people like you. But we still don't know who you are. What's your hero name?"

Elliot felt the weight of the moment. The anticipation in the crowd hung in the air. He lifted his chin, his metallic features shining brightly, and declared, You can call me

AEGIRON!

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