Lex Luthor sat behind his desk, reading the latest financial report on his Superman licensing agreement. Holding the trademark to the Man of Steel was making him millions, but he didn't care about the money. For Lex Luthor, it was all about rubbing it in Superman's face that Lex Luthor owned his image.
"What's happening with the Superman animated series?" Luthor asked as he talked to an associate over the phone.
"They say that the show needs more kid appeal," the man said. "They won't do the show unless Superboy's in it. The toy company is even asking why Superboy isn't apart of the line."
"Because we don't hold the rights to make merchandise of him," Luthor said. Using Superman's son to push his products would be a huge twist of a kryptonite knife into the Man of Steel's side, but that would require him selling the boy's image to LexCorp. Luthor looked at the paper with a picture of the former Superboy Connor Kent being spotted in Metropolis. "Then again, we may not need the new Superboy after all..."
"What's happening with the Superman animated series?" Luthor asked as he talked to an associate over the phone.
"They say that the show needs more kid appeal," the man said. "They won't do the show unless Superboy's in it. The toy company is even asking why Superboy isn't apart of the line."
"Because we don't hold the rights to make merchandise of him," Luthor said. Using Superman's son to push his products would be a huge twist of a kryptonite knife into the Man of Steel's side, but that would require him selling the boy's image to LexCorp. Luthor looked at the paper with a picture of the former Superboy Connor Kent being spotted in Metropolis. "Then again, we may not need the new Superboy after all..."
"Has anyone seen Jimmy this morning!" Perry White shouted from his desk. "That boy needs to get his act together!"
"He had a run-in with General Zod recently," Lois said while on Facetime from the kitchen in her home. "I don't blame him for being shaken up after that."
"I don't care what his excuse is, I want him here!" Perry told her. "And what's going on with you? I heard you pushed the Prince George interview back."
"Jon's come down with something," Lois said. "And Clark's got a lot of running to do. It should just be a few days until Jon's feeling better."
Perry just sighed. Jon Kent reminded him of his own son at that age and had taken a shine to the boy. He wouldn't admit it, but the Kents were like family to him, and he hoped Jon had a speedy recovery.
"Okay, but the second that boy is up and running around again, I want you on that flight to England, understood?"
"Yes, sir."
Lois hung up as Perry looked around. "Someone find Olsen so I can yell at him!"
# # # # #
STAR Labs
Chris Kent was laying on a table that slowly slid into a full-body x-ray machine. In the other room, Superman and the doctor were waiting to see what the exam showed.
"It looks like you were right," Dr. Novack said as he saw the x-ray on the screen. "The speech center of his brain's been heavily damaged. Other than that, he seems to be perfectly healthy outside of some bruising, but exposure to sunlight seems to be fixing that."
"Is there any chance that he'll heal?" Superman asked.
"It's possible, but we'll know more when the swelling goes down," Dr. Novack said. "In the meantime, just keep him from doing anything too stressful."
Superman walked into the next room where Chris was getting dressed.
"So, now I'm even more of a freak," Chris said in Kryptonian.
"You are not a freak," Superman told him. "You're a part of this family, and we're glad to have you back. Lois and I missed you every day that you were gone. And Jon loves the thought of having another older brother."
"He's broken because of me, because I couldn't stop Zod," Chris said.
"You are not responsible for what that monster did," Superman said. "You are not responsible for any of this. You did your best, that's all anyone can ask. Jon's going to be okay, and so are you. We're going to meet up with Connor for lunch, are you ready?"
"Yeah... Dad," Chris smiled as he pulled his t-shirt on.
# # # # #
Connor was walking down the street with his hands in his pockets , trying to get used to walking everywhere now that he was powerless. His legs were already getting tired, and he didn't know the layout of Metropolis well enough on foot.
"Why is the weather in Metropolis so cold?" Connor asked. "Should have dressed warmer."
As Connor passed by an alley, he heard a cry for help. Even with no powers, he wasn't about to sit back and ignore someone in trouble. He quickly rushed in and found a young woman in her early twenties surrounded by three gang members. The woman had fiery red hair and was pretty tall and muscular.
"Where am I?" the woman asked in a daze.
"Doesn't matter, sugar," the first gang member said. "What matters is where you're going with us."
"Well, where you're going is the end of my fist," Connor said. "And that's strictly no girls allowed territory."
Connor punched the guy, not realizing how much punching someone hurt without superstrength. But it was still enough to send the gang member reeling back as he held his bloodied nose. The other two stepped forward, giving the woman a chance to grab them and slam their heads together, knocking them unconscious. They fell to the ground in a heap as the woman looked down at Connor, who was a good foot shorter.
"Thank you," the woman said as she saw his hand. "You hurt yourself helping me."
"What was I supposed to do, walk away?" Connor told her as he looked down at his bruised knuckles. "That's not my style."
"Let me tend your wound, it's the least I can do for your help," the woman said. "My name is Alice."
"Connor," Connor said. "So, how'd you end up in this alley with those jerks?"
"I'm not sure," Alice said as they started walking. "Everything today seems to be a blur."
"Well, I'm meeting some guys for lunch, but that's not for a while, maybe I can help you figure things out in the meantime."
# # # # #
Jon sat on the end of his bed with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, just staring at the wall. It had been the same for Jon for the last two days, just staring blankly at the bedroom wall, not moving. Thanks to General Zod infecting him with red kryptonite had turned him into a smaller version of Doomsday, Jon's young mind had been broken. He could still feel the painful transformation of his bones twisting and rearranging, and the realization that he had no control over his actions. He'd nearly hurt his family, and never wanted to experience anything like that ever again.
Lois gently knocked on the door and entered with a plate of food and a glass of milk, putting it down on the nightstand. She gently put her arms around his shoulder and hugged him before kissing the top of his head.
"Please, baby, come back to us," Lois said. "We need you. I know what happened was traumatic, but you're so strong and brave. I know you can get through this. And we're all going to be here for you. You have so much love from all of us waiting for you."
Lois left the room as a tear fell down Jon's cheek.
# # # # #
As Clark and Chris got to the restaurant, Clark's cellphone received a text.
"There's an emergency in Asia," Clark said. "If Connor shows up, tell him I'll be back soon."
"Can I come?" Chris asked. "Connor wouldn't be able to understand me anyway."
"You'll need a costume," Clark told him as Chris looked around and saw a clothing store. "We might find something in there. Let's hurry."
# # # # #
Connor's knuckles had been bandaged as he sat on the park bench with Alice.
"So, how long have you been in Metropolis?" Connor asked.
"Just arrived this morning," Alice told him. "I'm hoping to do big things here. You're the first person I've really met."
"I hope you make a lot more friends," Connor said. "You seem like a nice enough person. And you look like you're pretty strong. You probably could have torn those guys apart without me."
"How about you? Do you live here?"
"No, I live outside of Metropolis with my family," Connor told her. "But I was considering moving to the city. My commute just recently got a bit... harder."
# # # # #
An earthquake had struck the central part of Asia, with Superman rushing as fast as he could to help save as many lives as possible. While Superman swooped down, saving people from falling debris, Chris spotted a baby in the middle of a busy street with an out of control car barreling right towards it. He quickly flew down and grabbed the baby, shielding it with his body as he held out a hand and stopped the car before it could hit them.
Chris just smiled as he handed the baby over to its mother before he flew off to help save more lives. The two heroes did as much as they could to save lives before the earthquake finally settled down. A short while later, the two were sitting on a hill, overlooking the city.
"You did really good today, Chris," Superman told him. "I'm proud of you."
Chris just stared down at his white tank top, black jeans and tennis shoes that he'd used as a makeshift costume. "I think I'll make this my permanent costume. What do you think of the name Power Boy?"
"If that's the name you want to go with, then I'm fine with it," Superman told him. "Let's make sure the aftershocks have stopped, then we'll head home."
# # # # #
Jon was still sitting on his bed when the window started opening. A boy Jon's age climbed in, wearing a blue overalls, a white t-shirt and no shoes. He had shaggy brown hair that was in need of a trim.
"I knew I saw a kid my age around here," the boy said as he smiled at Jon. "Haven't seen you outside lately, so I figured I'd drop in to check on you. The name's Tommy, I just moved here a week ago, and you are--?"
Jon just remained silent as the boy saw Jon's backpack with his name on it. "Jonny? Nice name, I think we're going to get along really well. Not much of a talker, are we? Well, that's alright, I don't mind. What do you say you get dressed and we'll go out and have some fun? Or you could sit there like a lump. Come on, Jonny, I don't know what's got you so down, but sitting there's not going to fix things."
Connor, having had to take the bus home, knocked on Jon's door. "Hey, kid, thought I'd check on you and-- Jon?"
The bedroom curtains were blowing in the wind, but the room was empty. Jon was gone, with his pajamas laying on the floor and the top drawer of his dresser sitting open.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Superman Family Album
"I don't think this is such a good idea, Clark," Pete told his best friend as they sat in the Kent's living room. "Lana's brothers are going to do everything they can to keep you from dating Lana. What if these tests are too tough for even you?"
"Relax, Pete, they don't know I have powers," Clark told him. "I can get through them in no time flat."
"Now, is that really fair, son?" Jonathon asked.
"What do you mean, Dad?" Clark asked. "These guys are going to play dirty. Why can't I even the playing field?"
"Now, Clark, we raised you better than that," Jonathon told him. "Just because you have powers, you shouldn't use them to win a game, even if it is rigged. Superstrength and agility aren't the only powers you possess."
"Your father's right," Martha told him. "Someday you might find yourself in a situation where your powers can't solve your problems. You are a very smart young man, Clark, I'm sure you can find other ways to win if you just use your head."
"Besides, winning this on your wits alone is what's really going to show Lana that you care for her," Jonathon told him.
"You're right," Clark said as he stood up. "I really care about her. And I don't need my powers, I'll win this fair and square. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad."
Clark rushed upstairs as Pete just stared at the Kents. "He doesn't stand a chance, does he?"
"No, but it'll be a good lesson for him," Jonathon told him. "I just hope it all works out in the end."
# # # # #
Whitney had climbed into Clark's bedroom through the window and was waiting for him on the bed.
"You could have just used the front door," Clark told him.
"Yeah, but this way was more fun," Whitney said. "Are you really going through with letting Lana's brothers torture you?"
"It's a triathlon, I can pass it easily," Clark told him.
"If you say so, but I think it's rigged so that you lose,"
"Well, of course it is, I'd be shocked if it wasn't," Clark told him. "Is that why you came here?"
"Well, that, and because I don't think they're working alone," Whitney told him. "I think someone else has his eyes on Lana, and her brothers are going to push her towards him if you lose."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because I heard them say that when you have to break up with Lana, they're going to push her towards another guy. You can't let these guys win, Clark."
"I know, but I'm not going to cheat, Whitney. I'm going to win Lana's heart by doing this honestly."
"Okay, sure, that'll work," Whitney said sarcastically. "I think there's a better chance of me landing Pete than you winning this game."
"You still haven't told him?"
"You don't get it," Whitney said. "Pete's my best friend next to you. If I tell him that I have feelings for him, it's going to ruin our friendship. Then I'd lose what we do have. I'm not willing to risk losing him a friend."
"Come on downstairs for dinner, we can set another place for you," Clark said as he tossed a pillow at his friend.
# # # # #
Lana's brothers were at home, plotting their challenges for Clark.
"Are you sure this is going to do the trick?" Larry asked.
"Between the three of us, we're guaranteed to humiliate that farmboy so badly that he'll not only leave Lana alone, but he'll have to move to Metropolis in disgrace. Tomorrow, we start the destruction of Clark Kent."
TO BE CONTINUED...
"He had a run-in with General Zod recently," Lois said while on Facetime from the kitchen in her home. "I don't blame him for being shaken up after that."
"I don't care what his excuse is, I want him here!" Perry told her. "And what's going on with you? I heard you pushed the Prince George interview back."
"Jon's come down with something," Lois said. "And Clark's got a lot of running to do. It should just be a few days until Jon's feeling better."
Perry just sighed. Jon Kent reminded him of his own son at that age and had taken a shine to the boy. He wouldn't admit it, but the Kents were like family to him, and he hoped Jon had a speedy recovery.
"Okay, but the second that boy is up and running around again, I want you on that flight to England, understood?"
"Yes, sir."
Lois hung up as Perry looked around. "Someone find Olsen so I can yell at him!"
# # # # #
STAR Labs
Chris Kent was laying on a table that slowly slid into a full-body x-ray machine. In the other room, Superman and the doctor were waiting to see what the exam showed.
"It looks like you were right," Dr. Novack said as he saw the x-ray on the screen. "The speech center of his brain's been heavily damaged. Other than that, he seems to be perfectly healthy outside of some bruising, but exposure to sunlight seems to be fixing that."
"Is there any chance that he'll heal?" Superman asked.
"It's possible, but we'll know more when the swelling goes down," Dr. Novack said. "In the meantime, just keep him from doing anything too stressful."
Superman walked into the next room where Chris was getting dressed.
"So, now I'm even more of a freak," Chris said in Kryptonian.
"You are not a freak," Superman told him. "You're a part of this family, and we're glad to have you back. Lois and I missed you every day that you were gone. And Jon loves the thought of having another older brother."
"He's broken because of me, because I couldn't stop Zod," Chris said.
"You are not responsible for what that monster did," Superman said. "You are not responsible for any of this. You did your best, that's all anyone can ask. Jon's going to be okay, and so are you. We're going to meet up with Connor for lunch, are you ready?"
"Yeah... Dad," Chris smiled as he pulled his t-shirt on.
# # # # #
Connor was walking down the street with his hands in his pockets , trying to get used to walking everywhere now that he was powerless. His legs were already getting tired, and he didn't know the layout of Metropolis well enough on foot.
"Why is the weather in Metropolis so cold?" Connor asked. "Should have dressed warmer."
As Connor passed by an alley, he heard a cry for help. Even with no powers, he wasn't about to sit back and ignore someone in trouble. He quickly rushed in and found a young woman in her early twenties surrounded by three gang members. The woman had fiery red hair and was pretty tall and muscular.
"Where am I?" the woman asked in a daze.
"Doesn't matter, sugar," the first gang member said. "What matters is where you're going with us."
"Well, where you're going is the end of my fist," Connor said. "And that's strictly no girls allowed territory."
Connor punched the guy, not realizing how much punching someone hurt without superstrength. But it was still enough to send the gang member reeling back as he held his bloodied nose. The other two stepped forward, giving the woman a chance to grab them and slam their heads together, knocking them unconscious. They fell to the ground in a heap as the woman looked down at Connor, who was a good foot shorter.
"Thank you," the woman said as she saw his hand. "You hurt yourself helping me."
"What was I supposed to do, walk away?" Connor told her as he looked down at his bruised knuckles. "That's not my style."
"Let me tend your wound, it's the least I can do for your help," the woman said. "My name is Alice."
"Connor," Connor said. "So, how'd you end up in this alley with those jerks?"
"I'm not sure," Alice said as they started walking. "Everything today seems to be a blur."
"Well, I'm meeting some guys for lunch, but that's not for a while, maybe I can help you figure things out in the meantime."
# # # # #
Jon sat on the end of his bed with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, just staring at the wall. It had been the same for Jon for the last two days, just staring blankly at the bedroom wall, not moving. Thanks to General Zod infecting him with red kryptonite had turned him into a smaller version of Doomsday, Jon's young mind had been broken. He could still feel the painful transformation of his bones twisting and rearranging, and the realization that he had no control over his actions. He'd nearly hurt his family, and never wanted to experience anything like that ever again.
Lois gently knocked on the door and entered with a plate of food and a glass of milk, putting it down on the nightstand. She gently put her arms around his shoulder and hugged him before kissing the top of his head.
"Please, baby, come back to us," Lois said. "We need you. I know what happened was traumatic, but you're so strong and brave. I know you can get through this. And we're all going to be here for you. You have so much love from all of us waiting for you."
Lois left the room as a tear fell down Jon's cheek.
# # # # #
As Clark and Chris got to the restaurant, Clark's cellphone received a text.
"There's an emergency in Asia," Clark said. "If Connor shows up, tell him I'll be back soon."
"Can I come?" Chris asked. "Connor wouldn't be able to understand me anyway."
"You'll need a costume," Clark told him as Chris looked around and saw a clothing store. "We might find something in there. Let's hurry."
# # # # #
Connor's knuckles had been bandaged as he sat on the park bench with Alice.
"So, how long have you been in Metropolis?" Connor asked.
"Just arrived this morning," Alice told him. "I'm hoping to do big things here. You're the first person I've really met."
"I hope you make a lot more friends," Connor said. "You seem like a nice enough person. And you look like you're pretty strong. You probably could have torn those guys apart without me."
"How about you? Do you live here?"
"No, I live outside of Metropolis with my family," Connor told her. "But I was considering moving to the city. My commute just recently got a bit... harder."
# # # # #
An earthquake had struck the central part of Asia, with Superman rushing as fast as he could to help save as many lives as possible. While Superman swooped down, saving people from falling debris, Chris spotted a baby in the middle of a busy street with an out of control car barreling right towards it. He quickly flew down and grabbed the baby, shielding it with his body as he held out a hand and stopped the car before it could hit them.
Chris just smiled as he handed the baby over to its mother before he flew off to help save more lives. The two heroes did as much as they could to save lives before the earthquake finally settled down. A short while later, the two were sitting on a hill, overlooking the city.
"You did really good today, Chris," Superman told him. "I'm proud of you."
Chris just stared down at his white tank top, black jeans and tennis shoes that he'd used as a makeshift costume. "I think I'll make this my permanent costume. What do you think of the name Power Boy?"
"If that's the name you want to go with, then I'm fine with it," Superman told him. "Let's make sure the aftershocks have stopped, then we'll head home."
# # # # #
Jon was still sitting on his bed when the window started opening. A boy Jon's age climbed in, wearing a blue overalls, a white t-shirt and no shoes. He had shaggy brown hair that was in need of a trim.
"I knew I saw a kid my age around here," the boy said as he smiled at Jon. "Haven't seen you outside lately, so I figured I'd drop in to check on you. The name's Tommy, I just moved here a week ago, and you are--?"
Jon just remained silent as the boy saw Jon's backpack with his name on it. "Jonny? Nice name, I think we're going to get along really well. Not much of a talker, are we? Well, that's alright, I don't mind. What do you say you get dressed and we'll go out and have some fun? Or you could sit there like a lump. Come on, Jonny, I don't know what's got you so down, but sitting there's not going to fix things."
Connor, having had to take the bus home, knocked on Jon's door. "Hey, kid, thought I'd check on you and-- Jon?"
The bedroom curtains were blowing in the wind, but the room was empty. Jon was gone, with his pajamas laying on the floor and the top drawer of his dresser sitting open.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Superman Family Album
"I don't think this is such a good idea, Clark," Pete told his best friend as they sat in the Kent's living room. "Lana's brothers are going to do everything they can to keep you from dating Lana. What if these tests are too tough for even you?"
"Relax, Pete, they don't know I have powers," Clark told him. "I can get through them in no time flat."
"Now, is that really fair, son?" Jonathon asked.
"What do you mean, Dad?" Clark asked. "These guys are going to play dirty. Why can't I even the playing field?"
"Now, Clark, we raised you better than that," Jonathon told him. "Just because you have powers, you shouldn't use them to win a game, even if it is rigged. Superstrength and agility aren't the only powers you possess."
"Your father's right," Martha told him. "Someday you might find yourself in a situation where your powers can't solve your problems. You are a very smart young man, Clark, I'm sure you can find other ways to win if you just use your head."
"Besides, winning this on your wits alone is what's really going to show Lana that you care for her," Jonathon told him.
"You're right," Clark said as he stood up. "I really care about her. And I don't need my powers, I'll win this fair and square. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad."
Clark rushed upstairs as Pete just stared at the Kents. "He doesn't stand a chance, does he?"
"No, but it'll be a good lesson for him," Jonathon told him. "I just hope it all works out in the end."
# # # # #
Whitney had climbed into Clark's bedroom through the window and was waiting for him on the bed.
"You could have just used the front door," Clark told him.
"Yeah, but this way was more fun," Whitney said. "Are you really going through with letting Lana's brothers torture you?"
"It's a triathlon, I can pass it easily," Clark told him.
"If you say so, but I think it's rigged so that you lose,"
"Well, of course it is, I'd be shocked if it wasn't," Clark told him. "Is that why you came here?"
"Well, that, and because I don't think they're working alone," Whitney told him. "I think someone else has his eyes on Lana, and her brothers are going to push her towards him if you lose."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because I heard them say that when you have to break up with Lana, they're going to push her towards another guy. You can't let these guys win, Clark."
"I know, but I'm not going to cheat, Whitney. I'm going to win Lana's heart by doing this honestly."
"Okay, sure, that'll work," Whitney said sarcastically. "I think there's a better chance of me landing Pete than you winning this game."
"You still haven't told him?"
"You don't get it," Whitney said. "Pete's my best friend next to you. If I tell him that I have feelings for him, it's going to ruin our friendship. Then I'd lose what we do have. I'm not willing to risk losing him a friend."
"Come on downstairs for dinner, we can set another place for you," Clark said as he tossed a pillow at his friend.
# # # # #
Lana's brothers were at home, plotting their challenges for Clark.
"Are you sure this is going to do the trick?" Larry asked.
"Between the three of us, we're guaranteed to humiliate that farmboy so badly that he'll not only leave Lana alone, but he'll have to move to Metropolis in disgrace. Tomorrow, we start the destruction of Clark Kent."
TO BE CONTINUED...