ISSUE #16 (July 2018)
Written by Tobias Christopher Featuring: Superman
Power Boy
Lois Lane
Toyman
Superboy
|
"THE KING OF FABLES - PART THREE"Jon Kent stood on the beach of the fictitious Neverland, having had his soul trapped inside of the King of Fable's storybook. Next to him were the three young men who had also been captured by King as they stared at the trees, where over two dozen children were emerging from the woods, ranging from eight years old to their late teens.
"Were all of these kids in the cabin?" Jon asked. "No, the King has them stationed throughout Metropolis with their families, pretending they're the real kids," Dean told him. "When he has enough of us, he's going to give the signal and start the attack. There are kids here who are just developing powers, but with enough training they can take out even the most powerful members of the Justice League." "We can't let that happen," Jon said as he looked up at the sky. "There has to be a way out of Neverland. We can't just let the King win. My Dad taught me to never give up, especially when innocent people are involved." "We've searched the island from top to bottom, there's nothing here," Ricky said. " Even our fastest flyers tired out trying to cross the ocean." "Flyers? You mean we still have our powers here?" Jon asked as he floated into the air, smiling. "Well, we are in a fantasy story, I guess. I have an idea. But first I need to know what we're working with. I need to know what everyone's power is." "Superstrength," Ricky said. "And extra tough skin. I got hit with a hammer once and it shattered." "I'm empathic," Dean told him. "I can sense other metas and I can alter people's emotions, mostly to make them go intro trances or fall asleep." "Astral projection." Tommy said. "I can leave my own body and see what others are doing." "Get a list of everyone else's powers," Jon ordered. "We're getting out of here, and I know where we just might find an exit." Superman woke up on the floor of the cabin, seeing it had been cleared out while he was passed out. As he tried to stand up, he started searching the room for clues. "He's using a cloaking spell," Tommy said as he stood in the corner. "You won't be able to find him without help." "You're not really here, I can't hear your heartbeat," Superman said as he got closer to the boy. "Where is he?" "I'm using an astral projection while the King thinks I'm asleep. I can lead you to us, but you have to promise that Jon won't be in trouble," Tommy said. "None of this is his fault. I tricked him into coming here because he thought we were friends. I caused this and I'm sorry. But the truth is... I really do like being Jon's friend. He's funny and kind and generous. I just don't know if he can be brought back." "Tell me the whole story," Superman told him. "Where did this King of Fables come from? And how did he get those children to work for him?" "A long time ago, the King and Queen of Fables were banished here from another dimension," Tommy told him. "While she was trapped in a book of fables, the King was trapped in a collection of adventure stories. He augmented his magic through the use of fairy dust from 'Peter Pan' and various other means and used it to eventually escape into the real world. He found he could swap souls between real people and characters in the book. He tricked a boy named Dean into swapping souls first, then used Dean's power of empathy to start tricking other boys into doing the same. He's swapped out the real Tommy's soul for me, Tom Sawyer. There's also Huck Finn, Aladdin, Oliver Twist, Jim Hawkins, the Artful Dodger, Mowgli, and about two dozen others in Metropolis currently. The King's plan is to eventually swap out the souls of every meta-human boy he can find until he has an army capable of destroying the Justice League. Jon's the most powerful one he's met so for, which is why he's the leader of the Lost Boy army." "And why are you helping me?" Superman asked. "I told you, Jon's my friend," Tommy told him. "Ever since I got stuck in this body, I've felt out of place, alone. Even though Huck is supposed to be my best friend, he's under the King's control. I thought I was, too, until Jon showed me what being a true friend is really about. i think he snapped me out of Tiny Tim's emphatic control. I don't want to see Jon hurt." "Then tell me where he is so I can save all of you," Superman told him. "All of us?" "I don't leave innocent people to suffer at the hands of monsters like the King of Fables." Superman said. "I believe you, Tommy. Now, let's go save Jon and the others before it's too late. Hopefully I can get everyone back to where they belong." Chris Kent was sitting on his bed at the Kent farm, trying to focus on the voices in his head constantly pleading for help. Maybe if he learned to filter the voices, he could figure out who needed his help the most. The screaming and the yelling soon started going away, making way for those truly in need. Chris's eyes suddenly shot open as he heard a familiar voice asking for Superman's help. England The Toyman's tin soldiers burst into the bedroom, aiming their guns at Lois and Prince Frederick. "My apologies, Mrs. Lane," Prince Frederick told her. "I only wanted my story to be told to the world, I didn't mean to get you hurt." "This isn't your fault," Lois told him. "I know who's behind this, and if I could get in contact with a friend, we could end this right now." "Unfortunately it looks like it is about to end," Frederick said as he got in front of her. "I believe they only want me. When they fire at me, you run for it. If you make it, all I ask is that you find my brother and make sure he's safe." "Superman, where are you?" Lois asked as the soldiers prepared to fire. The shots rang out, just as a blur burst through the door. Power Boy stood between the Prince, Lois and the soldiers, snatching all the bullets from the air before they could strike, then using his strength to send them back at the soldiers, destroying the life-sized toys. As they fell to the ground, Power Boy looked back at Lois and the Prince. "Is everyone okay?" Power Boy asked. "Yes, but the Toyman is here and he has the Prince's brother." Lois told him. "He's all I have in the world, please save him," Frederick begged with a sympathetic look. "I have a little brother, too. One that I'd move Heaven and Earth for if he were in trouble," Power Boy said as he looked at Lois. "I'll bring him home, I promise." A few miles away, the Toyman had taken Prince Vigo to the abandoned factory he was using as a base while in England. The young Prince had been chained and brought before the Toyman. "Why am I here?" Vigo asked. "I want to go home and read." "Read?" the Toyman asked. "What have they done to you, poor boy? Together, we can make the world our toybox. Starting with your rule as the King of England." "My brother is to be the crowned king, not I," Vigo said. "I only wish to read and study so that I may be of better service to the people, perhaps as a doctor." "But as a king, you can have so much more," the Toyman said under his smiling doll mask. "Imagine, child, you being the only heir to the throne after your brother suffers a tragic accident. Then with me advising you behind the scenes, we can make England, then the world, a magical playland for every child. No more adults making the rules, Vigo. A child shall lead them." "But I don't want Frederick to die," Vigo said. "He's my brother. I love him." "By now it's far too late for him," the Toyman giggled. "My soldiers have taken care of--" The ceiling started to crumble as Power Boy landed between Toyman and Vigo. "Game's over, Toyman." Power Boy said. "You're not Superman!" Toyman shouted. "Superman's usually the one who shows up! I want Superman!" "Is he seriously throwing a fit?" Power Boy asked Vigo, who just shrugged. "I don't like having unwanted playmates!" Toyman shouted as he pressed a button on a remote, releasing two twin robotic girls that looked like The Shining twins. "Come play with us, Superman," the twins said in unison as they whipped their steel cable jump ropes around Power Boy and tightened them. "Forever and ever and ever." "Sorry about that, they were programmed to distract Superman," Toyman said as he grabbed Vigo. "Come, Prince Vigo, we have much to plan for." "Help!" Vigo shouted as Toyman disappeared into the darkness while Power Boy struggled against the tightening steel ropes. "Tommy, wake up, boy," the King of Fables said as Huck shook Tommy awake in the back of the pick-up truck. "We're here." "Where?" Tommy asked as he opened his eyes. "Is it Central City?" "Better," the King said. "Tiny Tim has informed me that there's an even more powerful hero for us to bring into the fold here. One that will test Peter's leadership skills to show us that he's truly worthy." "That's enough!" Superman said as he flew down in front of the truck and stopped it with his bare hands, having followed Tommy's astral projection back to his body. "I'm taking these boys home." "You really think so?" the King asked as he got out of the truck. "You really think that these boys are my only source of power? No, my dear Superman, I have much, much more." A powerful eldritch blast shot out of his hands, blasting Superman through a brick wall. "Tiny Tim said you were weak against magic, and guess what I have a whole ton of?" the King asked as he got ready for another blast. "Are you sure this is going to work?" Tommy asked as Jon held onto him, while another boy with the ability to fly held onto an older boy named Derek. A third boy had flown Dean out with them. "Second star to the right, then straight on 'til morning," Jon told them as they reached a star. "If anything, this star is our way home." "Yeah, but even if it is, we won't have physical bodies," Tommy said. "We'll just be a bunch of loose souls." "Yeah, except for you," Jon told him. "You can astral project, and if you got the hang of your powers you can put yourself back into your body. And if you can do that, maybe you can do that for the rest of us." "I-- I don't know, Jon," Tommy told him. "I've never used my powers that much, and never with someone else's life on the line." "Tommy, you can do this, I know you can," Jon said as he put a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "I know I haven't met the real Tommy until I came here, but I really do want to be your friend when we get home. I promised that other Tommy a fishing trip this weekend. So that means I owe you one. But we gotta get home first." "Start with the other boys who aren't with the King," Dean said. "Then come back for me, Ricky and Jon." "Okay, for my friends," Tommy smiled as Jon nodded to Derek. He held out his hand and opened a portal back to the island for the other boys to start coming through one at a time. The King continued blasting Superman with his magic as the other boys watched. "This isn't right," Tommy said as he looked at the other boys. "We need to help him." "We can't go against the king," Peter said. "He's our master. We owe him our loyalty." "No, he's right," Huck told them. "I don't know why, but I feel like what we're doing is wrong." "You dare go against the King?" Peter asked as he pulled out a longer blade. "Try it, kid, you can't hurt me," Huck said as he lifted Peter off of the ground by his throat and tossed him toward Tiny Tim. "Tommy, you know we'll be killed for this, right?" "Better to die on our feet than live on our knees." Tommy said. "Let's go help Superman." Another blast of magic knocked both boys unconscious as the King stood over them, his hand smoking. "Traitorous varmints, I'll deal with you soon!" the King shouted. "Perhaps it is time I traded up. Tiny Tim, you dragged us all the way to Fawcett City. Where's our new recruit? Hopefully he'll make a suitable replacement for both of these fools." "Over there, my King," Dean said as he pointed toward a young man running to get home before curfew. "His name is Billy Batson, and with his power you can begin your assault immediately." TO BE CONTINUED... |
"And one last turn of the screw, and it's done," Jonathon Kent said as he made the last adjustment to the chair lift that would take Pete up the stairs with ease at home once he was released from the hospital. "You now have a fully functioning chair lift."
"I can't thank you and your family enough for this," Bill Ross said as he shook Jonathon's hand. "I don't know what we'd do without neighbors like you." "Hey, we look out for each other in these parts," Jonathon told him. "I'm just sorry that it has to be under these circumstances. I understand Pete's coming home today." "We're actually going to pick him up now," Bill said. "It'll be difficult for a while, but we'll manage for Pete. Will Clark be coming by to see him?" "Clark's been beating himself up over this whole thing," Jonathon told him. "But I'll see to it that he drops by soon." Clark stared at the cracked pipe laying on the table in front of him, lighting up his heat vision while carefully trying to weld the pipe back together with no errors. The young man had been doing this all morning and still hadn't managed to weld it correctly without some kind of error or making a new fracture, no matter how tiny. "Clark, you've been out here all morning, what are you doing?" Martha asked as Clark turned toward her. "I'm trying to weld this pipe together with my heat vision," Clark told her. "Once I do it perfectly a few times, I'll be ready." "Ready to do what?" "Fix Pete's spine," Clark told her. "I'm going to use my heat vision to put him back together so he can walk again." Jason caught the football that Whitney tossed to him from across the park. "Jeez, kid, that one nearly knocked the wind out of me," Jason said. "Do you have cyborg arms or something?" "I've just been hitting the gym pretty hard the last few months," Whitney said as he took a drink from his water bottle. "I kind of thought that if I bulked up, someone would notice me." "Trying to impress a crush?" Jason laughed. "I've been there. Did it work?' "No," Whitney said sadly. "Probably for the best though, I didn't want to ruin a perfectly good friendship in the process." "Plenty of girls out there, kid," Jason told him. "The right one's going to notice you without you having to put on a ton of muscle." "It was a guy. The more I think about it, the more I think I might be gay," Whitney said as he looked down at the grass. "It's alright if you want to cancel any further lessons." Jason laughed as he put an arm around Whitney's shoulder. "I don't care if you're gay, Whitney. You're one hell of a football player and a pretty great guy to spend time with practicing. And since you're going to be the lead QB, a lot of guys would give their right arm to be with you." "What if I come out and I get kicked off the team?" "You think your new coach would let that happen?" "Wait, what are you--?" "The Kents' won't need me as much in the fall, especially if Mr. Kent's back on his feet by then, so I took the position of the new football coach at Smallville HIgh for the season," Jason said. "And you, my friend, are the star player. No one's touching the guy who's taking us all the way to victory. You ready to work your ass off this summer so you'll be ready by fall?" "Bring it on, Coach." Whitney smiled. "Clark Kent, you're not seriously going to do this!" Martha told him. "You are not going to operate on that boy." "I have to, Ma," Clark said. "I broke Pete, I have to fix him. The doctors say that his spine is fractured in several places and barring experimental micro-surgery, he'll never walk again. I have the laser vision that can do it, I know I can, and it won't bankrupt the Ross' in the process. All I have to do is focus and make sure I can do it without messing up." "Clark, you listen to me, Pete's accident was not your fault," Martha said. "If you do this, you could risk doing more damage than good. You could cause him total paralysis, or even kill him. Your heart's in the right place, but this isn't the way to deal with this." "Ma, everytime I look at Pete, I see my mistake," Clark said, his voice breaking. "He's my best friend in the world, and I have all these gifts. What's the point of having these powers if I can't fix the one friend I'd do anything for?" "If you'd do anything for him, why can't you do something that won't endanger him any further?" Martha asked. "You are that boy's best friend in the world, Clark. You have so many other gifts besides heat vision and superstrength. Find the gift that will make Pete not feel so alone right now." It was after dark in Smallville as Pete was in bed, just staring at the window. It was his first night home in weeks and the first time he'd needed help getting into bed since he was little. He knew his life was never going to be same, and now it looked like his best friend wasn't even going to be there with him. "Hey Pete!" Clark said as he popped up at the window, climbing in. "Clark? Why didn't you just come in the front?" Pete asked. "Because I didn't want your parents to see me," Clark told him. "You up for a little trip?" "Very funny," Pete told him as he looked away. "You can leave now." "Not without my best friend," Clark told him as pulled the blanket off of Pete's legs. "I want to show you something." Shortly, Clark was flying over the town with Pete in his arms, flying high enough to where he wouldn't be seen in the night sky. "It's beautiful at night," Pete said as he stared down at the lights in the town. "Is this what you wanted to show me?" "It's what I wanted to give you," Clark told him. "Just because you can't walk doesn't mean that any of this can't be yours. You're my best pal, and there's nothing in this world you can't accomplish with me by your side. I just wanted to let you know that as long as we stick together, the sky's the limit." "I guess I see what you're saying," Pete told him. "That I can't give up just because I'm broken. That I just have to work harder for what I want now." "Exactly," Clark told him. "You're not going to be alone in this. You have me, Whitney, Lana, and everyone else in this town. It's going to be a long road, but you're never alone on it. And who knows? Maybe one day medical science could help you walk again. In the meantime, if you ever want to take a flying tour of the town and get out of the house for a while, you know who to call." It was a week later at the Kent farm, where Clark's parents were having a cookout for all of their friends and neighbors to celebrate the start of summer now that school was out. Jonathan and Bill were handling the grill while Martha was handling the snacks and drinks. Clark and his friends were helping with the games, including a water balloon toss, with Pete even helping out. "How's the chair working out for you?" Clark asked as Pete wheeled himself over to his friends in a new wheelchair his friends had chipped in for that was more sturdier and comfortable than the one the insurance company had provided. "Great," Pete told him. "It's a lot faster than I thought it'd be. I just have to convince my mom to stop pushing me everywhere. Thanks, guys, I appreciate helping out with everything." "Hey, building those ramps around town was fun, and it really helps all of our handicapped friends around Smallville. So, now that school's out, what's everyone planning for the summer?" Clark asked. "Well, with my brothers having gone into hiding, my parents think it might be best if I spend my summer in Europe," Lana said. "I said I'd think about it, I just have to run it past my boyfriend first." "Lana, you don't have to run anything past me, you're free to make your own decisions," Clark told her. "Although I would miss you a lot." "Which is why I asked if you could come with me," Lana told him. "My parents would be there, too, but they said you can come along if your parents are okay with it." "Three months with my girlfriend in Europe?" Clark asked as he looked at Pete. "I don't know." "Do it, Clark, you don't have to babysit me," Pete told him. "I'll be fine here. Just bring me back something nice. Besides, I'm going to try to get out of the house and do stuff around town with my dad. Can't let life pass me by, right Clark? What about you, Whitney?" "Jason's putting me on a strict training schedule to make sure I'm ready for the fall when football starts," Whitney told him. "Although I did make sure he put room in the schedule to hang out with you, Pete." "So, I guess this is the last time we'll be together until fall," Clark said. "I'll miss you guys." "Not with a girlfriend to keep you company," Whitney told him. "Don't worry, us single guys will keep things going here. Since this is the last night we're together, you should know... I'm gay. I've wrestled with this for a while, but... yeah, I think it's time to admit it. It actually feels good the more I tell people." Lana smiled as she hugged him. "Congratulations for being so brave." "Yeah, buddy, I'm proud of you," Clark said. "Is this just going to be between us or...?" "I told my parents this morning," Whitney said. "They weren't happy, but they understood. I'm not hiding anymore. No more being afraid of who I am just because I'm worried what others will think." "This has been one hell of a year," Pete said. "I lose my legs, Clark and Lana become a thing and Whitney comes out of the closet. Wonder what'll happen when we meet back up at the end of summer?" "Don't know about that, but right now I'm going to get another soda," Whitney told them. As soon as he was gone, Clark took Lana's hand. "This is going to be the start of a whole new adventure." Clark told her. "I hope Europe's ready for us." Not too far away, Jason was sitting on the steps, watching everyone having a good time when Martha stepped out of the kitchen. "Jason, you have a phone call." Jason headed inside and picked up the phone, and upon hearing the familiar voice, his face turned a pale white. "Hello, Jason, it's been too long." As Whitney went to get another can of soda, he grabbed the same can that someone else had reached for. "Oh, sorry, you can take it. I probably need to cut back anyway for--" As Whitney stared forward, he didn't realize that he was staring into the eyes of the person that he was going to share the rest of his life with. But that's another story to be told another day... |