I am a man obsessed with containing The Man of Steel. For years I’ve been trying to contain Superman, the ultimate escape artist. I make a prison; he breaks the walls. I put him behind bars, he bends them. There is no containing Superman.
At least until today. It’s taken all of my storage building know-how, all of my designing capabilities, all of my calling in favours of other supervillains on how many have come close to beating Superman. And today is the day I challenges Earth’s champion for perhaps the final time.
At least until today. It’s taken all of my storage building know-how, all of my designing capabilities, all of my calling in favours of other supervillains on how many have come close to beating Superman. And today is the day I challenges Earth’s champion for perhaps the final time.
**********
Superman and Lois toasted as they sat on top of the Daily Planet, celebrating a night away from their children.
“I love you,” Superman said as he picked up a piece of coal and crushed it into a large diamond. “We are about to have our anniversary.”
“Clark, it’s beautiful,” Lois said. The diamond was roughly the size of her fist. As Clark smiled, his super-hearing picked up the scream of a woman in the next city.
“Duty calls,” Superman said as he rushed off. “I’ll be back.”
As soon as he was gone, Carl Draper in his Master Jailer costume picked up his high-powered rifle and aimed it at Lois Lane’s head.
“Don’t worry, Miss Lane. This is just for show,” Master Jailer said as he fired.
Superman had found the girl in trouble, finding it was just a mannequin with a voice recording attached. Having no time, he knew he’d been gone too long already and flew back with the mannequin, just as the gun was fired. Superman flew as fast as he could, plucking the bullet out of thin air before turning and picking up The Master Jailer by his collar.
“You,” Superman frowned. “Are you up to your old tricks again, Draper?”
“I have one new trick to play,” Master Jailer told him. “You see, that bullet you pulled the air? It’s explosive knock-out gas.”
“Gas doesn’t work on me,” Superman told him. “What kind of games are you playing?”
“Alone? No, the gas wouldn’t affect you,” Master Jailer said. “But combined with a synthetic kryptonite laced gas, in say, the mannequin you conveniently brought with you, it’s quite potent, and could render even you unconscious for hours.”
Before he could react, both the bullet and mannequin exploded into a purple gas as Superman tried not to breathe it in.
“Yes, try not to breath it in, my friend. It’s been in your system since you both grabbed that bullet and picked the mannequin up,” Master Jailer said. “You’ll feel weaker as the sleep takes you, giving me all the time I need to get you back to my special cage.”
Master Jailer used the butt of his rifle to start hitting Superman until he was on his back. Lois was about to attack him from behind when he shot her with a high-powered tranquilizer, then twice more good measure.
“I told you, Miss Lane, it’s nothing personal. I have no intention of harming you. Once Superman is at his weakest and can’t escape, I fully intend to let you go.” Lois fell unconscious. “Sleep now, my dear. When you wake up, the world will have lost its greatest hero.”
“I love you,” Superman said as he picked up a piece of coal and crushed it into a large diamond. “We are about to have our anniversary.”
“Clark, it’s beautiful,” Lois said. The diamond was roughly the size of her fist. As Clark smiled, his super-hearing picked up the scream of a woman in the next city.
“Duty calls,” Superman said as he rushed off. “I’ll be back.”
As soon as he was gone, Carl Draper in his Master Jailer costume picked up his high-powered rifle and aimed it at Lois Lane’s head.
“Don’t worry, Miss Lane. This is just for show,” Master Jailer said as he fired.
Superman had found the girl in trouble, finding it was just a mannequin with a voice recording attached. Having no time, he knew he’d been gone too long already and flew back with the mannequin, just as the gun was fired. Superman flew as fast as he could, plucking the bullet out of thin air before turning and picking up The Master Jailer by his collar.
“You,” Superman frowned. “Are you up to your old tricks again, Draper?”
“I have one new trick to play,” Master Jailer told him. “You see, that bullet you pulled the air? It’s explosive knock-out gas.”
“Gas doesn’t work on me,” Superman told him. “What kind of games are you playing?”
“Alone? No, the gas wouldn’t affect you,” Master Jailer said. “But combined with a synthetic kryptonite laced gas, in say, the mannequin you conveniently brought with you, it’s quite potent, and could render even you unconscious for hours.”
Before he could react, both the bullet and mannequin exploded into a purple gas as Superman tried not to breathe it in.
“Yes, try not to breath it in, my friend. It’s been in your system since you both grabbed that bullet and picked the mannequin up,” Master Jailer said. “You’ll feel weaker as the sleep takes you, giving me all the time I need to get you back to my special cage.”
Master Jailer used the butt of his rifle to start hitting Superman until he was on his back. Lois was about to attack him from behind when he shot her with a high-powered tranquilizer, then twice more good measure.
“I told you, Miss Lane, it’s nothing personal. I have no intention of harming you. Once Superman is at his weakest and can’t escape, I fully intend to let you go.” Lois fell unconscious. “Sleep now, my dear. When you wake up, the world will have lost its greatest hero.”
ISSUE 26
“DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS”
BY
TOBIAS CHRISTOPHER
“DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS”
BY
TOBIAS CHRISTOPHER
Gotham City…
Bart Allen lay on the floor with a naked Tim Drake standing on his neck with his foot. Connor Kent was also on the floor, nursing a black eye.
“Dude! You could have killed us!” Connor shouted. He tried to stand up, but the wind had been knocked out of him.
“I very well could have if I’d had a weapon,” Tim told them. “What are you doing here?”
“Why haven’t you put pants on?” Connor asked. He averted his eyes. Tim’s bouncing around had a sort of hypnotic rhythm to it to where neither he nor Bart could look away. Tim let Bart up as he grabbed a pair of blue jeans, hopping around as he pulled them on.
“Yeah, I’ll be seeing this in my nightmares tonight,” Connor said as he closed his eyes. “Yep, there it is. I’ll be screaming by 3 a.m.”
“I thought you were dead,” Tim said as he looked at Bart.
“Being dead sucked, so I came back,” Bart said. “I just got my powers back, and now it’s Connor’s turn. We need to find Brainiac and see if we get Connor’s groove back.”
Tim pulled on a tank top as he kneeled to uncover a floor safe. After typing in his code, the vault opened as he pulled out a file. “I knew you’d come someday, Connor. I did some digging. Brainiac’s base was last seen behind a small moon in the Ford Galaxy.”
“How do we get there?” Bart asked. “It’s not like we have a spaceship just layin' around.”
“Did you used to have a spaceship you got from that foreign prince?” Connor asked.
“My dog Dox took off in it when I moved in with the Garricks a few years ago,” Bart said.
“No further questions, your honor,” Connor said, “But I might know a guy.”
Bart Allen lay on the floor with a naked Tim Drake standing on his neck with his foot. Connor Kent was also on the floor, nursing a black eye.
“Dude! You could have killed us!” Connor shouted. He tried to stand up, but the wind had been knocked out of him.
“I very well could have if I’d had a weapon,” Tim told them. “What are you doing here?”
“Why haven’t you put pants on?” Connor asked. He averted his eyes. Tim’s bouncing around had a sort of hypnotic rhythm to it to where neither he nor Bart could look away. Tim let Bart up as he grabbed a pair of blue jeans, hopping around as he pulled them on.
“Yeah, I’ll be seeing this in my nightmares tonight,” Connor said as he closed his eyes. “Yep, there it is. I’ll be screaming by 3 a.m.”
“I thought you were dead,” Tim said as he looked at Bart.
“Being dead sucked, so I came back,” Bart said. “I just got my powers back, and now it’s Connor’s turn. We need to find Brainiac and see if we get Connor’s groove back.”
Tim pulled on a tank top as he kneeled to uncover a floor safe. After typing in his code, the vault opened as he pulled out a file. “I knew you’d come someday, Connor. I did some digging. Brainiac’s base was last seen behind a small moon in the Ford Galaxy.”
“How do we get there?” Bart asked. “It’s not like we have a spaceship just layin' around.”
“Did you used to have a spaceship you got from that foreign prince?” Connor asked.
“My dog Dox took off in it when I moved in with the Garricks a few years ago,” Bart said.
“No further questions, your honor,” Connor said, “But I might know a guy.”
**********
Elsewhere in Gotham, Jase arrived with Jon by his side.
“I hope I get the rest of my powers back soon,” Jon said.
“Hey, we’re buddies, call me whenever you need a lift,” Jase said as he looked around. “This place looks spooky.”
“That’s Gotham for you,” Jon said, “There’s a really good hamburger stand up the street I want to try. They put peanut butter inside the meat!”
“That. Sounds. Delicious!” Jase said. “Let’s go!”
The two friends took off, not realizing they were being followed by enemies who recognized The Impulse and Superboy costumes. They figured they could cash in the deaths of two heroes.
“I hope I get the rest of my powers back soon,” Jon said.
“Hey, we’re buddies, call me whenever you need a lift,” Jase said as he looked around. “This place looks spooky.”
“That’s Gotham for you,” Jon said, “There’s a really good hamburger stand up the street I want to try. They put peanut butter inside the meat!”
“That. Sounds. Delicious!” Jase said. “Let’s go!”
The two friends took off, not realizing they were being followed by enemies who recognized The Impulse and Superboy costumes. They figured they could cash in the deaths of two heroes.
**********
In Metropolis, Kara and Chris arrived at the city’s newest nightclub. The place was owned by famous R&B singer Seal.
“Here we are,” Kara said. “Club Seal.”
“I still don’t know,” Chris said. They walked into the darkly lit club while the current music played from the speakers. “What if I don’t find anyone? What if… what if I’m not good enough for anyone?”
“You just need to be more confident,” Kara said. “By the end of the night, you’ll find the man of your dreams.”
The two sat down at the bar as Kara motioned for the bartender.
“Two club sodas,” Kara said as the bartender turned around, revealing it was Jimmy dressed as a bartender
“Jimmy?” Kara and Chris asked in unison.
“Here we are,” Kara said. “Club Seal.”
“I still don’t know,” Chris said. They walked into the darkly lit club while the current music played from the speakers. “What if I don’t find anyone? What if… what if I’m not good enough for anyone?”
“You just need to be more confident,” Kara said. “By the end of the night, you’ll find the man of your dreams.”
The two sat down at the bar as Kara motioned for the bartender.
“Two club sodas,” Kara said as the bartender turned around, revealing it was Jimmy dressed as a bartender
“Jimmy?” Kara and Chris asked in unison.
**********
Derek James stood in the kitchen of the apartment he shared with his older brother. He had the place to himself tonight and was using the time to make a home-cooked meal. He stood over the stove and opened a portal to the fridge across the room to get a cold soda.
“Guess it’s just myself again tonight,” Derek said. He let out a sigh, wishing he had some friends to hang out with, but he was still new to Metropolis and wasn’t Mr. Popular. He turned the stove off and checked on his food as a knock came at the door. “Who can that be?”
Derek opened the door to see Tim, Bart, and Connor standing outside of the door.
“Can we interest you in a subscription to Titan’s Home Companion?” Bart said.
“Guess it’s just myself again tonight,” Derek said. He let out a sigh, wishing he had some friends to hang out with, but he was still new to Metropolis and wasn’t Mr. Popular. He turned the stove off and checked on his food as a knock came at the door. “Who can that be?”
Derek opened the door to see Tim, Bart, and Connor standing outside of the door.
“Can we interest you in a subscription to Titan’s Home Companion?” Bart said.
**********
Jon and Jase arrived in one of the worst parts of Gotham after dark.
“I don’t know, I don’t like this,” Jon said. “We should have dressed up for this neighborhood.”
“Maybe next time, I’m hungry,” Jase said as they spotted an outdoor cafe. As they got closer, a gang of hoodlums all dressed as The Condiment King surrounded them.
“Who are you guys? And why are you dressed like the ketchup and mustard section at Wal-Mart?” Jon asked.
“We are the Condiment Court!” the leader, dressed in red and yellow, said. “We honor the great giver of the dish additives! And you, the supplements to your older mentors, must pay the ultimate price for entering our fair city!”
“Uh… yeah,” Jon said as he looked at Jase. “Can we do this after we eat?”
A man dressed in black and white shot pepper into Jon’s face. He started sneezing wildly a relish-themed villain covered Jase in crushed cucumbers to where he couldn’t run.
“Gross!” Jase shouted. “I hate relish!”
“Let’s send them to their mentors in pieces,” the leader said as they advanced as a shadow dropped down behind them. He cracked his knuckles as the Condiment Court turned to see who it was. Before they could take notice of this new player, a series of blinding kicks and punches sent the entire gang to the ground.
“The Condiment Court?” Robin asked. “They couldn’t even send their A-squad after these two losers?”
Jon flew at Damian Wayne to hug him, but he grabbed Jon by the shirt and tossed him onto his back, holding Jon’s shirt in his hand without even blinking.
“We discussed this, kid, we do not hug,” Robin said as he looked at Jase. “He must be the speed force avatar I read about.”
Damian sidestepped as Jase ran into a wall while Damian moved.
“What are you two doing here? Gotham is my territory,” Damian told them. “Go home.”
“I wanted my two friends to meet,” Jon said, not trying to let Damian know he’d lost most of his memories of their relationship. “This is Jase, my new speedster friend.”
“Goodbye, Jon,” Damian told him. He knew about Jon’s amnesia but didn’t want to deal with Kent’s drama tonight. “I have better things than meeting your lame friends. Batman’s out of town so I have to protect the city.”
“Can we help?” Jon asked. “Can I have my shirt back?”
“Please cover that scrawny body up,” Damian said as he tossed it back to Jon. “And no, you can not help, And do not follow me.”
“I don’t know, I don’t like this,” Jon said. “We should have dressed up for this neighborhood.”
“Maybe next time, I’m hungry,” Jase said as they spotted an outdoor cafe. As they got closer, a gang of hoodlums all dressed as The Condiment King surrounded them.
“Who are you guys? And why are you dressed like the ketchup and mustard section at Wal-Mart?” Jon asked.
“We are the Condiment Court!” the leader, dressed in red and yellow, said. “We honor the great giver of the dish additives! And you, the supplements to your older mentors, must pay the ultimate price for entering our fair city!”
“Uh… yeah,” Jon said as he looked at Jase. “Can we do this after we eat?”
A man dressed in black and white shot pepper into Jon’s face. He started sneezing wildly a relish-themed villain covered Jase in crushed cucumbers to where he couldn’t run.
“Gross!” Jase shouted. “I hate relish!”
“Let’s send them to their mentors in pieces,” the leader said as they advanced as a shadow dropped down behind them. He cracked his knuckles as the Condiment Court turned to see who it was. Before they could take notice of this new player, a series of blinding kicks and punches sent the entire gang to the ground.
“The Condiment Court?” Robin asked. “They couldn’t even send their A-squad after these two losers?”
Jon flew at Damian Wayne to hug him, but he grabbed Jon by the shirt and tossed him onto his back, holding Jon’s shirt in his hand without even blinking.
“We discussed this, kid, we do not hug,” Robin said as he looked at Jase. “He must be the speed force avatar I read about.”
Damian sidestepped as Jase ran into a wall while Damian moved.
“What are you two doing here? Gotham is my territory,” Damian told them. “Go home.”
“I wanted my two friends to meet,” Jon said, not trying to let Damian know he’d lost most of his memories of their relationship. “This is Jase, my new speedster friend.”
“Goodbye, Jon,” Damian told him. He knew about Jon’s amnesia but didn’t want to deal with Kent’s drama tonight. “I have better things than meeting your lame friends. Batman’s out of town so I have to protect the city.”
“Can we help?” Jon asked. “Can I have my shirt back?”
“Please cover that scrawny body up,” Damian said as he tossed it back to Jon. “And no, you can not help, And do not follow me.”
**********
At Club Seal, Jimmy poured some ginger ales for Kara and Chris as he slid them down.
“I didn’t know you were working here,” Kara said.
“They were hiring and I needed the money,” Jimmy said. “Plus I needed to get away from the farm for a while. I should have enough for my own place in a few months if the tips keep coming.”
“Well, this place does to be jumping,” Kara said. “What’s the scene like? Think we can find a date for Chris?”
“Well, there is a decent gay clientele,” Jimmy said. “I’ll keep my ears open for a guy looking for a young stud like Chris.”
“I’m suddenly getting too nervous for this,” Chris said. “There are guys here way hotter than me. I don’t think this scene is for me.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Jimmy said. “You’ll find someone. Don’t give up.”
“He’s right,” Kara said as Jimmy got a drink request. “Speaking of which, Kara’s got a bite. This drink is from the guy across the way. Nonalcoholic Shirley Temple for you. From what I know, he’s a friendly guy. He’s a volunteer firefighter and a part-time nurse.”
Jimmy made the drink for Kara, who looked over at the handsome brunette nervously waving to her.
“Go for it,” Chris said. “At least one of us should find someone tonight.”
“What the hell?” Kara said. “If he tries to put the moves on me, I’ll crush his testicles into a fine powder.”
“Careful, some guys find that a kink,” Jimmy said as Kara walked away as he looked at Chris. “You’ll be okay, kid, you’re a Kent.”
“Why haven’t you hooked up in this place?” Chris asked.
“I’ve been… dealing with some insecurities these last few years,” Jimmy said. “I’m kind of bi-curious. I don’t know which team I play for these days.”
“I didn’t know you were working here,” Kara said.
“They were hiring and I needed the money,” Jimmy said. “Plus I needed to get away from the farm for a while. I should have enough for my own place in a few months if the tips keep coming.”
“Well, this place does to be jumping,” Kara said. “What’s the scene like? Think we can find a date for Chris?”
“Well, there is a decent gay clientele,” Jimmy said. “I’ll keep my ears open for a guy looking for a young stud like Chris.”
“I’m suddenly getting too nervous for this,” Chris said. “There are guys here way hotter than me. I don’t think this scene is for me.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Jimmy said. “You’ll find someone. Don’t give up.”
“He’s right,” Kara said as Jimmy got a drink request. “Speaking of which, Kara’s got a bite. This drink is from the guy across the way. Nonalcoholic Shirley Temple for you. From what I know, he’s a friendly guy. He’s a volunteer firefighter and a part-time nurse.”
Jimmy made the drink for Kara, who looked over at the handsome brunette nervously waving to her.
“Go for it,” Chris said. “At least one of us should find someone tonight.”
“What the hell?” Kara said. “If he tries to put the moves on me, I’ll crush his testicles into a fine powder.”
“Careful, some guys find that a kink,” Jimmy said as Kara walked away as he looked at Chris. “You’ll be okay, kid, you’re a Kent.”
“Why haven’t you hooked up in this place?” Chris asked.
“I’ve been… dealing with some insecurities these last few years,” Jimmy said. “I’m kind of bi-curious. I don’t know which team I play for these days.”
**********
Bart, Tim, and Connor sat in the apartment of Derek James as they explained their situation.
“So, you want me to open a portal to a place on the other side of the galaxy to fight a killer robot to help this guy regain his powers?” Derek asked. “I don’t know. The last time I messed around with something this huge, I ended up in a place called The Bleed and bounced all over time and space. I almost didn’t get home from that.”
“I don’t think this guy’s gonna help us,” Connor said. “It is on the other side of the freakin’ universe. We don’t know what we’re facing.”
“But we’re Young Justice!” Bart said as he stood up. “We’ve faced tougher odds than this. We’ve faced Darkseid, and Lobo, and Harm. And now you’re getting scared? Who are we?”
“Well, I’m not Superboy, that much I know,” Connor told him.
“It looks like you didn’t just lose your powers, but you also lost your balls,” Bart said. “This is the first thing I thought of when I got my powers back was “I need to help Connor get his powers so the dream team can live again!”
“I hate to admit this, but Bart’s right,” Tim told them. “As a team, we can accomplish anything we set out to do.”
“But it’s only half of us,” Connor said. “No Cassie, no Cissie, no Empress, no Secret. Hell, we don’t have Li’l Lobo or the Ray. Just the three of us.”
“Okay, I guess I’m in,” Derek said. “If my heroes can put themselves in danger, I guess I can, too. You guys have been my heroes since before I got my powers. When I found out what I can do, I could only dream of being one of you. Where do we start?”
Everyone looked at Tim. “Suit up, Derek.”
“Welcome to Young Justice, Derek,” Connor said as he patted Derek on the back.
“So, you want me to open a portal to a place on the other side of the galaxy to fight a killer robot to help this guy regain his powers?” Derek asked. “I don’t know. The last time I messed around with something this huge, I ended up in a place called The Bleed and bounced all over time and space. I almost didn’t get home from that.”
“I don’t think this guy’s gonna help us,” Connor said. “It is on the other side of the freakin’ universe. We don’t know what we’re facing.”
“But we’re Young Justice!” Bart said as he stood up. “We’ve faced tougher odds than this. We’ve faced Darkseid, and Lobo, and Harm. And now you’re getting scared? Who are we?”
“Well, I’m not Superboy, that much I know,” Connor told him.
“It looks like you didn’t just lose your powers, but you also lost your balls,” Bart said. “This is the first thing I thought of when I got my powers back was “I need to help Connor get his powers so the dream team can live again!”
“I hate to admit this, but Bart’s right,” Tim told them. “As a team, we can accomplish anything we set out to do.”
“But it’s only half of us,” Connor said. “No Cassie, no Cissie, no Empress, no Secret. Hell, we don’t have Li’l Lobo or the Ray. Just the three of us.”
“Okay, I guess I’m in,” Derek said. “If my heroes can put themselves in danger, I guess I can, too. You guys have been my heroes since before I got my powers. When I found out what I can do, I could only dream of being one of you. Where do we start?”
Everyone looked at Tim. “Suit up, Derek.”
“Welcome to Young Justice, Derek,” Connor said as he patted Derek on the back.
**********
Miles away from Metropolis
Lois woke up after a surprise attack on top of the Daily Planet building, finding herself trapped in a cage surrounded by a laser grid. It hung over a large pit that seemed to be endless.
“What’s going on?” Lois asked as she stood up.
‘Good, you’re awake,” a voice said. “I admit, attacking from behind was a cowardly move, but I needed to get the Man of Steel in my grasp before he used his full powers.”
“Where is Superman?” Lois asked. “Where are we?”
“You are my prisoners,” the man said. “I am THE MASTER JAILER. It has taken me years to perfect my cage for the Man of Steel, and now that I have completed it, he is my prisoner forever! He will die in my prison. You, my dear, I do not wish to do you harm. You will be a bargaining chip against those who try to invade my fortress.”
“There isn’t a cell that Lois Lane isn’t able to escape from, I’ve been kidnapped by the best,” Lois said. “I’ll free you, Clark.”
TO BE CONTINUED...
Lois woke up after a surprise attack on top of the Daily Planet building, finding herself trapped in a cage surrounded by a laser grid. It hung over a large pit that seemed to be endless.
“What’s going on?” Lois asked as she stood up.
‘Good, you’re awake,” a voice said. “I admit, attacking from behind was a cowardly move, but I needed to get the Man of Steel in my grasp before he used his full powers.”
“Where is Superman?” Lois asked. “Where are we?”
“You are my prisoners,” the man said. “I am THE MASTER JAILER. It has taken me years to perfect my cage for the Man of Steel, and now that I have completed it, he is my prisoner forever! He will die in my prison. You, my dear, I do not wish to do you harm. You will be a bargaining chip against those who try to invade my fortress.”
“There isn’t a cell that Lois Lane isn’t able to escape from, I’ve been kidnapped by the best,” Lois said. “I’ll free you, Clark.”
TO BE CONTINUED...
**********
SUPERMAN FAMILY ALBUM
The alarm went off on a warm Late August morning as Pete Ross opened his eyes. He pulled himself up and pulled the blanket off of his still unmoving legs, the same as he did every morning since he was paralyzed in a cave-in. He pulled a t-shirt on and moved his body over to the waiting wheelchair next to the bed. His body had been gaining some muscle due to some heavy lifting and was proud of the work he’d done on himself. His legs didn’t work, but his self-confidence was at an all-time high.
“Morning, dear,” Mrs. Ross said as her son wheeled into the kitchen. “Are you ready for your first day back to high school?”
“Not really,” Pete said. He used his extendable grabber to grab a box of Pop-Tarts from the high shelf. “I have to go back and see the entire school feel pity for the crippled boy. I didn’t stand a chance of getting a girlfriend before, now that’s even less.”
“You’ll find someone, dear,” Mrs. Ross told him. “You’re a handsome, intelligent young man. Someone will see that.”
“At least Clark will be back tonight,” Pete said. “It’s been hell without my best friend here. I hope he had a good time with Lana this summer. I gotta go shower or I’ll be late for my shift at the hardware store.”
Pete had taken a job at the local hardware store and was already in line to make manager if he wanted it.
The alarm went off on a warm Late August morning as Pete Ross opened his eyes. He pulled himself up and pulled the blanket off of his still unmoving legs, the same as he did every morning since he was paralyzed in a cave-in. He pulled a t-shirt on and moved his body over to the waiting wheelchair next to the bed. His body had been gaining some muscle due to some heavy lifting and was proud of the work he’d done on himself. His legs didn’t work, but his self-confidence was at an all-time high.
“Morning, dear,” Mrs. Ross said as her son wheeled into the kitchen. “Are you ready for your first day back to high school?”
“Not really,” Pete said. He used his extendable grabber to grab a box of Pop-Tarts from the high shelf. “I have to go back and see the entire school feel pity for the crippled boy. I didn’t stand a chance of getting a girlfriend before, now that’s even less.”
“You’ll find someone, dear,” Mrs. Ross told him. “You’re a handsome, intelligent young man. Someone will see that.”
“At least Clark will be back tonight,” Pete said. “It’s been hell without my best friend here. I hope he had a good time with Lana this summer. I gotta go shower or I’ll be late for my shift at the hardware store.”
Pete had taken a job at the local hardware store and was already in line to make manager if he wanted it.
**********
Jason Teague sat in his office, working on new plays for the football team. He’d reveal them at the team’s first game, but first, he had to make the final team formation. Of course, his star quarterback would be Whitney Ford, who had been training with him all summer.
A knock came at the door as a young woman came in with a note.
“Mr. Teague, this just came for you,” the young woman said. “She said it was urgent.”
“Thanks,” Jason said. He opened the note as his face went pale. “I’m running out of time. I have to hurry.”
Whitney arrived after dropping Pete off at work, rushing to the locker room to change for practice. The big game was coming soon and he had to be in absolute peak condition. Whitney opened the locker and started changing into his workout clothes before heading past Jason’s office, seeing his coach was worried about something.
“What’s wrong?” Whitney asked.
“Nothing to be concerned about,” Jason said. “You’re here early for practice aren’t you?”
“I’m meeting my boyfriend here,” Whitney said. “We’re heading downtown after practice for a late-night dinner.”
“Whitney, I don’t think I like this jerk you’re going out with,” Jason said. “He treats you like property, and I don’t like how he browbeats you to get what he wants.”
“It’s fine, Jason,” Whitney promised. “You just don’t know him as I do. You’ll see, it’ll all going to work out. Come to The Kent’s party tonight and you two can talk.”
Jason watched him leave and knew he didn’t like the boy Whitney was going out with.
A knock came at the door as a young woman came in with a note.
“Mr. Teague, this just came for you,” the young woman said. “She said it was urgent.”
“Thanks,” Jason said. He opened the note as his face went pale. “I’m running out of time. I have to hurry.”
Whitney arrived after dropping Pete off at work, rushing to the locker room to change for practice. The big game was coming soon and he had to be in absolute peak condition. Whitney opened the locker and started changing into his workout clothes before heading past Jason’s office, seeing his coach was worried about something.
“What’s wrong?” Whitney asked.
“Nothing to be concerned about,” Jason said. “You’re here early for practice aren’t you?”
“I’m meeting my boyfriend here,” Whitney said. “We’re heading downtown after practice for a late-night dinner.”
“Whitney, I don’t think I like this jerk you’re going out with,” Jason said. “He treats you like property, and I don’t like how he browbeats you to get what he wants.”
“It’s fine, Jason,” Whitney promised. “You just don’t know him as I do. You’ll see, it’ll all going to work out. Come to The Kent’s party tonight and you two can talk.”
Jason watched him leave and knew he didn’t like the boy Whitney was going out with.
**********
Jon and Martha Kent were setting up the decorations for Clark and Lana’s coming home party that afternoon.
“I just hope Clark is okay,” Martha said. “He’s never been away from us this long before.”
“Clark’s a grown boy and we’ve done everything in our power to teach him responsibility,” Jon said. “He’s going to be fine. You’ll see, he’d going to come home, safe and healthy.”
Pete was dropped off by his parents and wheeled into the backyard.
“Hello, Pete,” Martha said. “Looking forward to your senior year?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Pete told her. “Hopefully by graduation, I’ll have a girlfriend.”
“I’m sure you will,” Martha said. “Just be patient, she’ll come to you.”
Whitney came walking in with a boy walking by his side.
“Go get us a drink,” the boy told him. “I’m going to go mingle.”
Martha looked at Jonathon. “Jon, I do not like that boy that Whitney’s dating. I don’t see what Whitney sees in him.”
“He sees something in him that we don’t,” Jonathan told her. “But as long as Whitney adores him, we should stay out of this. Let him realize they’re not good together on his own.”
“Hey, Whitney,” Pete said as he rolled up. “I saw you at practice after work. You’re going to bring the team home win this season.”
“Hey, shorty, why don’t you get us a hot dog when they’re done,” Whitney’s boyfriend Ian said.
“Ian, Pete’s my friend,” Whitney said.
“Then let him stand up for himself,” Ian told him. “Come on babe, I want to show you off to people that matter.”
Whitney looked at Pete. “It’s cool, Whitney, I’ll catch you later.”
Jason walked in and looked at Pete. “You okay, kid?”
“Yeah, I just wish Clark was here, he wouldn’t stand for that jerk,” Pete said as he looked at Ian.
“I know the feeling,” Jason told him. “Whitney could do so much better.”
Pete was about to say something as he noticed the way Jason was looking at Whitney when Lana came walking into the yard and everyone started cheering.
“Welcome back, Lana,” Martha said as she hugged her.”Did you enjoy Europe?”
Before she could answer, Pete rolled up. “Is Clark coming? We have a lot to catch up on.”
Everyone started to surround Lana, asking about Clark.
“Clark’s not coming,” Lana finally admitted. “We broke up three weeks ago.”
“Then where is he?” Martha asked.
“He said he’s never coming home to Smallville,” Lana told everyone.
To Be Continued…
“I just hope Clark is okay,” Martha said. “He’s never been away from us this long before.”
“Clark’s a grown boy and we’ve done everything in our power to teach him responsibility,” Jon said. “He’s going to be fine. You’ll see, he’d going to come home, safe and healthy.”
Pete was dropped off by his parents and wheeled into the backyard.
“Hello, Pete,” Martha said. “Looking forward to your senior year?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Pete told her. “Hopefully by graduation, I’ll have a girlfriend.”
“I’m sure you will,” Martha said. “Just be patient, she’ll come to you.”
Whitney came walking in with a boy walking by his side.
“Go get us a drink,” the boy told him. “I’m going to go mingle.”
Martha looked at Jonathon. “Jon, I do not like that boy that Whitney’s dating. I don’t see what Whitney sees in him.”
“He sees something in him that we don’t,” Jonathan told her. “But as long as Whitney adores him, we should stay out of this. Let him realize they’re not good together on his own.”
“Hey, Whitney,” Pete said as he rolled up. “I saw you at practice after work. You’re going to bring the team home win this season.”
“Hey, shorty, why don’t you get us a hot dog when they’re done,” Whitney’s boyfriend Ian said.
“Ian, Pete’s my friend,” Whitney said.
“Then let him stand up for himself,” Ian told him. “Come on babe, I want to show you off to people that matter.”
Whitney looked at Pete. “It’s cool, Whitney, I’ll catch you later.”
Jason walked in and looked at Pete. “You okay, kid?”
“Yeah, I just wish Clark was here, he wouldn’t stand for that jerk,” Pete said as he looked at Ian.
“I know the feeling,” Jason told him. “Whitney could do so much better.”
Pete was about to say something as he noticed the way Jason was looking at Whitney when Lana came walking into the yard and everyone started cheering.
“Welcome back, Lana,” Martha said as she hugged her.”Did you enjoy Europe?”
Before she could answer, Pete rolled up. “Is Clark coming? We have a lot to catch up on.”
Everyone started to surround Lana, asking about Clark.
“Clark’s not coming,” Lana finally admitted. “We broke up three weeks ago.”
“Then where is he?” Martha asked.
“He said he’s never coming home to Smallville,” Lana told everyone.
To Be Continued…