Metropolis - Present Day
There had been much destruction caused by the invasion of General Zod and the other Kryptonian criminals. But the fault wasn't just on their side. Kal-El, one of their own who had been raised on Earth by his adoptive human parents since infancy, had fought against them. A world shattering fight that rocked the planet.. sometimes literally. It was akin to mortals seeing gods and titans fight, right in their own backyard. The villains were of course defeated. But now there was another problem: humans now knew for a fact that they weren't alone in the universe.
They knew that, yes, there was life out there from other worlds, some of which was more advanced and superior to their own. Of course some had believed it before. However, believing and knowing are two very different concepts in this case. It changed everything about their world now. And more questions arose. Would there be more alien visitations? More attacks? Will they one day be extinct? Just how safe were they? And this Superman, in the blue tights and a long red cape who flies and has a lot of other powers, an alien who lived among them as their own, could he truly be trusted or is he a wolf in disguise? Or is he just as he appears, is he a hero, a guardian? A protector of the innocent who will protect life whenever possible. Some were already calling him a god. Others thought him a devil. Already factions were now rising on both sides, even as he had helped rebuild Metropolis, a feat which would have taken years on their own.
Clark Kent was now reporting to work at the Daily Planet. He had managed a few invisible rescues on his way, but now he was sitting at his desk, in the usual suit and tie, sitting across from Lois Lane. They had become closer lately. Partly due to her learning his secret identity and keeping it to herself, but he had also saved her multiple times from Zod's threats. And they had also begun to know each other as people. Clark sometimes wished Jonathan was still alive so he could meet her. And so he would see the type of man he had become, to know he had at last found his true calling in life. He sighed, knowing there was nothing to change the past, so he looked over a couple of the stories on his desk. "Hm, so what should we look into.. bank robbery foiled by police, a school bus stopped by Superman from rolling over a bridge, an interview with the up and coming new CEO of Lexcorp.." That last one would have to be soon. Clark was curious if they should, in addition to inquiring into the man's achievements and business plans, to ask if he really thinks the man's demonizing description of Superman is accurate. Oh yes, Clark paid attention to that stuff.
Lois spoke up then, "I could do another follow-up interview with Superman again? Have to admit, he is nice to look at. From a professional point of view.. of course." She looked at Clark, then chuckled to herself. It was sort of a joke between them now, speaking of the caped superhero when she, and only she, knew he was right there across from her. She looked serious then as she glanced at her list. "..Oh. Hold that thought, there's something on the police blotter, a child kidnapping." She started to click the keys on her computer, already diving in with her investigative instincts. "And more than one. It's across the city. Three so far."
Clark was searching on his own computer as well, typing rapidly and searching for similar reports. "They're young. Ages ten, twelve, and fourteen. Now a fourth! Age eleven. All boys too. And all at night time hours, between ten and midnight. That's usually bedtime for most. Unless, of course, they're folks are totally okay with them staying up all night playing video games. None of the children knew each other. All in different schools. Very few similarities in common. Except being kids and all taking place at night hours. No forced entry, either. No fingerprints left or other evidence, no signs of struggle..." He stopped, suddenly feeling a sense of deja vu. Something about that case felt familiar.
"Yeah, seems a bit freaky, so it's probably perfect for us," Lois admitted, "especially after last year's mess." She paused, noticing Clark's expression. "Hey, you okay over there? What is it?"
Clark shook his head, looking over the file again. "Probably nothing, nevermind. Just more of a hunch thing. But just the same, I think we should go interview a couple of the parents that reported this. Could just be a case of a divorced parent figure sneaking in to take the child, which is what the cops are looking into now.. except the spouse has an alibi, so it could be an estranged aunt or other relative. But.. well. If my other theory is right, there's worse to worry about than they ever thought. It's a really crazy theory, could be wrong. I'd rather double check just to be sure."
Lois nodded, it did make a little sense. Okay, hardly any at all. Then again, she was recently held prisoner by an alien power-mad general who wanted to terraform the planet and eradicate humans, so this was a bit tame compared to that. But if Clark was worried? If the Man of Steel, whom she had seen firsthand what he could do, had seen him literally save the whole world in just a few days.. if ihe/i was a little worried, then it definitely bore some looking into. "Okay, let's go," she decided, standing up. "I'll just print up the families' residential and work addresses and we'll head out." She paused. "And coffee, of course."
"Of course." Clark smiled a bit, he knew the hint by now. He stood up himself and put on his coat, straightened his glasses, then began to prepared two cups of coffee for the road. He hoped it was just a misunderstanding in play. If it was some disgruntled family member, then maybe Superman could give them a stern talking to. They'd seriously listen, if all the buzz about the alien savior was anything to go by.
"Oh, and please don't, you know.." Lois held a finger up as she spoke, as she was grabbing the printed paper sheet. "Don't do that faux clumsy thing you do and spill the coffee on yourself again this time." She heard him laugh, which made her chuckled a bit too. Once ready, they immediately began their walk out of the building. As they left, she noticed people in shirts displaying the "S" symbol, and others waving pictures of a Superman statue. Ohh. Right, so they in fact did that, some people had actually made a statue of Superman. It was clearly a changed world now.