Clark, Logan, and Ororo's first week at school was fairly average, but they couldn't help but feel like they were being watched. Prof. Axel. was keeping a close eye on them, for he knew what they truly were, or rather who they had been. He had not expected the Trinity of the Amalgam universe to be remade so completely, let alone into teenagers but he knew... from his alternate self... that all too soon... their lives would take a fantastic twist of fate. He also noticed some new Amalgams like Victor Drake, who saved Clark more than once from the jocks' bullying as well as occasionally fishing Connor Parker out of whatever locker in the school Jaime crammed him into. "Victor... Drake... A combination of Cyborg & Iceman..." he mused to himself "That's unexpected. The Brothers really started from scratch this time around." Access continued to take note of the students as the week passed and that was when he met the soon-to-be Turbotask ("He's more Flash than Taskmaster that one").
Clark mostly stayed with Logan throughout the day, mostly because the other boy's presence seemed to deflect bullies somewhat (Would you want to hit a brooding boy with an occasional aggression problem?). During lunch one day when Clark was struggling with his biology homework, Logan suddenly lifted his head to look at something behind Clark. Too busy with his work, the other boy didn't bother to look.
Until, of course, a hand on his shoulder nearly made him jump clear out of the chair. "Hey, guys." Ororo smiled warmly. "Do you mind if I sit with you?" Clark was attempting to stutter out an excuse, something about having to head up to the library when Logan answered for him. "Go ahead." He shrugged and went back to playing with his straw. Ororo chose the seat between them and started pulling things out of her backpack when she happened to look over and notice what Clark was doing. "Biology, huh?" She craned her head to see. "Oh, that's right. You're in my class, aren't you?" "Uhh..." Clark mumbled. "Yeah. First row." Beside him, Logan accidentally sucked a gulp of milk down the wrong tube in an effort to stifle his laughter. Ororo frowned and reached over to smack the center of Logan's back, helping clear his lungs. "Is he okay?" She asked Clark. "Yeah." He glared at Logan. "He's just got allergies. They're really... annoying. So... biology. How about those... somatic cells?" Thankfully, Ororo just laughed at his pitiful attempt to make conversation.
"You wouldn't happen to need a study buddy, would you?" "Umm.." Clark scratched the back of his neck. "I guess so." "Does tomorrow during study hall sound good?" "Sure, sure. Whatever's good for you." "Great." Ororo beamed. "I have to go after Prof. Axel; I need to ask him a question about something really quick, alright?" She got up and started to leave. "Have fun." Clark called after her, not thinking. Logan chuckled.
"Smooth move, Rogers. Real smooth." "Shut up, Logan."
Somehow, studying with Ororo didn't end in disaster like Logan predicted. Clark convinced him to come along, even though he didn't do any actual work. "He doesn't need to." Clark had explained. Ever since preschool, Logan had gotten nothing but good Grades.
The next few days rolled by smoothly. Logan and Ororo had reached some kind of friendship, even though Ororo still rolled her eyes at him every once in awhile.
That Friday, Professor Axel asked Clark to see him in his classroom after school. Assuming this was about the test he most likely had miserably failed, Clark had spent the day silently begging Axel not to call his Ma. He opened the door slowly, confused when he found that the room was completely dark. He reached out, fumbling for the light switched. Finally, he managed to get his hand on it.
"SURPRISE!" Clark jumped, startled. Logan's hand shot out to stabilize him.
"Happy Birthday, honey." Ma smiled. "Wha-?" Hal wrapped an arm around Clark's shoulders and led him over to the table of food. "Sweet huh? Unfortunately, Ororo told me I couldn't bring any real drink so this party is gonna be a bit dull. Sorry." Logan had gravitated over to the cookie tray, where he proceeded to fill up a plate. He licked off all the icing, leaving the actual cookie behind. Alfred just shook his head at him and let him be.
"I'll eat 'em if you won't." Wally reached for Logan's plate. "That's really gross, Wally." Victor looked away from him.
Ororo weaved through the crowd, smiling and laughing. She acted like she was everyone's best friend, even though some of the guests there weren't exactly easy to get along with. (Connor kept making fun of her hair until Axel told him to stop, bluffing out a threat that he had Jaime's cell number on his speed dial.)
"Clark?" Ma called, cake in hands. "Come here, sweetheart. Happy Birthday to you-" She began, prompting everyone to join in. Embarrassed, Clark made his way to the center of the room. When the song reached its end, Clark closed his eyes, thought for a moment, then, he blew out the candles. Behind him, the room erupted into applause.
The party slowly dwindled away over the past half hour. Then Ma loaded Clark and Logan up in her van and started the drive home. About halfway there, Clark's head drooped to the window. Pale and sweaty, Clark reached for a plastic bag in case he threw up.
"Clark, honey, are you alright?" Ma frowned.
"Probably just ate too much cake." The corners of Clark's mouth quirked up into a rare grin.
"Not funny, Logan." Clark closed his eyes. Despite his taunting, Logan did offer his friend a hand in getting inside the house. Clark threw himself at the couch and curled up into a ball. "...Clark?" Logan frowned.
Clark convulsed and curled in on himself. He heard Logan call for Ma, but his voice seemed distant. Like he was screaming into a tunnel. Clark felt himself growing, muscles straining against the thin t-shirt.
"Clark!" His mother cried just as his clothing ripped. Finally, mercifully, it was over. Clark, still shaking, slowly rose to his feet. His shirt was torn to ribbons, his pants reduced to little more than ratty shorts. Logan's hand came up to steady him, but he had a harder time reaching Clark's shoulder now. Well, harder than before, not actually hard; Clark became 5 inches taller than Logan.
"Young man." Alfred said, his voice strangely calm. "Lay down, please."
Alfred went through the standard tests, including testing his reflexes and shining a little flashlight against his eyes. Alfred could work at a hospital if he chose.
"Well?" Logan frowned.
"Clark is fine." Alfred's eyebrow furrowed. "There's not a single thing wrong with him."
"How do you feel, sweetheart?" Ma lightly touched his shoulder.
"To be honest, Ma." He smiled a little. "Taller." Clark moved into the hallway, taking a picture frame off the wall and looking at it. "Nothing feels any different."
"Well, you certainly look different." Logan arched an eyebrow. Clark glanced down at his arm and flexed, fascinated by the way his new muscles moved against the bone.
"Now." Ma wiped her forehead. "What on earth are we going to tell the school?" "We can't tell them anything." Alfred argued. "There's no way to explain...this."
"I suppose..." Ma sighed. "Homeschooling. Or Cyberschool, maybe. If I can just..." "Ma." Clark frowned.
"No decision has to be made right now." Alfred interjected. "Things will look better in the morning, I'm sure."
A man wearing civilian clothes watched the four interact through his binoculars, silent, heart rate quickening. He pulled out his cell phone and made a quick call, hands shaking.
"Access?" He croaked. "I've found them."
Review when you have the chance. Sorry for the wait by the way. Oh and that man in the window... I have plans for that character. Heh... heheheheheh... HAHAHAHAHA!