Acceptance
Author's Note: To get an idea of what my characters look like, I'll name who I would cast if this was a live action movie or series. Clark/Superman would be Tom Welling. Jor-El would be Brandon Routh with age-enhancing makeup. I already said Lois would be Erica Durance. Jimmy would be Shia LaBeouf. Mae/Supergirl would be Sara Paxton or Mika Boorem. Perry White would be J.K. Simmons. Dan Turpin would be Donnie Wahlberg. Lex Luthor would be Kevin Spacey, but only if he beefs up to the level he attained in the movie American Beauty. Toyman/Winslow Scott would be Seth Rogan. No flames! These are personal preferences. I will cast most new characters as they come along. Also, I'm not sure if Brainiac will exist in this story, his personality and plans are a bit too complicated for me. Spoiler Alert: There will be no time travel.
Amazingly, Lois and Jimmy succeeded. The incredible public approval helped. Granted, the troops were still quite wary around me, and took a while to disband, but it was a start.
Mae bid me goodbye, and returned to UC Santa Cruz.
The next day, I came back to work. As before, I cleaned everything in record time. Everyone congratulated me, again.
Lois and Jimmy were given a raise. Exited, instead of asking for time off, they asked to be given their next assignment.
"Fine," Perry says. "Lex Luthor is our most influential citizen, so go ask for his opinion on this Superman and Supergirl."
"Mind if I tag along? I've always wanted to meet Mr. Luthor," I ask.
"Sure thing, Kent. You're done with your shift already," Perry says.
The three of us get into Jimmy's car and head for Luthorcorp, one of the world's leading companies devoted to new technology and research, rivaled only by Wayne Enterprises.
"CK? You should enjoy this, Lex is one of the coolest guys ever!" Jimmy exclaims.
"Don't listen to him, Smallville, he's just saying that because Lex throws massive parties full of trashy whores and he dreams of being rich enough to throw one," Lois interjects.
"Whatever you say," I reply. God, she's so cool.
We arrive. After being frisked by security (my costume is in a highly compact compartment in the lining of my backpack, so it is safe), we enter the office of the man himself, Lex Luthor.
He is completely bald, but quite handsome and incredibly muscular, not fitting the typical rich business man stereotype. He walks with an air of sophistication, but I can tell by his eyes that he is arrogant.
"Ah, Ms. Lane, Mr. Olsen, my old friends. What brings you here, today. Who's your friend?"
"The name's Clark Kent. It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Luthor."
We shake hands.
Lois and Jimmy prepare their camera and notebook. "We have been asked to write a follow-up to the Superman story. Could you please give your opinion on him?"
Suddenly, Lex growls and grits his teeth. He shakes, looking like he is about to lose his temper. Finally, he composes himself.
"Would you excuse me for the second?" He says before darting for the bathroom.
"Whoa, what got into him?" Jimmy asks.
With my super hearing, I can hear Lex muttering to himself. "Darn it. I can't stand that flying freak. How dare that alien enter my town?!"
He returns, smiling. "Sorry about that. Now about that interview? Just tell your superior that I think Superman is amazing. One with that much power using it for good must be an upstanding citizen. Hate to cut this short, but I have things to do."
"We understand. Thank you for your time!" Says Lois.
I sadly follow the others out. I know Lex is lying, but this is something I must keep to myself. There is no way I can possibly prove what I heard without exposing my secret. I hear a whirling noise. What the? I turn around, and there's a small WWI style airplane heading for the window!
"Lex! Get down!" I cry before tackling him in the nick of time.
As Lois and Jimmy hide behind the door, the plane impacts, sending glass everywhere. When everything settles, the four of us gather around the plane, which is no bigger than a go-cart.
A voice, apparently a tape-recording, plays, "Hello, Luthor! This is the Toyman speaking. If you're still alive, you won't be much longer!"
As the others stare in confusion, I X-Ray the plane, and see C-4!
"Run!" I shove the others out of the room, just as it explodes!
Security runs up. "Mr. Luthor, are you all right!?"
"No thanks to you, you incompetent fools! Get an investigate team out here on the double. I want whoever's responsible for this found!"
"On it!" They reply.
As we step back to give the team room, I notice Lois looks lethargic.
"Lois! Snap out of it!" I cry, shaking her.
"Clark, calm down. Give her time," Jimmy says solemnly. "I'm a little shaken up, myself."
Lex walks up. "My apologies for getting you involved in that assassination attempt. I hope none of you are injured. Mr. Kent, thank you. You saved my life."
"No problem, but I think we should go."
Jimmy and I carry Lois to the car. She bolts up, shocking us.
"Holy shit! That was so cool!"
We roll our eyes and Jimmy drives us back.
When we get back to the Daily Planet, I slip away, then become Superman. I search the city for any sign of this "Toyman". I do not hear his voice, and with no clue of what he looks like, I find nothing.
To Be Continued…
