Mystery
"You're kidding me! You met Batman!? That guy is cool!" Supergirl exclaimed.
"Yeah. Was pretty antisocial, though. I could tell he's not used to civil conversation. The worst part, even with that mask on, I could tell he looked at me like some kind of monster, or invader." I say sadly.
We arrive and enter the Fortress of Solitude. After repairing our costumes, Jor-El's hologram appears.
"Welcome, my children."
Supergirl pulls out the lead box. "Father, we need to analyze the contents of this lead box. It is harmful to us."
Jor-El does a double take. "I see. Place the box on that table and I will do the rest."
She sets it down, then we step back.
The table forms crystalline mechanical arms, which open the box. A green glow emanates from the small rock within, but we are out of range. The rock is scanned with a beam. Jor-El closes his eyes, looking deep in thought.
After 30 seconds, he opens them. "On a few occasions, I hacked into Luthorcorp's files. I may be one with the machine, but I don't think as fast as one. I still have to read and sort through all the files. Based on my scan, and what I have gleaned from the files so far, Lex Luthor has named this element kryptonite. It is radioactive with a much greater energy output and half-life than other isotopes, but the wavelength seems to have no effect on humans. Could one of you provide a tissue sample? Just place it on the floor."
I pluck one of my hair strands. A screen appears, showing the follicle, magnified. A mechanical limb carries it to the kryptonite. The cells in the follicle undergo cell death!
Jor-El sighs. "It is just as I feared. You must avoid this rock. If you stay in it's presence too long, you will die."
"Damn." I say. "Lex Luthor has a stockpile of those things. That guy doesn't even want to introduce them as a new source of clean energy, but he wants to use them to kill us."
Jor-El continues. "The range of each sample varies according to its size. This sample, the size of a fist, has a range of about 20 feet. Larger ones possess even greater range. You have one respite, though. When a sample is superheated, it is rendered inert ash."
"Awesome! We can use our heat vision from a safe distance against them!" I exclaim.
"Keep this sample here. I shall continue to analyze it and gather clues on how to counter it."
"Father, we have other important news." I say. I relate my encounter with Mr. Freeze, Ares, and Athena, then we tell of our meeting with Silver Banshee and The Crone.
Jor-El considers this. "In all of Krypton's records, we have never encountered beings such as these. In addition, the Kryptonian Council had abolished all religion and superstition, declaring them to be nonsense that has no basis in reality. However, I have a very open mind, and I know you speak the truth. You must be cautious. I doubt science can offer anything can counteract magic. But I believe you two can overcome any obstacle in your way."
"Thank you, Father." Supergirl says.
We say goodbye, then return to our respective homes for a good night's rest.
The next day, I returned to the Daily Planet. Jimmy was trying to tell Perry of his close shave with Silver Banshee.
"Olsen, for the last time, I don't have time for tall tales!"
"But, it really happened!"
"Whatever." He walks away.
I pat Jimmy on the back. "Don't worry, you'll get your big break. By the way, have you seen Lois?"
"She's at the Mayor's office. You've got it bad for her, don't you, CK?" He smirks.
"Am I that obvious?"
"Yes. Sorry, but it's clear she has the hots for Superman."
"Really?" I say, sarcastically. I walk away, chuckling.
I finish cleaning up the building, then leave and change into my costume. I inspect the city. It seems quiet, so I head for Mayor Rebecca Tarn's office. I can't get Lois out of my mind. I couldn't make it work with Lana, but maybe this time, it will.
When I arrive, Lois is just leaving. She shakes hands with the Mayor and they are laughing. I listen. Apparently, they were friends in high school.
They see me, smile, and wave. I wave back, when I hear the unmistakable sound of bullets whizzing through the air!
I super speed over and catch them. Immediately, Lois, Mayor Tarn, and the rest of the people dive for cover. I judge the trajectory of the bullets and turn right. On the roof of a building is an African-American man in commando gear, wearing a bandana with eyeholes as a disguise, and holding a sniper rifle. He frowns and discards the empty rifle.
I angrily charge at him, but feel intense pain and fatigue, collapsing on my stomach. Crap, he has a piece of kryptonite on him!
The man laughs. "Well lookie here! That green shit work!" He reaches into his pockets, then pulls out two long desert eagles that by no stretch of the imagination could have possibly fit in them. "Eat lead, mothafucka!"
He fires, but I roll out of the way and tackle him. I scan him, the kryptonite is in his belt buckle. I notice there are tiny devices in his pockets that project small circles of energy. Portals?
I blast the buckle and his gun with heat vision, destroying both. The pain lifts.
"Ahhh!" The man screams, clutching his hand and navel in pain. "You'll be sorry. You ain't seen that last of Bloodsport!"
I tie him up and relieve him of his devices. I examine them with X-Ray and microscopic vision. Dang, the circuitry is only a few steps below that of the crystals in the Fortress.
A calm, collected, and altogether dark voice emits from one. "Congratulations on defeating Bloodsport, but you haven't won yet. Come over to Metropolis Harbor. I assure you, there will be no more assassination attempts on the Mayor. The first one was merely to get your attention. I'll be waiting."
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: No offense to people who really speak Ebonics. I have a Superman comic with Bloodsport and I'm pretty sure he talks that way. Bloodsport would be played by Samuel L. Jackson. Mysterious Voice would be played by Ron Perlman. The identity of this person will be revealed next chapter. Bio: Bloodsport is an expert hunter/hitman. His pockets contain devices that project tiny portals leading to his warehouses full of guns of all shapes and sizes, meaning he has a nearly unlimited arsenal.