"This is so not fair!"
Gar and Jimmy leaned against the wall on either side of the open loft window, arms folded, calmly watching as Linda angrily paced the length of the loft. In actuality, the teenager paced a couple of inches above the loft floor.
"At least she's not going to wear a hole in the floor," Gar muttered to Jimmy.
Linda stopped and looked down; she quickly narrowed her eyes as she lowered herself to the floor. "You're not helping," she said, glaring at her friend.
"Well, it's true," Gar protested.
"I still can't believe you guys took their side," Linda muttered.
"Yeah, well, that kinda happens when show up with a ten-hour memory gap in your life," Jimmy retorted, "AND being mind-controlled by your dead father."
"So, what, I'm supposed to just sit on the side and do nothing?" Linda protested.
"Yes!" Jimmy and Gar said in unison.
Linda huffed and folded her arms, but Jimmy looked unfazed as took a deep breath and walked over to her.
"Hey," he said, his tone low and sincere, "you know Gar and I would side with you in a heartbeat, and I know you're probably the only one who knows how to work that stuff out in the caves better than Clark, but this is different—and you know it."
Linda glanced at him, still upset, but his expression—while serious—showed deep concern; she sighed, her anger waning. "Fine," she replied softly.
Jimmy smiled a bit, relieved she wasn't protesting, but he could tell she still looked upset. "Hey, uh, why don't you tell Gar about those tests Cisco ran on your abilities?" he suggested, hoping to distract her.
"Yeah, so what can Little Miss Linda do exactly?" Gar asked, curious.
"Run at Mach 7.8," Linda proudly.
"Really?" Gar asked excitedly, his voice squeaking slightly. Linda nodded, grinning. "Whoa, that is awesome! I mean, that's, like, over four times faster than the Southern California Mite!" Linda and Jimmy looked confused, and Gar actually sighed, trying to appear patient. "Look, everyone thinks the fastest animal is a cheetah or peregrine falcon, which are fast based on pure speed, but in terms of body length per second, the cheetah only clears sixteen body lengths per second, while the SCM's is three-hundred, twenty-two per second; if a human ran that fast, they'd be running at one thousand, three-hundred miles per hour, hence Linda is over four times faster than the mite." Linda and Jimmy just stared at him, stunned. "What?"
"How do you know all that?" Jimmy asked incredulously.
"Dude, I shape-shift into animals," Gar answered smugly. "I am an animal connoisseur." He grinned. "You wanna know how fast the Australian tiger beetle can run?"
"No," Linda and Jimmy replied together.
"Alright, alright," Gar said. There were a few seconds of pause. "So, what else can you do?"
"Well, I can bench press a hundred tons," Linda answered.
Gar's jaw practically dropped to the floor. "Seriously?" Linda nodded. "That's it?"
"What do mean 'that's it'?" Linda asked, insulted. "That's two-hundred thousand pounds! Can you lift that much?"
"No, of course not!" Gar said, "but I would've thought you'd be able to lift more!"
"Well, I probably can," Linda retorted, "but Cisco's machine wouldn't register higher than that!"
"Well, that's a relief!" Gar said. "I mean, I'd hate to think—"
"Do you hear that?" Linda interrupted.
"Hear what?" Jimmy asked
Linda furrowed her eyebrows as she tilted her head, listening in silence. She looked at the open loft door and quickly walked over, Jimmy and Gar following. The teenage girl craned her head upward, scanning the skies.
"What is it, Linda?" Jimmy asked, cautiously.
Linda squinted her eyes, focusing on an object far above them until it was as if it was five feet in front of her. She looked relieved at first as she recognized the object as her cousin, but her relief quickly faded into horror when she saw the look of pure malice on his face as he zoomed toward them at incredible speed.
"Look out!" Linda said as she thrust her hands to the sides, telekinetically flinging both Jimmy and Gar aside. The teenagers barely had time to comprehend what was happening as everything around them exploded.
Jimmy had had his share of being thrown violently around before—more times than he cared to count, actually—but it never got easier. At least the motion sickness isn't that bad anymore, he thought to himself as the ground and sky spun around, fragments of wood and debris pelting him. The photographer tried to get his bearings, but his body lurched to a complete stop. Jimmy was stunned for a moment, before he craned his head to the side and up, staring at the Flash; it took Jimmy a moment to realize the speedster had caught him—and they were both near the picket fence by the house.
"You okay?" Flash asked as he set Jimmy on his feet.
"Uh, yeah," Jimmy said shakily. There was a distinct scream, and they looked over to see a goshawk flying toward them. As it approached, it quickly morphed into Gar, who landed expertly on his feet.
"Dude, you okay?" Gar breathlessly asked Jimmy.
"Yeah," Jimmy said. "You?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Gar said.
"What happened?" Diana asked after she blurred out the house, sword and shield in hand. The rest of the group hurried out of the house, running over.
"We were in the barn," Gar rapidly explained, "and then Linda said she heard something, and she must've seen something-"
"Where's Linda?" Jimmy interrupted as he jerked his head toward the barn, and his stomach turned, his eyes wide.
There was a large, gaping hole where the loft window used to be, like something had exploded right inside; muffled sounds and concussive shockwaves emanated from the damaged structure, dust stirring around it. The teenager dug his feet into the gravel and bolted toward the damaged structure, but he barely sprinted twenty feet before an object shot through the side of the barn, sending wood, debris, and dust exploding in all directions. Linda slammed into Jacob's car, crunching metal and shattering, and the young girl crumpled to the ground, groaning softly. Everyone hurried over as she slowly got to her feet.
"We have a problem," Linda said bluntly.
Everyone looked over as a figure walked slowly and methodically out of the damaged structure, silhouetted briefly by a cloud of dust before becoming visible. All of those present easily recognized the trademark red and blue outfit, but the expression on Superman's face was dark and cold as he looked over the group with pure arrogance and disdain.
"Have you reconsidered?" he asked, staring at Linda, as if the others didn't exist.
"Reconsidered what?" Batman asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.
Superman appeared annoyed as he glared at the Dark Knight. "This matter does not concern you," he said, his voice even. He quickly glanced around at the others. "This doesn't concern any of you."
"When you threaten to harm my family," Jonathan said, frowning, "it becomes my concern."
Superman gave a cruel, almost amused, smile. "You still think you have what it takes to stop me, Jonathan Kent?" His eyes glowed orange before two beams of heat fired out at the farmer. Diana blurred in front of him, holding up her shield. The heat beams hit the front with full force, and the intense heat could be felt behind the shield, but Diana wasn't fazed. After the heat was extinguished, the Amazonian princess lowered her shield, her face full of determination.
Superman glared at Diana. "You dare to-" He was suddenly struck with a concussive shockwave that sent him tumbling backward, slamming into the barn; smashed wood flew in all directions, stirring up more dust. Everyone looked over as Cisco lowered his hands, looking both impressed and a little surprised.
"Yeah," he replied shakily, "I guess I dare." He glanced apologetically at the Kents. "Sorry about the barn."
"Apologize later," Batman said as he ran toward the damaged structure, "fight now." J'onn, Flash, and Diane followed, while Ronnie and Stein quickly merged before joining them.
"Ollie to Watchtower," Oliver said as he touched his ear. "Clark's been subjected to what affected Linda; we're at the Kent Farm, and we could use your help." He listened for a few moments, then nodded. "Well, get here as quick as you can." He looked at the group as he readied his bow and an arrow. "Well, Hal and Carter are dealing with a disturbance in Japan. They said they'll hurry up as fast as they can, but until then we're on our own, so I suggest we take shelter in the house in the meantime. Those with abilities, keep an eye on those without." The group headed back toward the house, but Linda didn't move as she stared at the barn, listening to the commotion taking place on the other side. The group stopped and looked at her with confusion. "Linda, that includes you."
"They won't be able to stop him," she said.
"I know what you're thinking," Oliver replied, "but trust me, the League can handle Clark."
"And tell me how you guys fared the last time you all fought me?" Linda retorted. "I was out of control, just like Clark is now. Like it or not, the only chance against a super-powered Kryptonian is another super-powered Kryptonian."
Oliver wanted to argue with her, but he couldn't come up with anything; he glanced at the others. He could tell they were all thinking the same thing; she was right-but it didn't mean they had to like it. He looked back at Linda, trying not to appear concerned.
"He's not going to hold back," he warned.
"And if I need to, then I won't either," Linda replied, "so take cover." She didn't wait for a response as she leapt into the air and flew through the gaping hole in the barn.
Batman grunted as he leapt over a fence railing, barely missing the heat vision beams shot at him. He ran for cover behind the tractor as he reached for one of the compartments in his belt, pulling out a handful of pellets. He crouched low, calculating, but the tractor shuddered briefly before lifting up; Batman backed up when he saw Superman holding up the large machine.
"I would commend you for your tenacity," Superman said, looking almost impressed, "if I thought you even had a remote chance of defeating me."
"Who says I don't?" Batman replied before throwing the pellets at Superman's face and quickly turned his head. The pellets exploded in a blinding white light, causing the Kryptonian to shout and drop the tractor; Batman barely dived out of the way before the machine crashed to the ground. Superman blinked rapidly as the bright light slowly faded, then he quickly scanned the area, finally seeing Batman running for cover behind a gas tank. Glaring, he aimed his heat vision at the tank.
"Batman, look out!" J'onn shouted as he flew over. The gas ignited just as he grabbed Batman's hands. The tank exploded, sending a powerful shockwave of debris and fire outward in all directions. Batman and J'onn grunted as they were thrown forcefully through the air by the explosion; they slammed into the side of the barn, crumpling to the ground.
Diana shouted loudly as she leapt into the air and drew her fist back. She let it fly, hitting Superman hard and knocking him downward; he slammed into the ground, leaving a large impact crater; Diana landed next to the crater, removing her sword and jumped into the air, swinging her sword down at the fallen hero, but Superman deftly blocked the blade with his wrists. The blade cut into him, trickling blood, but the Kryptonian ignored the pain as he quickly used his heat vision on the Amazon's wrists. Diana shouted in pain and dropped her weapon.
Superman blurred to his feet and grabbed both of Diana's wrists, holding her in place; he slammed his forehead into hers, snapping her head back. The impact was like thunder, and Diana appeared dazed for a moment, but she looked more determined as she returned the gesture. Superman looked disoriented, but then he levitated a few feet off the ground before head butting her even hard. Diana slammed backward into the ground, moaning as she lay stunned.
An intense blast of heat hit Superman from above, and the Kryptonian looked up to see Firestorm blasting him with intense flames. Superman flew up, slamming into Firestorm and sending him tumbling uncontrollably into the distance before Superman descended. A blur mixed with orange lighting suddenly encircled him like a whirlwind. He quickly shifted his vision and most everything froze in place, but the blur simply slowed down to where Superman was just able to make out the figure of the Flash. The speedster quickly gathered up lighting and focused it, but before he could throw it, Superman jumped into the air at superspeed and came down with his foot extended; it slammed hard into Flash's leg, snapping bones. Instantly, Flash fell to the ground, shouting loudly as he writhed on the ground in immense pain.
"If this is what constitutes the best of Earth's heroes," Superman said as he glanced around at the fallen heroes, "then this truly will be the easiest victory ever in the history of Krypton."
"Not if I can help it!"
Superman looked over just in time to see Linda flying toward him, glaring as she swung her fist, connecting with his face. The sound of the impact was deafening, and the Kryptonian was knocked off his feet, sailing backward, but Linda soared above the ground, hammering him with punch after punch. When they had reached the back section of the property, the young girl flipped her body in the air, her foot catching with Superman's chin and sending him skyward; she flew after him, continuing her assault as they ascended higher and higher. She knew she couldn't let up for even one second: if he managed to get in one good hit on her, it could be enough to give him the advantage over her.
The young girl flew ahead of her cousin and stopped a distance from him. When he approached, she brought both of her hands down like a hammer on his back, slamming him to the ground. He hit the ground hard, leaving a large crater with dust and debris everywhere. Linda flew down and landed next to the crater as the dust settled, but there was no sign of Superman. The teenager assumed a defensive stance as she quickly pivoted around, looking for him, just in time to see her the front of her cousin's boot slam right into her face. Linda stumbled back, but she stayed on her feet. Superman kicked her in the stomach, and the young girl doubled over in pain, but she quickly brushed it off as she leapt into the air, flipping over her cousin. She landed in a low crouching position behind him and quickly swept his feet out from under him. She jumped up, her hands clasped together, bringing them down like a sledgehammer.
Superman quickly rolled over and slammed his hands together. The resulting shockwave hit her, and she shouted as she was thrown back and fell to the ground, tumbling violently before rolling to a stop. She groaned slightly and tried to get to her feet, but Superman blurred over and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her several feet off the ground. Linda struggled, her face turning red, but Superman held the young girl with a vice-like grip as he brought her close, his face inches from hers.
"Did you really think you stood a chance against me?" he growled, then gave a sardonic chuckle. "Look at you: untapped potential, but so easily defeated."
"I...will never...give up," Linda wheezed, trying in vain to pry his fingers apart. "And you know...you can't...kill me."
"But I make you suffer if you continue to oppose me," Superman said. "These pathetic humans you love aren't quite as durable as we are." He continued squeezing Linda's neck tighter, smiling cruelly as the small gasps escaped from her lips. "Kneel before me and swear your allegiance, or all the people you love will suffer."
"Esaeler eht lrig!" Superman suddenly let go of Linda, and she fell to the ground, breathing hard. The Kyrptonian jerked his head toward the unexpected voice. "Tsalb mih raf yawa morf ereh!" Superman was hit with a powerful blue blast that sent him high into sky and away from the property.
Linda sat on the ground, breathing heavily, trying to get her wits about her. She thought it would have been easy to fight her cousin-she knew it wasn't actually him fighting her-but that image of him staring at her the way her father had. The young girl inwardly shuddered as she slowly got to her feet, bending over, her hands on her shaking knees.
"You were pulling your punches."
Linda's eyes widened in shock at the matter-of-fact statement; the voice was unexpected, but she instantly recognized it. She looked over as a tall man with unkempt dark hair and eyes walking toward her. He wore a simple dark shirt, matching sports coat, jeans, and hiking boots; his hands had a vivid blue aura around them that quickly faded.
"You," Linda stated in surprise. "What are-" She was interrupted as the Diana blurred over, stopping between Linda and the newcomer; she stood defensively with her sword and shield, glaring.
"I will give you one chance to identify yourself," the Amazon warned, "before I run you through." The newcomer looked unimpressed or concerned, even as Batman and J'onn joined. "Who are you, stranger?"
"I can tell you who he is," Linda said in awe, never taking her eyes of the gentleman. "His name is Jayson Potter. He's my art teacher."
(End of Chapter 6)
