Hazard's New Friend

Twenty minutes later

Seth walked over to Clark and Lois. He still looked pretty peeved, but apparently he had calmed down a little bit and his glare wasn't as venomous. Finally, as he hopped into Jimmy's abandoned seat and propped his feet up on Clark's desk he managed a slight smile, not his usual, but good enough. "So, what are you guys reporting on? I got this new guy. What about ya'll?"

Clark sighed. "The usual, Superman." He replied, grinning. He held up a few photos that Jimmy had gotten of Superman saving some people. "Superman is a big thing here. You'll soon learn that." Clark didn't know why he felt jealous or felt the need to prove himself. He had never felt so…angry before. So afraid. Was this new guy going to take his place as a super hero? If he did…what would happen to Superman?

Seth's eyes flashed and immediately feeling the need to defend the new guy, since it was him after all, he replied. "I know what's big in Metropolis, Clark. I was born here after all. Superman is just another cheap-shot "Hero" that all Metropolians looks up to because there is no one else. But, now there is. This new guy will rock the map, man, you'll see."

"Well, this new guy so happens to go after the bad guys before helping the victims. He would have let those hostages die today if it hadn't been for me-Superman." Clark quickly took a sip of coffee. He had slipped up. Hopefully no one would catch on. Lois smiled and squeezed his shoulder.

"Come on Clark, give the kid a break. He'll learn that Superman's your hero . . ." She walked away.

"Did he just say me?" Seth wondered. "Superman didn't do anything today." Seth replied. "Superman has had his turn. It's time for someone else to take a shot at the whole "Hero" thing."

Clark leaned over to Seth. "Look, Superman is the best thing that has happened to this city. He's gone through a lot to keep this city safe. Don't you dare say that he's done nothing?" With that Clark got up and followed Lois out.

"He's. Done. Nothing." Seth muttered with a rebellious tone, then walked out of the office and out of the Daily Planet. After a walking of few blocks he turned off of the main street and down a dark alley. A few minutes later he came to a door at the end of the street, pulled out his keys, and opened the door. He walked in and threw his keys onto the counter and his black jacket onto the couch. His apartment was dark and not the most luxurious place in the world. He looked around and sighed and then, in a the blink of an eye, he was wearing his uniform. He turned around and left his apartment, locking his door behind him, and then flew into the air. He looked around and then flew off towards what sounded like someone calling for help. He landed on the roof of a deserted building. He looked around and then heard a voice.

"Hello. You're the new "hero" aren't you?"

Seth spun around and looked at the man. He was shrouded in shadow."Yes."

"Or is it vigilante? That's what there calling you on the news, isn't it?"

"I am not a vigilante! I'm a hero!" Seth yelled, stepping towards the man.

"Calm yourself, kid. I know you're a hero. And, I've come to help you prove it."

"Who are you?" The man stepped of the shadows and Seth gasped.

"Lex Luthor!"

"Yes, I am indeed Lex Luthor and I've come to help."

"What do you mean?"

"You hate Superman, don't you?"

"Yes."

"And, it's no secret that I'm not crazy about him."

"Yeah, so."

"So, I want to help you get on top. I'll sponsor you. Everyone will know you're name."

"Everyone?"

"Defiantly. I'll make you famous. Plus, I'll give you whatever you want."

"Anything at all?"

"Anything. Just say it and it's yours."

"Well, I have been a little low on money and my home isn't the best."

"Done." Lex pulled out his cellphone and dialed a number. "Hello, Mercy? This is Luthor. I want you to wire the deed to my summer estate to my Limo. Yes, the one outside of Metropolis. Oh, and 5 million dollars. Thank you, Mercy." Lex hung up his cellphone and put it back in his jacket pocket. "There. Now you have a home and some money and that's just the beginning. I can give you whatever you want. The deed and the cash are below us in my limo, right now. Come with me and I'll even drive you to the estate."

"Wait. Why would you, Lex Luthor, want to help me?"

"Look, I don't like Superman. I want him gone. I think it is time someone else had a crack at protecting Metropolis and who better than you."

"I guess I see your point."

"I'll sponsor you, if you can gain the votes of the people of Metropolis. Deal?" Lex extended his hand to Seth. Seth stared at it for awhile and then slowly raised his hand towards Lex. He hovered beside it for a second and then grasped it and shook it.

"Deal."

"Great, come on. I'll show your new home." Lex put his arm around Seth, who had clearly just got himself into a world of trouble and had no idea of it, and led him through the building and into the waiting limo below. As Seth sat down opposite Lex, Lex asked. "So, what do you call yourself?"

"What?"

"You know, your "Codename". Like Superman."

"Oh...Hazard. It's Hazard."

"Hazard? I like it. Has a nice ring to it. Plus it suits you. You know, Hazard, with me as a friend, you'll go far." With this the limo pulled off and started down the busy roads of Metropolis towards Seth's new estate.

Clark sat down in his apartment, sighing heavily as he watched the weather forecast. He flipped off the TV and sat there, running his fingers through his hair. This new guy was really getting to him. And not only was he getting to him, but Lois was as well. And also the fact that he had almost let slip that he was Superman. He hoped that Seth didn't think too much of it.
"Seth…" Clark groaned. He should have apologized. Just then Clark heard someone crying for help and the sound of sirens. He moaned and placed on his suit and went to fly out of his window, but stopped. He had just thought of something. Why not let Superman have a break? Let him live a normal life? Clark moved back, the screams becoming louder.

Hazard flew through Metropolis at an incredible speed that was beyond human sight, so when he stopped over the burning building from which the screams were coming from it seemed to the citizens as if he had just appeared. He looked around, and not spotting Superman grinned and smashed through a window on the top floor of the burning building. A few seconds later he reappeared from a window on the other side of the building with three people, one in each arm and one on his back, he set them down and his smile grew. At that moment a crying woman ran up and yelled.

"My babies! Sir, me children are still in there!"

"What floor!"

"The second!"

Hazard flew up into the air and smashed through another window. Several seconds passed and the building began to creak. All the sudden Hazard burst through a door on the first floor. Just as he did the first floor exploded. Hazard flew towards the woman and handed her the children.

"Thank you, sir, thank you!"

Hazard said nothing as he grabbed some tools from a nearby fire truck and flew towards the building. He worked so fast that the crowd could not see him and after a minute past he stopped and landed on the ground, throwing the tools to a fireman. He turned to the sergeant. "Sergeant, the building will stand, but it will have to be condemned."

"That's okay, sir. A lot of people owe you their lives."

"Oh, it was nothing. Just doing my job." Hazard replied, but his smile clearly showed that he was loving this. Lois Lane, Jimmy, and a group of reports, one with a video camera, ran over to him.

Male Reporter: "You just saved all these people, sir, how do you feel?"

"Heh, great! Wouldn't you?"

Jimmy Olsen: "Do you plan to stay in Metropolis."

"Absolutely! Where else would I go?"

Female Reporter with video camera: "What do you thing about Superman?"

"Look, don't get me wrong, Superman is a great Hero and he's saved a truck-load of people, but he's been in the business a long time. I think it's time he passes on the torch and who better to pass it on to, then me?"

Lois Lane: "Sir, do you have a name?"

"Yeah. It's Hazard."

The reporters continue to ask Hazard questions as Lex Luthor walks over to him. He puts his arm around Hazards shoulders.

"Great job, Hazard! Superman didn't even show up. He probably knows the games over.

You're too good for him."

"You really think so?"

"Defiantly!"

Lois Lane: "What is you're connection with Hazard, Mr. Luthor?"

"I'm his sponsor."

Jimmy Olsen: "So he's working for you."

"Heh, no. I just fund him."

Male Reporter: "Mr. Luthor, do you know who Hazard really is?"

"No, and I don't think I'll find out. Come on, Hazard. Let's go." Lex Luthor leads Hazard to his waiting limo and they drive off.

Clark had seen the whole thing. Hazard, Luthor, the reporters, the interview…everything. He couldn't help but feel, relieved in some way. Maybe this Hazard guy was good news after all. Maybe he was the answer to everything… Clark entered the office once more.

Jimmy ran up to him. "Hey buddy, you're not going to like this, but Hazard has just been deemed the new Super Hero of Metropolis." Jimmy cringed slightly.

Clark sighed heavily and shrugged. "Oh well." He replied, taking a sip of his coffee. He began typing away a story about Superman, and about why he had left.

Jimmy frowned. "Aren't you mad?"

Clark shook his head. "No…I thought I would be…but I think Superman and I are relieved. I mean, he doesn't have to worry about everyone anymore, and I don't have to go chasing after him to get a good story. Now I can go and get real news on real stuff."

Jimmy smiled. "Well, at least you're taking the news good. Lois is having a fit."