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Solar Complications, chapter 2

1.

Match looked at Superboy and Superman lying in the medical bay beds. He was forced to observe from behind a glass barrier with Supergirl because the doctors were worried that their ailment might spread to Kryptonians or those with Kryptonian genes.

Specialists from STAR Labs had been teleported to the Watchtower to see if they could find out what was wrong. They were just finishing the first batch of tests.

"We'll compare Superman's readings to our records," Dr. Charles said. "We don't have equivalent readings for Superboy, though. Match, would you allow us to take your readings so we have a baseline to compare from?"

"Of course," Match replied. "I'll do anything I can to help."

"Do you need my readings too?" Supergirl asked. "I want to help too!"

"We'll take them, just in case," Dr. Charles said. "After that, we're going to have to wait and see what the tests say."

2.

"Can the Kents come up to see them?" Kara asked. "I know they must be worried."

"Once the doctors leave, they'll come," Max said. "They'll be able to come into contact with them, which should do them some good."

3.

Conner felt something cool press against his forehead. His eyes struggled open to see Martha holding a wet cloth to him. She smiled at him.

"You're awake, that's good," she said.

"What happened?" Conner asked through a parched throat.

She poured some water down his throat, and he swallowed.

"You and Clark are sick," she explained. "You both passed out. You're in the JLA Watchtower. Doctors from STAR Labs have been here to see you."

"Be strong, son," Jonathan said. "They'll have figured out what's wrong and fix it in no time."

Conner turned his head to see Lois talking softly to a bed-ridden Clark. He looked around and saw Kara and Max watching from behind a glass panel. Kara gave him a smile, and Max looked serious.

Conner weakly pointed at them. "Are they okay?"

"They're fine," Martha said. "They wanted to be in here with us, but the doctors were worried that other Kryptonians might catch this."

"Is there anything we can get you?" Jonathan asked.

"A little more water, please," he croaked.

4.

"Any ideas on how this happened to them?" Kara asked Max.

"I believe it's something that Dr. Photonic did to them," he stated. "I've already shared my suspicions with the doctors. Hopefully, they'll be able to isolate the cause and cure them soon."

"Kru, who's this Dr. Photonic?"

"He's a villain with light-based powers. He fought the two of them within twenty-four hours of the onset of their condition."

"Maybe I should talk to him. He might know something."

"Oracle has already put someone on it."

"How can you be so calm? Aren't you worried?"

"I'm forcing myself to be calm for them. If I can aid the doctors at all, I have to remain calm. I won't show them how distressed I am; it would just make them feel worse."

5.

Max went to school the next day even though his thoughts weren't on his classes at all. After school, he went home to prepare dinner; he'd visit Conner later that night.

There was a knock on the door, and he went to investigate. Opening the door, he saw Dan standing there.

"Hey," Max said, a little surprised to see him.

"How's Conner doing?" Dan asked. "I saw he wasn't at school today."

"He's sick."

"I didn't think you guys got sick. Is he up for a visit?"

"He's not here. He's in the JLA Watchtower."

"You mean, on the moon?"

"I can't do this," Max blurted out. "Things were going so well a week ago. Now, you hate me, and Conner's dying. I can't cope with it."

"Wait, he's dying? What's wrong? And, I don't hate you."

"Yes, you do, and I don't blame you. Somebody Conner fought went and essentially poisoned the solar reserves in his body. The energy that grants him his powers is now killing him."

"I don't hate you. I was angry, but I'm over it."

They sat on the couch and Dan pulled Max's head to rest against his chest.

"I'm here for you," he said softly. "You can let it all out."

Max sobbed a few times before sitting back up. He wiped his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm a little overly emotional right now."

"It's okay. I'm back. I'm here for you."

6.

Dr. Charles' face appeared on the screen in the Watchtower. Those present gave her their full attention.

"I sent the preliminary report," she said. "The stored solar energy reserves of the two have been altered in such a way that their systems are hurt by it. That's caused their condition."

"What caused this alteration?" Green Lantern asked.

"It's most likely the doing of Dr. Photonic," Match explained. "The two of them fought him before they came down with this condition."

"What can we do to cure them?" Batman asked.

"We're not certain yet," Dr. Charles admitted.

"Wouldn't a bombardment of good solar energy flush the bad stuff out of their system?" the Flash asked.

"Possibly. We have considered the possibility, but don't know if it works that way."

"What about leeching the contaminated energy out of them?" Batman asked.

Match shook his head. "If you were to completely drain their bodies of solar energy, it would kill them in their weakened state. Heavy exertion of powers can temporarily reduce their effectiveness, but completely draining them would not leave them alive long enough for even a concentrated bombardment of solar energy. The process to adapt the solar energy to their systems is not instantaneous."

"What's the projected time that they have?" Wonder Woman asked.

"We estimate two or three weeks before their bodies shut down," Dr. Charles answered.

"I think we should try Flash's suggestion," Wonder Woman said.

No one dissented. It looked like the best option.

"I'll get the Ray there as soon as possible," Oracle said.

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