Before we begin the latest chapter I'd just like to inform everyone that around this time Pauline is almost due to give birth. As such she's taking the winter semester off with plans to take a few online courses to catch up. Joey, however, isn't taking a break, but instead has reduced his course load so that he can spend more time being for Pauline and the baby. The two of them have been earning money to pay for food and bills by working at Comics Man; plus Pauline has a large amount inheritance money left to her by her parents. Which a large portion of it was left to them by Richard's parents, (aka Wolf's parents/Pauline's grandparents).

Atomic Puppet: New Adventures

Chapter 17: Atomic Baby

February 19th, 2022

Atomic Puppet: "Victory Pose."

Once again Mega City had been saved from it's most annoying villain, Mookie.

"Oh, C'mon," complained a defeated/wounded Mookie, while his greatest enemy(s) did their classic victory pose.

AP: "Next time think your plan over more thoroughly. Or better yet, don't even bother thinking about committing an act of villainy. We're just gonna kick your butt again anyways.'

'Yeah well maybe next time you won't be there," countered Mookie. "In fact, maybe there'll someday be a new way for me to destroy you."

Saying this caused Joey to get nervous. "I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about."

Mookie: "Oh I think you do. I also think…'

'Well, I think," interrupted Rex Bordeaux, Mega City's top TV news reporter. "That we don't care what's going on inside your teeny, tiny, little brain. So let's get you out of the way, and focus on Atomic Puppet. The city's greatest hero."

Mookie: "WHAT! What about me?"

Rex Bordeaux: "Don't care. Now Atomic Puppet do you have anything to the people of Mega-City?"

AP: "Well let me just say…'

"Can't talk right now. Atomic Puppet is needed somewhere else." Interrupted Joey before speedily flying off. "Atomic Go."

'Hey, what was that about Kid?" AP asked after a minute of flying. "I was just about to give a grandiose speech about how awesome I... I mean we are."

This caused Joey to let out an annoyed groan. "Argh. You can do that in front of the bathroom mirror back at our apartment anytime. Which is where we need to be right now. Pauline could go into labour at any moment, and I wanna be there in case something happens, good or bad. You understand?"

Oh AP understood. As the days past, Joey became more and more protective of his pregnant fiancé; especially with her being due to give birth any day now. Because of this, Joey didn't like to leave Pauline for very long. Only if he absolutely had to.

AP: "Sheesh. I pretty sure Pauline can take care of herself for a few minutes."

"For you, giving speeches usually takes a few dozen HOURS!" Snapped Joey.

AP: "Whoa Joey calm down. I think the whole stress of becoming a father, combined with the pressure from your school work, (even though you're taking a small course load this semester), is getting to you."

Joey: "Sigh. You're right AP. I just can't help it. Once Pauline gives birth, Mookie will constantly be attempting to either A, abduct our, "referring to himself and Pauline", child. B, torture our child. C, murder our child. Or D, all the above.

And even if Mookie stays in prison, what's to stop him from revealing our secret identity to the public. Every super villain that we've faced will be after our child. He or she will never be safe."

AP: "Whoa kid takes it easy. First off remember that Mookie's attempted to expose us multiple times and failed. Secondly, you're just over worrying about the baby. No one's going to try and kill it; because no matter what Atomic Puppet, (or just plain old you and Pauline), will be there to save it. You and Pauline will be great parents who'll always protect, care and love your child at all cost."

Joey: "Sigh. Once again you're right. Maybe I just need to relax a little."

AP: "Eh man to that."

By this time the two had made it back to their apartment building. As a precaution, the two of them went behind the back end of the building where no one could see them return to their regular forms. Once that was taken care of, the two of them, (with AP hiding in Joey's pocket), made their way up to the top floor, towards their apartment.

Just as Joey was about to open the door to the apartment, a loud scream erupted from the other end of the door.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Joey: "PAULINE!"

Concerned for his fiancé Joey rammed the door open, finding Pauline lying on the floor with her hands grasping her belly. Surrounding her was a large, wet stain on the floor.

Joey: "Pauline?'

'Joey," responded Pauline as she noticed Joey. "My water just broke."

Joey: "WHAT!"

Pauline: "I said, MY! WATER! JUST! BROKE!"

Joey: "Uh, uh, OH MY GOD THE BABY'S COMING!'

'WHAT!" Shouted AP, popping his head out of Joey's pocket.

Joey: "Oh my god. Oh my god. We…we…we gotta do something."

AP: "Alert the Justice Alliance. Remember what we've planned."

Pauline: "And be quick about it. I'M IN PAIN HERE!"

Joey: "Oh yeah. I'm on it."

Reaching into his pocket Joey pulled out a small button with the Justice Alliance symbol on it, quickly pressing it. Within a few seconds, the button starting lighting up green, indicating a response.

Joey: "They've got the message. AP you know what to do."

Hopping back into Joey's pocket, AP responded, "I'm ready."

Activating his teleportation power. Instantly transporting him, Joey, and Pauline right beside the Mega City Hospital; but out of views of all who might've noticed them appear.

Joey then picked up Pauline rushing out of the "hiding place," making his way towards the front entrance of the hospital, and straight towards the front desk. Fortunately, (and coincidently) there wasn't a line of people. The only person in the room was a tall, middle-aged, female desk clerk at the front desk.

Desk Clerk: "May I help you?"

Pauline: "UH YES I'M HAVING A BABY HERE!"

Desk Clerk: "Sheesh calm down missy."

Joey: "She needs to see a doctor. Particularly Dr. Good-Looking."

Desk Clerk: "Well what a coincidence, a very handsome man named Dr. Good-Looking just punched in. And on top of that, he said he was expecting a young, couple who would probably be coming in for the exact same reason as you."

Joey: "Yeah that's us. Could you please get us a wheelchair, or trolley, or anything to carry my fiancé in. I can't hold on to her forever, and I really, really don't wanna drop her.'

'Say no more Joey," called out a familiar voice.

Turning his head towards the sound of the voice, Joey found that it belonged to Beacon in disguise.

For a disguise, Beacon's replaced his superhero outfit with that of a nurse. His metal red hands were replaced with artificial ones that completely resembled normal hands in every way including colour. He wore a bright-yellow wig that was fireproof; and a matching fake mustache. This left his orange visor as the only part of his superhero that he was still wearing.

Beacon: "I've already got trolley right here. Just put your girl down on it, and I'll take the both of you to Dr. Good-Looking. He's already waiting in delivery room 2201."

Pauline: "THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? I'M IN SERIOUS PAIN HERE!"

Immediately after her outburst, Pauline was put onto the trolley. Which was then rushed towards the delivery room that the Justice Alliance had secretly commandeered so that the baby could be delivered without anyone being suspicious in the event that something out of the ordinary happened during the birth, (which may happen since the child's father is a super-hero). This plan also provided the alliance with the perfect way of protecting Pauline and the baby from anyone of Atomic Puppet enemies, (who knew of their secret identities), that may attempt an attack.

As the two heroes pushed Pauline through the hospital towards their destination, Joey pulled out his phone, dialling a certain number.

After a few repeats of "It's Atomic Time," "that's Joey's ringtone", a response came from the other end.

Phil: "Hello."

Joey: "Dad it's me, Joey. Listen I'm at the hospital right now with Pauline. She went into labour and we're on our way to delivery room 2201 right now."

…

Joey: "Uhm... dad?"

Phil: "WAHOO! FINALLY! Grandparenthood here I come. HEY Viv," Joey heard his dad calling out to his mom. "Pauline's about to have our grandbaby."

Suddenly Vivian's voice was heard on the other end of the phone. "WHAT! ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

Joey: "He's serious mom. We're in the hospital right now."

Vivian: "EEEEEEEEE. I'm so excited. We'll be right there. ABBY! Get down here. Pauline's…" Vivian's voice was then blocked out by her husband as he spoke to his son once again. "Yeah like your mother said, we'll be there soon." Hanging up after saying this.

Beep

By this time, the four of them, "counting AP who'd passed out in Joey's pocket after using his transportation ability", had made it towards the delivery room where Cavalier, (disguised as a doctor), was waiting for them.

Cavalier: "There you are. This way. Move it fast. Dr. "Strong Woman" and Dr. Ron, (aka Princess War-Tickle and Robo-Ron in disguise), have gotten everything set up."

Pauline: "Huff, huff, good. Because I don't think I can hold it much YOW!"

Joey: "Don't worry Paula. Everything's going to be alright."

Pauline: "You'd better be right. Or else I'm going to kill YOU."

Moving Pauline into the delivery room, Cavalier lifted her from the trolley and onto the delivery bed. There Robo-Ron attached a bunch of wires to Pauline's stomach.

"To monitor the level of unnatural energy, "energy that all life forms with superpowers have",which your child may, or may not radiate during the procedure." Explained Robo-Ron.

"Whatever. Just get this thing out of MEEEEEE!" Shrieked Pauline painfully.

Six hours later

So far everything was going smoothly. Robo-Ron had determined that the baby possessed a level of unnatural energy that equalled its fathers: meaning that the baby would most likely inherit its father's ability to channel AP's superpowers and would probably become the next Atomic Puppet. To top it all there'd been no signs of any suspicious activity from inside, or outside the hospital. Probably since Mookie, (the only villain who knew of the secret identities of Atomic Puppet), just went to prison; and Warren was currently in New York on some big-time journalist competition. Plus the Justice Alliances security precautions had kept everyone in the entire building from getting suspicious about what was truly happening in delivery room 2201.

At the moment Phil, Vivian, and Abby, (who'd arrived less than ten minutes after Joey had called them), were sitting outside the deliveryroom, waiting for the birth of their grandchild, (or in Abby's case, niece or nephew).

Abby: "Argh. What is taking so long? I mean she went into labour six hours ago. Why doesn't she just have the thing already?"

Vivian: "Now Abigail, giving birth is something that takes an unpredictable amount of time. Why I spent eight hours in labour before I gave birth to you. And only three hours when I had your brother."

Phil: "Listen to your mother dear. Truthfully we all want this to be done with so that we can see Joey and Pauline's newborn. But until the baby is ready to come out, we'll just have to wait."

Suddenly the three of them heard a loud, pai, full cry from inside the delivery room.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!'

'Easy now Paula," came the sound of Joey's voice. "Just keep breathing. Everything's going to be…'

"SPEAK FOR YOURSELF FELT! I'M EXPERIENCING THE MOST PAINFUL THING IN EXISTENCE!"

Vivian: "Oh. My. GOD! She's giving birth. My grandchild about to be born."

Phil: "Yes."

Abby: "Finally."

A few minutes later, the sound of painful screaming was replaced with the sound of a crying infant.

"WAAAH! WAAH, WAAAH, WAAAH."

Followed by Beacon opening the delivery room door.

Phil: "Well. What is it?"

Beacon: "It's…'

"IT'S A GIRL!" Shouted Joey excitedly from inside the delivery room. "I NOW HAVE A DAUGHTER!"

"ARH-WOOOOOOOOOO!" Howled Wolf. Appearing right out of nowhere.

"Wait," said Abby. Taking notice of Wolf surprise appearance. "Where did you come from?'

'I just got here man. Or woman. AP texted me five minutes ago." Explained Wolf.

"FYI AP regained consciousness just ten minutes before Wolf arrived."

Vivian: "Who cares? I JUST WANNA SEE MY GRANDBABY!"

Not wasting any more time, the Felt's,(plus Wolf), rammed straight past Beacon, finding Pauline lying in a hospital bed while staring lovingly at a small, white bundle that she was holding. And standing right beside her were Joey and AP, (the latter currently standing on the former's shoulder). Both of whom were admiring the newborn.

Noticing the new company in the room Pauline turned her baby around so that everyone could actually see her face. Revealing a small, wrinkly, reddish face, with a bit of light pink hair sticking out from underneath the white blanket covering most of her body, (except the face). The infant girl's light blue eyes were wide open as she surveyed her surroundings curiously.

Vivian: "Awwwwww. She's just so precious.'

'Arh-wooo." Howled Wolf in agreement.

Phil: "Congratulations you two."

Joey: "Thanks, Dad."

Abby: "Sooo…what's her name?"

The new parents quickly looked at each other, then their daughter, then back at each other again before Pauline spoke.

"Her name is Marisa Protagonist Felt."

A few tears came out of Wolf's eyes when he heard this. As it was the name of his deceased sister-in-law; aka Pauline's mother.

Wolf: "That's a" sob, "wonderful," sob, "name man."

Vivian: "A precious name for a precious little girl."

Truthfully Joey couldn't agree more. "Yeah, he said while looking down at Marisa, "it sure is. It sure is."

One week later

After a few days of recovering from childbirth and further testing done on the super-hero offspring, Pauline and Marisa had been released from the hospital where they returned to their apartment with Joey and AP.

It was currently night time, and everyone was sleeping soundly, or at least they were trying to when…

"WAAAAAAAAAH!"

Marisa Felt, newborn daughter of Joey Felt, (aka Atomic Puppet), and Pauline Bell, (soon to be Pauline Felt), was crying loudly from inside her bedroom crib.

Of course, this was not the first time that the newborn had woken her parents up in the middle of the night since the days since her parents had brought her home from the hospital. Yet neither parent, (or AP), was happy about it. Especially since she'd been doing it every night now.

"WAAAAAAAAH!'

'Argh," moaned AP while standing on Joey's shoulder. "What is her problem?'

'I don't know," answered Joey as he rocked his daughter in his arms. "Her diaper's clean, she's not sick.'

'Maybe she's hungry," suggested Pauline. Coming from the kitchen with a fresh bottle in her hand.

Joey: "Great idea Paula."

Handing the wailing baby over to her mother, Pauline attempted to feed her. However, Marisa kept rejecting the bottle, spitting it out her mouth and moving her head away from it.

After a few minutes of this Pauline gave up trying to feed her. Unfortunately, at this point, both parents were stumped as to what was wrong with their daughter; and on top of it all, both of them were too exhausted to come up with a solution while the baby continued to cry.

"WAAAAAAAAH!"

AP: "Argh, I can't take it anymore. HEY BABY BRAT, SHUT UP!"

Surprisingly this brought an end to the crying. Though strangely Marisa began wriggling her arms around in the direction of AP's voice.

Pauline: "I think I know what's going on."

With one hand still holding her daughter, Pauline used the now free hand to grab AP, moving him in front of Marisa. Who in turn happily grab the superhero/puppet, holding him tightly in her arms.

AP: "Wait, what?"

Joey: "Awww! How cute. My baby girl wants to be a superhero. Just like her daddy."

Cuddling AP in her tiny arms, Marisa began to fall asleep.

Satisfied, Pauline put Marisa back into her crib. With AP not saying, or attempting anything, (knowing that he'd have to face Joey and Pauline's wrath if otherwise).

The two parents then made their way back towards their own bedroom to get some nice, refreshing sleep.

Atomic End!

First off, let me just apologizes for not getting this done sooner. Secondly, I'd like to say thank you to all those who've read and commented on my story. I have really enjoyed doing this story, but the time has come to end it as I've got other ideas for fanfiction, as well as another story to end. However, I'm thinking of a sequel in the future called Atomic Puppet: New Adventures Volume 2. This'll focus on bits that I never used, but planned on using. Anyways, thank you all for your support. Please feel free to take a look at some of my other work :)