Boy of Steel: Chapter 1
August 7th, 2009, 10:34pm, The Watchtower
"Are you sure about this? I mean, the kid isn't exactly a law abiding citizen. Do you really think he can handle this kind of work?" The Flash said, almost speaking too fast for Superman to understand the speedster. The 'kid' in question was one boy by the name of Arthur Stark. A young man that had abilities shockingly similar to Superman. Super strength, super speed, flight. The young man had it all in spades and the Flash just wanted to make sure that the big blue boyscout wasn't getting his hopes up about potentially finding another Kryptonian.
"I understand that he hasn't had the best history with the law and other authority figures. But I can tell that he has all the makings of a hero. Just yesterday he stopped a drunk driver from colliding with a school bus, he just needs some help polishing his abilities. Besides, if you guys can have sidekicks, why can't I?"
"Fair point. It's just that this wouldn't be the first time you've taken an interest in someone with abilities similar to your own. I just don't want you to, y'know, get your hopes up."
"You don't need to worry about that. I've met with his mother and she has confirmed that he's human, well, at least half human," Clarke explained to the speedster. "And I really wish you would stop bringing up the Shazam stuff." Clarke grumbled. Barry and Hal loved to tease him over how excited he was when he thought he had met another Kryptonian.
Barry chuckled and gave Clark a friendly smile. "Sorry, but that's not going to happen," Barry easily dodged the gentle slap that Clarke had sent his way. Using his speed to quickly appear on the other side of Clark. "Anyways. Does he have an outfit yet? How about a name?" Barry asked as he listed off the two biggest things a Hero needed to protect their identity.
"I've given him my original outfit for now until he can find something that fits him a little bit better but he hasn't given himself a name yet. He's happy just being nameless right now," Clarke looked out the window of the Watchtower and sighed. "It's getting late, I should get home to Lois before she gets mad again. I'll see you later Barry." Clarke started to walk towards the Zeta-Tube, giving the flash a small wave as he was enveloped with Zeta-waves and teleported to Metropolis.
August 8th, 2009, 3:45am, Metropolis
"This suit is so embarrassing. Why is he making me wear this?" Arthur grumbled as he flew over the city. Superman had insisted that he wear a costume when he used his powers. Having no costume of his own meant that Arthur was forced to use one of Superman's old suits from when he first started his hero career. Arthur couldn't stand wearing it, but THE Superman had asked him. Although he would have liked it if he didn't have to wear a mask, his mother wouldn't take no for an answer unfortunately and he was forced to wear a blue mask.
Sighing as he landed on a nearby skyscraper, Arthur pulled off his mask and across the city. It had been two months since Superman had stopped him from killing a group of annoying mobsters that had tried to shake his mother's store for 'protection money'. From a would-be killer to the sidekick of the most powerful man in the world, five year old Arthur would have a heart attack if he knew he would be a hero one day.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" a voice suddenly said from behind him. Arthur turned, ready to attack the voice but relaxed when he saw that it was just his mentor.
"Superman! You surprised me." He said, scratching the back of his shaved head, his fingernails running across his scalp as he looked at his mentor.
"Sorry Art, didn't mean to give you a fright. I was on my way home and saw you, so I thought I would shadow you for a while. You seem to be a lot better at controlling your flying, you didn't leave a crater in the ground when you landed, well done." Superman complimented his student with an easygoing smile on his face.
"Thanks. I've been, uh, practicing," Arthur said, looking at the ground beneath his feet, not knowing what to do with the compliment. "So are we going to patrol for a while? The police seem to be gathering around that park over there, might be something worth checking out." he informed the senior hero, trying not to seem too eager to spend time with him. Superman just chuckled and shook his head. "Not tonight sorry Art, I made a promise to someone that I intend to keep. Besides the police have already handled it, they're taking the suspects under arrest now. I just wanted to tell you to keep up the good work. So, good work and I'll see you tomorrow for some more training! You should head back home too, you've got school soon." And with that Superman flew off, leaving Arthur on the rooftop all alone. Arthur sighed, he really wanted to spend some more time with the older hero. He slipped his mask back on and leapt off the roof, rocketing into the sky and towards his home.
August 8th, 2009, 4am, Metropolis
Mercy Graves, personal assistant and bodyguard of Lex Luther watched as Superman's new protege flew away. Rumors had been circulating around Metropolis that Superman had taken a sidekick. Lex wanted these rumors confirmed and had sent her to investigate. She had spent the last five hours on top of the LexCorp roof, scanning the city with the help of her cybernetics, trying to track this new young cape. She was about to write off the rumors until she saw Superman talking to a hero, a hero she had never seen before and a hero that was wearing a great, red 'S' on their outfit. Her cybernetic eye took photos of the super hero just before he put his mask back on and flew away. Taking out her phone, Mercy called her employer. "Sir. It's true."
"Interesting." Was the only reply she got before Lex hung up the phone. She walked into the building and took the express elevator to the underground parking lot, Lex would be waiting for her at his penthouse across town to see her photos and uncover the identity of Metropolis's newest superhero.