It was about a month later Lincoln was settling into his new home at Metropolis alright; adjusting to Metropolis Middle School fine and growing a friendship with Zee. In fact he was finding studying and lessons a lot easier; probably from what Chris had said about his brain able to process images faster. Plus for a couple of hours after school and some hours in the morning on weekends; he started his new job at Action Comics where most of the time there he was getting his training from Chris.
On a sparring mat; Chris was putting up his arms in a defensive manner while letting Lincoln show off his punches and kicks. Chris then out of nowhere went and kneed him in the gut. "What... What was that for Chris?" Lincoln cried out holding his gut as he went down to his knees letting out a groan and then waiting for his new healing factor to heal it.
Chris had his arms behind his back as he looked over Lincoln and said "you left yourself wide open to an attack; never let anyone exploit an opening like that... In this job; there are no rules to fighting and the dirtbags you will fight will exploit any weakness or opportunity... Still this can help you learn how to take a punch while giving one back but just remember... You're not invulnerable and your strength only goes so much... Don't expect to moving boulders or anything... Use this when you don't have these..." Chris told him as he then pointed to his forehead and then did a muscle man's pose as he flexed his arms.
"Thanks for the lesson there..." Lincoln groaned as Chris gave him a hand to help him up and Lincoln took a moment to recover. Lincoln then noticed a trophy case filled with different items. "These came from bad guys that you fought?" Lincoln asked and Chris grinned enthusiastically.
"A story to every single one of them... There is that rock that I got from Eclipso after I beat him out of his host... Some sort of ghost wizard demon thing... Plus this red rock that I got from Dr Destiny... A Skeletor looking dude who was using it to power his machine to go into dreams... Think Freddy Krueger if he didn't have a sense of humour or had the charm..." Chris told him and Lincoln then nodded along with it even when he had no idea who this Freddy Krueger was. "Anyway... Let's get back to work and remember so we don't get too much attention from this arrangement and because I legit don't know if this breaks any child labour laws... You are volunteering and I am your long lost uncle the money I pay you is for your folks..." Chris told him as he then went and opened back up the door and Lincoln nodded going through; knowing the arrangement by now.
Chris then closed the door and activated the special lock as Lincoln looked to a bird cage and petted Chris' pet eagle inside; named creatively enough 'Eagly'. They then went to the main part of the store where there was the customers looking at the various comics and on the TV; it showed the news with a reporter reporting from the outside of a Metropolis hospital.
"Snapper Carr here reporting from the outside of Metropolis General Hospital where our very own beloved Superman is in the intense care unit. Having been shot by a Kryptonite bullet after responding to a hostage situation at a Kord Industries facility 2 days ago. Superman managed to rescue the hostages and capture his assailant before succumbing to his injuries. He is expected to recover but Metropolis' faithful has turned up to give their 'get well soon' presents to the Man of Tomorrow, wishing him a speedy recovery." the reporter said as Chris scoffed.
"Superman... It wasn't that long ago when he was Superboy and he gets sent to ICU thanks to 1 bullet..." Chris muttered shaking his head as Lincoln looked at him.
"He has fought aliens and it took a special bullet to do so..." Lincoln told him as Chris still didn't look impressed.
"Well; I was on this mission overseas and I managed to pull through and save the day with a bullet in my shoulder for 2 days... I powered through it like a man!" Chris said as the reporter identified the assailant under custody as ex military officer turn mercenary Robert DuBois known as Bloodsport. It showed his mugshot and a picture ogf him in his bodysuit uniform and a skeleton like helmet.
"You know my combat instructor personally trained with him... Gave the story to us cadets and told us not to disappoint him by using what we learned for fortune." John said while putting up comic books on the rack as Lincoln looked his way in surprise. "Oh... I can't believe that I didn't tell you this... I'm military; private to be exact... Sent home and told to wait until Uncle Sam calls for me." John then explained to Lincoln as he took this in.
"You are a soldier working at a comic book store?" Lincoln asked wide eyes as John gave a big smile.
"I love superheroes and comics; always wanted to help people and help to save the world so that's why I enlisted! I used to come here all the time when I was a kid; before Chris bought the place off course..." John said as Lincoln looked surprised as the story changed talking of a big arrival in Metropolis that day as early in the morning from the airport flacked by security was the to be crowned new Queen of the eastern European nation of Vlatava. There was a live coverage of the limo being chased by reporters.
"Wow... A new queen here in Metropolis..." Lincoln muttered impressed as Chris just shrugged at this but Lincoln coughed. "Still in this city... Any of the super criminals might be wanting to take advantage and especially with Superman in the hospital..." Lincoln brought up as Chris had a look of realisation and then smirked.
Chris was going to the small closet and then entered the code; "So... I guess that Peacemaker will be there for extra security..." Lincoln asked already figuring out what he was thinking when Chris' face changed. Chris then tossed him a silver shield with the Peacemaker logo on it in colour. "What is this for?" Lincoln asked as Chris looked at him through the doorway as if he had just asked a stupid question.
"I use it to deflect bullets and bash people in; use it to protect yourself in case any bad guys spot you. I have a ski mask in my desk so go get that and get a jumper from the merch... The custom Peacemaker ones... Want to keep your identity as you shadow me and watch me at work on the field." Chris explained to him and Lincoln then nodded.
"Oh I get it; as I... Wait what?" Lincoln asked wide eyes once it dawned on him what he was told.
Lincoln's concerns and incredulity was ignored as Peacemaker fully uniformed had dragged Lincoln in a Peacemaker jumper, white ski mask and holding the shield and now they were hiding out in an alleyway. "Is this really needed Chris... I know that you said that you would teach me to be a superhero but... I am still a kid..." Lincoln whispered as Peacemaker then stepped on his foot and gave him a look.
Lincoln was holding onto it as Peacemaker whispered to him "Seeing me on the field will help you see what to do... Plus it's Peacemaker when I have the suit on...
Lincoln then looked to Peacemaker and thought about how he was being trained by him and now he was brought to a possible dangerous situation and Lincoln sighed; maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. He wasn't being given wisdom by a wise experienced hero but by some reckless fool.
"Maybe; I am not cut out for this or rather this arrangement..." Lincoln muttered as they heard gunshots as some marksman from the top were aiming for the limo. Civilians nearby screamed and Lincoln from a hiding spot watched as Peacemaker got out a pistol and started shooting at the marksmen as he noticed them. Lincoln was gasping while hiding behind a trash can as bodyguards got out of the limo.
They were directing someone to come with them but then a van came up and then out came countless masked and armed criminals. Lincoln saw someone running away from the security detail and began running to the alley where Lincoln was. Lincoln saw that it was a blonde haired girl about his age with a pink hairband, a white shirt and black dress over it.
"Are you... With that man with the silver helmet and the bird symbol? Birdman?" asked the girl as Lincoln nodded as he caught his breath.
"He's Peacemaker and I'm his student, protegee... protégé... Trainee or whatever... He's training me to take over as Peacemaker at some point..." Lincoln explained and then Lincoln saw masked criminals entering the alleyway and Lincoln pushed her out of the way and blocked the way with his shield as they began firing at him.
Lincoln gulped; "So... I think that they are after the new queen... Your Mum or sister? If so Princess then I can be your knight in shining armor." Lincoln told her trying to sound casual and she gave him a look.
"I don't need your storytelling metaphors as I am 10 and my mother died years before. My father has died last night himself; I'm Queen Perdita." the girl answered and Lincoln looked at her in shock.
"Wow... A queen your age... My sister Lana would be so jealous... If I had one that is..." Lincoln muttered but caught herself but then the masked criminals stopped firing and went further and Lincoln grabbed Perdita's hand and had her run with him to the fire escape. He had her put her arms around his neck as he climbed up and managed to do well while shielding them from bullets with his shield.
"So... Young Peacemaker? What is the plan?" Perdita asked as Lincoln kept on climbing and running up to the roof.
"I... Will let you know once I have one... Honestly; I am just winging this..." Lincoln muttered as they got to the roof and Lincoln found it hard to breathe in his mask. He then took it off as Perdita glanced at him and he groaned. "So... As you can see; I have no idea what I am doing... I have not even graduated from superhero training yet and my secret identity has already been jeopardised... Sorry you are stuck with me; I'm Lincoln by the way..." Lincoln muttered as Perdita came up to him and helped him up.
"You didn't hesitate to try and save me; I say that you are superhero material. You may not have the shining armor but I consider you my brave knight." Perdita told him with a smile as Lincoln looked surprised and then flattered.
"You are pretty brave yourself your highness... It can't be easy with an attempt on your life and your dad just died..." Lincoln said as they heard tutting.
"To think that I wanted hired killers and I got some losers who get distracted by a clown in a helmet and who can't even catch some kid who doesn't know that it's not Halloween." spoke a voice and behind them in a dark green attire including a high collar cloak was a grey haired man with a walking stick; Perdita gasped upon seeing him. "Surprised to see your Uncle Werner; young Perdita? I took the first trip to America when I learned that my older brother sent his child here on a trip while he was at home. Put a dent in what was otherwise a perfect assassination." said the man as Lincoln looked to the girl.
"Let me guess... Uncle Werner gets the throne if you are not around..." Lincoln asked guessing this bad guy's motive and a nod from Perdita said it all; the man ran to tackle Lincoln and Lincoln was ready for a fight but the man had put out a wave from his eye making Lincoln feel dizzy and saw a weird pattern in his eye.
"It's amusing that you came here to play hero but Count Werner Zyte does not play! Your end will be swift and then I shall deal with Perdita; King Werner I of Vlatava has a nice ring to it." Werner told Lincoln as kneeled down with his knee in the stomach with Lincoln having dropped his shield.
Perdita had gotten out her phone and started recording the back of Zyte and called out "I't over Uncle! I have this video and it will allow me to revoke your diplomatic immunity and charge you for treason!"
"The dead tells no tales young niece." Zyte said unconcerned as Lincoln felt like a loser and groaned; but then remembered that the young queen was counting on him and what Chris said earlier... Perdita took a step back in fear as she had put her phone away. Lincoln then managed to gain to strength to get his fist up and ended up punching Zyte hard in the sensitive area. Lincoln then took the distract to grab his shield and got up and started bashing Zyte hard in the face with it.
Helicopters were coming by and Lincoln took a deep breath; Perdita then surprised him by kissing him on the cheek and then handed him his ski mask. Lincoln was taken aback but was motioned to move but Perdita then threw him Zyte's cane. "A trophy for my victorious hero..." She told him and Lincoln put his mask back on and and climbed down from the ceiling and managed to land on his feet and there was Peacemaker there clapping.
"Stuck the superhero landing there; come on... The bad guys are taken care of and a security guy said that the queen is safe... You can tell me later how you saved her life..." Peacemaker told him as they then sneaked away.
Later in the afternoon Lincoln was going to the dining room of the new house on the phone with Chris; "So I have found the perfect place to put the cane in the trophy case; your first bad guy beaten! I can't be so proud... You know I heard rumours that he had been involved in some underground cartel stuff... Nicknamed 'Count Vertigo' and from what you told me; you can probably see why they call him that... Not because of any love for Hitchcock and... Listen; I realise that this might be overwhelming so... Still up for this?" Chris asked and Lincoln looked to the TV in the dining room and the news report was talking about Perdita being saved by a mysterious rescuer and she utterly refused to disclose any information as she didn't want her saviour to be targeted.
"You know what Chris... Count me in... Your advice helped out..." Lincoln said with a smile.
"That's great! Because I have the next lesson plan all set out; all about how to look cool walking away from an explosion without looking! There is even a Lonely Island song to go along with it!" Chris said as Lincoln shook his head and then ended the call.
"A new queen was here in Metropolis and she didn't have the fortune to meet me... I could have given her such helpful tips..." said Lola looking disappointed as Lana rolled her eyes.
"Isn't that the same clown that was there at Dad's restaurant?" asked Luan as they showed phone footage of Peacemaker attacking the masked criminals.
"Going to have to get used to how dangerous and exciting Metropolis is now..." Rita muttered with a sigh not too thrill about the idea entirely.
"What do you think Lincoln? You got to see this dope when he was at dad's restaurant before... You know..." Lynn Jr asked as her parents admonished her for bringing that up but Lincoln put up a hand.
"I think that... He could have merit to him..." Lincoln said and before anyone could respond Lynn Sr came in to start dishing out the dinners.
John was in his apartment and took out a deep breath while looking around his apartment that had posters of Ace Savvy, the Gray Ghost and even a poster about the World War I heroine Wonder Woman. He then got out a special device and clicked on it; the small holographic head of an obtuse man with a five o clock shadow appeared to him and John gave a salute to him. "At ease soldier; you have probably heard the news and I definitely have. What do you think of Mr Loud so far?" the man asked John.
"An eager nice young kid; would think he was perfectly normal if I wasn't... You know in the know... Are you sure that you don't want me to help put a stop to it General?" John asked and the General shook his head.
"Believe me Private; I am not too keen of Smith training a young kid to take after him... But still; Smith despite his issues is a trained fighter and... The Loud child now with the abilities of the world' most deadliest assassin; a young and impressionable superhero fanboy... With Smith's training; he could become just what Project: Peacemaker was supposed to create... Monitor them both for now and keep me posted on updates." the General told him and John nodded at once.
"You can count on me General sir!" John said with a salute.
"I know that I can Private Corben." the General told him as the hologram ended.
I know what I said last time but I wanted to put this down before the big time skip as I had this idea and I might be bending my statement about who will be in the pairing and how big it could be but don't expect Ronnie Anne in the pairing. You may recognise Perdita from the Showcase: Green Arrow short and probably more so from the Young Justice cartoon. Expect the actual time skip to the time period of the Super Hero Girls show next chapter.
Yes; you can see a case of Canon Character All Along for John the only other employee introduced so far for Action Comics. See how this goes and it will show with the liberties that I will be taken of the show story for Super Hero Girls... Hold on a second; I mentioned Wonder Woman and yet this is years in the past of where the timeline of DCSHG is where she was starting out and here I was establishing... I promise that there will be an explanation to come and Diana is still a teenager in this verse and it's not that this is not the first time that she snuck out... Wait and see...