The day passed in a blur of papers, introductions, and the clatter of keyboards. Johnny, with his easy charm and mysterious calm, had sailed through the interview with unexpected ease. Perry White, the editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet, didn't usually hire on instinct—but something about Johnny's presence struck him.
Maybe it was the way he talked, like he'd lived a hundred lives. Maybe it was how he kept eye contact like nothing in the world could shake him. Maybe it was just a gut feeling.
Whatever it was, Perry slapped a press badge on his desk and said:
"Welcome to the Planet, kid."
Johnny smiled, taking the badge and slipping it into his pocket. "Appreciate it."
His desk was tucked near the center of the bullpen, not far from the iconic pair: Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Neither of them noticed him at first—Lois was deep in edits, and Clark was quietly typing an article on a recent kidnapping that had gone sideways… until a red-and-blue blur had fixed it.
Johnny sat down at his desk, rolling up his sleeves. His bracelet caught a sliver of sunlight and shimmered faintly before fading again. He glanced around the room, not with the eyes of a god—but with the curiosity of a man truly seeing the world for the first time.
Everything was loud. Not just in sound, but in energy. Emotions. Chaos. Life. It was intoxicating.
"Hey," a voice called from the side. It was Jimmy Olsen, grinning as he extended a hand. "New guy?"
Johnny shook it. "Yeah. Johnny."
"Cool name. You a writer?"
"Trying to be."
Jimmy laughed. "Well, welcome to the most unpredictable place on Earth. Watch out—slow news days here usually mean something's about to explode."
Johnny smirked. "Sounds fun."
As Jimmy walked off, Johnny leaned back in his chair and looked at his blank computer screen. His fingers hovered over the keyboard. For someone who had witnessed the birth and death of realities, this moment felt… oddly meaningful.
He began to type.
No supernatural flares. No cosmic visions. Just Johnny, a guy with a hidden past and a press badge, starting his first job.
And across the room, Clark Kent looked up again—brows furrowed ever so slightly. There was something unusual about the new guy. Something... ancient.
But for now, everyone played along.
Johnny was officially hired. The game of reality had begun.
[To Be Continued…]