[INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3][color=SlateGray]E P I S O D E   3:   T R A I N I N G   D A Y[/color][/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][INDENT][INDENT]The older man walked into Metro Tower, looking around at the recent renovations as he did. While the distance was reasonable, Metropolis always felt like a far cry from Gotham. Smog hung over Gotham nearly permanently making even its sunniest days pale in comparison to the glistening towers of Metropolis. Where Gotham was trapped in a past of stone and gargoyles, Metropolis looked forward with post modern architecture and new age materials. It was a stark contrast that it almost made Ted Grant feel uncomfortable. It was odd enough to be outside of his gym, let alone in the newest headquarters of the Justice League. Ted had barely believed his ears when Batman had called him, asking the retired Justice Society member to catch the next flight to Metropolis. Apparently the League had grown so desperate to increase its numbers they had started recruiting on potential alone instead of merit.

[COLOR=BLACK][b]"Grant."[/b][/COLOR] The single syllable word rang out across the hallway as the steely voice called to him. Turning to see the pointed cowl and familiar dark cape wrapped around a tall silhouette.

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"Bats."[/B][/COLOR] Grant replied with a sarcastic salute as he shouldered the duffle bag in his hand. [COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"All this new talent and you had to come find one of the oldest heroes alive. You know my weekly meeting with Heywood is today, he'll be beside himself if I miss it."[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=BLACK][b]"Henry Heywood has remembered a single one of your visits since the day you were forced to admit him to Arkham."[/b][/COLOR] Batman replied. [COLOR=BLACK][b]"As much as I appreciate your efforts in Gotham, we have decided it would be more valuable here."[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"And if I refuse?"[/B][/COLOR] Grant asked as Batman paused.

[COLOR=BLACK][b]"You won't."[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"Can't out bluff you."[/B][/COLOR] Ted said with a chuckle. [COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"So what am I looking at?"[/B][/COLOR] He asked as Batman's cape opened, a gloved hand extending two dossiers towards Ted.

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"For a minute I thought you were going to hand me a tablet."[/B][/COLOR] The Wildcat said with a sigh of relief.

[COLOR=BLACK][b]"I knew you wouldn't read it."[/B][/COLOR] Batman replied, the faintest trace of a smile on his face. 

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"The Rookie and... the Dark Messiah?"[/B][/COLOR] Ted stated, his tone was incredulous at the latter name. [COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"We letting these kids name themselves now?"[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=BLACK][b]"Unfortunately."[/B][/COLOR] Batman replied.

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"Well at least one fits. But I ain't calling anyone Messiah, let alone some kid who can't throw a punch."[/B][/COLOR] Ted stated as Batman nodded his approval. Opening a door into a training facility, the Bat gestured for Ted to go first as the other Gothamite obliged. Inside the room were the two recruits, awaiting the arrival of their mentor. Looking down at the dossiers in his hand, Ted matched the faces of Mikael and Duncan to their respective files as he stretched out a muscled hand to shake Duncan's hand.

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"The Rookie eh? I appreciate the humility."[/B][/COLOR] He said before turning to Mikael. [COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"And then there's you, the Shadow Princess."[/B][/COLOR] Ted said, giving Mikael's hand a tighter squeeze than necessary.

[COLOR=BLACK][B]"I'll leave you to it then Grant."[/B][/COLOR] Batman said as Grant nodded.

[COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"I'll see you around Bats."[/B][/COLOR] Turning back to his students, Grant put down his duffel bag and rolled up his sleeves, pointing to the center of the room he motioned to the two younger men to move. [COLOR=DARKSLATEGRAY][B]"Alright you two, let's see what I'm working with here, why don't you two go a round or two and then I'll step in."[/B][/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3][color=SlateGray]E P I S O D E   4:[/color][/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr]
[INDENT][INDENT][b]Metropolis, Clark Kent's Apartment
3:30 PM EST[/b]

Superman is currently removing his glasses and such to take his exit from home when Lois catches him. He isn't as fast taking off slacks as he was twenty years ago when he introduced his Clark Kent identity to the world. Superman was just Superman living alone in his fortress in the arctic for decades only leaving when there was something threatening the Earth on a global scale. The Cuban Missile Crisis could have been a lot worse if not for the efforts of the alien hero. 'Clark' met Lois at his first job at the Daily Planet in '96. The two were married by '98.  

"I'll try and be back home before she gets here..." Clark said nearly finished.

"It's fine, I'm picking her up from the Greyhound station after five. She had a layover in St. Louis." Lois replied.

"I don't understand why she didn't just fly. She doesn't have to be ashamed of her powers..." Clark began saying before finishing up.

"She likes being normal. Up until a few days ago the Justice League only had a few members, now you guys are pushing twenty. She shouldn't feel like she has to put on a costume and go out there." Lois continued picking up her husband's clothes as he headed for the window. 

"I didn't say she had to be a superhero, dear. I just wanted to see her sooner because I knew something would come up. It always does. Like I said, I'll try and make this quick." Superman said with a kiss on her forehead.

"Anything worth writing about? Perry just messaged me and asked about a falling star..." Lois asked still with clothes in hand.

"If it is, Clark Kent's gonna get the headline. Love you..." and off he went.

[b]Blue Valley, Nebraska
1: 32 PM MST[/b]

Superman had hit the scene a couple minutes later than the other heroes. His team consisted of heroes who could all fly so teleporting into a town three cities over still got them there in no time. Not Superman time, but still long enough for the pale skinned alien biker to give them a few solid hits. They were currently in some woods, where what appeared to be an alien sky cycle laid in a crater smoking. Crashed. Polarity Man had been knocked into the neighboring town of Neligh. Bulleteer was thrown head first into the ground below him and hadn't made his way out. Mr. Clutch was engaging the enemy from the air with his weapons systems and Solara attacked the pale alien badass head on until Superman hit the scene. The grungy alien threw Solara at Mr. Clutch and damaged the undercarriage of his vehicle.

"I can tell by the S you're just another Kryptonian. Hope you're tougher than your cousin!" the alien screamed punching Superman in the jaw and sending him through several trees. 

Superman stood to his feet. The alien was strong... but he wasn't fast. Superman flew towards him and asked:

"Who are you, and what are you doing in this space sector? I thought Czarnians were extinct?" Superman asked now prepared for an attack from the enemy. 

[img]http://www.rubberchickencomics.com/lobo_stance.gif[/img]

"Name's Lobo, and funny this is I was thinking the same thing about Kryptonians and now I've beat on two in a day..." and then Lobo attacked with a move that nobody to this point had ever tried on Superman. He's just too powerful so why bother? He could take a nuke in the face and walk away, but nobody as physically powerful as the Kryptonian had ever attempted... a nutshot.

"Hope ya don't need those anymore!" Lobo screamed with a boot to the balls of the hero that sent him flying and in true pain physically for the first time in a long time. 

Bulleteer finally got his upper body out of the soil and vegetation on the ground and Polarity Man had returned from the town of Neligh with a dent in his mech suit towards the left shoulder. 

"On three?" Bulleteer asked the mech suit at his right.

"Count it down, bullet man." responded Lieutenant Trainor using the suit's voice encoder.

"THREE!" screamed the bullet headed hero flying at the alien at his top speed of 2500 feet per second sending him back into a hillside.[/INDENT][/INDENT]