[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][COLOR=SILVER][SUB][SUP][H3][b]EARTH[/b][/H3][/SUP][/SUB][SUB]Sol System - Milky Way Galaxy[/SUB]
[SUP][i]Fifteen Years Ago[/i][/SUP][/color][INDENT][color=#fce5cd]“Ryan!” [/color]
	[color=#fce5cd]“Clark!” [/color]
		[color=#fce5cd]“Dinner!”[/color]

Martha’s call echoed over the field as Jonathan slowly climbed the steps to the wrap-around porch that surrounded the red brick farmhouse. The laughter of the two young boys echoed over the rolling grassy knolls, the cattle lowing at the pair while they raced towards the house. 

Ryan was in the lead. The boy was every bit the red-blooded man his father was, dusty, strawberry blonde hair glistening in the sunlight, the perfect combination of Martha’s red and Jonathan’s blonde. Even for his young age, Ryan was athletic and well-built, broad and lean like a quarterback.  

Clark, on the other hand…

Martha held a hand over her heart as the dark-haired boy emerged several paces behind his brother. Beads of sweat dotted his little face, his cheeks were flushed bright red, and his mouth hung open, breathing heavily. Lanky and running like he had a body he hadn’t yet grown into, Clark was certainly a lot more awkward than his brother. 

Fishing his puffer from his pocket, Martha handed the small cylinder to Clark as he approached, watching the young boy inhale a couple of breaths before beginning to breathe a little easier.

[color=#ff9900]“You’re so slow,[/color][color=#e69138]”[/color] teased Ryan, jumping into the porch swing.

[color=#fce5cd]“Your brother is just gifted in other ways,”[/color] Martha chided gently, [color=#fce5cd]“Remember your art projects?”[/color]

[color=#ff9900]“So he’s a bit of a dweeb, Clark gets all the good grades.”[/color]

[color=#dd7e6b]“Hey, what’d we say about calling your brother a dweeb?”[/color] Jonathan scolded, [color=#dd7e6b]“It’s okay to be different; if everyone were the same, we’d miss out on something beautiful.”[/color] 

[color=#ff9900]“Pete said he was a dweeb, too.”[/color] Ryan giggled, [color=#ff9900]“Sarah Braverman said Clark has two left feet and walks like a newborn colt.”[/color] 

[color=#fce5cd]“Ryan,”[/color] Martha’s tone was full of disappointment.

[color=#dd7e6b]“Son, Clark is the only brother you have in this world, and the same goes for you, Clark,”[/color] Jonathan’s eyes met Martha’s as the pair exchanged a small look before he continued.

[color=#dd7e6b]“When all else fails, I expect the two of you to have each other's backs. When the other kids are saying mean things about him, I expect you to stand up for Clark, not pile on.”[/color]

Ryan let out a long exhale of annoyance, his eyes practically rolling into the back of his head.

[color=#ff9900]“Don’t worry, Dad, [i]Lana[/i] stuck up for him.”[/color]

[color=#fce5cd]“Ryan, that’s not the point your father is making-”[/color]
[color=#ff9900]“Lana and Clark, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”[/color] Ryan sang, sticking his tongue out at Clark before pretending to make out with a pillow from the porch swing. Clark’s cheeks suddenly flushed red again before he began rubbing his cheeks profusely.

[color=#6fa8dc]“It’s not like that!”[/color] He snapped back, suddenly swinging a fist against the nearby railing. The wood immediately splintered, sending Jonathan, who had been leaning against it, to the ground as Martha gasped.

[color=#6fa8dc]“I-”[/color] Clark stammered,[color=#6fa8dc] “I didn’t mean to.”[/color] He turned to run, tripping over his own feet before scrambling upright, and then suddenly disappearing. 

[color=#6fa8dc]“Clark!”[/color] Jonathan yelled, quickly echoed by Martha and then Ryan. The two elder Kents shared a look of disbelief before Jonathan looked back at the railing. His eyes drifted from the splintered wood towards the evening sky as stars began to appear amongst the dwindling sunlight.

Creaks of wood brought his attention back down to Earth as Ryan peeled between his parents and towards the direction that Clark had disappeared. 

[color=#dd7e6b]“You go with Ryan, I’ll grab some jackets and a flashlight.”[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][CENTER][IMG]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/01999aaf-3f89-7769-8311-808050322667.webp[/IMG][/CENTER][INDENT][COLOR=SILVER][SUB][SUP][H3][b]KNOWHERE[/b][/H3][/SUP][/SUB][SUB]Edge of Galactic Rim - Andromeda Galaxy[/SUB]
[SUP][i]Two Years Ago[/i][/SUP][/color][INDENT]The skull was an awful sight to behold.

A thin atmosphere surrounded the horrendous visage, its gaping maw unhinged on one side of its face while ships flew to and fro between ancient, yellowed teeth. Vaguely humanoid in appearance, the eye sockets held entire city districts. Factories poured pollution into the artificial atmosphere, discolouring the exposed bones while hovels and apartments lined the arch with less-than-modest abodes.

Clark had no idea what the skull had belonged to, but clearly it was all that was left of something ancient and massive. Despite being part of something long dead, the city within was still very alive. He could hear the noise and clamour of civilization, and a quick scan with his eyes confirmed he wasn’t just hearing things.

This wasn’t just a skull floating in space; it was a thriving society.

[color=#6fa8dc]“A wretched hive of scum and villainy.”[/color] Clark smiled to himself, quoting an old Earth movie. Propelling himself forward, Clark followed a ship into port, passing through the containment field with naught but a tickle of static tracing the entirety of his body.

Landing on a nearby platform, a chorus of gasps echoed around him. Bystanders were taken aback by the strange man who had passed through the void of space unharmed. Surveying the onlooking crowd, Clark found himself letting out a gasp as beings of all shapes, sizes, and appearances looked towards him with eyes, antennas, and other means of seeing.

[color=#6fa8dc]“I’m really not in Kansas anymore.”[/color] He muttered, completely in awe of all the different lifeforms. Chloe would have gone ballistic, not only knowing there was so much life beyond Earth but also to see them in the flesh, or in some cases, the carapace or metal. Mumours rippled through the crowd as they made guesses as to how Clark had managed without a ship. 

[color=#ffffff]<“Hold it right there, Meatbag!”>[/color] A gruff order was barked in Clark’s direction, followed by the distinct sound of a weapon being cocked. His eyes moved towards a being draped in a blue jumpsuit with what Clark could only describe as a golden hoplite helmet adorned with a red star.

[color=#ffffff]<”I don’t know what you are, or how you got in here, but no one goes in or out without going through the scanner.”>[/color]

[color=#6fa8dc]“I don’t understand,”[/color] Clark replied as the alien continued to speak.

[color=#ffffff]“Let me say it in [i]basic[/i], then, , walk your  through the scanner or meet the business end of my .”[/color]

Clark didn’t quite understand every word, but the tone and connotation were universal as he walked towards the gestured device. Passing through the field, an alarm suddenly triggered, its klaxon near deafening as the guards scrambled to silence the machine. Bystanders clamoured for another look at Clark, who sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, looking back and forth between the two aliens working the station.

[color=#ffffff]“Frakkin’ scanner is on the fritz,”[/color] yelled the first corpsman, [color=#ffffff]“Says it’s a code ‘KR36’; contact upper command immediately.”[/color] 

[color=#ffffff]“It’s only supposed to do that if it detects a threat, ain’t no way in the black that a  triggered that.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Gorram thing is drell near ancient as Knowhere.”[/color] The first replied, [color=#ffffff]“Probably overdue for maintenance. Just flag him through,”[/color] The corpsman ordered, [color=#ffffff]“”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]<”Are you slaggin’ serious, he just flew through space, we should blast him.”>[/color]

[color=#ffffff]<”Do you want to write that report? I sure as slag don’t.”>[/color] The guard argued back,[color=#ffffff] <”And I ain’t risking the off chance that he’d survive anyways and then we end up dead.”>[/color]

[color=#ffffff]<”What about upper command?”>[/color]

[color=#ffffff]<”Cancel the request, delete the logs. We don’t need Nova Prime poking around Knowhere.”>[/color] The higher-ranked officer ordered, peering over the other’s shoulder. [color=#ffffff]“Kryptonian detected? ”[/color]

[color=#6fa8dc]“I’m sorry to eavesdrop, but, golly, I heard you say something, and I’m just wondering, what’s a Cryptonian?”[/color] Clark asked,

[color=#ffffff]“”[/color] The officer chuckled, before replying to Clark, [color=#ffffff]“Something you’re definitely not, ,”[/color]

The pair of guards shared a quick laugh before the other explained. 

[color=#ffffff]“Kryptonians were the big boogeymen of the galaxy, an ancient race of conquerors with glowing red eyes and said to be strong enough to push entire planets out of orbit. It’s all nonsense, of course; nobody’s ever seen a Kryptonian, let alone found a planet named Krypton.”[/color] The guard waved for Clark to enter as the young man paused.

[color=#6fa8dc]“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to keep wasting your time but I was hoping you could tell me where I am right now?”[/color] he asked, watching the two guards share an exasperated look.

[color=#ffffff]“You really don’t know much, you’re in Knowhere.”[/color]

[color=#6fa8dc]“Gee, I have to be somewhere,”[/color] A confused Clark replied

[color=#ffffff]“Trust me, you’re in Knowhere,”[/color] The guard reiterated a bit more forcefully.

[color=#6fa8dc]“Should I not be here?”[/color] Clark asked hesitantly.

[color=#ffffff]“Twitchy poozer like you, either looking for a moll or a hit.”[/color] The other guard piped up,  [color=#ffffff]“I don’t know your business, but whatever you’re looking for, it’s in Knowhere.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Look at ‘em, he can’t handle a real moll.”[/color] The first guard chuckled darkly, [color=#ffffff]“You look like the kind of guy who’d enjoy a love bot, you can set them real gentle like for your first time. Even cuddle ya a bit, it’ll make you forget your first time was with a clanker. I’ll even do you a favour, just tell the Sneepers that Jarook sent you, bet they bypass the room fee for you.”[/color]

[color=#6fa8dc]“A love bot?”[/color] Clark raised an eyebrow before lifting his hands apologetically, [color=#6fa8dc]“Uh, gosh no, [sub]I’m kind of have a girlfriend, I think?[/sub] err, I’m looking for other aliens, ones like me.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff] “, or rather, what is you lot say, Terrans?”[/color] Jarook asked,[color=#ffffff] “Y’know there’s a toll for Terrans, thousand units, humie. But because we like you, we could cut it down to-”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Eh, do three hundred.”[/color] The other guard smiled.

[color=#b45f06]“Stop extortin’ the whelp, he’s barely dry behind the ears.”[/color] A third voice interjected, causing Clark to turn around. Initially, he came face-to-face with empty space before looking down. Barely as tall as his waist was an alien that bore more than a striking similarity to the common North American raccoon. 

[color=#ffffff]“What’s it to you, 89P13? We all know you don’t do charity, and there’s no bounty on this one.”[/color]

[color=#b45f06]“My name is Rocket,”[/color] the creature replied, his paw hovering above a holster.[color=#b45f06] “And the galaxy is full of enough scrutholes without the pair of you makin’ a new one. Kid’s clearly lost, otherwise he wouldn’t be in Knowhere.”[/color]

[color=#6fa8dc]“Than-”[/color]

[color=#b45f06]“Shut it, Terran, I’m not looking to be your friend, just find your way home soon.”[/color] Rocket snapped while Clark followed him.

[color=#6fa8dc]“I think there’s a mistake. I’m not a human, or a Terran. I’m trying to find out what I am.”[/color]

[color=#b45f06]“I don’t recall sayin’ I cared,”[/color] Rocket retorted,[color=#b45f06] “Look, I hope you find what you need,  but I’m lookin’ for someone and I don’t need a Terran pet nippin’ at my heels.”[/color]

[color=#6fa8dc]“I could help you?”[/color] Clark offered, prompting Rocket to spin around.

[color=#b45f06]“How could you possibly help me?” [/color]The alien growled,[color=#b45f06] “I’ve had enough of this. Sleep this off and stop bothering me.[/color]” He snapped, drawing a weapon. The stun blast discharged, hitting Clark, who barely felt anything as Rocket stared him down, dumbfounded.

A blast from that gun would’ve dropped a full-grown Bolovaxian into next week. Looking from his weapon back to Clark, Rocket raised an eyebrow before a toothy grin began to spread from ear to ear.

[color=#b45f06]“What were sayin’ ‘bout helpin’?”[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/01999ab1-cb01-748d-bd12-afb19d17251c.webp[/img][S][INDENT][COLOR=SILVER][SUB][SUP][H3][b]EARTH[/b][/H3][/SUP][/SUB][SUB]Sol System - Milky Way Galaxy[/SUB]
[SUP][i]Now[/i][/SUP][/color][INDENT][color=#ffffff]“Mr. Luthor! Mr. Luthor!” [/color]

The crowd of reporters clambered around the young man as he climbed out of his Porsche. Tossing the keys to the nearby valet, Alexander ‘Lex’ Luthor, brushed back a loose strand of his long, crimson locks before raising a pair of black, leather-gloved hands apologetically to the gathered representatives from the Daily Planet, the Inquisitor, the Gazette and even one from the Bugle. 

[color=#6aa84f]“Please, my father is Mr. Luthor, you can call me Lex.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Lex, what do you think of your father’s mayoral bid? Are you ready to take the reins at Luthorcorp while Lionel takes the reins of the city?”[/color] The reporter with the Metropolis Inquisitor asked.

[color=#6aa84f]“I think Metropolis could do a lot worse than having Lionel Luthor as a mayor.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“That’s not exactly a glowing recommendation, Lex. Could your apathy have anything to do with the criminal charges being drafted against your father in relation to conspiracy with Morgan Edge?[/color]” Lex’s eyes darted down to the Daily Planet badge hanging by a lanyard around the speaker’s neck.

[color=#6aa84f]“If the Metro Police Department had any evidence against my father, he’d already be in handcuffs. As my father isn’t and instead is rallying support for the upcoming Mayoral Election, I’d suggest you go back to your sources at Metro PD and direct them to the gossip column. Luthorcorp has never had dealings with Mr. Edge, let alone colluded with him.“[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“How come Luthorcorp hasn’t released an official press statement denying these claims?”[/color] The redhead from the Gazette inquired.

[color=#6aa84f]“Why concern yourself with idle gossip when you have more at stake in changing the course of humanity’s future?”[/color] Lex retorted.

[color=#6aa84f]“My father and I aren’t in the habit of indulging the libel of the local rag; instead, we’re trying to create a sustainable future for tomorrow. Luthorcorp is rapidly becoming a leader in sustainable technologies, and our new automotive line is set to be unveiled at this year’s Stark Expo. We’re making the planet healthier, safer and most importantly, cleaner for tomorrow. If the Metropolis Police Department is so interested in Luthorcorp, perhaps they should look over the ‘Sentinel-One’ proposal I put on Commissioner Henderson’s desk.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“And what is proposed by ‘Sentinel-One’?”[/color]

[color=#6aa84f]“The future of law enforcement, a way to put the power back in the hands of the common man and a way to migrate uncontrollable risks caused by unprecedented appearances of extranormal individuals.”[/color] Lex explained, [color=#6aa84f]“In a world where extranormal abilities are doled out more arbitrarily than the lottery winnings, we can’t count on the human factor. We can’t guarantee a ‘good man’ will gain abilities that prove a boon to his fellow man. So we need countermeasures, we need control.”[/color]

[color=#c27ba0]“And you think you’re the one who should be in control?[/color][color=#8e7cc3]”[/color] A brunette woman asked, Lex studied her badge, recognizing it as a temporary pass from the Daily Planet meaning the woman was still something of a cub reporter. 

[color=#6aa84f]“No, of course not Miss?”[/color]

[color=#c27ba0]“Lane, Lois Lane, stringer for the Daily Planet, just a small step up from the Smallville Torch you usually give quotes to.”[/color] The young reporter prompted a chuckle from the gathered crowd. Her face, demeanour, and not to mention surname all quickly clued Lex into to who he was speaking.

[color=#6aa84f]“Then, for the record, Miss Lane, no, I don’t think I should be in control. Nor do I think my father should be. There should be a council, elected of course, specifically to oversee these matters and deal with them in a way that is lawful. We shouldn’t be trusting our streets to a man in a hoodie with a lightning bolt on it, or one dressed as a bat. I’m sure your father would agree.”[/color] Lex smiled knowingly.

[color=#6aa84f]“You’ve been gracious today, and I appreciate answering your questions, but unfortunately, I do have meetings and other business to attend to.”[/color] Lex waved again before pausing and turning back to the crowd.

[color=#6aa84f]“But most importantly, vote Luthor.”[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][/S][/COLOR]