[color=gray][INDENT][COLOR=SILVER][SUB][SUP][H3][b]EARTH[/b][/H3][/SUP][/SUB][SUB]Sol System - Milky Way Galaxy[/SUB] [SUP][i]Two Years Ago[/i][/SUP][/color][INDENT][color=#dd7e6b]“Space?”[/color] Jonathan sat across from Clark on the wrap around porch that bordered the generational farmhouse. The farm had been in his family as far back as the land records went, Jonathan having inherited it from his father, Hiram who inherited it from his father. [color=#dd7e6b]“Clark, when I first taught you how to drive, you’d get lost taking the truck into town and that’s a five minute drive. Your first year in Metropolis, your mother and I started keeping a tally on the fridge of the number of times you took the wrong bus, and now you’re telling me you want to fly into space to find a homeworld that you don’t know the name of, let alone what galaxy it’s in?”[/color] The younger man let out a small chuckle as he continued to nurse his iced tea. [color=#dd7e6b]“Son, I know your gifts are, well, immense. They’re a blessing and a curse and they’ve helped us out a lot. Thanks to you, the farm is turning a profit probably for the first time since you were a kid. We’re at a place where not only can I replace you, but I want you to go. You’re destined for things much greater than this farm. I’m not going to force this life on you or your brother.”[/color] Jonathan took a sip of his coffee, looking towards the falling night sky. [color=#dd7e6b]“But space, I’m not sure your gifts are even able to survive that.”[/color] [color=#6fa8dc]“I’ve been to the moon, Dad.”[/color] Clark replied as his father faltered, turning to look at his son. [color=#6fa8dc]“I uh, wanted to see if I could. I can break the atmosphere, I can hold my breath nearly indefinitely, the sun light is undiluted out there, if anything I’m almost stronger in space.”[/color] [color=#dd7e6b]“Why did you go to the moon?”[/color] [color=#6fa8dc]“I needed somewhere quiet to think. Somewhere far enough away from all the voices.”[/color] [color=#dd7e6b]“And how will you find where you came from, it’s not like you can just ask directions.”[/color] Clark smiled softly. [color=#6fa8dc]“No, but there’s so much more out there, Dad.”[/color] He replied,[color=#6fa8dc] “It’s not just our solar system, there are worlds beyond, I could see so much out there.” Clark explained looking skyward. “There has to be someone who knows where I’m from.”[/color] [color=#fce5cd]“Clark, Jonathan, dinner!”[/color] Martha Kent’s voice rang out from within the kitchen as Jonathan placed a hand on Clark’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. [color=#dd7e6b]“I learned to trust your judgement a long time ago, and I know that look when you’ve got to do something. “[/color] He smiled towards his son. [color=#dd7e6b]“I’ll be here when you get back to hear all about it.”[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][CENTER][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019a2712-4c90-7008-93dc-efe48ef687f0.webp[/img][/center][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=#c27ba0]“Jimmy!”[/color] Lois’ voice echoed in the small supply closet as Jimmy struggled to hold the phone up to his ear while the blonde in front of him continued to unbutton his shirt, nibbling at his chest while her hands wandered elsewhere. [color=#c27ba0]“Jimmy!” [/color]Lois repeated the commotion around her threatening to drown out her voice as winds whipped from the vehicle above and people ran frantically for cover. It had been a month since New York had seen a united force of heroes repel an attack by what the Bugle had dubbed ‘Fire Trolls’ and it seemed now it was Metropolis’ turn for a journey into mystery. [color=#c27ba0]“Are you seeing this?”[/color] She asked,[color=#c27ba0] “Please tell me you’re seeing this, better yet tell me you have a camera going.”[/color] [color=#ff9900]“I’m uh,”[/color] Jimmy bit down on his lip to stifle moan, the thud of his belt hitting the floor almost audible enough to be picked up by the phone. [color=#ff9900]“In the middle of something-”[/color] [color=#c27ba0]“Why’d you answer then?”[/color] [color=#ff9900]“I knew you’d keep calling if I didn- uh!”[/color] [color=#c27ba0]“Oh gross, Jimmy,”[/color] Lois snapped, her eyes watching the figure circling menacingly above.[color=#c27ba0] “You still owe me for missing New York, I hope she knows you’re not going to call her!”[/color] [color=#ffffff]“Yur not gwoing ta cwall mwe?”[/color] The woman replied with her mouth full, looking up at Jimmy with wide eyes full of disbelief. [color=#ff9900]“She’s just jealous,”[/color] Jimmy whispered, gesturing to his phone while covering the speaker with his hand, [color=#ff9900]“Gotta go, Lois.”[/color] [color=#c27ba0]“Thanks for nothing, Jimmy,”[/color] Lois replied, clicking the lock button on her phone as she looked back towards the sky. [color=#c27ba0]“Story of the freakin’ year and my stringer’s banging the coffee girl.”[/color] She muttered, resuming pointing her phone towards the figure on the flying motorcycle. Billowing locks of black hair waved about wildly behind the figure’s head. He was dressed in materials Lois had never seen but they closely resembled leather and denim. His pale skin was covered in rippling muscles, coarse hair and numerous scars. Under different circumstances, Lois might have bought him a beer. [color=#c27ba0]“Alright, Hagrid, are you ready for your close up?”[/color] Capturing several photos, Lois cursed Jimmy for not being ready with his DLR beside her. Phone photos were not how she expected to capture her first page one exclusive. The sudden roar of jetpacks momentarily deafened Lois, interrupting the sound of the flying bike overhead and signalling the arrival of Luthorcorp’s sponsored law enforcement; the ‘Paladins’. In the weeks that had followed the event in New York, Lionel Luthor had expedited his anti-vigilante crusade and, using his vast wealth, introduced his own privatized police force to the city and promoted Sergeant Paul Denning over the special unit. As the Paladins formed a perimeter around the alien, they were joined by Luthorcorp’s other contribution to the city. A woman dubbed ‘Hope’, the city’s first registered vigilante and the product of the ‘Sentinel-One’ Program. Despite being fully registered through the program and associated with Infinity Inc.; a Luthorcorp subsidiary, Lois had been unable to find further identification for Hope. It was as though she had appeared from thin air. The most that had turned up was an employee identification badge from Cadmus Labs. [color=#ffffff]“Unregistered Metahuman, you will power down your vehicle and surrender yourself immediately.”[/color] Hope ordered as Lois quickly switched to video. The street had emptied itself out, along with most of New Troy as hundreds clambered to the windows of the Luthorcorp and Daily Planet windows to watch the events unfold. Hope began to float into the air, the metahuman showcasing one of her abilities in a moderate intimidation tactic. A chuckle echoed through the street as the alien pulled what looked to be a cigar out and lit it. He blew a smoke ring, before stepping off of the vehicle and dropping to the pavement below. The concrete and asphalt beneath him gave way, splintering and cracking before he stood and walked towards Hope. Lasers from targeted weapons traced his body, the Paladins unsure if they should assume his body had the same vulnerabilities as a human before they ultimately all settled on aiming for the head. That elicited another chuckle alongside a raised eyebrow. [color=#ffffff]“Basic is such an ineffective method of communication; it lacks a certain nuance that’s going to make threatening you much more exhaustive.”[/color] The alien spat out the side of his mouth while firmly chomping on the freshly lit cigar. Beside him on the ground, a hook dragged along the pavement attached to a chain wrapped around his wrist while his waist bore a holster and various other armaments. [color=#ffffff]“I’m only here for the Kryptonian, the Main Man has no quarrel with you, but should you bastiches get in my way, I will have no issue leveling this city, frag, even this scruthole world to fulfil my contract.”[/color] [color=#ffffff]“And what is your contract?”[/color] Hope asked. [color=#ffffff]“The return and capture of the Kryptonian bastiche.”[/color] The alien replied, [color=#ffffff]“I know he sought refuge on this planet, and I know this time his slaggin’ Guardian friends aren’t coming to help.”[/color] He paused, taking his cigar out of his mouth and flashing an unsettling toothy grin. [color=#ffffff]“Took care of that personally.”[/color] [color=#ffffff]“You are not authorized to operate within Metropolis, if you would, please place your hands behind your back, the Paladins will take you for processing and then registration. You may peacefully resume your search after.”[/color] [color=#ffffff]“Can’t say I didn’t warn you.” [/color]The alien smiled as Lois watched the chain loosen from his wrist. The Paladins above opened fire, their weapons seemingly doing nothing, forcing Lois herself to take cover from the ricocheting shells. Hope sprung into action, rushing forward with a fist cocked only to be downed by the large hook before becoming ensnared and dragged through the crumbling pavement. [color=#ffffff]“Don’t feel bad, the Kryptonian already lost to me once.”[/color] He taunted, [color=#ffffff]“Ain’t like anything on this backwater dustbowl of a planet was going to stand a chance, let alone a keezy fem like you.”[/color] Hope struggled against the chain as the alien reeled her in closer, continuing to be unbothered by the Paladins’ weaponfire. Bringing her up so they were face to face, he extended his black tongue and licked the side of Hope’s face before smiling wickedly at her. [color=#ffffff]“Do feel bad about this next part though.” [/color]He moved fast for a being his size, Hope barely had time to register what happened as she found herself flung through the air, smashing into the nearest Paladin before continuing to be swung around like some sort of living rope dart. Her hands scrambled outward, trying to find anything to grab ahold of to stop the alien’s assault on her peers. Brick, rebar and other materials tore at the skin of her fingers, threatening to pry her nails free before suddenly she managed to anchor herself. With all of her might, Hope pulled on the chain, unseating the alien’s footing and for the briefest of moments, she managed to get him airborne. With all of her might, Metropolis’ registered defender flew forward and delivered the hardest blow she could muster. Her fist connect with the alien’s chain, following a sickening crack that reverberated through her entire forearm. Sparks exploded from her arm as Hope landed, cradling the now injured limb. The alien in turn landed on his fight, turning to look at her as he licked a drop of blood from his bottom lip. [color=#ffffff]“That’ll cost ya.”[/color][/indent] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/01999ab1-cb01-748d-bd12-afb19d17251c.webp[/img] [indent]Police sirens echoed over the open fields as the Sheriff’s cruiser raced along the path the mysterious object had taken over Smallville. Training behind Sheriff Adams was the local fire department as they raced in the direction of the former Kent Farm. Beside the strange man, the white wolf stirred, its hackles rising and eyes glowing red. The man steadied a hand beside the alien creature, calming it as a foreign vehicle turned the corner and came to a halt several yards from him. Stepping out of her vehicle, Sheriff Nancy Adams immediately drew her weapon. She had expected a downed crop duster, not a man in a black and silver leotard and given what she had just heard over the radio about Metropolis, she wasn’t taking any chances. [color=#ffffff]“Call off your dog and put your hands behind your head.”[/color] She ordered, her finger hovering above the trigger waiting for any excuse to pull it. [color=#6fa8dc]“[img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019a30e8-f3d7-7068-b130-5ef9a4922545.webp[/img]”[/color] [center][color=#ff354d][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019a30e8-a433-77a4-bb65-165007a53dbe.webp[/img]...[/color] [color=#ff354d]Download Complete.[/color][/center] [color=#ffffff]“I won’t repeat myself, boy.”[/color] Nancy yelled, [color=#ffffff]“Hands behind your head, interlace those fingers!”[/color] Her finger moved to the trigger. The strange man’s eyes suddenly turned to the weapon, a flash of red was followed by pain as searing heat burned the Sheriff’s hand and caused her to drop the gun. [color=#6fa8dc]“I am Kal-El of Krypton.”[/color] Kal stated, rising from the ground as he identified himself. [color=#6fa8dc]“And by the order of General Zod.”[/color] He continued. [color=#6fa8dc]“You will kneel before me.”[/color][/indent][/indent][/color]