martha_kent | A Hero's First Attempt

Martha Kent is fifteen years old, and she's on the prowl.

Metropolis has become incredibly safe since Superman first took the city under his protection, but that doesn't mean all crime is eliminated. And it's a good training ground for prospective heroes... especially ones without any powers.

Martha dons her domino mask and tucks her hair up under her fedora as she gets close to the sound of breaking glass. She feels nervous but excited, about to face her first real criminal and bring him or her to justice. She peers around the corner and sees the three thieves breaking car windows and rifling through the glovebox, taking anything valuable that they find. They look tough, but Martha is confident, and she steps out of the shadows, fists up in a boxer's stance. "Freeze, morons!"

One of them glances over his shoulder at her and sizes her up. "This is the wrong part of town to play dress-up, girl. Run along."

"I don't think so," Martha answers, stepping closer, staying light on her feet.

The other two both pull out knives and turn to face her. "Just who do you think you are, girl?"

Martha hasn't decided on a name yet, and for a moment she flounders, unable to answer with her real name. And they're getting close enough that she needs to take action. "I'm Captain Kangaroo, jerk!" She throws a punch at him, trying to knock the weapon out of his hands.

The other one slashes at her, and she has to jump back and use a legsweep to take him down. The third thief takes notice of what's going on, and pulls his own knife as he runs to join the fight.

Martha uses everything she's learned about fighting, but she's never faced real opponents with real weapons before, and a blade cuts deep into her arm. She cries out and headbutts her attacker, knocking him back long enough for her to get away. Her arm is bleeding and feels weak, and she needs to come up with some way to stop these men before they hurt her even worse.

She looks around, and takes a gamble, leaping back and up as high as her good arm will allow.

The fire escape comes crashing down, pulled by her weight, and smashes into the two remaining thieves, stunning them for a moment. She takes advantage of that moment and runs, knowing that it won't be long before Superman hears the commotion and shows up. She's not supposed to be out here on her own yet, and the thought of getting in trouble when Daddy sees how she got hurt is a scary one.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

martha_kent

Martha is pretty sure that Laura, as a half-vampire, will be able to smell the reason as they get closer, so she warns her ahead of time. "My arm needs stitches," she says, after glancing around to make sure no one else is in earshot.

From:

laura_kent

Laura nods, and gestures for Martha to take a seat on the medical table. "Let me look at it."

As a doctor, she does deal with her half-vampire senses often. Fortunately, they are manageable. And she is able to follow her dreams.

"How did this happen?"

From:

martha_kent

The cut is deep, going partway into the muscle layer but not quite to the bone. Nothing vital has been cut, so she won't need surgery, but she'll need sutures in the muscle as well as the skin.

It hurts, but Martha's used to dealing with pain in her kickboxing career. She also doesn't want to lie to her big sister. "I tried to stop some guys from breaking into a car. They had knives."

From:

laura_kent

"They cut deep into your muscle layer. So I will need sutures in your muscle. I am going to give you a slight painkiller first." Laura is very professional with treating the wound. And she appreciated Martha telling her the truth.

From:

martha_kent

"I've had worse," Martha says bravely, although she definitely appreciates having a painkiller first.

From:

laura_kent

"Did you want us to check on the status of your criminals?"

From:

martha_kent

Martha looks a little guilty. "I think Dad probably picked them up... we made a lot of noise. He doesn't know I was there."

From:

laura_kent

Laura gently places her hand on Martha's shoulder. Steadying her for the needle, and also offering support.

"I respect my patient's confidentialty."

"We don't have to contact him. Right now."

"But he will question stitches in your arm," Drake notes. He too will support any decision Martha makes.

From:

martha_kent

"I know... I just want to get my story straight first." She doesn't plan to lie, but she wants to put it in the best light possible instead of saying something she'll regret.

From:

laura_kent

"Then we won't contact him." Laura will give Martha the time she needs. Drake nervously spins his skateboard in his hands. He is not sure when dad -- Superman -- checks in at this location. But he is sure it will come.

From:

martha_kent

Martha sits still as the painkiller takes effect, and Laura starts stitching her up. She looks over at Drake. "So... can we just not mention the Captain thing to Dad when I tell him about this?"

From:

drake_kent

"Captain thing?" Laura asks, not looking up from her work.

"You will hear the story later." Drake chuckles. "Sure, no problem Martha."

From:

martha_kent

"Thanks," Martha says, looking relieved. That was one of the more embarrassing things for her about this fiasco.

From:

drake_kent

While Drake waits for Laura to do her surgery on Martha, he just watches the news. Listening patiently. He is worried for his sister, but is trying not to show concern.

From:

martha_kent

It's about ten minutes later that the roof of Watchtower opens slightly to allow the entrance of Superman. He notices three of his children in the medical area, but after a quick glance-over to make sure they aren't in serious condition, he moves to the computer to enter his report on the three thieves he just apprehended.

Martha tenses up a little bit when she sees him. Even though Drake said that Dad wasn't mad before, she still worries that she's going to be in trouble.

From:

drake_kent

Drake glances over at Martha when she tenses up. He takes a deep breath, and heads out of the medical area, allowing Laura to continue her work uninterrupted.

He approaches Superman. "Hey. When you got a second, could we talk?"

Edited Date: 2013-09-18 04:59 am (UTC)

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

Superman is more aware of the situation than Martha thinks he is, but he's letting her deal with it in her own way. And he turns to listen to Drake as soon as his youngest son approaches. "Of course. Alone, or with your sisters?"

From:

drake_kent

Drake gets the feeling that his dad is also giving Martha time. So smiles softly. "They just need a few minutes."

"I just wanted to talk to you. About..." He spins his skateboard nervously. "I have been out there a few days. Heroing."

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

Drake has his father's full attention, as always. Anything his children have to say to him is important to him. "How has it been going?"

From:

drake_kent

"Good. Better than my first attempt."

"It has been a good few weeks. And I think I might be learning a few things."

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

He smiles at Drake, proud of him for his decisions, no matter what path he's decided to go down. "I'm glad to hear that."

From:

drake_kent

"I would like more training. So I am better prepared in the field."

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

"I can certainly arrange that." There are plenty of heroes in the Justice League that Drake could learn from, one-on-one if that's what he wants. "Did you want to train with anyone in particular?"