A Hero's First Attempt

[martha_kent]

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.

Comments

[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?"

[drake_kent]

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

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

[martha_kent]

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

[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.

[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.

[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?"

[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?"

[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."

[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?"

[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."

[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."

[drake_kent]

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

[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?"

[drake_kent]

"Either J'onn or mom would be good, considering my abilities. But it would also be good to challenge myself against someone different."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"How about Green Lantern?" Superman suggests. Hal's creativity and imagination can create boundless challenges for a fledgeling hero to face.

[drake_kent]

"That's a good idea. I really want to incorporate my skating skills in my new persona. And Green Lantern could help me learn to navigate different obstacles."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"I'll ask Hal if he's up for it, and see if I can arrange some lessons for you." He's glad that Drake is going about this in a responsible manner, and seeking out the knowledge of those who have been doing this for years, so he can learn from their mistakes instead of only his own.

[drake_kent]

Every step he takes, Drake feels better about his decision. And is glad he has this chance to plan his hero career with his father.

"I gave myself a name. Sk8tr."

((bed time))

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"It's always a good idea to incorporate other skills into your hero strategies," Superman says with a nod. He isn't sure the name will stick, but Drake seems to like it, and at this point he doesn't need criticism so much as he needs support in his endeavor.

[drake_kent]

"It is a little hard sometimes... being out there and not knowing if I am doing the right thing or not." Darke is not only voicing his worries her, but also addressing the ones he knows Martha has.

"But I am so glad you support me."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"I'd say that second-guessing yourself is a good thing, in moderation. If you always assume you're doing what's right and can't do wrong, you can end up in some big messes as a result. And this is a path with consequences for more than just yourself, so weighing the options is more important than ever." He wants Drake to know that what he's facing is not only normal, but expected, giving him the confidence he needs to face that uncertainty.

[drake_kent]

"I'd imagine you faced many consequences yourself as a young hero."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"I did. And I still do." He looks over to where the girls are, in the medical area. "Martha's facing her own first consequences, isn't she?"

[drake_kent]

"She is." Drake admits. "The thing that scares her the most -- is your reaction."

[kalel_ofkrypton]

His youngest daughter is headstrong and stubborn, so it doesn't surprise him that she's gotten herself into trouble again. But he's also aware that she takes restrictions as challenges, nor does he want her to get the impression that she's forbidden from carving out her own hero career.

"Let's go speak with your sisters." He approaches the med station, taking a closer look at Martha's injury as he does. "How bad is it?"