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

"Yeah, but he mostly works alone," Martha says. She doesn't expect that Batman would be open to training her.

From:

laura_kent

"Just because he works alone, doesn't mean he won't train you. Wouldn't hurt to ask."

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

"And even if he turns you down, I'm sure Green Arrow would be happy to give you some lessons," Superman says. "You never know what might be open to you until you ask."

From:

laura_kent

"I had to ask to get clearance to work here, and provide my medical training when needed."

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

"We'll discuss your training later, once you've had a chance to heal and think about what you could have done differently," Superman says to Martha. "There's no rush to make you into a hero. All of us in the Justice League trained for years before officially taking up our capes."

Martha nods, not looking happy about needing to be patient, but she knows it's just like kickboxing. You have to practice and practice and practice if you want to be great at it.

From:

drake_kent

"Guess for now, all is left is to go home."

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

"Laura, how long is your shift?" he asks his oldest daughter. "Are you coming home with us, or staying longer?"

From:

laura_kent

"I have a couple more hours here."

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

He nods. "We will see you at home, then. I hope the rest of your shift goes smoothly."

From:

slayers_desire

Drake gestures for Martha to follow him through the PINpoint portal in the Watchtower, which will take them to one near their home.

It is getting close to supper. April is in the kitchen, preparing supper. Dru is upstairs, working on her homework.

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

Clark swiftly changes into his street clothes before following, and he reaches over the bond to April. I'm heading home with Martha and Drake. Martha is hurt, but not seriously. He knows she can handle unexpected blood smell, but it's courteous to warn her, especially when it's one of the family that's been hurt.

From:

slayers_desire

How did she get hurt? Her first concern is for her daughter.

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

She tried to go on patrol and tangled with a group of car thieves with knives. He knows that's a frightening thing for a mother to hear - it was for him, too, when he realized what had happened. Laura fixed her up.

From:

slayers_desire

She was out there alone? April definitely gets that feeling of motherly fear. Especially since she did get hurt.

Somedays, they all are still babies to her -- and every time they take another step towards independence, and their own destinys, she feels a little sense of sorrow. Worry if she has done enought for them.

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

They're coming up to the house now, and Clark does his best to prepare her before they get there. Yes. I've already had a talk with her about going behind our backs without backup or proper equipment. I think her injury is punishment enough, so I'm not pushing it further.

From:

slayers_desire

As long as you feel she learned her lesson

Her children don't need her anymore. And that is the hardest thing...

From:

kalel_ofkrypton

I think she has. It worries him too, and it's hard to watch them going out there and taking the same kinds of risks that he does. He wonders sometimes if other, non-hero parents have it easier when their children come of age.

From:

slayers_desire

So many of their children want to help others. And while that is great -- there is also that worry. That concern. It was tough enough watching her husband go out without her -- and now it is her children.

Good. That is important

From:

martha_kent

Martha enters the house first, well aware that her parents have probably already been talking about this. "Mom, we're home."

From:

slayers_desire

April comes out of the kitchen to greet them. "Welcome back."

She does note the bandage on Martha's arms, resisting that mothery urge to want to check on her right away.

From:

martha_kent

"Did Dad already tell you?" she asks, pretty sure she knows the answer. After all, Mom doesn't look surprised, and there's no way she can't see or smell the blood on her shirt sleeve.

From:

slayers_desire

"He did warn me that you were injured." Being a vampire is a delicate situation and April would never want to attack any of her children because of blood lust.

((gone for a few hours))

From:

martha_kent

"I screwed up and I'm sorry." That's the most important part, to her. She loves and respects her parents, and she never wants them to think that she's disrespecting them by going behind their backs.