32 3.4

6:34 PM, 18th April, 1989.

Location: Metropolis

A very different city from Paris. Metropolis has a somewhat friendly tone from the locals.

Well, most.

I found a group of unusual people, who stood out fairly quickly. They were all wearing weapons that looked like toys. However internally the weapons were highly complex electronics and mechanisms.

Now, I could have swooped down and started terrifying and torturing them for information, aka the Batman method. But this was Supes' home turf. It would be wrong, more than taking the law into my own hands… because I'd be violating trust boundaries.

However things quickly became complicated as I saw someone recognisable. A black haired woman stalking the thugs, wearing sunglasses and hiding behind a corner. Hi Lois Lane.

Now, while I'm not one to spoil people's fun… Lois Lane's the epitome of kidnap victim. So, being a good sport I landed silently behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Wha… stay back I have a…!" She hissed… before recognising me. "Bubbleboy? What?"

"Hello, I thought it was someone I recognised. Just thought I'd drop by and say hello. Also the men you're snooping after are walking away right now." I grinned as she turned, looking flustered. "If they get away I am going to bury you in the next article: Bubbleboy interrupts investigation, allows suspects to flee!"

"Calm down, Miss Lane. They aren't very far, I can sense them." I held out my left arm. "If you want to follow, hold on tight."

She looked at me suspiciously, but gingerly grabbed hold. Gasping as I took flight, gently. I sealed us in a barrier to provide her somewhat stable footing.

"See there they are." I pointed. "Besides, we're better hidden up here."

She looked sulky.

"Look I'm sorry for bothering you out on business, but I'm simply doing my part as a concerned tourist. After all, I can sense they are carrying weapons provided by that villainous inventor, the Toymaker." I smiled.

"Toyman. His name is Toyman." Lois insisted.

Okay, Toyman it is.

She folded her arms. "So, a tourist? Come to the Big Apricot to see the sights?"

"Mostly just to pay a friendly visit to Superman, but somewhat, yes. I came to see the places that most interest me. I've seen them already, so I'm just helping take out the trash while I'm here." I chuckled. If there was one thing that has Miss Lane obsessed it's…

"You talked with Superman in Paris, I saw the photos of your handiwork together. What did you discuss?" She asked, pointedly eyes never moving from the crooks below shuffling down an alley.

"Eh, mostly it was dull stuff. Hobbies. Pastimes. Backstories." Her head snapped to look my way so fast, I swear she nearly got whiplash. "All of it private, Miss Reporter. His, I mean… you already know my story."

Her eyes narrowed. "There is absolutely nothing you can tell me?"

"Superman is a very idealistic person, but also down to earth in attitude and very humble. With a streak of good humour. I respect the man, greatly. Which is why I'm going to be behaving to my best standards while I'm in his city." I laughed. "Not least of all because he could punch me into next week and there wouldn't be a thing I could do about it!" Well, besides red kryptonite exposure…

"Huh. Really? He always looks so untouchable..." She muttered.

"I wouldn't hesitate to say, he's an inspiration to me. One day, in the future I'm sure this city and perhaps even the world will owe him a debt of gratitude." I smirked. Dead certain.

Wait… no time for introspection.

I speed up and find the thugs are using their weapons. Pulses of light spraying at the target.

"What the… they're firing on that building!" Lois shouted.

They stopped firing.

"Come out Superman, we know you're in there!" One shouted. The other five readied their weapons.

"I'm not your damn Superman, fools!" A voice shouted. "Now stop shooting up my home!"

"That's certainly not Superman." I remarked. The voice was too deep. Also I'm getting some odd sensations in my senses. "Wait… they pissed off a completely different meta!"

Out stepped an African American man, in black leather.

"Leave now, or I'm going to bust some heads!" He declared.

"Oh… He's brave, or he has the power to back that statement up." I remarked, secretly wracking my brain for the name of this guy…

"Shoot him!" The leader ordered the other thugs. But he was already gone. The sound of thunder echoed as he reappeared inside their group with a flash of light. With a short touch two thugs dropped like stones.

"Wha..." The thug leader began, before an arc of electricity leapt out from the Hero's hands to knock him flying backwards. However he hesitated a moment too long and the last two got a bead on him. I blocked the shots with a barrier, satisfied as they deflected off just like Brain's particle beam weapons. Have the villainous inventors already been comparing notes?

Black Lightning, I suspect, staggers as if he's been struck.

Huh?

Well, better save him. I send down a swarm of sewing needles, piercing the hands holding weapons as I descend.

"You… who… what are you?!" Black Lightning demands angrily.

Sending a length of wire to each thug to restrain them, I hold up my hands in placating gesture.

"Bubbleboy, the French Superman knockoff." Lois says.

"No, I mean what the hell are you doing to me? My powers are glitching out!" He shouted.

"Oh. Sorry. Electricity." I pointed at him. "Magnetism." I pointed at myself. I guess I lock down his energy form just from being nearby. I'm a direct counter to his abilities. "I guess I neutralise or suppress your powers?"

"Shit. Makes sense, this day just keeps getting worse." He remarked. "These damn fools were lucky my kids were in a different room. Or I'd be frying their asses."

"Then, we should give these fellows a gentle bit of persuasion and find their boss and make sure no more of them drop by." I suggested.

"Good idea. I'll provide all the persuasion you need." He smiled, as electricity arced between his hands, crackling. He looked at the nearest conscious thug. "Spill the name and the place, or you'll be cooked like bacon."

"The old, abandoned toy store on Fifth and Main." The thug responded, hurriedly as the arcs came toward his face.

"Good." Black Lightning turned to call up to the house. "Honey, any word on the cops?"

"On the way!" A young female voice called from inside.

"I can stay until the police arrive or head on without you." I suggested.

"Go, I'll be fine with my powers working properly. I'll catch up." I nodded, turning.

"So… Miss Lane. Which way is Fifth and Main?" I asked sheepishly, to my reluctant companion.

She lit a cigarette and sighed helplessly.