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Clark Kent loves the Metropolis Central Library. Built in a pleasing mix of classical and art deco styles, it’s the perfect place to do some out-of-office research. Today however he’s in the computer room, a newer addition whose modernity clashes with the building’s general aesthetic, yet still manages to look a decade behind the times. Clark would rather work in literally any other part of the building, but the internet is too valuable of a resource these days and people rarely come in here. Sure libraries are quiet as a rule, but most of the patrons don’t have super-hearing, so the lower people count lets Clark focus a little better. He hasn’t gotten on the computer yet, currently poring through books going over the history of labor unions across America. Not that Clark is entirely unfamiliar with this subject, but several recent supervillains seem to be tied to some new corporation that may or may be run by former union-busters, so Clark wants to make sure he can get his facts straight and figure out where exactly they sprang from so he can take them down at the source. If there’s one thing he’s learned from his two and a half years working for the Daily Planet, it’s that fact-finding is as tiring as it is rewarding. He could really use a detective.
When even Clark’s super-sinuses start to complain he leans back in his chair for a moment just to recollect himself
“-might as well tell them I’m the Flash. That’s not going to work either.”
Huh?
Super-hearing has been both a blessing and a curse for Clark over the years. Using it to discover another hero’s secret identity is not something Clark is keen on using it for, but he can usually tune out most sound that isn’t within about 10 miles or so while still keeping an ear out for certain phrases and frequencies.
If that is indeed the Flash, he’s in the library right now, and he’s talking to someone who is probably also a superhero if Clark had to guess. A conversation they probably wouldn’t be having if they knew Clark had super-hearing. To be fair it’s not one he advertises, though most people who know him as Superman are aware, if for no other reason that he’ll run out on them if he hears a disaster occuring. And come back right after dealing with it of course.
Eavesdropping on the Flash while Clark is working on a case may not be the best use of time, but the presence of a fellow superhero in Metropolis definitely does seem like something Superman should be aware of sooooo
“Yeah I guess” says someone else. Okay, so the probably-Flash is here with…someone else. Another hero presumably, but which one. Superman goes down a mental list of all the heroes he’s heard about through the grapevine, but unfortunately he can’t think of any stories where they team up.
Activating his x-ray vision, Superman peers in the direction of the two mystery people. They’re up a floor, sitting in a small somewhat hidden reading nook, clearly seeking out some privacy so they can discuss hero stuff in their secret identities. They’re both masculine, one a little shorter than the other but still both around the 6-foot mark. One is blonde, with neatly trimmed hair, wearing a button-up shirt and slacks, while the taller man has brown artfully messy hair, wearing an authentic-looking flight jacket over casual clothes. He also looks vaguely familiar for some reason. In any case, Clark would likely never have given either of them a second glance, except for the fact that they both wear a ring on their right middle finger. The rings don’t match, so Clark is fairly certain it isn’t a hint at their relationship status but who knows?
“I’m starting to think your idea was better” says the blonde man whose voice identifies him as probably-Flash. Huh, he’s got a midwestern accent. Okay yeah the Flash is from Central City so that tracks, but Clark realizes he hadn’t fully considered the implications of that. Central City isn’t too far from Smallville, he and Flash would probably get along nicely.
“No, I agree that Superman’s the right guy for this” says Flight Jacket. His voice is deeper than probably-Flash, but that doesn’t give Clark too much to work off of since he’s never tried putting any voices to masks before. Honestly, two years as Superman and he hasn’t tried to get to know his…colleagues? Ma and Pa would have words about that for sure.
Also, they’re clearly talking about him. It sounds as though they want his help for something, but it can’t be that serious or they likely would have shown up in their costumes, which he definitely would have noticed. At least he thinks he would, but now that he’s thinking about it, Clark realizes he doesn’t know all that much about the other heroes that have begun popping up since his debut 2 years ago.
Of course, how can he approach them without giving away his secret identity?
Clark’s super-hearing picks up something else. It sounds like the two probably-heroes are leaving.
“I’ll check if there’s anywhere we can grab some lunch. I know I think better with a full stomach” says Flight Jacket.
Hmm. Maybe they’ll go somewhere where Clark can bump into them. Clark begins putting the books he’d been researching away. He can always come back and keep researching tomorrow, but he suspects that the two heroes won’t want to leave their hometowns unguarded for too long.
Once Clark can see that his two persons of interest have left the building, he takes his leave and discreetly flies to one of the many hidden vantage points he’s set up over the years. The older buildings of Metropolis have plenty of nooks that he can survey from without being visible to most eyes from the street or other buildings.
A quick glance tells Superman that the pair has discovered the Homegrown Café. It’s owners are from Iowa, so it’s the closest taste of home Clark can find in Metropolis, so he suspects that Flash probably picked it out. However, before Superman can fly down to come up with a way to talk to his colleagues, he hears a semi truck go out of control across town and has to fly off to help.
10 minutes later, Clark Kent is walking down Harbor Avenue to the Homegrown Café. A quick look reveals that probably-Flash and probably-not-Flash are still eating, and–is that Jimmy?
Sure enough, Jimmy Olsen is chatting away with the two other superheroes. Which…is really helpful, actually.
“Eating here without me, buddy?” says Clark, walking over to the table the other three are sitting at.
“Clark!” says Jimmy with a grin “how’s it hangin’ man? You were right, this place is great.”
“Told you it was” says Clark “you can’t get food like this anywhere else in town.”
“Good to know” says probably-Flash.
“Oh crap” says Jimmy, clearly just remembering his company “Clark, this is Barry-” Flash “-and Hal-” the other guy “-I just heard them talking about Superman–they’re from out of town–and figured I could help fill in some blanks for them, since they seemed interested.”
“Well I happen to have met Superman one or two times myself” said Clark.
“You’re Clark Kent” blurts out Barry. Clark blinks in surprise. Oh of course, if they were researching Superman, they’d probably read one of his interviews, though wouldn’t that give them away?
“Sorry” says Barry again “my girlfriend works for Picture News.”
Wait a second.
“Would that be Iris West?” asks Clark. This revelation appeared to surprise everyone at the table.
“You know Iris?” asks Barry.
“Only by reputation” says Clark “I think she was who Lois spoke with back when the Flash started operating.”
“Huh” says Barry “I guess that makes sense.”
Clark can hear that both Barry and Hal are getting a bit nervous, clearly feeling like Clark is starting to get a bit too close to their secrets. Luckily, Jimmy is there to break the tension.
“Hey Clark, get this. Apparently both of these guys are from a town with superheroes, but have never actually met them.”
“Really?” says Clark.
“Yup” says Hal, whose nervousness seems to have vanished “buuut, I’ve seen the Flash and he’s seen Green Lantern-” well that probably answered who Hal was “-so we figured we’d have pretty good odds at seeing Superman since neither of us are from here.”
“Sounds like a plan” chuckles Clark “Of course your best shot at meetin’ the man would be to get on the roof of a skyscraper somehow, so don’t go bettin’ the farm now.”
“We’ll keep that in mind” laughs Barry.
After that, the conversation shifts away from Superheros, with Clark, Jimmy, Barry, and Hal each discussing and comparing each other’s hometowns in general. Clark is interested to learn about Barry and Hal’s professions, which leads to another revelation.
“Yeah, I’ve met Lois Lane” says Hal.
“Since when?” says Barry, who looks genuinely surprised by this reveal.
“It was before we knew each other” says Hal “Ferris Air was selling some planes to Washington, and Lois came down to interview Mr. Ferris–this was before Carol took over–and she asked me a couple questions about the plane, just what it was like to fly, stuff like that. Got my picture taken too.”
“I knew you looked familiar!” says Clark with a laugh “I’ve been trying to figure out why this whole conversation, but that article was Lois’ biggest hit before Superman came along.”
The conversation wound down a bit after that, and eventually everyone said goodbye, though Clark made sure to keep out a listening ear to see if Barry and Hal had picked up his not-too-subtle hint.
“Later, Mr. Kent” says Jimmy.
“See you Monday” says Clark.
With that, Clark moves out of sight, and Superman launches up into the sky to see where-
There.
Barry and Hal are now on top of the Metropolis Mutual building. Curiously, they haven’t changed into costume yet. Here goes nothing.
“Need some help, gentlemen?” asks Superman. For a moment, the two men seem to stand there in awe, which makes Clark feel even more awkward than usual. However, Hal recovers quickly.
“Actually, this is a bit more of a social call” says the Green Lantern. To Clark’s surprise, the ring on his finger lights up. Huh, that must be where his power comes from. Clark had just assumed it was part of his uniform, the rest of which materializes as he watches.
“I’m the Flash” says Barry. Superman notices Barry’s ring open and produce the familiar scarlet costume, before Flash does a super-fast quick change which Clark politely averts his eyes from.
“Why approach me out of costume?” asks Superman. Sure he had already figured out their identities mostly by accident, but apparently he was supposed to find out, which implied a bit more depth to whatever Flash and Green Lantern’s intentions were.
“Call it a gesture of trust” says the Flash “I’m Barry Allen.”
“And I’m Hal Jordan” says Green Lantern “It’s an honor to meet you sir.”
“Ah…” fumbles Superman, not quite sure how to respond. It’s clear Barry and Hal are trying to get in his good graces. Indeed, he feels bad for not wanting to reveal he’s Clark Kent just yet, but…he’s not quite ready to bring Ma and Pa this close to the other side of his life just yet.
“Please, call me Kal” says Superman finally. That’s as far as he’s willing to extend the truth for now. Maybe once he’s learned a bit more of Barry and Hal’s intentions he can let some more walls down.
“Oh, okay” says Hal, who doesn’t seem to have expected a name.
“Well, my full name’s Kal-El, but Kal will do fine.”
“Non_Terran_language_detected._Match_Kryptonian” says a disembodied voice from Green Lantern’s ring.
“Shit, sorry about that” says Hal “It just does that sometimes, still not sure why.”
“Your ring talks?” Clark says curiously.
“Um yeah” responds Hal “I got it from an alien and it’ll just, like, identify other alien stuff. So…does that mean you’re…?”
“Yes” says Kal-El “I am…not from here.”
“Wait, really?” asks Barry “So your powers come from having a whole different physiology-that’s fascinating-is it a reaction to something in the Earth’s condition-how would the evolution work, I mean you look so similar and-”
“Slow down Flash” says Hal “We just met the guy.”
“Ohrightsorry” says Barry.
“It’s alright” answers Superman with a smile “I suppose this isn’t all that usual from your point of view is it? In any case, I’ve lived on Earth most of my life so I’m afraid there isn’t too much I can tell you about my homeworld.”
“Another time then” says Barry “That’s not why we’re here anyways.”
“Right” says Superman “What can I do for you?”
“Well, it’s like this” begins Barry “A little while ago, Hal, myself, and a few other heroes we know had the idea to set up a…support network, I guess you could call it. Since there aren’t too many of us, we all figured it’d be a good idea to keep in contact with each other.”
“A secret identity can feel pretty isolated” continues Hal “and I used to be in the military, so I know how important it is to have people you can talk to and rely on. Plus, we’re hoping an organization can help give us more legitimacy to the world as a whole.”
“And I imagine my membership would also add to that legitimacy” responds Superman. As much as he wishes it wasn’t the case, he has a not-insignificant amount of clout, which would no doubt be an attractive quality for an organization such as this.
Flash and Green Lantern both seem a bit surprised at Superman’s response, though Hal quickly recovers.
“I told you he wouldn’t miss that.”
“Alright” says Barry “While that was admittedly a factor, I would have approached you regardless. Your example has been the main reason why most of us started working as Superheros ourselves, and we would be honored to have you join us.”
“Well” says Superman “I think this organization sounds like an excellent idea. Although if you’re looking for someone popular, why not Wonder Woman? I believe she’s a bit more connected than I am to the more powerful people who might look down on such an organization.”
“I did suggest Wonder Woman” replies Green Lantern “but we do have a few people who are less than comfortable with more direct government involvement, so when presented between the choice of an ambassador or someone who has actively gotten in trouble for stopping wars, we decided we wanted someone a bit more independent for the person who would most likely become the face of our organization.”
“I suppose that makes sense” says Superman “Though I would hope we could still approach her at some point. Who else is in this group so far, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“We’ve got Green Arrow, The Atom, Black Canary, Firestorm, and Vixen” rattles off Barry.
“Though we’re not telling you their real names” adds Hal.
“I'd hope not” says Superman “So, how exactly are we going to about staying in contact with each other?”
“Well–” begins Flash, but suddenly, Superman hears a highway bridge start to collapse.
“Hold that thought a moment” says Superman “I’ll be right back.”
“Want us to come with?” asks Green Lantern.
Superman is taken aback by the question for an instant.
Then he smiles. Because he doesn’t have to save the world alone anymore.
“Sure, let’s move.”