Chapter 3

DC

Marvel

The Newest Marvel

*** Freedom Four Plaza ***

Not much happened after Clark helped the New Avengers stem the tie of escapee prisoners at the Raft. He still continued his patrol as Cobalt after hours. He hated to admit it but most of the big time superheroes, like the Avengers kept a daytime schedule. Being who he was, working a 9 to 5 job he could actually help out during the evening time. As expected a lot of petty crime happened at night but super villains were far and fewer in between.

'Guess even bad guys need to sleep,' Clark bemusedly thought to himself. As he sat at his workspace lost in thoughts.

"Are you done with the data yet Kent?" a harsh male voice sounded over his head.

Clark was startled and turned in surprise to see his supervisor, an old crotchety man name Smiths glaring at him.

"Ye-yes sir," Clark replied as he handle a folder over to him. Clark watched as the old man flip through the pages and without so much as a thank you he 'harmph' and turn away, his prey a mousy looking man that in the next station over.

"Don't let him get to you Clark," a smooth female voice sounded next to his ears, making the true Last Son of Krypton turn around quickly. Again.

"Mrs Richards!" Clark blinked at seeing Susan Storm down here and stood up in the presence of the heroine. He looked over at his workstation and felt sheepish about the mess. Lab equipment and papers were everywhere.

"It's okay, I've seen worse from Reed," Sue commented as if reading his thoughts with bemused eyes.

"Speaking of, Reed was very impressed with your calculation on the Negative Zone energy requirements, he said he couldn't have done it better himself and would like to meet you one day. Not only that, but he was more impressed with your prose and how your frame it. Most scientist writing, hand or otherwise are usually atrocious."

Clark smiled a bit as his journalist skilled impressing the man but swallowed as the last thing he wanted was to be on Reed Richards radar!

"Are you here to-"

"No," Sue Storm answered with a smile. "No I decided to come down here and visit the 'grunts' as Johnny like to call you guys."

Clark had to smile at that, he met Johnny both as Clark and Cobalt, the man was almost like Barry or Oliver in a way. Just an all around fun guy to be around.

"Surely you didn't come down here among the grunts just to tell me that?"

Sue gave a small smile and shrug her shoulders. Clark had to admit, the woman despite having two kids was still a knock out. Must have been the Gamma rays.

"Well, not quite, you see Reed is starting work on a NEW pet project, one that has to do with unstable molecules, and he suggested we draft a few talented individuals from the Farm to help speed up the process."

Clark was a bit surprise by the offer, however, he was never really scientifically minded like a lot of people here. When he was his old self, it was simply a means to become a Super-Hero, now that he got his powers back, it's just a day job. Much like his Daily Planet job, a cover so to speak.

"I-ah, appreciate the offer but can you tell Mr. Richar-"

"Just think it over," Sue cut in with a kind smile. "Just remember the people that worked directly with Reed are far and few in between, this is a chance that a lot of your colleague here would kill for."

With that the only female member of the Fantastic Four walked away from his desk. Clark looked around to see envious glare for his fellow male co-workers. Glares directed at him. He could only give a halfhearted smile as he spread his arms out helplessly.

Looking down at his watch he noticed that it was close to twelve in the afternoon. He quickly logged out of his work station and head off to lunch.

*** Central Manhattan***

Clark bite into his sandwich and gazed at the city at went on with it's life. He was currently in his favorite diner, an out of the way place if he was to be frank. New York here felt more like the Metropolis of his world and Gotham combine. It was such a striking dichotomy against the two mood of the city that he couldn't help but marvel at how it could co-exist so well.

"More coffee?"

Clark glance up at the young waitress that was giving him a flirty look before he nodded affirmative.

"New watch I see, and a bit more fancy looking than the last one to boot."

"The last one broke, this one should be better," Clark replied as he gave a helpless look, to which the waitress giggle before going on to serve the other customer.

Clark eyes fell onto his 'watch' and smiled at it. In a way, this watch is what makes him literally human as it was a piece of tech that injected red solar energies into his blood stream. It was also the very same thing that help him mask his kryptonian biology.

With a deep sigh, Clark lament at not having the resources of the Justice League, or in particular, Bruce to help him figure out how it is scientifically possible for him to have two different biological system? In a ways what happened to him reminded him of Billy own powers. Inject him with red solar radiation, and after a while he turn back into a biological human down to the DNA. Take it off and he instantly became Kryptonian. The blood sample that he took, one easily with a needle, the other harder by biting his fingers until it bled showed it.

The two DNA side by side taken from the same person, one human for sure, the second alien in nature stumped him. The amazing thing is that even with the red solar energy on him, his body was still absorbing the yellow sun energies greedily. Clark imagine in a couple of years he would be back to what he was before he died back in his original Earth.

A sudden crack from the dishes startled Clark out of his thoughts as he saw his waitress looking at the T.V in horror. A quick glance showed him that she was not the only one as the other patron were looking on T.V in horror.

A moment later the television was turned on louder and Clark too felt sick to his stomach.

"-vengers are on the scene in what can only be describe as a national tragedy in Stamford, Connecticut as the number of dead children are still being counted. The question to ask now was why would the New Warriors left unsupervised for so long and where would the next tragedy happen next?"

Clark did not know why but his instinct told him that this has spark something big, something that would have deep repercussion.

*** Night time, New York ***

There was a weird air in the city tonight and Clark felt it as he began his patrol as Cobalt. What happened in Stamford was a horrible but it should not paint the rest of the superheroes in that same light. Yet it did on some level. Where was the older heroes to reign in the younger ones most have asked.

In the distance Clark could see Stark Tower lit up and many superheroes flying into the uppermost level with his enhanced vision. There seem to be a very big discussion on what happened and he could understand why. It was one thing if the children had died if the New Warrior had actually been fighting Nitro seriously, but to do it all for a reality television series?

That made the regular people feel as if they were the playthings of the heroes, that civilians were simply the collateral damages while gods battled demons.

"Help!"

Clark enhance hearing picked up the plead and made a bee line for the distress voice. Immediately he came upon a late night shop being robbed at gun point by a low level villain, the Trapper or something. He was a glue type super villain that had said glue gun aim at the store manager. Immediately, raised his hand and fired his heat vision. He was able to build a crystal web way in his suit that help him funnel the heat vision energy into any part of his body that he wanted.

The glue gun of the Trapper was melted right away before he turned to look at Clark in horror. Dropping the bag of money he was holding he made to run for it but was stop the moment he exited as a web line stuck onto his shirt and yanked him upward.

"Augggh!" Trapper screamed at being pulled up so quickly.

"Seriously Trapper, you gonna go and do it now? What everything going on? Not to bright are you?"

Spider-Man said in an exasperated tone before the villain was knocked out by his extended arm. Looking around the wall-crawler gave a thumbs up and began to web up the villain for the police as usual.

"And there you go, nice and neat for the police."

"Thank you Spider-Man! Thank you!" the owner of the store thanked the spider-hero profusely.

"All part of the job of your friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man!" Spider-man gave a thumbs up to the shop keep but he could feel several hostile eyes on him.

"Spidey," Clark flew over but made sure to turn on his voice modulator as he easily kept pace with the famous hero.

"Hey! Big Blue, what ya doing here?" Spider-Man greeted, the tone in his voice felt stressed but genuinely happy to see him at the same time.

Clark has to smirk at how close to the mark Spider-Man had by calling him Big Blue still he was curious about what's going on with the Avengers and sought some insider information.

"You're not meeting with the Avengers? I saw a lot of them gathering at Stark Tower."

Spider-Man body tensed up for a bit before he continued on casually.

"Kept an eye out did ya? Can't blame you, not after what happened."

Clark and Spider-Man shared a moment of silence before he decided to prod for information.

"So any idea what's going on? You are a big time Avengers last I check while I am just a lowly street hero, any crumbs from your table?"

Spider-Man scoffed at the banter and Clark could feel the masked hero eyes rolling. "Hey, you're the one that turned down Cap invitation to join. Should have said yes, it's damn nice in Stark Tower, and Friday is casual day!"

Clark had to rolled his eyes, this was not the first time Spider-Man rebuked him for not joining the Avengers.

"Two mechanical suit heroes would just clash with one another," Clark rebutted in an amused tone.

"And it'd be tacky."

"What?! Are you trying to say something? Did you forget there are TWO, count em TWO Spider theme heroes in the Avengers?"

Spider-Man sounded indignant but there was no heat to it.

"Doesn't count, she's a woman, a very fine example of one judging from the suit she wears," Clark replied honestly. And it was true too, as a civilian, the girls roster of the Avengers visited his fantasy MANY times.

"Hey hey hey! Colby! That's my work wife you're talking about there!" Spider-Man feigned outrage before the two shared a laugh.

The two patrolled for a bit more foiling three more robbery and two mugging before stopping on top of a building.

"Slow night," Clark observed as Spider-Man began to eat a hotdog and drink his soda.

"Yeah, Stamford is still on everyone mind, criminals too I guess," Spider-Man replied through half chewed bites.

"Yeah.."

The two shared a moment of peaceful silence before a beep went off, the sound originated from Spider-Man wrist. The masked heroes turned to look at Clark before he tapped it.

"Spidey here, got company here just to let you know."

That was code for don't spill any secret identities Clark deduced.

"Right, we need you back at Avengers Tower, Cap's he... look, just make your way here pronto." The voice of the fame Tony Stark told the web-warrior.

"Alright, on my way then."

"Tell Cobalt I said hi, Tony out."

"How did he-" Spider-Man looked at his wrist communicator in astonishment before he chuckled rudely. He stood up and stretched a bit look toward the fame tower.

"Well, looks like it's just you in the street for now, I'll promise to come back soon to back you up."

"Sure, go back to your ivory tower while us plebs do all the grunt work," Clark good-naturedly ribbed his friend.

"Ugh! No appreciation I tell you!" Spider-Man quipped before he shot a web line and swung toward the direction of Stark Tower.

Clark watch his friend leave before moving his eyes up to Avengers Towers. There was a feeling of uneasiness in his gut and he didn't quite know why.

*** Freedom Four Plaza A Week Later ***

The atmosphere changed in the Baxter building. He didn't know what and would not be able to put his hand on it if he tried, but something big was going on. He saw Susan Storm and Reed Richards in what looked to be argument. Same with Johnny and the Thing. Reed Richard himself had come down to grab people from the farm to interviewed. No one was spared, not even him.

What do you think of the current way the Superhero do business?

Do you feel neglected when heroes battle?

Are you being properly talked to after a superhero battle? If so, by who?

On and on those type of question went, whatever it was his answers were not to Reed Richards liking and thus he remained in the farm. Those that passed were taken by the fame hero to work on a secret project.

"Oh no," Mary Ann, Clark co-worker and on and off fling, gasped as she checked her smart phone.

Clark took out his own smart phone and looked at the latest headline. A moment later his eyes widen in shock.

-CAPTAIN AMERICA WANTED FUGITIVE! CONGRESS PASSES SUPERHERO REGISTRATION ACT!-

Superheroes are now required to registered themselves with their real identities or be placed under arrest. Captain America and those that support him are considered traitors if they do not signed on by 12 AM Eastern time.

"My god..." Clark muttered as he realized just how bad this would get. The heroes were going to war against one another of that he was certain. Having had his identity exposed he knew how bad it could get for close friends and family.

Clark read some more and found the name of Superhero who had already registered and some who are not afraid of having their real name exposed. It was one name in particular that shocked him.

Ms. Marvel- Carol Danvers

'Carol?! She was Ms. Marvel?!' Clark thought in amazement. For a moment he flashed back to their prom night before he shook his head.

On and on he read the list. Some were listed as registered but their identity was still secret but Clark knew more than anyone that wherever that list was it could be compromised. He scanned some more but did not see anyone else he knew.

"Alright folks, word from Reed Richard is that the farm will be temporarily be shut down in the mean time until the Superhero Registration act is enforce and all dissidents round up. You will be paid of course, but don't expect it to take too long."

Dr. Smiths, the group leader announced. A moment later the remaining people of the Farm which was half of the staff looked at each other in bewilderment.

"What do you think will happen Clark?" Mary Ann, the bombshell blonde asked as she walked side by side with him.

"Nothing good, Mary Ann, nothing good."

The two left together and arrived at Clark's apartment, both eager to watch the news to see what would happen. Clark looked at the countdown on the news network for Superheroes to registered or promises of registering. Reed Richards was among them, as was Susan Storm-Richards. Johnny Storm, Bishop a mutant, and other mutants. Even Jean Grey, his old childhood friend was listed as registered.

As it got closer to 12 AM, it became painfully obvious that several key members in the Avengers did not registered and might never. Captain America was the obvious one, but Spider-Woman was a surprise, he always thought she was friends with Ms. Marvel. Power Man was another.

It was almost 12 before the news went live to in front of Avengers Tower. Clark sat up straight as he saw his friend Spider-Man standing side by side with Tony Stark in his Iron-Man armor. Then the unthinkable happened. Spider-Man took off his mask.

"Don't do it..." Clark whispered wehter to Spider-Man or himself he did not know.

'My name is Peter Parker and I've been Spider-Man since I was 15 years old.'

Clark watched as the reporters was stunned into silence before erupting in chaos. Clark eyes moved from the T.V to the view outside of New York. Should he join a side? If so, which one?

To Be Continued.