Chapter 35

Location: Hammer Tech Development Facility, Smallville, Kansas - 2003

The next day Apollo was taking his mind off of things by working with Justin. Chloe, Skye and Pete were also taking it easy and playing it safe as they waited to see the reaction to their story. Apollo was at Justin's research and development centre. The Hammer Tech facility was a sprawling, high-tech wonderland filled with cutting-edge projects in various stages of development. Engineers and scientists moved around the massive lab, adjusting components, fine-tuning machines, and arguing over data readouts.

At the center of it all, Apollo and Justin Hammer stand at a workstation, staring at a sleek, next-generation bio-scanner hovering in holographic projection. Apollo, dressed in his usual flannel and jeans studies the readout with quiet focus. Justin, ever the showman, leans against the table, gesturing animatedly as he talks.

"Alright, let's start with the biggest headache—false positives. This thing keeps flagging normal people as genetic anomalies. Makes us look like idiots. I say we loosen the criteria, widen the parameters a bit" Justin said.

Apollo shakes his head, arms crossed.

"That's just going to make the scanner less accurate. The issue isn't with the machine—it's with the dataset. Your algorithm is overfitting. If we refine the parameters and use a broader genetic baseline for comparison, we can reduce the margin of error without compromising precision" Apollo told him causing Justin to raise an eyebrow.

"Sounds fancy. What's the catch?" Justin asked.

"It takes time to process. The reason you're getting false positives is because you're rushing the calculations. Give it a few extra seconds per scan, and you'll get results that actually mean something" Apollo answered.

Justin smirks, wagging a finger.

"Ah, see, that is a problem. You ever been to a hospital, kid? People don't like waiting. You try telling some billionaire donor that his revolutionary new toy takes its sweet time, and suddenly, I'm getting calls about 'efficiency issues.' Investors hate delays" Justin replied.

Apollo sighs recalculating mentally.

"Then streamline the secondary analysis. Keep the initial scan quick, but have a secondary process running in the background for more detailed results. That way, they get an instant readout, and the deeper analysis updates over time" Apollo said.

Justin pauses, then grins.

"Okay, I like that. Fast, but still effective. You really do have the whole 'genius' thing down, huh?" Justin told Apollo.

Apollo shrugs.

"You asked for solutions" Apollo told him bluntly.

Justin chuckles and moves to another schematic, expanding the display to show the machine's power supply.

"Alright, let's tackle another nightmare. This thing sucks up energy like a Stark jet. We're talking two hours of continuous use before it overheats and dies. If I pitch this to the military, they're going to laugh me out of the room" Justin informed him.

Apollo studies the design.

"Because you're using a standard lithium power cell. That's not going to cut it. You need something semi self-replenishing. Try a piezoelectric energy system, combined with a microfusion battery" Apollo says.

Justin whistles clearly impressed.

"Piezoelectric? That's next-gen thinking. But wouldn't that mean reworking the entire power distribution system?" Justin questioned.

"Yeah. But in the long run, it's more stable. Instead of constantly recharging or replacing power cells, the system generates small bursts of energy from motion and environmental factors." Apollo informed Justin and Justin just blinked at him, momentarily speechless.

"Okay, now you're just showing off" Justin said.

Apollo smirks.

"You know, Apollo, I gotta say—I like working with you. Smart, idealistic, and you actually know your stuff. But here's my question—if we actually get this thing working, if we actually change the game… are you ready for the world to use it in ways we can't control?" Justin asked.

Apollo meets his gaze, unwavering.

"That's why we build it right the first time. So it can't be misused" Apollo answered.

Justin leans back against the workstation, arms folded. His expression is unreadable, but there's a glint of admiration behind his usual smugness.

"Alright, boy scout. Let's do it your way" Justin said.

"You know I've never actually been a boy scout" Apollo told him

"Really, I figured you'd have gotten all the badges, definitely at least the helping old ladies cross the road badge" Justin joked and Apollo laughed.

"Nope but hey maybe you can give me a helps spoiled billionaire make his tech work badge" Apollo quipped back and Justin laughed.

"See, this is why I like working with you Apollo you're the only person I know who just treats me like a friend. You don't see my Dad or judge me on my screw ups. And you think big" Justin told him as he put his hand on Apollo's shoulder and smiled at him.

The two shared a friendly moment and Apollo had to admit he was glad that Justin was in his life.

"But let's get real for a sec—none of this means a damn thing if we can't get people to buy in."

Apollo raises an eyebrow.

"You mean investors" Apollo groaned really hating that aspect of the tech world.

"Bingo. Look, I know you're all about doing good for the world and all that, but let me give you a reality check—money makes innovation happen. You don't just build something revolutionary; you sell it. And that means convincing the right people to back it" Justin said.

Apollo folds his arms, his voice firm.

"And what happens when those people use it for the wrong reasons? What's stopping them from turning this scanner into a tool for profiling and targeting?" Apollo questioned.

Justin laughs and leans back against the workstation.

"Nothing. That's the beauty of technology, Apollo. It's all about who controls it. And right now? That's us." Justin told him

Apollo narrows his eyes.

"Then we've got to strip out any potential for tracking or identification beyond medical necessity. No backdoor access, no hidden databases, and no programs scanning for anything outside of disease" Apollo demanded.

Justin strokes his chin, considering.

"Huh. You really don't trust anyone, do you?" Justin asked.

Apollo hesitates.

"I trust people and I believe in humanity I just don't trust some of those in power. I've met enough bullies in my life to know that sometimes the powerful hurt those that aren't as strong or as rich as them instead of protecting and helping them" Apollo answered

A beat of silence passes between them before Justin lets out a chuckle.

"I can't argue with that. Alright then; let's keep at it and make the world a better place together, Boy Scout" Justin said putting out his hand for Apollo to fist bump.

"Let's" Apollo replied smiling as he fist bumped Justin.

He flicks a few settings on the hologram and swipes it away. Then, with a grin, he turns to Apollo and claps him on the shoulder.

"Speaking of making the world a better place—I've got this charity gala coming up. Big names, media, good press. You should come. Bring Skye, too" Justin informed him

Apollo raises an eyebrow.

"Why?" Apollo asked.

"Because like I said before I actually like you, Apollo. You're smart, you keep me on my toes, and you're probably the only guy in this whole company who calls me out when I screw up. Plus, I think you'd enjoy it. It's not all business—good food, fancy drinks, nice exhibits and hey, Skye might have fun dressing up for once."

Apollo smirks.

"You don't think I'd enjoy dressing up?" Apollo jokes.

"Oh, I know it's not your scene, but trust me—it's an event where the more fortunate help the less fortunate. You'll definitely enjoy it" Justin tells him.

Apollo chuckles.

"That does sound affirming" he finally says mulling over the invitation.

"See? And who knows, maybe you'll meet someone interesting. Maybe even a donor who actually cares about doing good instead of just looking good" Justin says.

Apollo thinks for a moment, then nods.

"Alright. We'll come" Apollo tells him agreeing to the invitation.

Justin grins and throws an arm around Apollo's shoulders.

"That's what I'm talking about! It's going to be a hell of a night, Apollo. Trust me."

Apollo shakes his head, amused but wary. A big event like this might draw too much attention to him but Apollo figured it was only one night, nothing too bad could happen right? But even still he wasn't fully confident because with Justin Hammer, nothing is ever just a social event.

Apollo went back to school and checked in on Chloe, Skye and Pete. Skye was in the computer lab and Apollo told her about the gala which she seemed excited to come to. Pete was hanging out playing one on one with Whitney in the gymnasium, showing off to impress some girls. Apollo smiled liking how Pete always bounced back from everything well. He then went to the Torch and checked on Chloe who was updating her wall of weird with stuff on Ted. Apollo walked towards her and then noticed Chloe had a small notebook different from the notepad she usually used for her stories. The notebook was open on her desk and Apollo saw some names on it like a list. A bunch of the names on the list were either rich or powerful people in Smallville.

"Hey Chloe? What's with the list?" Apollo asked and Chloe winced seemingly not realising she had left that notebook out. She rushed from the back room and grabbed it.

"Sorry" Apollo immediately apologised not meaning to pry into his friends' personal life.

"It's fine Apollo. It's just a list of people with power in Smallville that I'm looking into because I believe they're corrupt or hurting people. Ever since what happened with the Mankins I've been on the lookout for stuff like that because the Mankins got away with too much without anybody really doing anything until we got involved" Chloe told him.

Apollo nodded and he agreed. The Mankins truly did get away with too much and even though people had moved on a part of Apollo was still disgusted at how people with power like that could use it to abuse the marginalised sectors of society.

"I was also going through it to see if I could tie any of these people to Ted. Odds are one of them did it seeing as nobody else would have the resources to pull something like this off in Smallville except them" Chloe added.

"Justin's the one you circled? You think it's him?" Apollo questioned feeling defensive of his friend.

"I don't know, I just know Justin's the richest person in Smallville and would have access to medical records and facilities" Chloe told him.

"Justin's not a bad guy, I'm working with him right now and he's just trying to help people" Apollo said.

"I get that but you trust people Apollo. You always believe in them. It's the best thing about you but also the thing that means you wouldn't see if Justin didn't have the best intentions" Chloe honestly told him.

Apollo sighed, he wanted to argue and defend his friend more but he knew Chloe and didn't want to get into a fight about this. Justin was innocent, even if she investigated him nothing bad would turn up.

"Well if that's how you feel then I figure it's a good idea for me to not try and get you invited to Justin's upcoming gala" Apollo joked.

"Yeah I don't think me surrounded by all the people on my list with no proper adult supervision is the brightest idea" Chloe quipped back.

Apollo chuckled.

The two shared a smile before Chloe began packing up her things.

"Well I'm done for the day but I'll see you next week. Tell me how Hammer's gala goes" Chloe said as she shut down her desktop and took her notepad.

"Okay, I'll be there with Skye" Apollo told her and she smiled at him.

"Of course you will, you're always with her" Chloe said. There was an undercurrent to her tone that Apollo couldn't place but he let it go because he knew no matter what Chloe was his friend.

Chloe exited the Torch and Apollo left soon after her heading home.

Apollo arrived home and hugged his Mum and Dad.

The golden hues of sunset stretched across the Kent family farm, the amber light casting long shadows over the wheat fields. A warm breeze rolled through the open land, carrying the scent of tilled earth and fresh crops.

Apollo walked up the dirt path toward the house, his boots crunching against the gravel. His mind was still buzzing from the events of the past day. The Smallville Torch article had gone live that morning, and the fallout was immediate. People were talking, arguing, reacting. Some called it a hoax, others were furious. But Apollo knew better. He had seen what had been done to Ted Grahame.

And he had tried to save him.

He stepped onto the porch, where Jonathan was leaning against one of the support beams, arms crossed in quiet contemplation. Ajak sat at the outdoor dining table, a leather-bound book in front of her, though she wasn't reading. Instead, her golden eyes were fixed on her son.

Sprite, meanwhile, was perched on the table's edge, swinging her legs lazily. She was tossing a small rock in the air, catching it, then tossing it again.

She was the first to break the silence.

"Well, that was an interesting read." She tossed a folded copy of the latest Torch article onto the table.

Apollo exhaled as he unfolded it.

Southside Experiment and Devastation: The Evil Lurking.

The subheading below it read: A Smallville Torch Exclusive by Chloe Sullivan.

Sprite smirked.

"You guys are definitely on someone's hit list" Sprite joked.

Jonathan sighed.

"I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing. You've got a target on your backs now"

Apollo sat down, rubbing his temple.

"We didn't have a choice. This had to be exposed, it was the only way to help the Southside and maybe even help Ted" Apollo argued.

Ajak, calm as ever, studied him. "You believe this will help Ted?"

Apollo hesitated before answering.

"I don't know," he admitted. "But I had to try."

Sprite tilted her head, watching him closely.

"So, is that why you ran off in the middle of the night yesterday? Cause of the article? What's the story there?" Sprite questioned.

Apollo winced, hoping him flying off in the middle of the night had gone unnoticed.

"Sorry, it's just you're not exactly stealthy when you fly off, especially to me"

"Is that what happened son?" Jonathan asked.

"Not exactly" Apollo admitted.

Apollo's fingers tapped against the wooden table.

"Ted's being used, turned into a weapon and last night I heard him. He was at the Southside on another deployment I'm guessing. I found him," he said, voice quieter now.

Jonathan's brows furrowed. "And?"

Apollo exhaled. "I stopped him. I tried to reach him. I told him he wasn't alone, that he didn't have to keep fighting." His jaw clenched. "I thought I was getting through to him, but then… someone called him back."

Ajak's expression darkened slightly. "Someone?"

Apollo nodded. "Whoever's controlling him. He wasn't in control of himself. He wanted to listen… but he couldn't."

Sprite leaned forward. "So, what stopped you from going after him?"

Apollo's gaze shifted downward for a moment before he answered. "A kid."

Jonathan's eyebrows raised slightly. "A kid?"

Apollo nodded. "Ted's attack nearly killed him. But I got to him just in time."

He paused, the memory still fresh in his mind.

"He was terrified. But when I pulled him out of the wreckage, he looked at me like…" He trailed off for a moment before continuing, voice softer. "Like I was more than a person. He looked at me like I was hope."

Ajak's brown eyes studied him closely. "And how did that make you feel?"

Apollo let out a slow and steady breath.

"Enlightening. All the questions I've had in my head were answered. It's like I finally knew what I was meant to be."

Sprite smirked.

"I was wondering when we were going to get here. This is your answer the call moment isn't it. The part in your story where you take that next step?"

Apollo rolled his eyes. "Not everything is a story, Sprite."

She grinned. "Oh, everything is a story. Especially in our family. And yours is just getting started."

Ajak quickly chastised Sprite and she kept quiet although her rising excitement was clear.

Jonathan leaned forward slightly. "You remember when you were ten years old, and I asked you what kind of man you were gonna be?"

The memory came rushing back. That day at Sullivan's garage where Whitney and Kenny tried to provoke him.

Jonathan's voice was steady. "You didn't have an answer then and a few years later when I talked about how strong of a man you were becoming you told me, 'I don't want to just be strong—I want to be good.'" His eyes met Apollo's.

"It seems like you finally have an answer for me. So I'm asking you again, son. What kind of man are you going to be?"

Apollo swallowed.

Jonathan's gaze didn't waver.

"Will you be a man… or a Superman?"

The words hit Apollo like a weight in his chest.

For a long moment, he didn't speak but he had an answer. He knew what he was going to be.

Apollo stood up getting out of his chair and looking at the barn.

Ajak smiled knowingly.

Apollo turned to her hugging her and then looked at his Dad.

"I know what kind of man I'm going to be" Apollo said.

Jonathan smiled.

"Don't tell me son, show me".

Apollo nodded and then walked towards the door he looked at his parents and his sister.

Sprite kicked her legs off the table, grinning.

"This is so dramatic, I love it. I'm going to be telling this story for years"

Apollo exhaled and turned toward the barn.

The wooden doors creaked as he pushed them open. Sunlight streamed through the slats in golden beams, illuminating dust in the air.

Apollo walked to the chest and opened it for the first time since he put the suit back in there.

Apollo pulled out the suit and stared at it.

The deep blue fabric. The retro aviator goggles. The flowing red cape and hood. The gold, black and red crest.

It had been waiting for him.

Apollo reached out, running his fingers over the fabric. It wasn't just a suit. It was a decision.

A decision to be something more.

He'd been saving people all his life, but putting this on meant going from being a good person to being a symbol, something that people could look up to, call out for.

He wouldn't just be Apollo anymore, he'd be a superhero.

He exhaled slowly.

And then, for the first time, Apollo Kent put on the suit.

The Kent farm sat in peaceful silence, bathed in the deep orange glow of the setting sun.

Apollo slowly walked out of the barn and stood to face his family while wearing the suit for the first time.

The fabric of his new suit was snug against his skin. The cape rested over and down his shoulders while it billowed in the wind. Combined with the red hood attached to the cape that he had pulled up to shroud his face, it felt and looked more like a deep red cloak. The shaded retro aviator goggles he wore didn't feel that great but they completely covered his eyes. He flexed his fingers, rolling his shoulders slightly, getting used to the feeling of the suit.

His mother had made it for him, waiting for the moment he was ready.

And now, he was.

"How do I look?" Apollo asked.

"Like a hero" Ajak replied proudly.

Then the quiet hum of the farm was suddenly shattered.

BOOM.

A distant explosion rumbled through the air. Apollo's head snapped up, his senses sharpening.

A voice—panicked, desperate.

"Somebody help—!"

Apollo's enhanced hearing locked onto it. The voice was familiar.

Justin Hammer.

Jonathan looked at his son recognising the look he got whenever he heard danger far away.

"Apollo?"

Apollo's jaw tightened not expecting to have to use the suit already.

"I have to go."

Ajak stepped forward, her golden eyes full of warmth and certainty. "Then go, my son."

Apollo nodded then crouched down putting his fist on the ground. The rocks on the ground swirled around him and Apollo looked up into the sky.

"Up, up and away" Jonathan told him repeating the words he told him the day he helped him learn to fly.

"Up, up and away" Apollo said back to his Dad a smile on his face.

And with that, Apollo launched into the sky.

The air ripped around him as he accelerated, the ground vanishing beneath him in an instant. His cape billowed behind him, his body cutting through the wind like a missile. The town of Smallville blurred below as he shot toward the industrial district where Justin Hammer's private facility sat.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Please give your review and comments.

Also read Superman(Marvel+DC) and Marvel: Hyperion.