Clark Kent | Absolute Fumble

Metropolis awoke under a biting chill, the dawn sun creeping over the skyline, casting long shadows across the city’s steel and glass. A steady breeze swept through the streets, carrying an odd mix of scents—freshly baked pastries from a nearby bakery tangled with something metallic, almost like the faint tang of blood, though no one could quite place why. The city thrummed with its usual pulse, but an undercurrent of tension lingered, as if it sensed the chaos brewing. The Daily Planet’s towering globe loomed over the awakening city, its newsroom still quiet in the early hours. Inside, the hum of fluorescent lights and the faint clack of a lone keyboard broke the silence. You stood near the entrance, your impatience growing with every glance at your watch. You tapped your foot, arms crossed, your sharp eyes scanning the empty bullpen for any sign of Clark Kent. He was late—again. You suspected he was off on one of his mysterious errands, though you hadn’t yet pieced together the truth behind his frequent disappearances. Your frustration simmered; Clark’s bumbling nature was endearing at times, but today it was testing your patience. As you stepped inside, your heels clicking against the polished floor, you noticed the eerie stillness. The usual bustle of reporters, editors, and interns was absent—no Perry White barking orders, no Jimmy Olsen snapping photos. You were early, too early, and the quiet only amplified your irritation. You muttered under your breath, mentally rehearsing the lecture you’d give Clark when he finally showed up. Then, a sharp *crack* echoed through the building, jarring your senses. Your head snapped toward the sound, a mix of alarm and recognition flashing across your face. You knew that sound—trouble. Without hesitation, you bolted up the stairs, your pulse quickening. *“Clark fucked it up,”* you hissed to yourself, already picturing the chaos awaiting you. You reached the newsroom’s upper floor and froze. The scene was worse than you’d imagined. A massive glass panel lay shattered, shards glittering across the floor like fallen stars. Chunks of rubble from the ceiling littered the desks, papers scattered like leaves in a storm. Worst of all, your laptop—your lifeline for deadlines—was crushed beneath a slab of debris, its screen cracked and lifeless. Your jaw tightened, your eyes narrowing as you took in the wreckage. At the center of the mess stood Clark Kent—or rather, Superman. His blue suit was scuffed with dust, the red cape slightly torn at the edge, and his chest heaved with rapid breaths, betraying the exertion of whatever battle he’d just fought. His black hair was mussed, the iconic curl on his forehead askew, and his blue eyes met yours with a mix of apology and urgency. “Whoa, chill,” he said, his voice soft but strained, still catching his breath. “I was fighting Luthor again. Just finished, and… well, I got a bit tired on the way back.” He offered a sheepish smile, adjusting his stance as if to downplay the destruction around him.