Bang!
The Cosmic Scepter struck Icicle's arm, and a burst of radiant light erupted. Ice shattered with a sharp crack, sending Icicle tumbling backward from the force.
"Beautiful!" Courtney exclaimed, seizing the Star Scepter. Light coursed through her, and her wounds rapidly healed.
She leaped to her feet, letting the Scepter carry her out of the hospital room. Though eager to fight, she considered the risk to other patients. She jumped through the window, preparing to confront Icicle outside.
Icicle, gritting his teeth, rose and gave chase. On the hospital rooftop, Courtney unleashed an energy blast from the Star Scepter. Yet Icicle, leader of the Injustice Society, was no ordinary adversary.
He countered with a wall of ice, freezing Courtney's feet. Panic surged as her attack was deflected. A gust of frigid air knocked the Scepter from her grasp. Helpless, she watched her weapon slip away.
Thud! Pat descended in his robot, landing heavily on the rooftop.
"Courtney, step back! You're not fully healed," his voice echoed from inside the suit.
"I can fight now. The Star Scepter is mine," she insisted.
"No, you can't. You can't even hold it properly yet," Pat warned.
Icicle extended his palm, preparing another strike, but the noise of the crowd below made him pause. Muttering to himself, he stepped back and vanished into the night.
With Pat's aid, Courtney freed herself from the ice, retrieving the Scepter—but it slipped again, transforming into a streak of light.
Adrian, hovering above, caught the flying Scepter. His crimson eyes flashed, ready to unleash Heat Vision on Icicle. Yet when he observed a high school boy welcoming Icicle inside his home, Adrian restrained himself.
"Joey, huh? The son of the Injustice Society's boss," he muttered. "A warm family life, yet still out causing chaos. Impressive dedication."
Adrian let it slide. Crushing Icicle now would be too simple. He preferred to let him lure the rest of the Injustice Society out.
Inside the house, Joey greeted his father, who had shed his disguise.
"You're late, Dad," Joey said, presenting dinner.
"Delayed by private matters. You didn't sneak food, did you?" Icicle replied, ruffling his son's hair.
"Of course not," Joey shrugged.
"Good. Come here," Icicle said, embracing him. He glanced skyward briefly, seeing only darkness, then withdrew his gaze.
---
On the hospital rooftop, Courtney pouted at Pat.
"He took my Staff again!"
Pat's voice, distorted by electronics, reassured her, "He can control the Star Scepter at will. Even you can't fight him yet."
Regret gnawed at Courtney. "I should have just told him who I was…"
Before she could continue, Adrian appeared. Startled, Courtney instinctively covered her mouth.
"I mean, I should have knocked Icicle out directly!" she admitted, embarrassed. Despite her resentment, she felt gratitude toward Adrian. He had taken her Star Scepter but also saved her twice, making her admiration complicated.
"You're no match for him," Adrian said coldly. "I can lend you the Star Scepter, Stargirl."
"Ahem, actually, I'm Stargirl. But… you're giving it back?" she asked, surprised.
"Yes. You need it to find Clark Kent. Once you do, I'll consider a longer loan."
Determined, Courtney nodded. "I'll complete the mission."
She glanced at Pat and added cautiously, "Could you… maybe teach me? You understand the Scepter better than I do."
"Courtney!" Pat finally interrupted, controlling the robot. "Stop reading those romance novels!"
Eric shook his head at the family drama, turning to leave. The Star Scepter was now a tool to track Clark, while also keeping an eye on Courtney.
---
Three days later, in Metropolis.
Clark, wearing sunglasses, entered an ATM room. He used Heat Vision to destroy every camera, then smashed the ATMs, taking the cash with ease. His prepared bag bulged with green U.S. bills.
He then walked to a luxury car dealership, bag in hand. Pointing to a silver convertible, he asked the saleswoman its price.
"$300,000, sir," she replied, glancing at the bulging backpack.
"Not expensive," Clark said, revealing the cash. The car sped off with a saleswoman in tow toward a lavish nightclub.
Inside, Clark chatted with her over drinks, letting the music and atmosphere distract him from his troubles.
Yet, when he glanced at the Daily Planet lying nearby, a headline caught his eye: Lex Luthor had vanished in a plane crash during his honeymoon.
Flipping to the next page, Clark saw a familiar face—Adrian! The article highlighted how Adrian's Cthulhu-inspired book was becoming a public sensation, leading a new trend in horror literature.
"I've read it too," the woman commented, eyeing the article. "But his writing… it's unsettling."
Hearing his brother called "disgusting," Clark's eyes flashed red. "Watch your tone," he warned, gripping her wrist.
"Hey! You're hurting me!" she exclaimed, freeing herself.
Clark shrugged, tossing her a tip, and left the bar, still holding the newspaper. Adrian wasn't disgusting; he and Clark shared a superhuman intellect beyond ordinary comprehension.
With his funds dwindling and the sports car gone, Clark's mind turned toward tomorrow's spending problem—or… robbing a bank.
_____
Drop reviews so this book can reach others
Bonus chapters if we reach a certain milestone
Unlock Exclusive Early Access
Become a patron today and enjoy chapters before anyone else.
Support the story and join the journey: Patreon.com/Zphyr