"You know, I still can't believe you two met already. Hahaha. It's like were destined to do business, kid. You and me, we're gonna go far. After all, we all know that you're the real deal and those knock-offs are just that. Phonies. Wannabe's biting your style like a pack of ankle biters." Rex enthusiastically talks a mouthful to the hero riding in the backseat of his car, the trio currently on their way to a talk show facility.

  "No kidding. Plus, you're pretty good lookin', flyboy. You wouldn't happen to have a girlfriend, would ya?" Roxy, the blonde who's riding shotgun asks while grinning over her shoulder.

  "A girlfriend...? Well..." He trails off while momentarily adverting his eyes toward the window beside him. Through the various media he's seen, he does indeed know what she means, but the question takes a bit of thought. He isn't dating anyone, but he does recall the concept of 'bad boy' types being the bane of father's existence from the media he's consumed, and doesn't want to possibly upset Rex.

  "Oh, come on, Roxy. Don't go putting moves on our superstar. We need him focused. Besides, you know dating a super can be dangerous. I don't wanna see ya tied up in some loony's secret lair." Rex chimes in during Connor's pause.

  "Relax, pops. I ain't flirting. Yet. Just askin' the important questions, is all. But whatevs... We'll talk more later when all this business stuff is done." The blonde responds and then settles back into her seat. Peace and quiet joins the ride for the rest of the trip from then on out.

  [ 25 minutes later-- ]

  "Welcome back to yet another exciting afternoon of our favorite talk-show, Kelly-Kelly! Believe it or not, we have a very special guest with us this time. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to one of the brave guys keeping an eye out for us from the skies - and especially one who can really rock a swanky leather jacket - Superman!" The blonde hostess addresses the crowd and camera before turning her head and gesturing toward the young man sitting six feet away from her on stage. Connor follows the advice given to him by Rex and waves at the cheering and wooing crowd with a grin.

  "I'm grateful for you allowing me to be here with you today." Connor expresses his gratitude just as the crowd settles down.

  "No problem at all! So, how about we get right into it, then? There's some things I'd like to know about a handsome guy such as yourself, and I'm sure everyone else here and viewing from home are dying to know more about you, too. You look rather young. How long have you been Superman for?" The hostess asks while leaning forward in her seat.

  "I believe it's been nearly five months now since I've started." The clone answers.

  "Oh? So you're still a bit green, huh? Interesting! So what's your connection to the former Superman? You kind of have his face... You two relatives?"

  "No, but I suppose you technically could make that argument. I'm actually his clone." Connor clarifies with a casual tone. The hostess' eyes light up and blink several times as if she couldn't quite process such a thing.

  "...Clone? Like... Sci-fi biologically engineered sort of thing? Can you elaborate on that further for us?" She asks while tilting her head slightly.

  "Sure, if you wish. I am a being who was given life through the science of cloning. My one and only purpose to replace my predecessor, who held the name 'Superman' before me. I've been given I could possibly need to continue on where he left off. Power, knowledge of his adversaries, adaptability, and the drive to fight crime."

  "Wow... I'm not quite sure what to say here, except it wasn't anything close to what I was expecting to hear. I guess this means technology is advancing faster than everyday folk like us realizes. " The hostess comments just before a roaring 'BOOOOM !' erupts from a distance outside. The explosion is enough to send a small quiver through the floor and startle everyone inside the studio.

  "What in the world was that just now!?" The hostess exclaims as she jumps out of her seat.

  "A police chase in the sky, and they're dishing on some heat! " Superman answers while also standing. His eyes adopt a vibrant color of monochrome - a physical change that signifies the usage of his x-ray vision - as he looks up at and through the ceiling. He spares a brief moment to look over his shoulder and at Kelly.

  "No worries, ma'am. Superman's got this." He assures, flashing a pearly white toothy grin and giving a thumbs up. Then in the next millisecond, he takes off within a gust inducing blur. He travels through building and makes his way out of one of its exits. Outside, he doesn't hesitate at all to launch toward the sky like a rocket and curves mid flight to head right for the helicopter chase taking place.

  "C'mon, c'mon! Use all them rockets, boys! No point in saving 'em!" The pilot exclaims to his peers in the back, who're in the middle of loading the two rocket launchers they have onboard with more ammunition.

  "Yeah, yeah, we know! You just focus on keeping this thing steady." One of the men with a ski mask on retorts as he sets up to lean out of the side of the vehicle and take aim. On the opposite side, another peer does the same.

  FWOOOSH. . . BOOOM ! The first rocket is shot, which the MPD's copter just barely manages to sway out of the way of. And just as the officer and pilot were adjusting to fly straight again, a second rocket goes flying with perfect trajectory. Another fiery explosion goes off just it appears the rocket makes contact.

  "Hell yeah! Direct hit!" One of the men cheers. Though, the celebration is short lived once realization that not only was the police helicopter was still flying, but someone was flying in front of it. A figure in black, in fact. But speculation could be thrown around among themselves, that figure abruptly accelerates and closes the distance with ease. Both gunmen retreat once an intervention in their plan arrives. One being none other than Connor - the other? The one who simultaneously boards the aircraft from the opposite side? Not a clue. The individual appears to be a man made entirely of steel with a flowing red cape on his back and a large hammer in one of his hands.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Who are you!?" / "Who are you!?"

  "Me?" / "Me?"

  "This little act isn't as amusing as you think it is..." / "Kid, get serious, will you?" Connor and the steel man address one another in perfect synchronization. Just until their third attempt at communicating.

  "What did you say?" / "What did you say?" Once more, the two speak in unintentional unity. Meanwhile the three criminals in masks look upon them in sheer confusion. The two heroes bearing A large bold 'S' on their chests step further inside to approach each other. At the center , the height difference between them become VERY apparent. The metal stranger standing at 6'7, while Connor glares up at him from his height of 5'11.

  "This isn't some make-believe game, son. You wearing that symbol means carrying a very heavy burden and responsibility." The towering hero informs the clone, emphasizing a bit by pointing at the crest behind Connor's open leather jacket.

  "There's no need for concern, citizen... I'm Superman. THE Superman, and I'm here to protect Metropolis. Why don't you go home and retire? I've got this under control." The clone confidently retorts while pointing a thumb at himself.

  "H-hey... What the heck is going on back there!?" The pilot shouts from the front. Meanwhile, the Metallic features of the metal's face somehow shift to adopt an expression of confusion - the man was bizarrely arching a brow at Connor.

  "YOU? Get real, kid... You just seem like another punk to me. Besides... I'm pretty sure the REAL Superman was way taller than what you are. Can you even look ANYONE in the Justice League eye-to-eye?" Comes the silver hero's mocking retort.

  "I'm taller than the average male. I'm not short, you're just freakishly tall!" Connor counters while pointing an accusing finger at the other.

  "He kind of has a point, ya know... You ain't exactly what I'd Superman to look like. Ya seem more like a... Super-teen to me." The criminal sitting to the left of Connor comments before shrugging his shoulders.

  "Well get over it! I'm Superman now, and all of you are just gonna have to suck it up!!" The clone aggressively asserts with a urban-like shift in his cadence, inspiration drawn from the media he's been consuming and Rex's advice to assert himself.

  "Screw this! You think you're a hotshot, kid? Let's see if you eat lead, then!" The masked man at the flank of the towering hero exclaims just before whipping out a pistol and pulling the trigger without any hesitation at all. Bang-bang-bang! All three rounds bounce off the young man's body like rubber, though the third ends up ricocheting inside the helicopter. The men in mask duck and cover themselves as the bullet bounces off several angles before a sudden "ACK!" could be heard from the cockpit. Rather immediately, the aircraft begins flying sloppily.

  "Oh, God! What did you do!?"

  "You Goddamn maniac! Now we're going to die!" The two other accomplices shout at their peer who was responsible for the mishap.

  "I'll bring it down safely!" Connor shouts over the roaring blades before leaping out of the spinning vehicle. While the other does what he can to prevent the others from falling out, the kryptonian flies to the underbelly of the aircraft and extends his hands above his head to grab at it, abruptly putting an end to its wild spinning before use his strength to dominate its momentum. A moment later, the artificial youth gently brings the flying vessel down to a nearby rooftop and gently sets it down near the center. Not too far behind at all, the MPD 'copter was already on its way to join them. During the minor wait, the two heroes take the time to disarm the criminals and get them out. Including the fourth, who happens to be the pilot. Sadly, Connor ends up carrying out a lifeless corpse.

  "No, Jeremy... You gotta' be kidding me! He's not dead, is he?" One of the masked men questions with horror in his voice as the kryptonian carefully sets the body down.

  "...I hear no heartbeat. Hnn... I suppose it's no surprise. The bullet.... is lodged inside his heart." The clone stoically explains after using his x-ray vision to examine the body. An answer that draws despair from the other three, especially the one who was responsible for pulling the trigger.

  "No, no, no... No--no-no! God, no! I swear I didn't... It wasn't... I just thought..." The man struggles to find the words to express his thoughts and grief.

  "I'm sorry... This isn't the outcome I wanted, either." The metallic hero comments with sympathy behind his tone. Nonetheless, weeping soon follows.

  "I grew up with that guy! He was like a family member to me! And now... and now....I took him away from his wife and kids." The man let's out his inner thoughts, allowing his grief to spill out via his words and the single shed of tear that rolls down his cheek. A display that tugs at something within Connor.

  [ This is... strange. I wasn't the one responsible for this, but yet I feel... like the direct cause. I don't owe these criminals an apology. They were more than prepared to take the lives of others... I owe them no sympathy or consideration. Still... Still, it feels like a small hole is being burned through my sternum. ]

  Minutes pass and the criminals are taken away, including the body that was taken on a separate helicopter. Connor watches it until it's far off into the distance.

  "The name's Steel, by the way."

  "Huh?" Taken aback, the clone shifts his attention toward the towering man nearby.

  "I go by Steel. And, I just want to say... I'm not here to make a competition out of this. You know... Saving lives and fighting crime. You're definitely the real deal in some way, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to stop now. I'm doing this because I care."

  "But... Are you even kryptonian? You're not worried about the dangers of taking on danger?" Connor asks while arching a brow.

  "No, I'm not. And I'm aware of the risks. I'm prepared to face them head-on. Superman always fought tooth and nail for us. No matter how tough it got, he just wouldn't give up. Not even on that dark day. I feel like it's time for more capable people to step up and fill in the void." Steel explains.

  "You mean Dooms Day? That monstrosity is far beyond any earthly measures of defense. Are you prepared to face something like that should the need arise?" Connor questions with a solemn frown.

  "Most likely not, but I am willing to try. For me, it's not about replacing Superman. It's about lending a hand whenever I can. I'm never going to claim to be the strongest guy in the world, or compare myself to big blue, but I do want help upkeep the hopeful future he secured for us all. That's all that matters to me. I don't really care if someone takes up his name. BUT... I would hope it's someone who understands what he represented at least."

  "Does it truly matter what he represented? Don't you think the only thing that matters is getting results?"

  "Getting results is important, but it shouldn't come at the cost of assassinating what that symbol on your chest means. Otherwise, what's even the point of wearing it?" Steel rhetorically asks.

  "Well, I'm not him. I'm his clone. Even so, there are differences between he and I that I cannot deny. Maybe it's time for the meaning of this symbol to change, too. I can represent it MY way." The kryptonian responds while placing a hand over his chest, gesturing at the 'S' on his torso.

  "Huh... Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. " Steel comments as he leans his hammer against his broad shoulder.

  "Look, kid... I can't make you do anything, but I hope you understand that his legacy deserves respect. That's all I'm going to say on the matter. I gotta' go, alright? Just be smart about how you handle situations." And with that, Steel makes his way toward the edge of the rooftop and takes off via the rockets under the soles of his metal feet, heading off toward to take his leave. The clone nonchalantly watches as he fades into the distance.