Who: Clark Kent, aka Superman When: Afternoon Where: Around the world What: Rescues Rating: Low Status: Narrative; Complete
Clark had been scouting out the place, the city he lived in called Angel Grove, which was much like any other American city. So, there had been a lot of time spent in the library. Looking at old newspaper editions, as well as computer internet archives. He had noticed a number of references to the same thing, usually when there had been serious attacks similar to those he and his own team had faced. Two words he had seen mentioned over his reading searches: Power Rangers. Was it another group of superheroes? The few diagrams and descriptions spoke of costumes, a color theme. But nothing detailed on the members. Which he had expected, the names of his own team's civilian identities wouldn't be revealed in the press either. He wondered if they were still present, he was curious about contacting them with a deal. He could assist in taking down major threats. Especially if they were as bad or worse than what he'd faced with General Zod or Darkseid.
Just sending out a message didn't seem the way. He may get somewhere with it, maybe a response, but most likely he wouldn't get anything concrete. So maybe actions would be the better course of action. As the saying goes, actions often speaks louder than words. But that wasn't the only reason he decided to get back into the hero business here. The world needed help. He could hear it. There were several occasions when he would hear a cry for help, sometimes near, other times from afar. And he had done so in a subtle way, making himself move at supersonic speeds. Being invisible to mortal eyes, the victims would suddenly find themselves out of harm's way or the attacker would have vanished to another spot; if the people would see anything, it would only be a blur, if anything at all for a split second. And by then most would chalk it up to imagination or miracles. But now? He felt he needed to make himself public, let him be known so that those who would need help would know they had someone looking out for them. If these Power Rangers excelled at saving lives in public view, then perhaps it was time for Superman to make his first appearance.
He had changed into his Kryptonian costume. Blue and red attire, red boots, red cape, and the 'S' shield symbol on his chest [which many thought meant Superman, but was actually a Kryptonian symbol of his family crest, which also translated to mean "hope"]. Clark took off for the sky like a speeding bullet and hovered high above the atmosphere. He focused not just on Angel Grove but the rest of the world as a whole, occasionally flying to various areas high above the globe at different points. Listening. Watching. Letting his ears pick up any sound of distress that proved too difficult for human authorities to deal with. It turned out he did not need to wait long. A wild dust storm in Texas was to separate a family. A hostage situation at a bank in New York. A hate group militia planning to blow up a bridge in California. A man falling out a top room window at an apartment in Miami. Each threat was handled quickly, the people safer, though some who were witnesses had no hesitation in snapping pictures or recording it on their smartphones. Which the footage would likely be leaked to news stations or as a viral info vid on the internet, and Twitter, Youtube, wherever.
There were several others in other countries to deal with, seeking problems out, lending help as he found it. Germany, France, the UK, among others. After flying back toward Angel Grove, he witnessed a bus on a field trip, heading back to school. It had lost control of the brakes. He saw it then pushed against the guard railing and about topple down into a ravine. He wasted no time. Flying downward, past the bus. Those inside knew only that they had went over the bridge and now falling down toward certain death, many in a state of panic. But then.. they felt the vehicle stop. In mid air, stopped from falling, which made no sense. What made even less sense was that they felt the bus now moving in an upward trajectory, over the bridge and softly landing down on the pavement a safe distance from the damaged railing. It was then that the driver saw the costumed man with a red cape emerge from under it. As did the high school students. "How," the driver stammered, in shock but grateful, "w-what, who are.. umm.. thank you for saving.. but who.."
"A friend," Clark said with a kind smile. "I am Kal-El of Krypton. Though some also call me.. Superman. I'm new here. I saw you in need of help and had to act." He saw the man reaching into his pocket. "No, no rewards necessary. None except promise that you and others here will remember to help out someone in your lives when they need it."
The driver slowly nodded, he understood. The teens looked relieved, but also amazed. This was almost like the stories of Power Ranger adventures. No doubt they would want to tell their friends in school very soon, not to mention how fast news of their experience would hit the news along with various social media outlets. Just the fact that they were literally about to be dead and then weren't.. it was a lot to take in. "But I slipped on some oil back there," the driver spoke up then, remembering it. "The brakes? They might be shot now, need to repair-"
Clark looked down at the bus motor area, staring at it intently. Then he looked back up at the man. "No, you're fine. The brakes are still in good condition. Right tire will need replacing but I'm sure the company will see to that. I'll take care of the spill myself." He saw the man nod in thanks and waved, after which he waved. Then he pushed up, soaring up into the sky. They stared for a moment, and even for a minute or two after he was gone. Then the driver let out a heavy sigh of relief and resumed his course. Clark had taken care of the road oil splatter as promised, igniting the excess liquid with heat vision, letting it burn itself up, then a breath of cold air to cool the road, after which he warmed it up to normal with his regular super breath. He inspected the area of it and found that it was safe. His work done - for the moment at least - he soared upward into the sky and flew over the city of Angel Grove to head for his apartment to change into normal clothes. He now had to continue his search for work. He had a few promising leads for open positions in news, although he was also curious how things would go from here. Whatever happened, he knew he would continue to lend help whenever possible, in any way he possibly could.