15599/Where in the World is Mister Mxyzptlk

Where in the World is Mister Mxyzptlk
Date of Scene:	12 August 2023
Location:	Suicide Slum - New Troy
Synopsis:	Honey Badger and Superboy deal with a brief encounter with the dangerous Mister Mxyzptlk. And it seems that Honey Badger is now on the Fifth Dimensional imp's radar now. That can't be a good thing.
Cast of Characters:	Jon Kent, Gabby Kinney

---

Jon Kent has posed:
Yes, even Metropolis has its dark side. So where would you expect to find Superboy? Right where he is most likely to be needed, of course. Jon donned the vestments of the House of El early on this hot summer morning and began a patrol of the Suicide Slums, the seedy underbelly of the otherwise brilliant, shining jewel that is Metropolis.

At the moment he is sitting on the edge of a rooftop, one leg dangling and the other pulled up close to his body so he can rest his chin on his knee. A slight breezes makes his cape flutter occasionally. He has a peaceful, pensive look on face as he peers down to the street below. Even here, even in this dark place, our paladin loves the people he serves.

Earlier, when he started his patrol, he sent a text to his friend, Gabby, telling her that he'd be patrolling SS in case Honey Badger was looking for something to do this morning.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Patrolling during the day is *so weird*," Gabby greets by way of teasing complaint as she comes up the fire escape to the rooftop he was currently perched on. She's got a backpack slung over her shoulder, and is dressed mostly in her usual gear. Other than the mask and goggles she wore on full missions she didn't have much of a mask or 'secret identity' to worry about.

Stifling a yawn she moves to join his side, asking, "Want some coffee? I brought a thermos. Water too, but it's early and I like to pretend the caffiene will do me any good."

Crouching down beside him she peers down to the street below not seeing much going on today so far. Then again she just got here. "How's it going, anyway?"

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon, of course, heard her coming long before she arrived. He literally can hear sounds from all over the planet. When she speaks, a smile plays out over his lips. "People in the light of day need help sometimes too," he says, chin still resting on his knee. When Gabby sits next to Jon, he nudges her shoulder with his elbow as he sits up straight, letting both legs dangle now. "Good morning, sunshine," he says teasingly. "No coffee for me, please," he politely declines. "The caffeine has no affect and I think it tastes gross." A playful wrinkle of his nose and eyebrows.

"It's going...quietly," the young half-Kryptonian responds. He says the word 'quietly' in a near-whisper as if saying it out loud would jinx matters.

Apparently, saying it all jinxes matters! Two things happen with such speed that they almost seems to be simultaneous to an eye not able to see at super speed.

First: two women appear in mid-air, teleported there by...by *something*. They are far apart, at least two city blocks. And they both start screaming as they plummet. They appeared in the air maybe two stories off the ground -- enough to seriously hurt or kill them, but not enough to give Superboy time to catch them both.

Second: Superboy is gone. He is simply gone. A rush of air accompanies his disappearance as it so often does, blowing anything that isn't nailed down. He goes from his sitting position to catch the first woman in the blink of an eye. But the second is already plunging to likely death.

"Bet you can't save them both, Superboob!" a high-pitched, nasally voice says out of nowhere.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney nudges Jon back with her elbow in return. "That's why you add cream and a bit of sugar. Brings out the nutty flavors and cuts the acidity and sourness some people like to rave about," she explains in reference to the coffee. More for her then. The thermos is withdrawn to pop the top, and take a quick gulp off of it.

It's a good thing she hadn't sat. Crouching she could move quickly from which she half fears she may need to do when he says those words. "Don't *say* that---!" She begins just in time for her own superior hearing to zoom in on the women suddenly appearing in danger.

The thermos is forgotten, left to clatter to the ground as she moves into action herself. Withdrawing a grapple gun from her side she shoots off toward a building to swing down, and out, and thankfully just in time to scoop up the other woman as she was falling. A bit too close for comfort, really, but she DOES grab her before impact.

The pair are then left swinging up again from that drop with Gabby's arm around the woman's waist tight as her own muscles strain from the exertion. At least she was stronger than a regular human, and she'd taken up lifting again. Otherwise... who knew?

"Got her, we're good," she states to thin air knowing Jon could hear. "Got you lady you're fine it'll be fine please stop screaming okay?"

Jon Kent has posed:
The woman whom Gabby rescued downgrades from screaming to merely sobbing. And really, who can blame her? Even in a town like Metropolis, most people go their entire lives without ever bumping elbows directly with the supernatural and the super-powered.

The other woman, though, swoons when she is grabbed by Superboy. To be fair, she really hadn't started falling yet, and the El family carries a lot of cachet in Metropolis. "Superman, thank you!" she exclaims. "I'm not...it's..." Superboy starts, but then just smiles at her warmly as he slowly descends to the ground. "You're welcome, ma'am."

A voice thunders through the air, the same voice from earlier, "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN RUIN MY FUN WITH SUPERBOOB? WHO ARE YOU ANYWAY, YOU TWIT? YOU DON'T EVEN LOOK LIKE THE SAME BRAND!"

Suddenly a very small person, no more than two or three feet in height, is standing at the edge of the roof where Superboy was just sitting. He is holding Gabby's thermos, which he opens and sniffs then takes a drink from. He shrugs and hand-wobbles, indicating that he doesn't hate the coffee but it's not the best he's ever had either.

"Well now you can pay the price for your interference!" Mister Mxyzptlk says as he snaps his fingers.

A portal momentarily opens in the air near Gabby and two male lions leap out, roaring and raging as their primitive brains rocket through the fight-or-flight algorithm implanted there from millennia of evolution. Round and round she goes and where she stop nobody kn...oh, actually it stops on fight! The lions charge Gabby.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney sets the woman down speaking soothingly, "I know it sucks but you're okay now. Get out of here, get yourself a cake or whatever you like, and you've got a great story for later. Call someone you love, all that stuff." She tries to usher the woman off toward safer streets about the time Myx starts to screech and cry out in anger.

She looks up toward where he is, lifting a hand, and flips him the finger. "If putting lives in danger is the only way you know how to mess with him, you're setting the bar super low."

And then there were portals opening and lions stepping out. Male lions.

Gabby just stares a moment. "Really? REALLY?"

There had always been rumors of the feral nature of Wolverine and his apparent ability to have some sort of... connection with animals. Or perhaps they just realized he was as much a predator as he was. He'd had literal tigers in the jungle stop stalking him because he stared them down. Gabby had never really tried to use this 'ability' even if she had tiger sat before for a friend.

What she did know was that lions were territorial. Males rarely hunted. And rarely allowed each other to e nearby. It was the females that worked together to bring down prey.

Which didn't help too much right now, but she can at least try to work with this.

Gabby straight out runs at one of the lions and when it rears up to try and attack with a swipe of it's paw, she tips her weight back to baseball-sliiiide right beneath it. Being small helped, being fast helped, but getting OUT of there fast was still imperitive. One clawed fist punches upward as she slides to rake down the lion's side drawing blood to hopefully lure in the other.

And she rolls, quick. "SB could use a haaaand!"

Jon Kent has posed:
After being set down, the woman he rescued immediately pulls out her phone and requests to take a selfie with Superboy. But his attention is already elsewhere. He looks up at the roof and sees Mister Mxyzptlk standing there. A shadow passes over his face. This is the dude who almost killed Batwing. This is the dude who just put two innocent bystanders in jeopardy. The tight coils of Superboy's body have already gone into motion to rocket up to the roof and take care of this villain once and for all when Gabby calls for assistance.

A blink of an eye later -- really much less than the 100 milliseconds that most eye blinks last -- he is standing right next to the second lion, which he has grabbed by the scruff of its neck like one might a kitten. Only this kitten goes berserk on Superboy, biting and clawing and roaring and otherwise losing its mind. It could rage all day and all night until it exhausted itself but two things are certain: it will *never* escape Superboy's grip, and its teeth and claws could no more harm Superboy than a cotton ball could harm a human. Then Jon-El reaches out and taps the other lion's head with one fingertip, and it instantly is rendered unconscious. "Gabby, are you okay?" asks a very concerned Superboy.

"Interesting, very iiiiiinteresting," Mister Mxyzptlk says aloud. "This gives me a good idea. Be seeing you soon. Be seeing you *both* *real* soon." He snaps his fingers again and he's gone. The coffee thermos plummets to the sidewalk below and hits the ground with a clatter.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
The other lion was... not feeling so good. It wasn't a killing blow but it was one that would injure enough to make him realize continuing to fight was not going to be beneficial. It retreats to the back of the alley hunkering down to yowl out a warning while licking it's wounds.

Gabby for her part was still on the ground in a pile of... well probably trash. It was the city after all. She raises a hand to give a thumbs up in response before shifting to sit up with a groan. "Lemme message Impulse," she states while reaching up to tap an ear peice neatly tucked in one ear. "He works at a zoo, can probably be here in no time with tranqs and help with them. Plus find a way to get them back to where they need to be," she adds with a sigh, and she glances up toward the rooftops where Myx had been.

"That guy is a real piece of ..." Oh, right, it was Jon she was speaking with. "...Trash."

Jon Kent has posed:
And queue the cameras! A hundred bystanders are gathering now that the immediate danger has passed. And a hundred bystanders means a hundred cameras are out, taking pictures and videos, everyone hoping to somehow capture an exclusive piece of the action that can be sold to a news outlet or put on Insta or Facebook or TikTok to maybe go viral. Life is hard here in the Suicide Slums, and people are always looking for a way to make it easier.

"I just wish I knew what his problem is," Superboy responds, glancing up at the roof where Mister Mxyzptlk stood just moments earlier. "He seems to have a real beef with me over something, but over what I have no idea. If we could just talk like civilized people maybe I can find out what I did to upset him." The ever-hopeful, ever-optimistic Jon. Negotiating with Mister Mxyzptlk would be like trying to carry chocolate pudding in your hands: sticky, futile, chaotic, and it would leave a mess everywhere.

"I think we need to get out of here now, Badger," Superboy says. "Do you want grab on for a flight to the Metropolis Zoo? Or meet me there?" The young half-Kryptonian grabs up both lions. One is unconscious and the other two wounded to put up a fight. Then he turns so that Gabby can grab on from behind for the short flight if she chooses.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
... Cameras? THIS was something Gabby wasn't used to. Twisting away she grabs the 'scarf' around her neck to lift up and use as a bit of a mask at least, hooking it over her nose. It was what she used soemtimes when needing to take a break from all the scents around. It also worked in this instance a bit.

With Superboy having the lions in order she gives a quick nod. "Sure thing, SB. Don't plan to stick around here. I'm not exactly photogenic." A light tease as she moves to wrap an arm around his waist from behind with a nod, being careful of lions.

"Good when you are."

Jon Kent has posed:
The lions have been turned over to zoo officials for medical treatment and safe quarantine. Superboy flies himself and Gabby to a vacant rooftop. He starts to pace once he lands, clearly filled with some nervous energy. "I can't *believe* Mister Mxyzptlk would *do* that. He put a lot of lives in danger. But he never once put *me* in danger. Why would he attack me in that way? Before it was Batwing, who came literally within seconds of dying."

His pacing is starting to become more frenetic as Superboy's anxiety grows. In face, it looks he just accidentally did some superficial, non-structural damage to the surface of the roof.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney watches Jon start to pace around with worry on her features. A deep breath is drawn, and she pulls down the scarf back around her neck where it's tucked in close to the neckline of her shirt. "J--Super Boy," she starts, opting to use work name just in case. Having been reminded that there's cameras in a lot of places in Metropolis was making her be a bit more cautious.

"He's not trying to kill you. He's trying to *break* you." Her hand lifts to point to her head with a tap to her temple.... and then it lowers to tap against her chest where her heart would be. That he might understand more. "... I see it a lot in Gotham with some of those guys out there. It's not about winning it's about destroying. Some people---Some creatures---Feel powerful if they can ruin things. Ruin others."

A glance is cast off into the distance with a thoughtful frown. "I don't know this things situation, but sounds like he's a creature of chaos. That's probably what he's trying to do. He found something completely opposite his nature in you and he wants to ruin it."

Jon Kent has posed:
With the consoling words from Gabby, Jon starts to visibly calm. She has that effect on him. "Nettie gave me some information on how to fight him," the young half-Kryptonian murmurs. He's not one to murmur or mutter, not Jon of the House of El. He normally speaks with confidence and self-assuredness.

"Batwing is helping me track this guy down. I just hope we can do it before anyone else gets hurt." He trails off as his brain goes to no-good place. Then, "Before anyone else gets hurts because of *me*."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Okay stop that right there," Gabby blurts out. She steps in closer to Jon reaching out to rest a hand on his shoulder with a squeeze. It might not feel like much, really, but she turns toward him to meet his gaze with her own. Sharp, alert, and just a bit ... Angry? Just a bit.

"The actions of others is NOT YOUR FAULT. Yes, this guy is fixating on you and harming others while trying to harm you. That's on HIM, not you. His actions are his alone, and not because of you."

A deep breath is drawn, and let out, as she softens her tone. "Work on it. Stop him. I'll help where I can as well because he does need to be stopped. But do not ever, *ever* take his deeds on as your own. Because they aren't."

Jon Kent has posed:
Gabby steps in front of what might be one of the top 15 or 20 most destructive forces on the planet. And her assertiveness and kindness and her touch diffuses Jon instantly. He looks at her with those clear blue eyes and nods his head in slow acceptance of her words.

"You're right," the young half-Kryptonian agrees in a soft tone. "Of course." A small smile. "You always are." Then he gives her shoulder a playful, gentle punch. "What would I do without you?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney reaches up to muss the front of his hair. Just a bit, and then sweep it back into place. It wasn't as if his hair really got messy to begin with. "You'd probably start wearing black and putting on guy liner and being emo," she shoots back with amusement. More seriously though she adds, "Seriously though, Jon. I've had a lot of horrible things happen to me in my life. I could let it make me into someone I don't want to be easily. But I feel like that's letting them win. So maybe look at it that way if you need to."

"Who they are doesn't influence who I am or who I want to be."

Jon Kent has posed:
As Gabby musses his hair, Jon looks up, making his eyes go playfully crosseyed for a moment. This brings out a fully formed smile, dispelling the very last of the lingering negativity the young half-Kryptonian was harboring. He peers at Gabby for a few moments, a beat or two past what is socially normal. Then he draws in a breath and walks to the edge of the roof, peering down at the streets, as one does.

"How are things with, you know, with your..." He literally has no idea how to refer to them. A polyamorous relationship is so far outside of Jon's wheelhouse or experience. "...you know, the two people, you know, like your boyfriend and girlfriend? How are...how are they?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney tilts her head at him curiously when he starts to breath deeply only to walk off. A bit concerned she takes a step or two after him. Only to pause when he starts to try and ask that question.

"The term is 'throuple', or at least that's the easiest one that worked for us," Gabby explains with a little awkward clearing of her throat. Stuffing her hands into her pockets she tips her head back to stare up at the sky watching the clouds drift for a second.

"Was what worked for us," she rephrases. "Tommy had some issues he wanted to deal with on his own. Bunny's working to become a Young Avenger. And I've been so busy lately with the JLD..." It was her turn to take a deep breath which is let out in a rush.

"We ah, we split. Timing was just... not working anymore for us."

Jon Kent has posed:
How is a 19-year-old kid who is interested in a girl who was previously in a relationship supposed to feel in this kind of situation? Is he happy that maybe he has a chance to see if things could develop between said girl and him? Is he sympathetic and comforting because she lost people from her life with whom she shared a special relationship?

I mean, that is an easy one to answer. He is Jon of the House of El. He is the Goodest Boy.

He turns to face Gabby, a pained expression on his face. "I'm sorry," he says genuinely. He is incapable of lying. "Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it? Do you want me to just drop it?"

Then a shocked expression rocks his face and his eyes open wide. "Oh my gosh, Gabby, is it because I put my arm around you at the beach? I *swear* I don't know why I did that."

From Mister Mxyzptlk to adolescent angst all in under an hour. The life of teenaged superheroes.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
That... that actually earns a quick laugh from Gabby in response to him thinking it was because of him. Looking away from the sky she grins at him. It's a bit sad, but it is still a genuine grin and her head shakes slightly at the suggestion.

"No, Jon, not because of you or anything you did, don't worry. It was mutual all around. We sat down and talked, and... Just decided it was time to move on."

All she can do us shrug a little over it. Her eyes do drop down to the rooftop a moment while chewing on the inside of her cheek. "We were what we needed for the time we were together. Bunny's gotten so much more confident, and she's come out as a mutant to her folks, and I'm so proud to have been there for her through that. Tommy's learned to open up a bit and... I mean, not to make a speedster reference, but not run from everything so much. So. Ah." She pauses again awkwardly reaching up to rub at the back of her neck while risking a look back in his direction with a smile.

"I'm not sorry we were together. They're still important to me. Just... Sometimes, things don't work forever."

Jon Kent has posed:
The relief that washes over Jon when Gabby absolves him of responsibility is palpable. He listens with a *lot* of his attention -- as much attention as a being can give who is constantly filtering out every sound in the world and every smell in the city and dozens of different waveforms of light simultaneously.

"Yeah," he says finally, softly. "I'm going to live for a really f..." Upper teeth to lower lip, the f-word is right there, which would make it the very first time in his life he has said it. But it's Jon. He immediately changes course. "...a really gosh darn long time. But I live in a world where most people don't. If I ever manage to fall in love with someone who loves me back, the *best* case scenario is our love lasts and I watch them grown old and die. But from what I've seen around me in other people's relationships, I won't have to worry about that. It will end much, much sooner."

Jon crosses his arms over his chest and looks upward, where Gabby was staring previously. "Anyway, I'm sorry your...throuple?...ended. And I hope you know I'm always here for you if you want to talk." He looks back at Gabby. "Your friend forever."

Sadness. Angst. Confusion. Who the hell would ever want to be a teenager?

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Yeah but that doesn't make a relationship any less valid or important," Gabby points out only for her expression to falter a little. "... Awhile back I had the memories of 'me' from another world mixed in with everything else in my head. Probably why I seem 'older' than I should be on occasion. She lost a lot of people, and there were a lot she cared about that she never let know she cared about them before they were gone. The regret of that..."

"I don't ever want to regret not telling someone I care about them. Even if it might not work out. Or might not become a thing at all. Caring about someone is still ..." Her face scrunches up a moment, and she turns to the side quickly to swipe at her eyes.

"A-anyway. I'd rather be someone who cares than someone who hides because they're afraid of being hurt. I'm gonna be alive awhile, too, provided I don't get killed early." It was meant to be a joke, that last bit, but. Probably not a really funny one.

"Thanks, Jon."

Jon Kent has posed:
And now here comes Jon. The real Jon. His optimism and positivity reclaim their space, banishing the gloom. He break out into a warm smile and his eyes glitter enthusiastically. He holds out a hand in Gabby's direction.

"You wanna go flying?"