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Meta-Star City - Q.C. Planet

QCP: BJ-01 Unleashing the Power By Darrel James Vanwinkle (Writing as Ratseye) 09/01/2008

Chapter 01

Two large Ford trucks pulling horse trailers and a moving van formed their own little convoy as they sped in toward the Transportal of Q.C. Planet from the real world. While it was true that the family had chosen, with the help of Mr. Williams fellow police officer friends, to leave in the middle of the night, it was still dark out as they approached the Western Check-Point of the Meta-Star City region. Green Arrow and Hawk-Eye were on duty that night at the Western Check-Point and when they saw what was coming, they quickly opened the gates to admit immediate passage into the Meta-Star City region.

"Those Georgia State Highway Patrol officers weren't kidding when they told us that the Williams were moving in tonight, Green Arrow," exclaimed Hawk-Eye. "I am surprised they are driving so fast!"

Green Arrow replied, "The way I heard it, Hawk-Eye, was that they didn't have much choice in the matter. I'll just let a Flashback show you what happened to get the Williams family here..."

FLASHBACK

Joseph "Joey" Williams wasn't anyone really special. Up until last week, that is, he was nothing more than the obedient son of a family of law enforcement officers. They lived on a Georgia horse farm, of sorts, with several horses, a German shepherd, and a talking parrot. His mom, Martha, was even with the newest member of the family, Daisy, whom to Joey was nothing but a whiny brat. But when you're a baby, every one thinks being whiny is cute.

The Williams were a large family from good Southern stock and nearly all of them lived, ate, and breathed law enforcement. His father, Johnathan, had been a commissioner on the Georgia State Highway Patrol, serving many years as a Captain. His two older siblings, Samuel and Valeria, never had the problems that Joey was about to have. In fact, none of the family nor their ancestors had ever had this kind of problem at all.

Joseph had been riding his horse, Thunderfire, on the far back side of the Williams property. He was a good horseman for his age, to be right down honest about it. He had just rode around the bend of a large cropping of rocks when he saw a scene right out of a Saturday morning cartoon show. A very serious scene was unfolding.

Lying on the ground about 750 feet away was a large cartoon cat with muscles wearing a purple costume and a cape, while standing directly over him was an evil looking cartoon human who wore white, pink, and orange. And he was bald and ugly, too. Sitting on his shoulder was an evil looking brown rat with red glowing eyes. Neither cat nor human nor rat had seen Joey on his horse just yet.

"There is no union here, Overcat!" exclaimed the mad scientist with the rat. "I can destroy you however I like!"

Joey recognized the cartoon like participants immediately! It was Abyssios Feliston, otherwise known as Overcat the super feline from Meta-Star City, and his arch nemesis, Minos Del Malign with his hench-rat, Virus. Overcat was Joey's most favorite cartoon superhero; and he was in trouble.

Hawk-Eye suddenly interrupted. "Wait a minute! You mean they were fighting outside of Q.C. Planet and out of the Hero/Villain Union jurisdiction?"

Green Arrow nodded his head as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "That's what I'm telling you, Hawk-Eye. Minos and Virus had tricked Overcat into meeting them there but it was all a trap designed to eradicate Overcat once and for all. Minos had been trying for quite some time, but the Union kept getting in the way. Now where was I? Oh yeah..."

End of Chapter 01

Chapter 02

Overcat weakly said, "You'll never get away with this, Minos. The Union will find out what you did."

Minos cackled as he pulled out a glowing red rock from his pocket and held it over his foe. "Do you recognize this, Overcat? A little souvenir from your home world, yes?"

Overcat moaned as the rock was brought out into the open. "Katniptonite! You're totally evil, Minos! Get it away! Please!"

*POW!* The Katniptonite flew out of Minos' hand, send it away to the other side of the battlefield!

Minos turned toward the origin of the gun fire and saw Joey on his horse with the still smoking magnum in hand. "A visitor! How droll... I didn't want any witnesses, Overcat, but this one is armed."

Joey exclaimed, "Away from that cat, Minos Del Malign, or I'll be forced to pour turpentine on you!"

Minos did back away from Overcat, but then he whispered to Virus, "Get me that Katniptonite and bite anyone who tries to stop you." Then aloud, he said, "No need to be nasty, human... We're all adults here."

Joey leaped off his horse and landed on his feet. Apparently he had been practicing that stunt and if his father caught him doing it, there would be Hell to pay. He kept the gun pointed at Minos, as he walked over to Overcat. "You OK, Overcat?"

Overcat slowly stood up and said, "I'm weak, but I'll make it now. Give me your gun and I'll watch Minos. You go find that Katniptonite and pour your turpentine on it. That should destroy it and then I'll get all of my powers back."

Joey quickly gave Overcat the magnum, then he ran over in the direction he had seen the glowing red rock fly when shot.

Minos said, "The tables have turned, haven't they, Overcat? I never thought I would see you using a gun."

Overcat made a scary face. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

As Joey knelt down and pulled out his bottle of turpentine (that he used to work the leather parts of his saddle and bridle gear), he looked around acutely then saw his target, lodged between two rocks. He then opened the bottle and reached over to pour the turpentine on the Red Katniptonite, when suddenly and without warning, Virus leaped out of nowhere and bit down hard on Joey's hand, causing him to slam the bottle down on the rocks and Katniptonite, which not only shattered the bottle into glass shards, but splashed the turpentine all over the evil rat, the Katniptonite, and Joey's now bleeding hand from not only the rat bite, but the turpentine, the glass shards, and the exploding Katniptonite!

Virus let out a squeak of painful agony, as he tried to run back to his master.

Overcat was distracted when the explosion when off, so he didn't see Minos quickly grab Virus and activate their personal transporter to return to their lair in the Meta-Star City region.

"OH NO!" Overcat exclaimed, as he dashed over to where Joey lay on the ground and began performing CPR on the prone boy.

When Overcat was rewarded with the boy coughing, he then began to tend to Joey's bleeding and injured hand. But a simple bandage would not be enough. He knew he needed to get the boy to a local doctor.

End of Chapter 02

Chapter 03

Hawk-Eye said, "You mean Minos Del Malign injured a real world civilian, then fled? That's against Union policy!"

Green Arrow nodded his head. "That it is, Hawk-Eye. But the tale is just getting warmed up."

Overcat picked up Joey in his arms and flew over and landed on Thunderfire's back. "Listen, horse... your master is hurt and I don't know the way back to your homestead. So I'll hang on and you ride. Do it."

Thunderfire wasn't all too happy with having the superhero cat on his back, but the feline had a point. His master had been injured and quick medical help was desired. Thunderfire began galloping back across the land toward the front of the horse farm where Johnathan Williams was sure to be working.

Shortly thereafter, Thunderfire was parked in front of the main house, while inside, the doctor looked over Joey's injuries. Across the room, Johnathan was giving Overcat the once over, asking a lot of questions. Of course, Overcat answered every question without so much as flinching. He was a hero and had nothing to hide.

Finally, the doctor said, "Johnathan... Overcat... I am not sure what went on out on the back side of the property today, but... Joey's hand... has healed over. There isn't even a scar on his hand. I saw the injury when I first arrived, but the more I worked on cleaning it up, the more it healed on its own. I am not sure what is causing it. Its a miracle."

Johnathan looked at Overcat, who returned to look right back. "You said Joey was about to pour turpentine on Red Katniptonite when Minos' pet rat, Virus, attacked and bit Joey's hand, causing him to accidentally slam the bottle down on the rocks and the Katniptonite..."

Overcat added, "...and as Joey's blood mixed with the rat's venom and the turpentine, the Katniptonite reacted in a way I had never seen before and it exploded. Virus was perhaps more injured than Joey was, as Minos made good his escape and I quickly attended to Joey's injuries and spurred the horse into bringing us both back here."

Johnathan hummed. "Sounds like a chemical reaction based on a previously unknown formula. If you weren't Joey's favorite cartoon superhero, Overcat, I'd have you arrested and in jail for hurting my son."

Overcat said, "I would never do anything to hurt your son. He saved my life today. I owe him for that." He then paused, while looking at his watch. "Tell you what I'll do, Mr. Williams... in the future, if Joey ever needs my help again, for any reason, you send word to me in Meta-Star City on Q.C. Planet, and I'll drop everything to help Joey... no questions asked. Right now, I do need to get back to Meta-Star City and report this whole incident to my union. Minos Del Malign will be facing some serious repercussions for his actions here in the real world."

Johnathan thought it over, then finally said, "OK, Overcat, we have a deal. But how will we get a hold of you? Meta-Star City phone numbers are not in the real world directory."

Overcat handed Johnathan a platinum card with information and several phone numbers on it. "Use the first toll-free phone number if its a super emergency. Otherwise, use the second regular number. I do need to get going now, Mr. Williams. We will be in touch. That I promise you." He then looked over at Joey in the bed. "Good luck, Joey. You saved my life."

Overcat then departed the Williams horse farm and took flight toward Q.C. Planet. He was sure Minos Del Malign would have some sort of cockamamie alibi for where he was. But little did he know how soon he would see Joey again.

End of Chapter 03

Chapter 04

Hawk-Eye sipped on his coffee then said, "As far as Meta-Star City citizens go, that should have been the end of the story. But it obviously isn't, Green Arrow. So what happened next?"

Green Arrow leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on a counter top. "Not the end indeed, Hawk-Eye. The Williams lives were about to become very interesting, though no one experiencing the events would pay to be in it."

The county fair was supposed to be a time when everyone could relax and unwind. And of course, all of the Williams family were attending the event. There were rides to ride and games to play and if you were lucky... to win.

Samuel's family friend, Lance Oscarson, had joined the family for the outing and the two headed off together to ride on one of the larger more scary rides. Valeria chose to stay with Martha and Daisy, while Joey was just glad to be out of the house for a change. The doctor had nearly kept him in bed for three days and this was his first time free since that day.

"Hey Joey! We need your help over here at this game!"

Johnathan smiled at Joey and winked with a grin. "Better go see what your school chums are wanting."

Joey giggled. "Thanks dad. Don't arrest too many people while I'm gone." And he headed off immediately.

Johnathan laughed a bit, but the smile faded when he saw a few of his fellow law enforcement friends standing nearby in uniform and he walked over to talk to them.

But over where Joey had gone, there was a milk bottle pyramid and baseball throw booth, and his school friends were there, each trying their luck at knocking over the milk bottles. But none of them could do it.

Joey's eyes seemed to spark for a second as he saw the milk bottle pyramid stack, then he turned to look at the booth operator. "Charlie? You're not using the weighted bottles, are you?"

The booth operator whose name was Charlie replied, "No, Joseph... I wouldn't do that at the county fair."

Joey then placed a quarter on the counter. "I want to try my hand then."

Charlie said, "But Joseph, you stink at baseball throwing games. Don't throw your money away like this."

Joey gritted his teeth and glared at Charlie. "My father and his friends are standing just over there. Do you want me to call them over here to inspect your booth? If not, then give me my baseballs and let me throw."

Charlie was shaken that Joey had snapped at him, as he handed over the three baseballs.

Of course, the first two baseballs missed the target entirely. Then Joey looked at the last baseball in his hand and that spark seemed to go off again, and what happened next no one standing there was sure how to describe... for everything seemed to go in slow motion, as Joey reared back in a professional National League pitcher's style, and... threw the ball toward the milk bottle pyramid! And in that moment of slow motion, Joey's eyes sparked a third time, as the baseball left his hand and hit the pyramid square on, which caused it to explode in a near fireball of power! But the baseball didn't stop there, as it continued to fly through the back of the booth, destroying the back wall, punching a hole in a tree some distance behind the booth, before lodging squarely and deeply inside the trunk of a second tree -- still smoldering!

End of Chapter 04

Chapter 05

Nearly everyone was standing there agape looking at the yawning hole in the back of the baseball booth. Joey slowly backed away, then fled out of the county fair and hid himself behind an old smokehouse near the fairgrounds.

The police converged on the baseball booth afterward and when Mr. Williams found out what had happened there, he said, "I'll go find Joseph. And I don't want ANY of you talking to the press about this. The first people who try to turn this situation into a media circus is going to be thrown in jail without parole." And with that, Mr. Williams headed off in the same direction Joey had run, trying to find his son.

About an hour later, Johnathan found his son behind the smokehouse. "Joseph?"

Joey slowly glanced over toward his father, and that is when Johnathan saw Joey's glowing eyes. "...dad... I'm scared... what's happening to me?"

Johnathan sighed, trying to be very brave, hoping to set an example for his son to follow. "Come on, son. I'll take you home. I can come back after the family once I am sure you are securely back home. You haven't been the same since that Katniptonite explosion. This is... beyond what we're used to dealing with, Joseph. Come on... time to go home."

Joey slowly stood up, but didn't come over just yet. He was purposely staying in the shadows. "Dad... I... I have... a tail and... a mousy kind of head... I don't want anyone to see me like this. I'm a freak..."

Johnathan, at that point, pulled out his pocket flashlight and flicked it on... then pointed it at Joseph. And that is when his breath caught in his throat.

Standing there in the dark shadows was a humanoid mouse with brown fur wearing Joseph's clothes. And there were tears running down his whiskered cheeks. "I don't want to be seen like this, dad. What are we going to do?"

Johnathan turned off his flashlight, slowly pocketing it, as he pulled out his portable intercom radio. "Samuel? Lance? Could you boys bring the pickup around to the old Henderson smokehouse? I found Joseph... he's... we need to get him home. ASAP. And boys, don't get out of the pickup when you get here. I'll meet you." He then turned off the radio. "Joseph. You are still you on the inside. We're all scared sometimes, but everything in life happens for a reason. I just can't figure out why this is happening to you, that's all. Now please come on over to me. I want to help you get home."

Later that night, with Joey secured off in his upstairs bedroom with the shades drawn and his door closed, Johnathan had Samuel and Lance keep watch on Joey's door, but NOT to go in. In the meantime, Johnathan would return to the county fair to get the rest of the family.

Samuel tried to talk to Joey through the closed door. "Are you okay, Joey? Talk to me, at least."

Joey was heard to sigh. He was sitting in the center of his bed totally covered up and had a hood over his hood and thick sunglasses over his eyes, as he sat in the totally dark bedroom. "Samuel... Lance... I don't know what happened to me... I know dad is trying to be brave, but I'm a monster now. A humanoid rodent. And I don't know how I got like this."

Lance looked at Samuel. "Did he just say that he was a humanoid rodent?"

Samuel replied to Lance, "That's what it sounded like to me. This must be related to that explosion he was in."

End of Chapter 05

Chapter 06

Once the family was back home, Johnathan took a deep breath and entered Joey's bedroom, with Samuel and Lance just behind him on either side to lend support. "Joseph? You don't have to sit in the dark in your own room, you know."

"I'm a humanoid mouse, dad," Joey replied. "Why is this weird stuff happening to me?"

Samuel then said, "Joey... come on, don't look at the bad stuff that's happening with you; weigh in the good that you're overlooking. Aside from the humanoid mouse, what are some of the good things you now have?"

Lance smiled. He thought that was the right thing to say.

Johnathan was glad Samuel said that one thing. "Yes, Joseph. Think of the good. What benefits do you seem to have now?"

Joey sighed a little. "Being a humanoid mouse is what is bringing me down, guys. Aside from that, super strength and super regeneration seem to be present. The world's strongest mouse..."

Lance then snapped his fingers. "That's it!"

Johnathan and both sons looked toward Lance.

Lance began his explanation. "When the chemical reaction began with the mutant rat, the Katniptonite, the turpentine, and the final key element... Joey's blood... they combined and bathed Joey inside and out with a copy of Overcat's powers. But with the cat and the rat conflicting, the more gentle mouse became the resultant form. A mouse with Overcat's powers." He paused, then said with a smile. "Joseph Williams has become... Supermouse! As powerful as Overcat, but coupled with the compassion of a mouse. But Joey... like Overcat... and I am sure you know this because you have seen his cartoon show on TV... its a super powered form. When Overcat doesn't need it, he changes back into his regular non-powered self. You just have to learn how to do that."

Samuel was smiling now, too. "Yeah! Remember that one episode... where Overcat explains to Power Penguin during their team-up for how his transformation power operates...?"

Johnathan focused on Joey. "I believe in you, Joseph... you can do this. Overcat is your most favorite cartoon superhero. He explained how the transformation power works. It is almost like... he was preparing you to learn his trick. Remember how Overcat does it, Joseph... focus and do it."

Joey closed his eyes and his now super memory pulled open that particular memory from his mental library...

(Power Penguin said, "You're so lucky that you can transform, Abyssios. When I got my powers, I was totally stuck in this current form. I'm a freak. A super powered penguin. I am too ashamed to show my face in public. I would give almost anything to learn how to change back to normal.")

(Abyssios smiled, patting Power Penguin on his shoulder. "You helped me when I was down because of the Katniptonite... so I'll help you now by teaching you how to focus your powers to the point where you can transform back to normal.")

(Power Penguin smiled with a tear running down his cheek. "I'll be in your debt forever, Abyssios. Thank you.")

End of Chapter 06

Chapter 07

(A brief explanation later... and Power Penguin... focused really hard, as his eyes began to glow and then... there came a flash of light and Power Penguin transformed into... Phineas Neil, mild mannered reporter for the Daily Iceberg. "I'm me again! I never thought I would ever get back to being me again! I love you, Abyssios!")

(Abyssios grinned. "No hugging and no kissing, Phineas. I'm a heterosexual cat." He winked!)

Joey slowly opened his now glowing eyes. "If Phineas could learn to do it... then I can learn to do it. He claimed that he was stuck and Overcat still helped him return to normal. Here goes..." And he began to focus really really hard... mentally picturing himself as a human once again as normal as could be. Wavy brown hair, fair skin, sky blue eyes... completely human... and then, he was rewarded as there came a flash of light all around his body and... the Supermouse, as Lance had coined it... had transformed back into... Joseph Williams.

Obviously, after that, Joey was hugging his father tightly, while Samuel and Lance were high-fiving each other!

Johnathan smiled. "I knew you could do it, Joseph! But now you have a secret identity... for the greater good, right? I want you to promise me that you won't be using these new powers for personal gain. If you use your powers like that, I'll let Overcat come back and spank you."

Joey straightened up with a smile. "I promise to only use my powers for the good of law enforcement, dad. After all, its in our blood. Its what we do, isn't it?"

Johnathan sighed and frowned. "There is something I need to explain to you three. Every family has an unmentioned Black Sheep. We are no different. Back during the turn of the century, the Williams had a family member who was using his knowledge of law enforcement then... to commit crimes. He was almost never caught. The shame occurred when he was caught by his own brother in public. His own brother had to place him under arrest. It was a black day in the Williams family for generations to come. So you see... about every hundred years... the Williams produce a Black Sheep villain. And I just didn't want you boys to become that villain. A new Black Sheep is overdue. He may already be out there."

Samuel said, "Oh my... I had no idea. So his brother was a police officer?"

Johnathan shook his head sadly. "No, he was a star reporter for the media, at the time. He had to arrest his own brother and hand him over to the law afterward. And now you understand why I don't want anyone to turn Joey's new powers into a media circus. It would be the end of us. Back then, shutting up the press meant threatening the editor of the newspaper. Today, everyone has cameras and video. It is not so easy to shut up the press. So please, Joseph... if you simply HAVE to use your powers for any reason... don't say who you really are and PLEASE don't lead anyone back home, NOR let anyone see you change between forms. One slip could be your downfall. Be discreet, but brave. You're a superhero now."

Joey hummed. "If I am a superhero now, then I better start thinking about a superhero costume, dad. Something that when I am in Supermouse form... the public will see on sight that I am a good guy and not some monstrous rodent from another planet. But what kind of costume would give the public the right idea? I can't show up wearing my human clothes."

Lance, being the smart guy and an artist to boot, left the room and returned with his sketchbook and charcoals, and sat down in chair facing Joey. "Strip down to your underwear and strike a pose and hold it for me, Joey. I'll craft you a costume based on what I think your family and Overcat would approve of. I have an idea in mind... Remember Overcat's one movie that he made? He does encounter a super powered rodent guy who thinks Overcat is a villain. The rodent loses his powers afterward, and the costume is never seen again... so, let's modify that costume and..."

End of Chapter 07

Chapter 08

Ten minutes later, Lance had told Joey that he didn't have to pose anymore, and he worked with his colored charcoals a bit more, putting the finishing touches on the new super costume for its owner... Supermouse. "Oh... kay... just about done. And..." He made a few more charcoal strokes and... "...voila! The new threads for Supermouse, champion of justice."

Samuel looked at the picture and smiled. "Thanks for not putting a cape in. Capes are so yesteryear, in my opinion."

Lance had made front, back, and side views of the costume, because the left side had a bit of armor on it that the right side didn't have. And perhaps even better, Lance had woven in the stars, bars, and stripes of the American flag into the costume. "And now, the public can see at a glance that you're a good guy, Joey."

Johnathan smiled, too. "I do approve of that costume. But one thing bothers me about this. How are we going to get this made without tipping off anyone locally as to what we're doing?"

Joey hummed, considering an idea. "Let me try something, dad. If it doesn't work, then we'll focus on making the costume. In his cartoon show on TV, the costume makes the change with Overcat when he transforms. So... I should be able to do the same thing because I am using his own version of the transformation ability."

Samuel said, "That's a great idea, Joey. Think you can make a costume appear when you change into Supermouse?"

Joey grinned back. "I'm certainly going to try. You guys believe in me. And I know Overcat would want me to try, too. That's enough for me." He then stepped back into the center of his bedroom. "Here goes my first attempt..."

Standing before everyone in his undershorts, Joey closed his eyes and focused on the image of Lance's costume design that was now in his super memory. Then he pulled up the humanoid mouse with the mousy head and the tail... and slid the two images together. There came a flash of light in his mind at the same time that a flash of light overtook Joey's physical body. In his mind, the resultant superhero was then seen from all angles at rapid speed, before sweeping back from the front to show the combined costumed superhero before him. And in the waking world, the flash of light slowly subsided, revealing the humanoid mouse wearing the very costume that Lance had just designed. Close ups of the new costume and mouse parts then occurred in rapid succession, before Joey, now in his Supermouse identity, smiled, and the frontal view swept back... showing him in his full glory.

Supermouse said, "I am Supermouse, newest champion of justice. And I know what we can tell anyone who gets too nosy, dad. That I am a law enforcement project that you and your friends have been working on recently. The super powers were given to me to save my life. How does that sound?" He then posed and grinned, showing all of his sharp teeth.

Samuel gulped a little. "Um, Joey... I don't think you should make that kind of smile in public. Its a little scary."

Supermouse hummed, as he saw his reflection in a mirror. "Ugh... I see what you mean. A gentle smile then. Now, who is up for finding out what all I can do?"

Johnathan was impressed with his son's new appearance. The shock of seeing a mouse man had passed and now he wanted to help, same as the others. "First of all, let's detail a list of all of Overcat's main powers and we will see if Supermouse can do any of these powers. What all is there?"

Lance grinned, as he turned on Joey's computer and opened up the official Overcat web page. "When in doubt, use the Internet."

End of Chapter 08

Chapter 09

Everyone was astounded at the list of the super powers that were detailed on the powers page. There were literally too many to list in a single chapter.

Supermouse then said, "Okay, Lance. I have memorized the list into my super memory. Now, how can we test these powers safely? I somehow don't think testing these powers indoors is such a great idea. Especially in a wooden house."

At that moment, however, a call came in on Johnathan's portable intercom radio. He raised it up to his mouth and activated it. "Johnathan Williams here."

"Commissioner! Thank god you didn't go to bed yet! A deranged bald mad man that looks like a short scientist with a rat on his shoulder sabotaged the Ferris Wheel and the Parachute Ride! We have civilians stuck in their seats and its all about to collapse! I was hoping you had an idea on what we could do!"

Johnathan was about to mouth to Supermouse with the words, 'Go help them, son!', but Supermouse was already over at his window, unlocking it and opening it up, preparing to make the trip. He smiled, mouthing, 'Go on, son! I'll call Overcat!'

Supermouse smiled and winked back, then went out the window and took the leap of faith... and sure enough... he could fly!

Johnathan spoke into the radio. "I am sending in a secret project that I have been working on here on the farm! Don't freak out when you see him! You will see what looks like a flying mouse man wearing an all-American costume! I'm on my way!" He then turned off the radio and said to Samuel and Lance. "Let's go, both of you. Supermouse may need our help. I need to call Overcat right quick. He said we should use the emergency number, so I sure hope he isn't having sex or something."

Over the county fair, Supermouse made his public debut, as he saw the Ferris Wheel beginning to fall over and its passengers were screaming frantically. "I sure hope I can pull off Overcat's catch and save stunt!" And he flew over and under the Ferris Wheel and caught it in both hands, trying to steady it and gently lower it to the ground. Then he shouted, "Everyone! Get out of your seats and run to safety while I am holding the Ferris Wheel!"

Of course, the passengers didn't need to be told twice and we soon scrambling away from the downed Ferris Wheel.

Minos Del Malign was sure it was Overcat who had shown up out at the county fair, as he leveled his Katniptonite Ray Gun at the individual under the Ferris Wheel and pulled the trigger! A beam of red right shot out and struck Supermouse, as he felt his powers increase a hundred-fold! Minos blinked his eyes when he saw that the ray had no apparent effect. "Perhaps I have it set too weak... I'll just turn it on full power and see what that does to that costumed cat." And he made the new settings and leveled the gun at Supermouse again and fired again! The beam of red light that shot out this time had an aura all its own, as it fully struck and enveloped Supermouse's body! But this time, his powers increased to maximum power! And at that point, the ray gun exploded in Minos' face, which knocked him and Virus backward into a wall!

Just then, Overcat arrived on the scene and saw the chaos that was ensuing. He immediately headed over to the Parachute Ride and assisted the people out of their predicaments, depositing them safely on the ground.

When Minos saw that Overcat was helping at the Parachute Ride, his gaze returned to the target he had shot twice with the Katniptonite Ray Gun. And that's when he saw Supermouse with a muscular body, like Overcat's body.

Supermouse was just as amazed as anyone. When he first became Supermouse, he was scrawny; now he was built like his hero.

End of Chapter 09

Chapter 10

Hawk-Eye blinked his eyes. "You mean Minos Del Malign went out into the real world a second time?"

Green Arrow nodded his head as he refilled their coffee cups. "Yes, he was determined to kill Overcat while away from Meta-Star City. But his current mistake was about to be his downfall."

With the Ferris Wheel out of the way, Supermouse was directly over on top of Minos Del Malign. And Supermouse's eyes were glowing red with heat. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't flash fry you right here on the spot, Minos!" he growled with intent to do harm. "There is no union here to save your sorry little ass!"

Minos was, to say the least, afraid for his life.

Just then, Overcat was there. "No. Not like this, Supermouse." Then he lowered his voice. "People are watching. You give them the wrong idea about yourself and its over."

Supermouse was steaming mad, however. It was the first time he had ever blown his cool. And poor Minos was on the receiving end of that anger. "Get his worthless ass back to Meta-Star City, Overcat. If he comes here to this county a third time... you will never see him again. Ever. And that goes triple for his pet rat, too."

Minos and Virus were both cringing against Overcat's legs, in very obvious fear.

Overcat picked the two up and said, "You and I are going to have a talk later tonight, Supermouse. The usual place. Be there or I'll come looking for you." And with that, he launched himself into the sky and headed back toward Meta-Star City with Minos and Virus in tow. "I sincerely hope you two learned something tonight. He was mad enough to flash fry all three of us. Next time, I might not be able to save you. And you're going to be busy explaining to the Union why you were out in the Real World again. You had a false alibi the first time, but this time, they know you came out here."

Supermouse simply stood there, trying hard to cool his jets. He wasn't in the mood for anyone's crap at the moment.

"Supermouse?" came an adult female's voice. "May I have a word with you?"

He slowly turned and looked at the person calling his name and he almost flash fried the female and her companion. It was a local reporter named Anne Jenison and her camera man, Gustav Gunner. "Ms. Jenison... please... now is not the time."

Anne had Gustav lower his camera, as she handed him her microphone and slowly approached Supermouse. "No camera or microphone, Supermouse. What's wrong? Maybe I can help?"

Johnathan was actually glad that Anne had chosen to take the talk off the record. But he watched from nearby, just in case.

Supermouse quietly said, "Someone increased all of my powers while I was saving lives tonight. I am not sure I can handle it or not. I almost destroyed Minos Del Malign with my heat vision. I really wanted to... and that scares me."

Anne patted Supermouse on the back and said, "You saved lives. That's what counts. Tell me something though... will I ever know what is really going on around here?"

Supermouse chose to smile at Anne with his sharp teeth showing. "Maybe you already do." He winked at her, then walked away.

End of Chapter 10

Chapter 11

That night on the back side of the Williams property, Overcat was meeting with Supermouse, who looked sad and sorry about what he had said earlier and how he acted. "You were heated up, it was your first time out, and Minos targeted you by mistake and somehow enhanced all of your powers by accident. But you kept yourself in reserve. The first time is always the toughest, Joey. You pulled through and no one thinks you're a menace. You saved lives and you impressed that reporter."

Supermouse sighed. "I was so mad, Abyssios. In that moment... I really wanted to use my new heat vision on him. If you hadn't stepped forward when you did..." he paused with a shudder. "...I was so scared that I was going to lose control."

Overcat smiled, hugging Supermouse. "First time fear is okay, Joey. But... you're just raw. You have a copy of all of my powers, thanks to that Katniptonite, and you don't know how to use most of them. You need some training. And probably worse... the very thing that makes me weak, increases all of your powers. I am so glad you and I are friends."

At that moment at the Williams main house, the local news van nearly made a doughnut in the driveway, as Anne jumped out of the van and ran up to the house and beat on the door frantically! "Open up, Commissioner! This is an emergency!"

Johnathan opened the door and nearly growled. "Anne?! We just laid the baby down! Are you out of your mind?"

Anne quickly said, "Listen to me, Johnathan! There's no time! I just got a tip from one of my undercover contacts in Washington! The government is sending the military down here in the morning! They heard about your so-called superhero project and they want to take him away from you! Where is he?"

Johnathan said, "He's, well, he's..."

Anne placed her hands on her hips. "I put two and two together already, Johnathan. I know Supermouse is Joseph. Where is he? I'm actually trying to help you guys protect him. If the military gets their hands on him, you'll never see him again."

Johnathan sighed. "He's on the back side of the property with Overcat. They were having a heart to heart talk about the events this evening. How much time do we have?"

Anne replied, "My contact said that if you were still here by sunrise, then you would never get out of here. And they will take Joseph away from you. I have a friend making a fake Supermouse costume for our morning show. By the time the military arrives, the whole town should know about our morning show stunt. We're going to unmask the fake Supermouse on TV, and he is going to explain away how he pulled off the super feats last night, from a rehearsed script we're having made. Johnathan, please... get him out of here and if you have a safe haven somewhere... go there and keep Joseph safe."

Johnathan nodded his head and shouted, "OVERCAT! BACK DOOR OF MAIN HOUSE! NOW!" He then pulled Anne inside and took her through the house to the back door, where Overcat and Supermouse were now standing. "Anne just brought us a warning, Overcat. We've run out of time. We need to move the whole horse farm and family to Meta-Star City. We have to be out of here by sunrise. Think you can make the arrangements for us? And I'll need a job with one of Q.C. Planet's police departments, too."

Overcat said, "I was just telling Supermouse that I would like for him to come to Meta-Star City to take some Superhero classes. You must be psychic or something, Mr. Williams. Of course I can make the arrangements. I'll take Supermouse with me so you can focus on getting the rest packed up and headed for Meta-Star City."

Anne said, "I've called your highway patrol friends, Johnathan. They are on their way over right now to help you move."

End of Chapter 11

Chapter 12

At that moment, a fully packed motorcycle with sidecar and a Georgia news van sped through the Transportal and the still open gates leading into Meta-Star City! Like the convoy ahead of them, they were also doing about 90 miles an hour!

Hawk-Eye exclaimed, "I thought the family already went through!"

Green Arrow chuckled and helped Hawk-Eye to close the gates once again. "Friends of the family, I'd say. I saw Anne Jenison and her camera man, Gustav Gunner, in the news van. The boy on the motorcycle was the family friend, Lance Oscarson. Unless anyone else knows to come this way, then we've seen the last of any activities here at the Western Check Point, tonight."

Hawk-Eye then asked, "Was that the end of the story, Green Arrow?"

Green Arrow smiled. "Just the beginning, Hawk-Eye... just the beginning. Like all other good superhero tales. In order to hear the rest, we'll just have to watch and see how the family, and Supermouse, adjusts to life in Meta-Star City."

Hawk-Eye grinned. "Our shift is about over with. I'll be glad to go get some shut eye soon. The ladies can have their turn here at the check point in the morning. Black Canary and Black Cat."

Meanwhile, on the other side of Meta-Star City at the new Williams Horse Farm, Overcat was greeting the arriving family members, Lance, and Anne and Gustav.

Johnathan smiled. "This place looks just like our place back in Georgia, Overcat! How did you do it?"

Overcat smiled back. "I told the Hero/Villain Union how you guys helped me catch Minos, and then, I cashed in a favor with the Creators. Jointly, the union donated this spread of land and the Creators allowed me to instantly make an exact copy of your farm in Georgia... and place it here on this spread of land. Every thing is totally identical. Right down to the trees, flowers, and rocks. The insides of the buildings are devoid of furnishings, unfortunately. You people will have to make good with the home redecorating spiel."

Martha was looking around. "I am amazed how identical this farm is to our own back home."

Samuel and Lance were high-fiving each other again, while Valeria was seeing to their animals.

"Brawk! Toons stink! Brawk!" said the family's talking parrot.

Valeria said, "Now you behave, Teriaki!"

Teriaki just grinned.

Supermouse was sitting in the gazebo with the family's German Shepherd, Trooper, petting and gently scratching on his head and body, when Anne and Gustav joined the two there. "Hello Anne. Gustav. Why are you guys here? Did you get fired?"

Anne slyly grinned. "In a manner of speaking, it is against station policy to prefabricate a news story. But the Meta-Star City TV News heard what we did to protect one of our newest superheroes and they hired both Gustav and I to come work for them."

Supermouse chuckled. "Looks like you joined the insanity of the Williams family. Glad to have you here."

End of Chapter 12 End of Episode One: Unleashing The Power

Stay tuned for Episode Two: Learning The Team Spirit