Arrowverse: I'm a Hero

Chapter 4: Dockside Dramatics and Duo's Debut

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Danger Level: Moderate. Proximity to emotional triggers: High. Target acquired: Petty Criminal with Latent Powers. Recommendation: Engage with caution. Don't be a hero. Yet. Or do. We're not your mom. ]

The hum in Adam's gut intensified as he drove his ridiculously nice car towards the industrial docks. It was less a hum now and more a low thrumming, like a bass guitar solo echoing through his very bones. His "future insight" was screaming "something is about to go down!" with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop wearing tap shoes.

He pulled up a few blocks away, near a dimly lit warehouse, parking his car discreetly. He wasn't here to be a flashy hero, not yet. He was here to observe, subtly influence, and maybe, just maybe, snag a superpower. And looking like a rich guy in a fancy suit casually hanging out at the docks after dark might raise a few eyebrows. He grabbed a dark, unassuming jacket from the back seat, pulling it on to blend in a little better with the industrial grunge.

He could hear it now: raised voices, the clang of metal, and the distinct sound of something… glowing. Definitely a something. He crept closer, sticking to the shadows, feeling a strange mix of exhilaration and genuine fear. This wasn't a TV show anymore. This was real. Real glowing things, real angry people, and real potential for getting hit by something unpleasant.

He peeked around a stack of shipping containers. The scene unfolding before him was textbook National City minor villainy. A hulking, disgruntled man, clearly a recently activated alien, was busy trying to intimidate a group of dockworkers. His power, judging by the greenish energy crackling around his hands, appeared to be some form of kinetic energy manipulation. Not exactly world-ending, but certainly enough to ruin someone's Tuesday.

"You think this is a joke?!" the alien roared, throwing a nearby crate with surprising force. It splintered against a metal wall. "I told you, I want my money! All of it! And then some!"

The dockworkers huddled together, clearly terrified. Adam saw a few of them pull out their phones, probably calling the NCPD. Good. He didn't want to hog all the glory. Or, you know, get immediately vaporized.

And then, she arrived. A streak of red and blue, a blur against the night sky. Kara. Supergirl. Just as graceful and powerful as he'd seen on screen, only far more impactful in person. The whoosh of air as she landed sent a gust of wind through Adam's hair, almost knocking his sarcasm-fueled brain right out of his skull.

"That's enough!" Supergirl's voice, firm and commanding, echoed through the dock. "Put them down. No one needs to get hurt."

The alien, who apparently hadn't gotten the memo about not challenging people who can fly and are bulletproof, scoffed. "Oh, look, it's the Girl of Steel! Come to stop me from getting what's mine? Not today, sunshine!" He unleashed a blast of green energy towards Supergirl.

Kara, ever the professional, dodged it with ease, the blast impacting a stack of empty barrels behind her. "I don't want to fight you," she said, though her stance clearly indicated she was ready to rumble.

Adam watched, fascinated. This was it. The real deal. He could practically feel the waves of emotion emanating from the alien – rage, frustration, a deep-seated resentment. And from Kara, a focused determination, a hint of concern for the civilians, and a growing sense of... well, general annoyance at being interrupted from whatever she was doing. Probably watching a terrible rom-com.

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emotion Spike Detected: Rage/Frustration (alien). Proximity: Optimal. Skill Copy Opportunity: Kinetic Energy Manipulation. Initiate Copy Protocol? Y/N. ]

"Oh, hell yes," Adam whispered under his breath, barely suppressing a fist pump. He mentally hit 'Y' with extreme prejudice.

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Copying... Copy Complete: Kinetic Energy Manipulation (10% proficiency). Warning: Unstable. Requires practice. Do not attempt to level a building. Yet. ]

A faint, tingling sensation spread through his hands, a feeling like static electricity but more profound, as if a small, controlled storm was brewing beneath his skin. He suppressed a grin. He had a superpower! At 10% proficiency, it probably wouldn't let him throw a car across the city, but maybe he could make a very aggressive paper airplane. Or slightly annoy a pigeon. Still, progress!

The fight continued, a dazzling display of super-strength and energy blasts. Supergirl was clearly holding back, trying to de-escalate, but the alien was getting increasingly desperate and reckless. He started targeting the dockworkers directly, sending blasts of energy dangerously close to them.

"Hey, meathead!" Adam suddenly yelled, stepping out from behind the containers, adopting his most irritatingly confident voice. "Isn't it a bit early for a tantrum? Don't you usually wait until at least noon to start throwing things?"

Both Supergirl and the alien paused, turning to stare at him. Kara looked perplexed, and the alien looked incandescent with rage. Perfect. More rage, more potential for skill copying. And a distraction.

"Who the hell are you?!" the alien snarled, turning his attention to Adam.

"Just a concerned citizen," Adam replied, adopting a pose of nonchalant boredom. "And frankly, I'm offended. Your energy blasts are tacky. So last season. Seriously, if you're going to threaten a city, at least do it with some flair. Maybe some synchronized dancing? A catchy jingle? This is just... pedestrian."

The alien's face contorted in fury. "You think this is funny?! I'll show you funny!" He unleashed a powerful blast of green energy, aimed directly at Adam.

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Extreme Emotion Spike Detected: Rage (alien). Skill Copy Opportunity: Kinetic Energy Manipulation (Proficiency Upgrade). Initiate Copy Protocol? Y/N. ]

"Yesss!" Adam thought, barely able to contain his glee. He mentally confirmed the upgrade.

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Copying... Copy Complete: Kinetic Energy Manipulation (15% proficiency). Progressing nicely. Don't die. ]

The blast hurtled towards him. Adam, despite his newfound, albeit minimal, power, was still very much a squishy human. He braced himself, instinctively throwing his hands up. He didn't know what he was doing, but he focused the tingling in his palms, trying to emulate what he'd seen the alien do.

Instead of hitting him full force, the energy blast seemed to shimmer, distorting slightly around him before impacting the container behind him with a duller thud than it should have. He felt a sharp jolt, but no real pain. It was like getting punched through a very thick pillow.

Supergirl, who had been about to intercept the blast, paused, clearly surprised. "What...?"

"See?" Adam called out, dusting off his hands with faux nonchalance. "Told you it was tacky. Almost hit me. Next time, try a little less green, a little more... sparkle. You know, make it memorable."

The alien was dumbfounded. "How did you...?!"

"Trade secret," Adam quipped. "Also, you're predictable. And honestly, your villain monologue needs work. It's very 'I'm mad and I want money.' Try something with more emotional depth. Or at least a catchy tagline."

While the alien was reeling from Adam's unexpected resilience and relentless commentary, Supergirl seized the moment. She moved with impossible speed, disarming the alien and securing him with a practiced efficiency that made Adam inwardly cheer.

"You're under arrest," she said, her voice still firm, but with a hint of bewildered amusement in her eyes as she glanced at Adam.

"Well, that was anticlimactic," Adam announced, strolling over. "I was hoping for at least a car chase. Maybe some dramatic explosions. You know, for the aesthetics."

Kara landed beside him, her brow furrowed. "Who are you? And how did you... deflect that?"

"Adam Stiels," he said, offering his hand again, this time with a knowing smile. "And let's just say I have a knack for... anticipating bad aim. And a healthy appreciation for people who fly. Also, I think your current outfit could use more pockets. For snacks. You never know when you'll need an emergency cookie."

She actually snorted. "Pockets for snacks?"

"Crucial for sustained heroics," Adam insisted. "You don't want low blood sugar impacting your ability to save puppies, do you?"

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emotional Resonance Detected: Amusement/Intrigue (Kara Danvers). Proficiency: 15%. Progressing steadily. Your sarcasm is working. Who knew? We did. ]

Adam felt the familiar hum again, more pronounced this time. Kara's growing amusement was translating directly into progress for his goals. Fantastic.

Sirens wailed in the distance. The NCPD was arriving.

"Alright, Supergirl," Adam said, nodding towards the approaching lights. "Your ride's here. I think you've got this under control. I, on the other hand, have a very important date with a hopefully better cup of coffee. It's a crisis of a different kind."

He turned to leave, but Kara caught his arm, her grip surprisingly light. "Wait. You just... showed up. Distracted a alien who was about to hurt people. And then you just... walk away?"

"Well, someone's gotta make sure the coffee shops are well-stocked," Adam replied with a shrug. "Besides, you had it handled. I just added some much-needed comedic relief. Think of me as your personal, highly sarcastic, one-man opening act."

He grinned. "It was nice seeing you again, Kara Danvers. Try not to cause too much trouble before our next 'accidental' encounter."

He walked away, leaving a slightly bewildered but undeniably amused Supergirl standing amidst the chaos. He allowed himself a wider grin. Not only had he pulled off a pretty decent "meet-cute," but he'd also gotten his first power, subtly impressed a superhero, and potentially ensured his future romantic prospects. All in a night's work.

Now, about that coffee. And maybe, just maybe, practicing his kinetic energy manipulation in the privacy of his absurdly large penthouse. He had a feeling he was going to need it.