The Sleuth's Apprentice

The Sleuth's Apprentice - Part 2 of 17

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The Sleuth's Apprentice - Part 2 of 17

Superboy, Superman, Batman and Robin are Copyrighted and owned by DC Comics.

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Clark was reading the newspaper in the living room of his Metropolis town home. Lois was home as well, and Jamie and Wesley were in their bedrooms. Wesley had been working on a science project for school, while Jamie had finished reading a book and was about to go outside.

Jamie had fetched his bicycle out of the garage, and he was cycling around the neighborhood when Clark received a phone call from a familiar friend in Gotham City.

Lois picked up the cordless phone and brought it to Clark, who immediately answered.

'Hey, Bruce? How are you?'

'Clark, I'm doing alright. I'm just very busy here in Gotham City, and there have been some weird things going on in the surrounding communities. I may need some extra help'' the voice on the other side of the phone replied.

'What's going on?' Cark wondered.

'Well, a nearby community has experienced a lot of weirdness lately, and I may need some help to go over there and to look into some things' he responded. 'I have a lot going on in Gotham City and I can't afford to be working in other communities as well. I'm about to send Robin to Carnaville to investigate a series of disappearances and robberies, and I would rather have someone with him. Someone managed to create a scare by taking over the media, blocking all fuel supplies and distribution channels into the city, and then robbing some of the major banks and jewelry stores as well.'

'Oh, I heard about that. I heard rumors about someone stirring up panic in the city by saying that a hurricane was in the area?'

'Yes, and it was a complete hoax!'

'What? How is that possible?'

'Whoever is behind all this, is very wealthy, powerful, and has enormous influence over the media, the distribution of fuel, and the public transportation system.' Bruce explained. 'This is big, Clark, and I need some help here. I have my hands full with my own enemies here in the city, and I can't afford to be out-of-town right now. I can only be at one place at a time, so I'm sending Robin. But, he can't do it alone, either' Do you understand? I'm being stretched''

'I can't leave Metropolis for long, but my boys can. How about I come down to Gotham City over the weekend, and introduce you to one of them?' Clark offered his friend.

'I'd rather have you come tomorrow than over the weekend. This is very, very urgent, Clark' I can't emphasize this enough''

'Okay' I'll fly over to the Batcave, tomorrow afternoon, as soon as the boys come home from school. Is that alright?'

'Yes, that will be perfect. The benefits are two-fold, Clark. First of all, your boys will learn a bit about doing real detective work. Second: Robin will need a backup. If anything happens to him, then I'd like to have a young man who could fill in for him, if that were the need''

'Okay! I'll be there around four o'clock in the afternoon!'

Clark hung up the cordless phone. For the moment, he had a very serious look on his face, as he pondered his options.

'What did Bruce have to say?' Lois wondered. She was sitting on the couch next to her husband, and she knew right away that there was something going on.

'Bruce needs someone to be a backup for Robin in Carnaville, as they'll need to investigate a robbery, which had just taken place there. I need to see which one of the boys would like to go to Gotham City and help out''

Lois stood up and called on the boys. Within moments, both Wesley and Jamie were standing before her. Wes had gone outside to call on Jamie, who was riding his bike on the sidewalk, right in front of the house.

'Guys, I may need to send one of you on a mission to Gotham City. My friend, Bruce Wayne, had called. He needs someone to go with Robin to Carnaville to investigate a case of a series of robberies and the disappearances of several kids who lived there. How are your schedules in school during this upcoming week?'

Wesley answered first.

'I have midterms coming up and I'm currently working on a science fair project. I can do it, but I'll have to fly back and forth from school to Carnaville'' Wes explained honestly.

Lois and Clark then turned towards Jamie.

'I just have homework. But, I guess you can let Mr. Bonesworth know, if you want me to take a few days off from school in order to help out Robin'' Jamie shrugged as he replied in earnest.

'I think it would be better for Jamie to go first. Next time, it'll be your turn, Wes! I don't want to take you away from your schoolwork. Since you're older and in a higher grade, I know you have more homework to do than Jamie does. That's alright.' Clark explained, before he turned to face Jamie.

'Jamie, I'm flying with you to Gotham City tomorrow. You'll need to be in the Batcave as Superboy around four in the afternoon. Would you like to do that?' Clark asked his youngest son.

'Sure! That would be awesome! I'll get to meet Batman and Robin! That'll be sweet!' the boy cheered. 'I'm so honored to get the chance to become Robin's sidekick''

'Come over here as soon as school is over tomorrow afternoon. I'll introduce you to Robin, so that the two of you can go to Carnaville from there.'

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