Lois and Clark park in the parking lot of the strange shop that had appeared in Metropolis at Southside, known better by its occupants as Suicide Slum. It’s a neighborhood in Metropolis that has been known to have a much higher rate of crime than the rest of the city. It is a down market area where many who cannot afford the apartments and penthouses of the main city live, the property prices of the Slums being lower due to the corruption.
The shop in question is an old restaurant that went out of business and been abandon for years. Before it reopens after being brought and reopen as The Mystery Shack, with the S of the sign hanging upside down making it look like it’s The Mystery Hack instead. Stepping inside the shack both reporters discovered its looks like a weird gift shop that sells overpriced merchandise to tourists. Bobble heads of Superman, bumper stickers, snack foods, sodas, snow globes, magazines, comics, mangas, and figurines of sexy monster girls in skimpy clothes.
“So, this is where they’re coming from,” Lois said having seen some of the monster girl figurines showing up.
“And the dolls that are all the rage,” picking up the box holding the monster girls meant for young girls. That are dress up dolls and have all kinds of accessories that you have to buy. Like those Darbie dolls that were all the rage a few years back.
Looking at the counter they found a young woman with orange skin and red hair with a yellow strip manning it. She’s ringing out Gangbuster a street level hero who operates in this part of the city.
“Gangbuster?” Clerk ask seeing the hero.
“Oh Kent, Lane what are you two doing in this neck of the city?” Gangbuster ask taking a drink from the energy drink he brought.
“We came because of the rumors of a wish granting traders operating around here. And from what I learn this is the place where he can be found,” Lois explains.
“He’s in the back,” the cashier girl said.
“Gangbuster you know anything?” Clerk ask.
“His name is Jeffro and he can grant any wish you want. But only if what you trade for it is something that he wants and he agrees to it,” Gangbuster said.
“Have you made a wish?” Lois ask.
“He traded some guns he gotten from fighting crime so that his suit is now self-repairing,” the cashier girl said.
“Beats having to pay for repairs,” Gangbuster said finishing his drink and leaving the store, tossing his bottle into the blue recycle bin.
“So, he’s in the back?” Lois asks the cashier girl.
“Yeah, just head back there behind the curtains,” the girl said as she starts looking at her smartphone.
Heading to the back of the store, they found the yellow curtains. Parting the curtains, they saw a middle aged heavy set man behind a desk playing a videogame on a tv. The man paused the game and turns his attention to the two new customers.
“Lois and Clark reporters from the Daily Planet, what can I do for you two?” the man ask.
“Jeffro?” Lois ask.
“Yes,” the man answers.
“We’re here to ask you some questions,” Clark said.
“Here about me granting wishes as long as I agree to the trade? Don’t worry I’m not with the imp or Mxyzptlk, so it’s not one of his tricks on you Kal-El or Superman,” Jeffro said.
“You know?” Clark asks as he and Lois are surprised.
“Those glasses and acting like a wimp doesn’t fool me. All it shows that humans are morons,” Jeffro said.
“Hey,” Lois said.
“As if you would had figured it out if he hadn’t told you,” Jeffro said.
“I would have,” Lois said.
“Keep telling yourself that, dumb dumb,” Jeffro said.
“What?” Lois snaps.
“I’m like Mxyzptlk, the only reason why Superman stands a chance is because the imp never tries to really do harm and gave himself a weakness to get rid of him for a couple of months. And unlike him I’m not going to be sandbagging myself,” Jeffro said. “So, what do you two want?”
“To find out what you’re doing,” Clark said.
“Offering the use of my power for a trade,” Jeffro said.
“Really just like that?” Lois asks.
“What’s your wish and what do you have to trade for it?” Jeffro said.
“I have five bucks and I want a Strawberry Shortcake doll,” Lois said putting a five on the desk.
“Here,” Jeffro said as he waves his hand and a Strawberry Shortcake doll replaced the fiver.
“Hey, it’s all worn,” Lois said looking over the worn and torn doll.
“What do you expect for five bucks?” Jeffro asked.
“Cheapskate,” Lois said.
“You know you’ll have to do better than this,” Clark said. Then blinks seeing he’s in the Batcave with a surprised Batman at his computer.
“Where’s Clark?” Lois asks.
“With Wayne in his man cave,” Jeffro said.
A few seconds later Clark reappeared looking annoyed.
“Really?” Clark asked.
“The imp knows who you all are, and you think I wouldn’t know either?” Jeffro ask.
“Is this it? You are being able to grant wishes and you working in a small shop is it?” Lois asked.
“Pretty much. I could be like the imp and mess around but I’m not like that,” Jeffro said. “I’m lazy and I rather make trades like this. And play video games than going around playing king of the mountain.”
“What are you really here for?” Clark asks.
“That would be telling,” Jeffro said making both of them disappear.
!
The Kent Farm -
Martha Kent hearing a noise coming from her son’s old room open the door to find her son and his wife inside. Getting undress with Lois only in her underwear. They all stared at each other before Martha slam the door shut.
“Well I’m embarrassed beyond belief,” Clark said.
“He’s worse than Myx,” Lois growls.
!
Back at the Mystery Shack -
“Now the big time heroes know about us,” Sunset entering the back office.
“Yes, but that’s expected. Sooner or later, they would had learn about me. Don’t worry as long as I’m around they’ll be too busy focusing on me to really look into you,” Jeffro said. “Lucky for you that most people think you just used body spray or spray on tan to be orange.”
“Beats being an ultra cute unicorn and having little girls try to ride me and feed me,” Sunset said.
“How are you doing with that transformation spell?” Jeffro ask.
“Still learning and getting use to this different brand of magic,” Sunset said.
“I could just give it to you and even make you into an alicorn,” Jeffro said.
“No, I can’t I want to earn it myself,” Sunset said.
“Are you just saying that because Jeffro wants you to say those words of power to be able to transform?” a male voice asked.
“Quite Danny,” Sunset snaps at the walls of the building. (1)
"Sunset there's another customer coming to the shack," Jeffro said.
"Right boss," Sunset said leaving the room.
"Danny make sure that the heroes can't find the shack. And keep the customers to one person at a time," Jeffro said.
"Sure thing," Danny said leaving as well.
Leaving Jeffro alone in his office as he brought up several screens in the air around him. All showing different people that he's changing the story so that all of their paths will cross. The first screen is a young woman name Raven searching for a way to stop her father.
Another screen shows the Tamaran princesses Koriand'r and Komand'r on the Psions starship. They're not alone as the twins Zan and Jayna originating from the planet Exxor are also on the ship.
Another screen shows the hero Sideways, real name Derek James. A teen who gained the ability to open teleport portals.
The last shows Jinny Hex the great granddaughter of the legendary western hero Jonah Hex.
Jeffro smiled as he's going to take the plot of Young Justice and take it off the rails.
!