Time for another story contest readers.
[Insert an Image of Clark Kent/Superman Here Today]
***
Collecting his graduation cap off the ground Micheal moved through his fellow ESU graduates, until he managed to find his family.
Once he did his mother pulled him into a hug. "Congratulations!" She cried.
"Okay mom, I get it. So, can you please let go?" Micheal asked.
"Sure, but only after you say I love you." Janice told her son.
"Fine." Micheal replied. "I love you." He said.
Once he did his mom finally released him from her hug.
After she did his father Earnest came over and gave him a quick and easy hug.
Then after Aaron and Jeffrey congratulated him.
Once this happened the family took a couple of pictures, before piling into the car and heading home.
Though when they arrived and stepped through the front door the lights immediately turned on and the Holt family was greeted by numerous voices saying one word.
"Surprise!"
Some of the people who said it, holding a banner that read [Congratulations Micheal] stamped on it in big bold and black letters.
Upon seeing this Micheal instantly knew this party was for him, and once he did he began smiling.
Then after speaking with a few of the guests he went up to his room and changed his clothes.
He then returned to the graduation party and began enjoying it in full swing.
Letting the night just fade away.
***
Lying in his bed Michael slowly opened his eyes as the morning sun came in through his bedroom window and hit his face.
Sitting up he stifled a yawn.
Micheal then went to the bathroom to take care of morning business before returning to his room and changing into some exercise clothes, so he could go on his morning run.
Heading down the stairs after getting dressed Micheal headed to the kitchen to grab some water.
Finding his mother there, dressed for work when he entered it.
Along with his mother's friend, colleague, and his and his brother's honorary aunt.
One Jean Dewolff.
Yes, the same one from the Marvel comics.
Though why is this the case you might ask?
It's because Janice Holt is a member of the NYPD. Specifically a sergeant.
The moment Jean laid eyes on Micheal she got up from her seat, walked over to him, and wrapped him in a light hug. "Good morning Micheal. And congratulations on your graduation from ESU."
"Thank you Aunt Jean." Micheal replied, returning Jeans hug. "You know we missed you at the graduation party last night."
"I know." Jean replied, breaking their hug. "And I wanted to be there, unfortunately something came up at work that I just couldn't get out of."
"It's fine." Micheal replied. "I know you would've been here if you could've."
"Yes, she would've. Otherwise I would've kicked her ass." Janice spoke.
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that Holt." Jean playfully replied.
"I will, thank you very much." Janice retorted.
Then a few seconds passed before the two women'm shared a laugh.
"And I'll take that as my cue to leave." Michael replied.
He then quickly grabbed his water from the fridge and left the house to go on his run.
Michael finishing in no time at all.
Then once he did he returned home, showered, and changed his clothes.
After which he went downstairs and got himself some breakfast.
Where after he finished Micheal began making a few preparations, until he heard the doorbell ring.
Stopping in his tracks after hearing it he went downstairs and answered it, finding Olivia and Allistair standing outside when he did.
"Morning you two." Micheal told them.
"The same to you." Allistair replied.
"Yep, good morning Mike." Olivia said.
Once they all exchanged greetings Micheal ushered then in his house.
His father coming out of his home office as soon as they did.
"Ah, young Allistair, miss Octavious, welcome and good morning." Earnest said.
"Good morning to you too doctor Holt." Allistair replied.
Given that Earnest Holt is a doctor.
Of science that is.
Since he holds a PhD in electrical engineering and is a researcher working to make the world a better place.
Just like Micheal wants to.
His father in his second life being yet another inspiration of his to truly become Mister Terrific.
"Well thank you." Earnest replied.
"Okay, now that the social greetings are out of the way, mind asking us why you called us here this morning Micheal?" Olivia asked.
"Simple. To meet the investor that will help us get Holt Industries off the ground." Micheal replied.
Leading both Allistair and Olivia to give Michael curious looks after he spoke.
"So you mean to tell us you've already found someone willing to give us support in this endeavor?" Allistair asked.
"Come now Allistair, who do you think you're talking to? Of course I have." Michael replied. Smirking after he did.
"Interesting." Olivia said. "On that note, mind sharing the identity of this investor?"
"I could, but that would ruin the surprise." Micheal replied.
Then just as he did he heard the doorbell ring.
"Oh, and speak of the devil. That must be him now." Micheal replied.
He then moved to the front door and opened it up again.
When he did Micheal found himself staring at the person he has been expecting.
Max Modell.
Scientist, philanthropist, CEO and founder of Horizon Lab, but more importantly his father Earnest's boss and the investor that would help him, Allistair, and Olivia, get Holt Industries off the ground.
Since Micheal knew although he and his friends were geniuses, nothing could change the fact they were still just teenagers with no prior work history or accomplishments to their name.
So faced with all this Micheal knew it would be extremely difficult for them to procure start up funds for the company through ordinary means, like a loan from any reputable bank.
Thus enter Max Modell.
A man who loves helping young minds flourish and grow.
And thanks to his father working for Max at Horizon Labs Michael used that as a point of entry and entered talks with the man to fund Holt Industries initially.
Now here they are today.
"Good morning Max." Michael spoke.
"Same to you Micheal." Max replied, walking in. He then turned his attention to Allistair and Olivia. "And you two must be Olivia Octavious and Allistair Symthe. A pleasure to meet you both. Michael's mentioned you several times, and your own reputations aren't too bad either. Miss Octavious, I was especially intrigued with your thesis paper in regards to inter-dimensional energy and multiversal existence."
"Thank you Mr. Modell." Olivia spoke.
"It's an honor to meet you sir." Allistair said. "I followed your work for years."
"Why thank you." Max replied. "Also, good morning Earnest."
"Same you Max." Earnest replied.
"Okay, now that introductions are out of the way, let's get down to business." Micheal spoke, closing the front door.
He then moved into the dining room, everyone else following him.
Once they did all of them sat down at the dining room table.
"Alright, so from the talks me and Max have been having we've worked out a pretty good deal, in my opinion." Michael began. "He and by extension Horizon Labs will give us and Holt Industries a starting loan of $500,000 and help us market and distribute our products for the first three years of the companies existence in exchange for a percentage of the profits generated by the products Holt Industries develops with a 40/60 split, in favor of Max and Horizon Labs. But Holt Industries will retain the full rights and all patents of any products we create." Michael explained. "Any questions?"
"No, since that sounds like an astounding deal." Olivia spoke.
"It does." Allistair agreed. "Though I do have some concerns. Such as will Horizon Labs have claim to any products or inventions we work on during this agreed three-year period but don't take to market?"
"No, we will not." Max replied. "Unless of course Holt Industries agrees to a joint project."
"Exactly." Micheal replied. He then stood up. "Okay, so on that note while the deal information sinks in I would like everyone to follow me. Since it's time for some good old show and tell." He said.
Everyone sending Michael curious gazes when he said this. Looking for an answer.
But Micheal didn't say anything else.
Instead he just began walking towards the backyard, everyone following him.
Once this occured Micheal led them all to the shed, which he has turned into his personal lab when he was just ten years old.
With his parents permission of course.
Opening the shed Micheal stepped inside, the others following him.
Who began looking around after they did.
In doing so they saw various tools on hooks on the walls, computer components such as circuit boards scattered on one of the tables, and even a small chemistry area filled with vials and the like.
Turning around Micheal spread out his arms. "Welcome." He said in a slightly exaggerated fashion. "To my humble lab. Where today I will be showing you all a glimpse of the future."
Doing a spin Micheal moon-walked over to the table and picked up a small square device, where he then held it up in front of everyone.
"First up, we have what I like to call the H-phone. A cellular device currently better than anything on the market, that will change the face of communication forever." Micheal spoke.
Having just revealed his version of the I-phone.
Since it thankfully didn't yet exist in his current reality, and so he was going to milk it for all its worth.
Placing the H-phone down Micheal then picked up a box containing a pair of wireless ear pieces.
"Next up we have these babies. Sonar Earplugs. Incorporating echolocation principles when a person wears them the earplugs will both generative ultrasonic sound waves, which will then send signals directly to the wearers brain, giving them a 3-D map of their surroundings. Like a radar sense. Thus people who have vision impairment, whether naturally or artificially, will be able to see just like others. I also developed a gas mask based on the same technology. Which I'm sure firefighters and rescue personnel will just love." Micheal spoke.
Loving the curious and ecstatic looks his father and the others were giving his first two inventions.
And Michael of course has many more where these came from.
But this was all everyone was getting today.
After all, Mister Terrific wasn't that easy.
"Incredible." Max mused.
"Genius son, just remarkable." Earnest spoke.
"As usual you never cease to amaze me." Allistair complinented.
"What other inventions do you have?" Olivia asked.
"Thank you, thank you all." Micheal replied. "And to answer your question Liv, you'll just have to wait and see." He mused.
Putting a shit eating grin on his face at Olivia's pouting face.
Though a few minutes later she stopped as the group returned to the house and went over some final details of the deal.
Then once that was done Micheal and his friends couldn't have been happier.
Since now they getting the means to change the world with their own hands.