"Dream save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us. And on my soul, I swear until my dream of a world where dignity, honor, justice becomes the reality we all share, I'll never stop fighting. Ever. -Superman


The world needs heroes. They lift us up from the depths of evil and pull us to a higher plane of morality. They are role models, they are lights in the darkness. We dress like them, we worship them. And when we need them most, they will be there.


The Kryptonian

"Dad?" A young boy looked out his window at the seemingly never-ending cornfields.

"What is it Clark?" Johnathan Kent looked down at his adopted alien were in his old beat up red truck.

"Why am I so different from everyone else?" Clark asked curiously.

John smiled at his son. "You're a very special boy Clark." John still couldn't believe such an innocent, cute, little boy could hold such a destructive power.

"Is that why I can't go to school with the normal kids?" Clark asked. He was frowning. John couldn't let him play with the other kids, for fear that Clark would accidentally hurt someone. It killed John to not let Clark interact with the other kids.

"You are normal Clark. You're just a little different." John hugged his son close to him. "Someday Clark, you'll have more friends than you can ever imagine."

Clark shrugged. "I have you and Ma. I don't need any friends."

John smiled sadly. "Thank you Clark." He felt his eyes tear up, but he quickly suppressed it. It wouldn't help Clark any to see him cry.


"I love you Clark." Martha Kent kissed her son on the cheek. She wiped tears from her eyes.

"I love you too Ma." Clark hugged her softly. Clark had gained much better control over his strength. "I'll come visit you every weekend." Clark was excited to finally leave his home in Kansas and meet people the same age. He loved his parents and would miss them dearly, but it was time for him to become an adult.

"You better." She sniffed and stepped back so John could say his goodbyes.

"I love you son." He shook Clark's hand and then pulled him into a hug. "Remember Clark, you're a greater man than any of us could hope to be." That was something John had told Clark for years. Clark always responded the same way, that John was underestimating the strength of mankind.

"I think you overestimate me, Dad." Clark said. "Or maybe your just underestimating yourselves."

John nodded. "Maybe your right." He hugged him again. "Always do what's right Clark." He had no doubt his son would stand for what was right.

"You know I will." Clark said. He got in his old truck and drove down the road. Headed for the next chapter in his life, Metropolis University.


"Mr. Allen!" An old man, wearing a suit that was as old as him, yelled from the front of a classroom.

The blonde hair boy grinned at his professor. "Yeah, teach?" He asked. A blonde girl next to him giggled.

"Would care to teach the class about General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics?" The professor asked in a mock nice voice.

"Sure thing." Barry hoped out his seat and walked to the front of the room. "Okay so let's start with General Relativity. This theory perfectly explains gravity. It was devopled by Albert Einstein blah blah blah. It's how we learned about Spacetime."

"Quantum Mechanics explains the other three forces in the universe. Electromagnetism, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces. It isn't has clean had general relativity as it doesn't tell you exactly where or what something will do it just gives you the chances of each outcome."

"Now they both have problems however, General Relativity's equations don't work when you get down to the molecular level. Quantum Mechanics doesn't work when trying to explain massive objects. Now if we could use both theories at the same time, we would have explanations for all the forces. But the theories just simply aren't compatible. Now there are a couple of theories that try to explain this like String-" Barry was getting on a role when his professor cut him off.

"Alright, Mr. Allen you win this battle. Please if you would sit back down." The professor conceded. Barry grinned and headed back toward the blonde girl. "Mr. Allen would also go sit by Mr. Kent instead?" Barry begrudgingly sat next to Clark. The professor when back to his lesson.

"Not a bad lesson, but String theory is your choice for a theory of everything?" Clark asked drawing a surprised look from Barry. Clark rarely spoke in class leading most people to think he was dumb.

"It explains everything." Barry said simply.

"Only if you ignore the problems it brings with it." Clark pointed out. "Even the simplest version of it, requires 11 dimensions and if you believe in string theory you also have to believe in multiverse theory."

Barry was in shock. The small town farm boy from Kansas had knowledge of the intricate working of Theoretical Physics. "Alright farm boy, I underestimated you. How about since we both already know all about this, we go get some burgers? I'm starving."

Clark shrugged. "Sure why not?"


"So where you from in Kansas?" Barry asked. He had a burger and fries sitting in front of him.

"Smallville, Kansas." Clark said. "My parents live on a farm."

"Smallville? You have to be kidding." Clark shook his head. "Alright well I'm from Central City. Metropolis U has the best forensic program in the country, that's why I came here."

"Journalism." Clark said point at himself.

"Alright man I gotta ask, and I've been wondering this since I met you, why are you not just pulling girls? Your easily the best looking guy here." Barry said. "No homo." He quickly added.

"I'm just trying to focus on my education Barry." Clark laughed.

"Look I would have believed that 2 hours ago, but now I know your smarter than me." Barry said. "You aren't trying to compensate for something with those muscles are you?"

Clark gave a deep laugh. "No Barry, I'm just not interested in women right now." Something drew Clark's attention away from the conversation. Ironically, it was a women, but not the reasons Barry would have looked at her. The woman was a beautiful blonde with stunning green eyes, but Clark didn't notice this. He noticed the three men harassing her and not so subtly trying to feel her up.

"Yeah whatever you say farm boy..." Barry followed Clark's gaze. He suddenly glared at the men. "How about we go take care of that?" Both men agreed on that. It was clear neither man would stand for injustice. Barry and Clark walked over to the girl and the two jerks.

Barry draped his arm over the girls shoulders. "Hey babe. I got you this shake." The girl quickly realized what was going on and took the shake. She leaned her head against Barry. "Are these guys bothering you?"

The two guys were pissed. "Look man we know she's not with you so why don't you beat it?" The bigger one stepped toward Barry. He looked ready to fight. That was until Clark stepped forward as well. Clark was an imposing figure. The two men quickly backed off and left the restaurant in a fit.

The girl smiled at Barry and Clark (though mostly at Barry). "Thank you." She said to Barry. "Both of you." She added as an afterthought.

Barry grinned. "No problem. I'm Barry Allen, that's Clark Kent."

The girl nodded. "I'm Iris West."


"Where's your girlfriend at Barry?" Clark asked. They were standing off to one side of a huge ball room. Both were donned in graduation gowns.

"With her parents I think." Barry shrugged. Barry's parents were there because his mother was dead, and his father had been charged with her murder. Although Barry swore that his father didn't do it, and it was a 'yellow blur'.

"Ma and Pa had to leave early. The farm can only be left alone for so many days." Clark said. He didn't mind them leaving early. College wasn't a big deal for an alien with nearly limitless strength, speed, fire beams, freeze breathe, and an eidetic memory.

Barry snickered. "Ma and Pa." He was unconsciously tapping his foot at super speed. Ever since he had gained his powers in a freak accident, he could never stand still. Barry had kept his speed a secret from Clark, but it had been impossible to hide from Iris. It was too obvious during sex.

"Hilarious Barry." Clark rolled his eyes but smiled. "Make fun of how the Kansas boy talks."

Barry suddenly scoffed. "Look at that tool." He nodded toward a man in a tailored suit. The man looked about the same age as them. He was the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. He strolled around the room confidently, a smile on his face. Clark could see the smile was a façade. The man had a very slight limp and he winced ever so subtly when he shook someone's hand. Clark used his x-ray vision and saw his upper body was covered in nasty bruises and his shoulder was wrapped in gauze. "And the girl with him." He said in disgust. The woman was a well-known model. She was wearing a low-cut black dress and had radiant blonde hair.

Clark chuckled. "You would have droold over her not to long ago." He remarked.

"Yeah well now I have a girlfriend." Barry said. "And I wouldn't drool over anyone hanging off Bruce Wayne's arm. Smug prick. Never does anything for anyone other than himself. I mean look at how fucked Gotham was until Batman showed up." Barry took a deep breath. "Sorry, but you know how I feel about stuff like that."

Clark nodded. They both didn't like when people in power didn't use their power to help those less fortunate. Clark wasn't sure Bruce was one of those people though. Billionaires don't get bruises like that under normal conditions. Vigilantes however...

Batman had appeared during Clark's second year at Metro U. Crime rates in Gotham dropped from the highest in the country to among the lowest. Batman had been the catalyst for a wave of 'superheroes', as they were being called. Soon The Flash (Jay Garrick), and Green Lantern (An alien), joined the ranks of Superheros. The heroes were far from perfect. Batman was known to put people in the hospital, he never killed them, but it didn't sit well with the GPD. The Flash was old. Like way past his prime old. He would often get put out of commission for weeks at a time. Green Lantern wasn't human and rarely dealt with small, everyday crimes. The thought had of course crossed Clark's mind to become a hero himself, but he wasn't confident in his ability to hold back when facing a murder or rapist.

It didn't take long for Clark in find out Batman's true identity. A quick use of X-Ray vision and Google led to one name. Bruce Wayne. Clark had done nothing with the information. It was just nice to know. "Hey Barry, you want to get out of here? There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Barry shrugged. "Sure why not?" He grabbed a crab cake from one of the waiters. They walked out into the chilly night air. The moon and stars shone bright even in the heart of metropolis. "So what'd you want to talk about?" Barry asked. The two started walking aimlessly.

"Well it's a long story..." Clark started then he got an idea. "Hey you want to race, one last time?" Clark asked with a grin. The two had made a habit of racing weekly. Clark always won because of his powers. This time however, Barry had powers too.

Barry grinned back at him. "Hell yeah! I'm going to beat you this time!" They walked to the track. They lined up. "How many laps?"

Clark smirked. "12. Three miles shouldn't be too hard." He knew about Barry's speed. He had for a while. 12 laps would be easy for both of them.

Barry was confused for a second, but didn't say anything. Most of the time they ran 1 lap maybe 2. But, 12? Clark was up to something. Barry was confident he would win with his new speed. Clark was about to get a taste of his own medicine. "On the count of three. One."

Clark grinned. "Two."

Barry shot off faster than he thought Clark could run. "THREE!" Barry thought wrong.

Clark caught up easily with a burst of speed. Barry sped up and Clark stuck right with him. Barry failed to notice how fast either of them were running. Clark grinned at Barry. Both of them were running north of 200 MPH. "Come on Barry! I thought you got faster!" He shouted and took the lead. Barry forgot about keeping his speed a secret (though he hadn't been a doing a good job of it anyway), and blasted off at full speed. Clark went exactly the same sped. The simultaneously shattered the sound barrier, causing Barry to stop dead in his tracks. "What the hell Clark?"

"Come on. We have a lot to talk about." Clark laughed at the shocked Barry. Clark and Barry sat at a nearby table for two hours, Clark explained everything about who he was and where he came from.

"So you're an alien? With super strength and your as fast as me?" Barry asked.

"Among other powers, yes." Clark nodded.

"Trippy." Barry couldn't believe his best friend had hidden his powers from him for that long. "So I'm guessing you've know about me for a while then?"

Clark nodded again. "Yes I have. It doesn't change anything between us."

Barry nodded too. "Agreed." He was quiet for a second. "Have you ever considered becoming a superhero? Like Batman, The Flash, and Green Lantern?"

Clark sighed. "Yes I have. I'm still... considering it." He said.

"Me too." Barry said quietly. "Well, as fun as that was, I think I need to get back to Iris. I'll see you again before I leave for Central?"

Clark nodded. "I'll see you soon." Barry flashed him a grin and sprinted away.


2 years later...

Clark had become a hero the year after he graduated. He wasn't planning on it, it just sort of happened. One day on his way home from work, he found an old women being robbed. Saving her was simple enough. A simple street thug was no match for his Krytonian might.

The truth was Clark had felt bored, and unfulfilled since he finished college. He felt he had been wasting this gift that he had been given. The old woman was the first of many he would save through out the next year. He created a costume, and The Daily Planet had given him a name. Superman, joined the world of superheroes.

The City of Tomorrow, had a new guardian, The Man of Tomorrow, The Man of Steel, Superman, the ultimate hero. Criminals around the city were terrified and crime dropped to the lowest in the country. Everything about Superman's first year as a hero went perfectly.

But today, was not going perfectly.

The city mayor decided to have a celebration and give Superman a key to the city. The ceremony had gone perfectly until Zod had shown up and vaporized the Mayor into a pile of ash. He began yelling for Superman to appear or he would kill every last person in Metropolis. Superman didn't disappoint.

Superman landed with a crash in front of Zod. "Who are you? And what are you doing threatening this city?"

"My name is Zod, but peasants like you, can call me General Zod!" Zod was as tall as Superman at 6 feet 8 inches. He had black hair and a muscular build, but he looked 20 years older than Superman. "I am like you. I am a Kryptonian, like you." The crowd had cleared away from the two titans. "But I am much stronger."

"Why are you here? How did you survive the destruction of Krypton?" Superman asked. He was tense, ready to attack if Zod threatened anymore civilians.

Zod smirked."I was locked in the Phantom Zone for my crimes. I finally escaped." He said. "My ship detected Kryptonian technology on this mud ball. I thought maybe a few Kryptonian had escaped the destruction of our world and taken over this one. Imagine my surprise when I found a Kryptonian, protecting these people, living among them, pretending to be equal to these weaklings! You are a disgrace to our entire race!" Zod yelled. "And I finally decided I couldn't take it any longer. So I have come to kill you and then take over this world for myself!"

Superman glared at Zod. "I won't let that happen." The two clashed midair causing a shock wave that destroyed all glass nearby. Zod fired his laser beams at innocent bystanders, but Superman was in front of the beams before they could hurt the family. "You won't hurt any one Zod!"

"I disagree. You will be hurt the most, Superman!" Zod spat. He punched Clark in the face and stomped him into the ground. "You are weak boy! You know nothing about being a kryptonian!"

Superman struggled under Zod's boot. "I know plenty Zod!" He stopped struggling and stared up defiantly at him. "I know I am from Krypton, but more importantly, I am the Guardian of Earth, and I will protect the earth and its people until the day I draw my last breath. Today, is not that day."

Superman grabbed Zod's leg and slammed him into the ground. He punched Zod a dozen times before Zod knew what was happening. "I don't have to hold back with you, Zod." He picked Zod up by his armor. "At least...not as much." He punched Zod in the face sending his flying into the air. He kept punching Zod until they were in space. He grabbed Zod and flew them away from Earth. Away from the solar system, and all the way to the edge of the Milky Way.

"This is your only warning Zod." Superman threatened. "If you return to earth, or if I hear that you have caused harm anywhere in the universe, I will find you, and I will return you to the Phantom Zone, myself." With those final words he punched Zod one last time in the jaw and sent the villain flying away at the speed of light.


Superman. A being with the body of a god, and the heart of a man. A man with the ability to destroy anything, protects everything. A human and a kryptonian. He is the ultimate juxtaposition. A man has never been so loved and feared, but that is just another thing, The Man of Steel, proves is possible.


It is a remarkable dichotomy. In many ways, Clark is the most human of us all. Then... he shoots fire from the skies, and it is difficult to not think of him as a god. And how fortunate we all are, that is does not occur to him. -Batman