Issue #26 – GODFALL
Smallville:
Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet, stood in front of a mirror, looking at himself, dressed in a black tuxedo. Today was going to be the beginning of his biggest challenge. An unknown future.
It had been almost a year since his final confrontation with Lex Luthor. Lois had moved in with him and they had both won numerous awards for their investigative reporting.
It wasn't all great though. They had tried to get married before. But something always happened, someone always needed rescuing and Clark was forced to fly off and save the day. Adjusting his glasses, Clark turned towards the door, suddenly pausing, his ears picking up the sound of a faint female voice, then another…and another.
Searching through the walls with his x-ray vision, his eyes focussed, his vision zooming to a house nearby, looking through to see and hear the source of the cries for help. It was coming from a television, showing lives images of a fire in downtown Metropolis.
Rushing into action, Clark ripped off his tux, revealing a familiar blue suit. While his normal clothes were usually made using the advanced technology at the Fortress to allow a quick change, Lois had insisted that Clark should wear a proper, man-made tux for the wedding, suggesting that no computer in the galaxy had the programming to create an Italian-style suit better than an Italian designer. Walking to the closet, Clark opened a small panel in the back, revealing an assortment of capes and boots.
After quickly taking off his shoes and putting on the boots, Clark attached the cape, and, shaking his shoulders, the bright red cape dropped down his back. As he walked towards the window, opening it, he looked back at the wrinkled and torn tux lying on the ground behind him.
"Lois is gonna kill me…" Shaking his head, sighing to himself, the Man of Steel, jumped out of the window and in the blink of an eye, he was in the air, heading towards the city of Metropolis.
As Lois Lane walked back and forth in her long white wedding dress, her veil lying on the vanity table, she pondered the future, She had loved Clark for his innocence, his good nature and ability to make her smile. She had loved Superman for his ideals, his unwavering trust in the potential of humanity and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the world. Clark and Superman were one in the same. And now she was about to marry her hero.
Martha Kent entered the room, looking at her future daughter-in-law, admiring this strong-willed woman who had won the heart of her adopted son.
"Lois…"
Looking at the silver-haired woman, she could see it in her face.
"He's gone isn't he..."
"I'm afraid so. I'm sure he'll be back in time though."
Lois gave a soft laugh. "This is Clark remember? We both know what he's like. As soon as he's done saving someone, he finds another person who needs rescuing. It's not his fault I suppose, he is Superman after all. The world needs him."
Both women sat down, turning on the T.V. On the screen, images showed Superman carrying a young woman, in her mid-twenties, to safety, away from a burning high-rise building. The crowd cheered as the woman wrapped her arms around Superman, thanking him with a kiss on the cheek.
"Typical…" a note of jealousy passing through Lois.
Metropolis:
As Superman put out the last of the flames, he rose high up into the sky, exploding across the clouds back towards Kansas and his hometown of Smallville, back to Lois and the wedding. But again, he heard voices crying out for help. Changing direction, he shot off towards the North Atlantic and into the midst of a terrifying hurricane.
Through the rain and harsh winds, he saw a large passenger ship, losing a battle against the fierce waves crashing against the hull. The ship, sinking slowly into the sea as the passengers cried out for help. Landing on the upper deck, making his way to the bridge, he spotted an old man, wearing an officer's uniform. It was the captain.
"Superman, thank god you're here. I thought we were done for."
"How can I help?"
"This storm, I've never sailed through anything like it. There's water flooding the ship from the bowels, it's coming in faster than we can pump it out."
Superman immediately took off, diving underwater seeking out the source of the flooding. What he saw astounded him, a large gaping hole in the ships hull, allowing seawater to file through. Thinking for a moment, Superman flew up out of the water and back towards the mainland.
As waves crashed against the shore on Ellis Island, Superman flew over New York City, sighting what he needed, he descended down into a construction sight, picking up a large sheet of metal as the foreman of the site looked on.
"Mind if I borrow this?"
"Not at all Superman, take what you need."
Suddenly he was gone from sight again, flying at a tremendous speed over the Atlantic, the large sheet of metal in his hands, being carried like it was nothing more than paper.
Reaching the ship, he dived underwater, placing the metal sheet over the large hole, welding it into place using a focussed blast of heat from his eyes. Surfacing again, he found the captain, grateful for his assistance but with a grim look on his face.
"I'm afraid it's too late Superman, there's too much water on board. The ship is going to sink and most of the lifeboats were torn from their cables by the storm. We just don't have enough boats to fit everybody on. We've evacuated everybody from the lower decks but it's only a matter of time before the water level rises to the top."
As Superman opened his mouth to respond, he heard the crying voice of a child deep inside the ship. Running quickly, he became a blur, using his x-ray vision to find the cabin where the young boy was crying, alone with the water rising up around him. Breaking down the door, Superman entered the room, picking up the child.
"It's alright, I've got you."
Moving again, speeding up through the ship until he found the boys parents who were grateful to have their son back, the boy obviously excited,
"Mommy did you see me? I went so fast."
"I saw you Ronnie, wow you were like the Flash weren't you…"
"Aww come on Mom, everybody knows Superman isn't that fast."
Smiling to himself, Superman ran back to the bridge, feeling the ship start to shake as it began to sink under the water. Coupled with the raging storm battering the ship, Superman knew he was running out of time. Telling the captain to inform the crew and passengers to hold on, Superman flew out and back under the ship.
As the captain relayed the message over the PA system, he felt a light jolt as the ship began to slowly rise out of the water. Eventually the entire ship was airborne, with the Man of Steel underneath, taking the weight on his back. The people on the ship cheered as Superman took the ship high up and over the storm, flying in towards land.
Finally, Superman gently touched down with the ship in Gotham City Harbour, making sure everyone was alright before flying off. In the shadows, a lone figure watched as Superman took off into the distance. Glancing at the ship, Batman allowed himself a little smile.
"Show-off…"
Space:
High above, in the depths of space, a mysterious figure watched the events on a monitor. Turning to one of his minions, he gave an order.
"Bring Kal-El to me."
"Yes my lord…"
"Soon Kal-El, the last son of Krypton will be mine…"
The being known as Darkseid, looked out of a window on his colossal ship, inspecting a large invasion fleet powering through space. Their destination, Earth.
Smallville:
As Superman flew towards his home, his mind was filled with thoughts of an angry Lois. This was the third time he had left her at the alter, dashing off to save somebody. He wondered if she would forgive him again. Part of him wanted to just turn around and head for the Fortress, it might be safe there from her wrath. Clark chuckled at this thought as he began his descent, landing gracefully, touching down behind the barn.
After Lex Luthor and Zod destroyed the farm months earlier, Clark had taken it upon himself to rebuild everything. With his strength and speed, it hadn't taken him long. In fact most people in Smallville didn't even realise that the farm itself had been damaged although everyone knew that the crops had been burned.
Pretty much everyone in Smallville had seen Superman ripping the water tank from the tower overlooking the town, and they reasoned that the smoke coming from the Kent farm had been the corn, probably set alight due to intense sunshine, at least that's what the insurance company concluded. By the time they had gotten to the farm to check the damage, the house and barn had been rebuilt and since they couldn't find any source for the fire, they concluded that it must have been the sun. The reality of course was that General Zod had destroyed the crops with his heat vision.
Using his x-ray vision, Clark scanned the area, searching for signs of his mother and fiancé.
"Phew, not here…maybe I should run before they get back…"
"Run where?"
Startled, Clark turned around, spotting Lois standing, arms crossed, behind him, with the look of a woman scorned on her face.
"Um…uh…gee Lois, how come I didn't hear you?" Clark asked, reverting back to his stuttering, mumbling routine that he used so regularly in Metropolis.
"How long have I known you Clark? I'm a woman; I know how to get around your powers better than anyone. And quit with the mild mannered act OK! It doesn't work when you have that cape on."
Looking down at himself, Clark saw he was still wearing the world-famous Superman outfit. Taking a deep breath, striking a pose he spoke, deepening the sound of his voice.
"Well Ms. Lane, the world needs Superman. If I can help the world in any way, it's my responsibility to do so."
They stared at each other, before a little smile began to form on Lois' lips. Suddenly they were laughing, hugging and kissing each other.
"I really am sorry Lois…"
"I know Clark, I know."
They kissed again gently, Superman wrapping his cape around the woman he loved.
"…How touching…"
Looking around, Clark laid eyes on four strange women, spreading out to surround the Man of Steel.
"So this is the famous Kryptonian…Kal-El is it? Hmpf…just a man…"
Walking in front of Lois to protect her, Superman looked at each woman in turn before focussing on the woman who had spoken, the obvious leader.
"And you are?"
A smirk grew on the woman's face, "Formal introductions? Very well…behind you is Harriet…or Mad Harriet to her enemies. On your left is Stompa…you may be able to fly but on the ground she "shakes things up," while on your right stands Bernadeth, and I am Lashina. We are the Female Furies and right now our fury is aimed at you, son of Krypton."
Lois couldn't help but laugh. Her upfront stubborn nature refusing to let her see any danger from these women.
"Female Furies? What are you, Pop Idol rejects?"
Suddenly the ground began to shake, a violent earthquake focussed under the feet of Lois and Clark, causing them to fall. Over their shoulders, the woman Stompa smiled viciously as Harriet lunged at Lois with her sharp claws, only to be caught by Superman and thrown backwards.
Gathering Lois up into his arms, Clark flew her to a safe distance, before returning to face these strange women. They attacked together, kicking and punching, but their blows didn't have any effect on the Man of Steel.
From out of nowhere, a beam of light struck Superman on the chest, he became light-headed, the strength beginning to drain from his body. Turning he saw another woman, Bloody Mary, beams shooting from her eyes, attempting to draw the energy from Superman's body.
Superman decided to match her eye-beams with some of his own, blasting Mary with a strong surge of heat energy from his own eyes, burning her retina, as she screamed out in horror. The Fury, Bernadeth approached and held a knife, burning in flame to Superman's throat.
"No!!" Lashina shouted after her, "Darkseid wants him alive."
Ignoring the order, Bernadeth pressed the knife right up to Superman's neck, who was still recovering from Bloody Mary's attack. Lashina, frustrated at Bernadeth's unwillingness to follow orders, struck out at the disobedient woman, knocking her backwards before attaching a small tracking device to the back of Superman's neck.
"Desaad, now!" she said, speaking into a communicator before witnessing a blinding light surround Superman, as he was teleported away.
As the Furies teleported off the farm, only Lashina and Bernadeth were left, staring ferociously at each other.
"The next time you disobey orders or undermine my leadership, I will kill you."
"Leadership? What leadership? I should be in charge of this operation, not you Lashina."
The two women walked around in a circle, shouting profanities back and forth, neither willing to back down.
"If you want to challenge me then so be it."
Both women charged at each other, throwing fierce punches in anger, brutally kicking out, falling to the floor but continuing to fight even as they rolled around in the dirt. Lashina managing to stand, grabbing Bernadeth by the hair, dragging her along the mud in a humiliating fashion before her opponent in an amazing feat of athleticism and flexibility, managed to lift herself up in a handstand, wrapping her legs around Lashina's neck and dragging her down before rolling her over.
Bernadeth, towered over the Furies leader, ready to plunge her burning faren-knife into her enemy, Lashina however had other ideas. Grabbing the knife and twisting it around, she thrust the blade into Bernadeth's chest, piercing her heart and killing her. Standing up, looking down at the corpse, Lashina activated a switch on her communicator, transporting off the farm in a flash of light.
Lois hid in shock…she had watched helpless as these strangers abducted the man she loved. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to understand what had happened. Martha Kent, having explained to the guests that the planned wedding wasn't going to happen, drove up to the farm to find Lois in a heap on the ground, crying and looking up into the sky.
Space:
High above the Earth, Lashina arrived on Darkseid's ship to be greeted by Desaad, devoted servant of Darkseid.
"Well?"
"He's secure, he won't be getting through that barrier anytime soon."
"Good, where is Lord Darkseid? He must be informed."
Desaad looked at the battered woman, "In his chambers, he's waiting for you…Lashina, where's my sister? Where's Bernadeth?"
Lashina, covered in bruises from her fight with Bernadeth, looked Desaad in the eye,
"She…she didn't make it."
With that, she walked off towards her master's quarters with Desaad looking on, muttering to himself…"Neither will you Lashina…"
Lashina walked quietly into the dim-lit chambers of her master, Darkseid. His towering figure turned away from her, looking out onto the Earth.
"It is done my lord, the Kryptonian has been taken."
"You have done well Lashina, come here so you may be rewarded." Darkseid replied, beckoning her forward. As she stood before him, she began to shake, nervous in the presence of her god.
"Look at that world…so full of life, so rich in natural beauty. Naïve fools, living their lives oblivious to what's about to happen to them."
"Y-y-yes…"
"In the coming war, those who defy me shall die, those who remain loyal to my goal shall be rewarded. Are you loyal to me Lashina?"
"Of course, my lord…always."
Suddenly, Lashina felt Darkseid's hand around her neck, lifting her off the ground, slowly choking her.
"Fool. Why do you lie to your god? Did you not realise I would see your little altercation with Bernadeth?"
Struggling to reply due to the hand squeezing her throat, Lashina forces her voice through.
"But my king, she defied you...she…she…tried to kill the Kryptonian..."
"Regardless, her death was not by my decree, she was not to die unless I wished it…and I did not wish it then. I will not tolerate this kind of action. Do I make myself clear?"
"Y…yes my…lord…"
"Good…" Darkseid, turned his hand, snapping the neck of Lashina, whose body went limp and fell to the ground, lifeless…dead.
"Now, I think it is time I pay a visit to our new guest…."
Surrounded by a strange energy shield, Kal-El stood, reaching out to break the barrier, flinching in pain.
"…I wouldn't bother…son of Krypton, that shield is a relic from your home world. Designed to keep your species imprisoned."
The voice of Darkseid echoed throughout the room as he emerged from the shadows to face Superman.
"Welcome to your new home Kal-El, together you and I will usher in a new dawn for your precious Earth, and the universe itself."
"Who are you?"
Darkseid laughed a little before replying.
"I am Omega, I am the end
I am neither foe nor friend
I am a god of men
I am the origin of hatred, the flame of revenge.
I am the destruction of life
The coming of night
I am in the shadows where you hide
I am Darkseid…
A little rhyme parents teach their children about me on one of the many worlds I have conquered…but there will be time for talk later Kal-El. For now you must rest."
As Darkseid turned to leave, Superman answered after him.
"I don't need rest, and I won't rest until you are revealed for what you are and defeated."
Darkseid smirked menacingly, "But you must rest…and you will."
As Darkseid left, a huge jolt of energy, shot through Superman's body, causing him to shout out in pain as it paralysed him, falling to the floor as he began to lose consciousness until eventually everything was dark.
Smallville:
"Where are you going?" Martha Kent asked as she watched Lois get into her car.
"Gotham. There's someone there I need to see…"
"Can he help?"
"I hope so," Lois replied, forcing herself not to cry as she started the car before driving away from the farm. She wasn't sure if the man she was going to see would be able to find Clark. She'd only met him once but she knew his reputation. He was a vigilante…a detective…one of the best in the world. But he was also a billionaire with vast resources, thanks to the success of his company, Wayne Enterprises.
As she drove, Lois remembered the first time she met Clark. He was unassuming, dorky…Lois hadn't paid much attention to him, but that changed when Perry White teamed them up and while she was reluctant at first, they eventually became very close.
Of course the first time she saw him as Superman, she didn't recognise him. In the blue suit, he was a different person, calm, confident…assured and comfortable with his abilities but never arrogant. Those were strange times. After getting her big chance by landing an interview with the President on Air Force One, things went completely wrong when the plane was caught in a storm, being hit with lightning strikes.
As the plane fell to Earth, a miracle happened. From out of nowhere, a stranger who had unbelievable, god-like powers, showed up and prevented the plane from crashing. The next morning, newspapers and television stations were bombarded with calls regarding sightings of this miracle man and over the next few days, he appeared again and again, always seeming to show up whenever there was trouble around. Thanks to Lois Lane's article in the Daily Planet, he became known by the nickname Superman.
That seemed like a lifetime ago, and now, as Lois headed towards Gotham, she prayed that the man she loved was alright.
Darkseid's Ship:
Superman woke to blinding pain shooting through his body. Rings of kryptonite radiation enveloped him, causing his body to react violently, his skin burning as large drills bore into his flesh. Without the energy of the sun, Superman was becoming weaker and weaker as every bone in his body was broken, one by one.
In the shadows behind him, Kal-El could here the voice of Desaad, taunting him.
"Don't scream yet Kal-El, we're just getting started…"
As Darkseid's fleet edged it's way closer and closer to Earth, on the lead ship, the maniacal Desaad, favoured by his master for his adeptness at torture, was taking real pleasure and gaining immense satisfaction at the pain his subject was experiencing. Superman, the greatest hero of them all, was experiencing agony unlike anything he could ever have conceived of.
His body broken, his blue suit covered in blood and sweat, Clark found himself longing for times past, times growing up on the farm. He tried to force his mind to reject the pain, to concentrate on his memories to help him endure the ongoing assault, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape the agony.
As his natural optimism and faith were stripped away, Clark found himself just wanting to go home. As his pulsed slowed, a metallic spear-like object was thrust through his chest, breaking through his ribs and piercing his heart. Within seconds, his body had given up and the Man of Steel lay lifeless on the hard metal floor.
Desaad allowed himself a sly grin before turning to his assistant.
"Revive him…"
Kal-El's eyes opened. He looked around the darkened room, for a moment not knowing where he was.
"…Don't think that even death can save you here Kal-El. Darkseid has great power, and he will have you killed and brought back over and over again."
Desaad gave a terrifying laugh before beginning his torture of the Man of Steel all over again.