Action Comics #1

Funeral For a Friend By George Jones

Sunlight came through the church windows and cast light upon the open casket. His lifeless body lay silent and still. The church was filled to the rafters with mournful onlookers. Outside of the church there stood thousands, all just normal people wishing to say goodbye. Inside, sat friends and foes alike, they all come to pay their final respects to the last son of Krypton. Lois Lane stood behind the altar, ready to say goodbye to her lover.

"I never actually thought this day would come, when you're married to a man who is supposedly invincible, you never envision you'd one day be speaking at his funeral. To the world, Clark was a hero, a savior, a god, a defender of justice and the American way. But to me Clark was more then that, to me Clark was a friend and a soul mate. Clark came to this world and all he ever wanted was to be was accepted. Clark was raised by simple but loving parents; he then flew the nest and came to Metropolis. But the big city didn't change him. Clark held on to the values that were instilled into him by his parents Martha and Jonathan Kent and that's the man I fell in love with. Clark would leave in the morning and save hundreds of people a day but he would always find the time to put his arm around me in the evening and ask me how my day had been. We all knew him by different names, whether it was Clark, Kal or just Superman, lets all agree to remember him as a friend."

Lois left the altar and went back to her seat; Lex Luthor took to the altar.

"Superman, the moment I heard that you had fallen, I didn't feel jubilant nor in any way happy. I felt empty and strangely hollow. Sherlock Holmes has Moriarty, the Yankees have the Red Sox and I had you. You were my equal and now you're no longer here. I hope you knew that even though we were constantly at each others throats, I always had the utmost respect for you. With your death, so dies a part of me too. A void will be left that shall never be filled. We were the greatest of foes and I loved you for it. Goodnight Superman, rest well. You deserve it."

A solo tear ran from Luther's eye and he made his way back to his seat. Batman took to the altar.

"I have only a few things to say. Of all the people I have encountered in my time, you were the most human. You were a good soldier, the best. Better than me, because you did what I never could. Instead of instilling fear, you instilled hope. You may have left us but your legacy never will. Of the things that I hold dearest to me, one of which, was being able to call you my friend. I rarely if ever told you that but I think you always knew. Goodbye my friend."

Batman placed his hand on the hulking chest of the Man of Steel as he walked past the casket and left the church. Wonder Woman was next to the altar.

"Kal, I always felt we had many similarities. We were both outsiders and had to learn our place among the humans. I found this initially difficult but your success in doing so inspired me. As a friend you had no faults, as a leader you had no faults. You led the Justice League without fear and always led with the utmost compassion for every single life form or species we as a team ever came across. I know I can speak on behalf of the remaining Justice League members whom you leave behind; you will be sadly missed as a leader and a friend. In accordance to the beliefs of my people, this isn't the end of your life; this is merely a new chapter. This is only goodbye for now, until we meet again Kal."

Next to say a few words at the altar was General Zod.

"Kal son of Jor-El, it brings me no shame in saying that you defeated me in battle many a time. I feel I am not unjust in saying that you brought honour to the name and the house of El. I shall never understand your compassion for these Earthlings however I can respect it. Your devotion to protect these Earth dwellers is admirable. You loyalty was unwavering and this loyalty brought about your downfall. I hope these people appreciate the sacrifices you made for them. You could have ruled them with an iron fist but instead you chose to love them. Kal-El I shall leave you now to rest."

Last to take to the altar was Kon-El AKA SuperBoy.

"I'm gunna miss you big guy. I guess I have some pretty big boots to fill. I only hope I make you proud and keep your legacy alive and kicking. From the time we did spend together, you taught me some good lessons on leadership, humanity and how not to screw up and for that I'm grateful. It's not hard to see from the people here today and the millions of people around the world who are mourning your passing, how much you meant, how much you inspire people to do the right thing. This world just isn't gunna be the same without you. Superman, you truly were the first and the greatest. Sleep tight buddy, I'm gunna miss you."