Ch.1

A Hero's Welcome

In the days following the passage of the Vigilante Registration Act, many heroes have begun to go underground to from secret groups to protect the innocent. However, some have decided to stay in the light and fight for truth and justice not in the shadows but in the light. While the world prepares to do brand heroes as villains a threat is working its way through the world branding people with its marks. The Darkness is trying to rule the world. While back in Metropolis a new superhero has emerged from the wreckage and he means to take back the city from the VRA and the villains. His name is the Undertaker. For centuries this hero has emerged from the shadows no one knowing where he has come from or who he is. Some call him a dead man because some say that he cannot die. In this new century he is more hi tech and much more deadly than he was in the past. Heaven help those who get in his way.

Dodge City 1866

It was a late night in Dodge City very quiet nothing, the only thing that was the matter was the fact that the local saloon was housing a bunch of Cowboys and those Cowboys usually meant they'd tear up the town once they got drunk enough. However this particular night was very different, a rider rode in to town dressed all in black. His horse which was called Demon had eyes as red as the fires of hell. Many knew who this man was and he was worse that Jonah Hex. He was a US Marshall, no one knew his name but everyone knew his reputation and it was to take no prisoners. He went by the name the Undertaker and he dressed just like one as well. He stopped by the local saloon and entered the building, he kept his hat over his face and all of a sudden the music stopped playing. Everyone looked up from the bar and saw the Undertaker standing there, everyone knew who he was and knew how fast he was at the draw. So the men put their hands on the table and did not move a muscle fearing that they were next on his list. The local sheriff stepped and said, "Now Marshall I don't want any trouble here." The Undertaker turned to the man and replied, "The only trouble here is that I'm looking for a murder." His voiced sounded like a demon's voice, very unnatural. Many said that his eyes could burn into a man's soul and kill them from the inside. However, those were only rumors spread from story books about his life. The sheriff said, "If there was a murder here I would know about it?" The Sheriff knew the Marshall had a warrant out for his arrest and drew on him but he wasn't fast enough. The Undertaker shot him in the shoulder, leaving his partner who happened to be his wife alone to wander the earth until she passed on and they could be reincarnated once again.

The Undertaker then decided to speak, "I'm looking for Mad Dog." He heard a chair scoot back and the Undertaker turned and fired, killing Mad Dog without a care. The Undertaker proceeded to walk out and get on his horse and ride out of the town forever, never to return. There were rumors that he vanished and went back to hell where he came from, however some said that the Undertaker lived on and would once again return to take vengeance on those that do harm to others, and it was only a matter of time before he did.

Present Day Metropolis

Captain Alexander Lionheart stepped off the airliner that he was on; he had been away ever since he graduated from high school in Smallville. He was glad to be home; he had served over seas for several years and had earned several of this country's highest awards. There to meet him at the airport was his friend Clark Kent, ever since his parents died the Kent family had been a second family to him and Clark like a brother. Alexander was dressed in his Army uniform and went to greet Clark and said, "Well I guess you can take the farmer off the farm and turn him into a reporter." Clark smiled and said, "Well, it's not every day that I can shake hands with a hero." Alexander laughed and said, "I'm no hero, I'm just a guy doing his duty now the real heroes are the ones that people have branded vigilantes, and they risk their lives every day to save people here." Clark was glad that his friend thought that way; he helped him with his bag and said, "So how long are you here?" Alexander said, "I am here to stay, they wanted to me to lead a VRA task force alongside General Slade but I refused and retired early. So I think I'll either join the Police force or maybe start a small business somewhere and go for the quiet life. So I heard you where getting married?" Clark smiled and nodded and said, "You'll meet her soon." Alexander nodded and was glad to be home among friends but before they were stopped by VRA officer and they asked Alexander to step out of the car. Alexander did as he was told and he was lead off to an undisclosed location. Leaving Clark to wonder what they wanted with his friend.

When Alexander was unblind folded he was in a room staring at General Slade and Alexander said, "General, it's good to see you survived that explosion a month ago."

Slade said, "Captain it's good to see you as well, I was hoping that you'd reconsider about my offer to join us. We could really use a man of your talents and abilities."

Alexander narrowed his eyes and said, "Yes, my abilities were given to me by the United States Government, in their hopes to create a super solider. They successes and I became the government's best kept secret and best poster child for heroism. Also I have not reconsidered I like to see you burn in hell, sir. Besides, I've been honorably discharged from the Army, so I'm a civilian now."

Slade glared at the former Captain and said, "Just so you know Captain, don't get any ideas about using your enhancements unless you register as vigilante."

Alexander glared at the General and said, "I want either to be a police officer or have a quiet life, now if that's all I'd like to go." Slade nodded and Alexander was blindfolded again and dropped off at the door of the Daily Planet, right at the feet of Tess Mercer. Tess went to make sure that he was okay and then saw who it was and said, "Alex?" Alexander opened his eyes and said, "Tess, wow, good to see you?" Tess had worked with him once when she worked for Checkmate and now he was here again and she asked, "What are you doing here?" Alexander smiled and said, "Well, I'm here to see Clark Kent see me and him go way back High school, and I heard you're a Luthor." Tess got very stiff and said, "Yes." Alexander said, "Well I don't hold it against you, well if you'll excuse me I've got some friends to see."

One Week Later

A week passed since Alexander returned home and he moved back into his families only home, before he went away he had asked Clark to look after it while he was a way and if anything ever happen to him sell it and give it to a charity. His father at one time use to be the top expert in the field of robotics and weaponry. He always knew his father had a secret lab someone where and knew at the time of his death that he was working on some secret project that would change the world. Alexander was seated at his father's desk and looking for some type of clue on what it was. Then there was knocking at the study door and there in the doorway was Lois Lane.

Alexander smiled and said, "There is such a thing as a front door Lois."

Lois said, "Yes but if your doorbell worked then I wouldn't have to come up here. Besides I'm a general's daughter we have certain rights over former Captains."

Alexander laughed and said, "So what can I do for you?"

Lois asked, "How well do you know Clark?"

Alexander said, "Very well, we have been neighbors since the Kent's adopted him all those years ago."

Lois knew by that statement that Alexander did not know the truth about Clark Kent. Lois nodded and said, "So why did the VRA want you?"

Alexander said, "Let's just say I'm the best at what I do and they wanted the best for their team and I turned them down. However, I suspect that they will not like that too much." Lois nodded and then turned and left because she was headed into the city to go to work on a story. As she left however, Alexander hit a right spot on his father's desk and out popped a journal. He did not recognize it because it was not his father's journal, but it was very old and it had a date 1900-1945. As he went to remove it a holographic image of his father appeared at the center of the room. His father was staring right at him and Alexander said, "Father?"

The image replied, "Alexander, if you are seeing this message then I and your mother are dead. I had feared this might happen for a long time, mainly from the Luthor family. However, there may have been others involved in our death. If you have found the secret compartment then you have found the journal of your great grandfather. There are things about your family history that you must know before you find what I was working on in the lab. Yes, I knew you were a bright child and knew I was working on something that would benefit mankind. If I have not completed it there will be instructions waiting for you once your journey is completed. You must first learn your family's history, hidden in this house are your ancestors journals. However, some were stolen from this house by Lionel Luthor; you must retrieve all of them to understand your destiny son. You will make me and your mother very proud son, I know it. We both love you, and wish we could see you grow up to the man we know you could become. As the image faded, Alexander sat there and looked at the journal and knew that his father had not completely read this journal. He knew what he had to do and find out what his father was working on and why he was so secretive.